Ravens:
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any wilder, the Ravens and Vikings combined for 5 TD’s in the final 2:05, including a kick return that did NOT include Mike Tomlin tripping/tackling/interfering with Jacoby Jones. The scoring frenzy was an NFL record for the most TDs in a 2 minute span, and the 6 4th quarter lead changes also set a new NFL record. An independent firm who compiles statistics on NFL games rated this the 2nd most exciting non-overtime regular season game in NFL history. I am still trying to figure out what could have been more exciting.
The offense was it’s typical erratic self, but the running game was able to get more traction than usual on the snow covered field. The defense still failed to put consistent pressure on the quarterback, and gave up some big plays without recording a sack for the second consecutive game. Special teams was 1 missed tackle away from giving Minnesota a game winning kick off return for a TD. Blame what you will on the weather, the Ravens played their typical sloppy self.
Now, the Ravens will wrap up their regular season with 3 straight games against division leaders. Every game is a must win as the Ravens maintain their tie-breaker edge over Miami for the 6th and final wild card spot. Playoffs started in week 12 for the Ravens, and they have now won the first 3 games of this stretch. Any loss from here on out can be devastating to our playoff hopes, and don’t count the Ravens out of the division title talks yet. Cincinnati has a 2 game lead, and with a game in Pittsburgh this week, the table could be set for a division title game Week 17 in Cincinnati. But first things first, we must win every game from here on out (and cheer for… um… the steelers to beat the Bengals!?!)
One final note: Ravens game against the pats has been demoted to 4:25 start time in favor of Chicago/Philadelphia for the Sunday night game of the week. Are they “predicting” we will lose to Detroit and our game against the patriots will be less important?