The undermanned Ravens showed some guts in their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the regular-season finale.
In fact, if wasn’t for three costly turnovers by rookie third-string quarterback Anthony Brown, the score would have been much closer than the 27-16 setback.
There is already bad blood between the teams, which will meet again next week in Cincnnati.
The Ravens will have a more powerful roster in that final rematch after the teams split their regular-season meetings.
“This will be round three for us, so the opportunity is that we’re in the playoffs,” right tackle Morgan Moses said. “So, it doesn’t really matter who we face; we have the opportunity to play. A lot of teams are going home; they don’t have a game after this week, so that’s what’s in front of us – the opportunity to play in the playoffs. Obviously, I wasn’t here last year, and I wasn’t able to do that, and so we’re back at it again. So, like I said, we start from now, everybody’s 0-0. It’s an opportunity to come out here and get a win.”
Coach John Harbaugh decided to rest running back J.K. Dobbins, tight end Mark Andrews, cornerback Marcus Peters, guard Kevin Zeitler, cornerback Brandon Stephens, and defensive tackle Rayshad Nichols.
Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed another game with a knee injury, but there is speculation he could be back next week for the playoff game.
His presence would change the entire dynamic of the matchup.
“Obviously, he’s a hell of a player, and obviously, he’s a game changer, but no matter what – who’s behind quarterback – we have 100 percent faith in that guy, and it’s our job as the offensive line to block for him and open up holes on Sunday or Monday or whatever day we play,” Moses said.
The Ravens played tough on defense and mostly contained Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw for 215 yards and a touchdown.
Ravens rookie David Ojabo flashed in his second career game and had a strip-sack on Burrow that led to a field goal midway through the third quarter.
If nothing else, the Ravens played well enough to give the Bengals something to worry about heading into their rematch next week.
“I think obviously playing an opponent that we’re kind of familiar with will be interesting for us, and obviously playing them twice – it will be three times now,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “We’re 1-1, so obviously it’s a playoff, so I’m sure that both teams are excited to match up again.”
If Jackson is back in the lineup, that could change the Ravens’ fortunes. The rest of those Ravens players that were held out of Week 18 could also be the difference in the game.
Perhaps, these Ravens can make a run in the postseason.
“It’s a division opponent that we know very well; they know us very well,” defensive end Calais Campbell said. “There’s a lot of just passion behind the ball game. That’s what it’s all about. It’s win or go home. To me, no matter where we play at, we could play anywhere. Knowing we’re coming back here again definitely played a role in just the mentality, establishing who we are, who we’re going to be.
“The crowd was intense; they were wild. The crowd was talking a little trash and stuff, and it’s just like, ‘I love the environment.’ It’s all or nothing. We’ll go out here, we’ll prepare the best we can [and] come out here next week and try to win the ball game.”
6 Responses
Sorry, but Lamar has missed 5 games, hasn’t practiced in weeks, isn’t 100% healthy and wasn’t playing well when he was! That’s not exactly a vote of confidence! Besides, the Bengals were obviously feeling the side effects from the tragedy that took place earlier in the week and that’s not likely to be the case next week as the young man continues his remarkable recovery! Add to those dynamics the very real possibilities that Lamar understands that he has more to lose than gain if he plays because his value has been rising with every inept performance and loss since his injury! If he plays and loses or gets hurt again, his value will be diminished……
I guess ” big truss” is a thing of the past. It’s all about his contract now. Can’t wait for this saga to be over with so we can get back rooting for a football TEAM again.
It became obvious once the inactive list came out that Harbs was playing the long game. He rested his knicked up starters and my only surprise was how long he left Stanley, Moses, Roquan, and some others in the game. For that matter, so did the Bengals. They deliberately played in preseason mode too. We’ll see some fireworks on Sunday for sure.
I am going to express my views. The Ravens are a very talented team but have one big problem. It is something they have not been able to overcome for several years. It’s not the opponent. It comes from within. As much as I love this team, we can’t overcome this problem. Another one and out in the playoffs. The Bengals are now the kings of the AFC North. The Steelers and Browns are becoming more competitive. Next year will be a turning point for this team. Will we make changes this off season to start trending in the right direction?
Good comment! Without internal changes, particularly in the coaching hierarchy, nothing will change on the field!
Judging from what I hear most Ravens fans have checked out already and gone into offseason mode. However, a nice win would change that for many. Listening to the Bangles qb talk about himself they have already buried the Ravens. Its all about him. Now if Harbaugh can channel this into his guys and turn the hate button on maybe something happens next Sunday night. Who knows?