Last week, the Ravens lost to the New England Patriots, 23-20 in overtime, to bring their record to 4-2. The Ravens got on the board first when Billy Cundiff hit a 26-yard field goal. The Pats responded quickly when BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for a two-yard touchdown. But the Ravens took the lead into the half when Flacco found Heap for a 16-yard touchdown. The Ravens extended their lead when Flacco threw a touchdown pass to Boldin from 25 yards out. Stephen Gostkowski got the Patriots back on the board next with a 38-yard field goal. Cundiff hit again for the Ravens from 25-yards to make it a 20-10 lead. The Pats made it a one possession game next when Tom Brady found old target Deion Branch for a 5-yard touchdown. Gostkowski tied to game and sent it into overtime with six minutes left in regulation. After exchanging punts, the Patriots moved the ball down the field following a dumb Ravens penalty, and won the game on another Gostowski field goal. Simply, the Ravens should have won this game. There was no excuse for blowing the lead and later losing. This team needs to be able to hold on to leads late in the game, or this will be a long year.
Player of the Game: Patriots WR Deion Branch-9 reception, 98 yards, 1 touchdown
Next Sunday, the Ravens will welcome the 0-5 Bills to Baltimore. S Ed Reed and LB Brandon Ayanbadejo were activated off the PUP list and will be active for the rest of the season. The Bills are arguably the worst team in the NFL. After shifting quarterbacks a few times and evantually cutting Trent Edwards, they have finally landed on Ryan Fitzpatrick, a long time and now professional NFL backup. Rookie C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson share the carries for Buffalo. Former Ravens DE Dwan Edwards is returning to his former home. At halftime, the Ravens will be honoring the tenth anniversary of the Super Bowl XXXV Champion Baltimore Ravens, including players from the team returning for the event. The Ravens will be looking to improve to 5-2 heading into their bye week. In a not so close game, I have the Ravens winning 31-13.
Key Matchups for Bills at Ravens
Ravens LB Jarret Johnson vs. Bills RB C.J. Spiller Edge: Johnson
Ravens CB Fabian Washington vs. Bills WR Lee Evans Edge: Washington
Ravens LT Michael Oher vs. Bills DE Marcus Stroud Edge: Stroud
Ravens RB Ray Rice vs. Bills LB Paul Posluszny Edge: Rice
Injury Report
Ravens
Player-Injury-Status
LB Tavares Gooden-Shoulder-OUT
WR Donte Stallworth-Foot-OUT
S Tom Zbikowski-Foot-OUT
TE Todd Heap-Neck-QST
WR David Reed-Thigh-QST
Note:T Jared Gaither was been placed on the IR, ending his season.
Bills
Player-Injury-Status
T Cornell Green-Knee-OUT
CB Terrence McGee-Back-OUT
LB Keith Ellison-Knee-QST
NT Kyle Williams-Ankle-QST
That's it for this week's version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week!
1 comment:
Dumb penalty, yes, and continued weakness on kickoff return were compounded by inexplicable absence of defense from mid-third to late fourth quarter. And that is where the game was lost. Seldom if ever does one play, or penalty bring on defeat. But a quarter-long systemic collapse of the defense? Yeah, that'll do it. On the bright side Flacco at last showed those attributes that define a franchise quarterback of worth: planting his feet and throwing into the pass. We lost, but Flacco looked good and rekindled our season's hopes.
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