Ravens:
Well, I envisioned a different ending, but knew we were in trouble when we scored the go ahead TD with too much time left on the clock. In game failures included: Botched FG, No TD on a short field, penalties (and at the wrong times), 3 and out with 9 minutes left (give or take), and the failure to stop them on their final drive. But that’s not where we really lost it. 0-for-October was the real problem. Losing 4 straight in close games that we should have won is the difference. Take even 2 of those, and Sunday didn’t matter. Every game counts, and they need to play each and every one like there is no tomorrow.
This Sunday… who cares? Harbaugh says they will play to win, but what starter is going to go all out with nothing to gain? The only victory is no injuries.
Draft Watch: Ravens currently sit at #17, in a virtual tie with Tennessee, Tampa, and Denver. I don’t expect that to change much based on the results of Sunday. The Browns currently have the #1 and #10 (Phi) picks, while the Bengals sit at #8.
2017 Scheduling: With the season all but over, the Ravens know 15 of their 16 oppontents for 2017, and have 2 suspects for #16. Outside of the usual Divisional Home/away games, the Ravens will host Houston, Indy, Chicago, Detroit and Miami. On the road, we will travel to London (Jaguars), Tennessee, Green Bay, Minnesota and either KC or Oakland, depending on who comes in 2nd place. With David Carr out, the Raiders could lose the division and force us to travel to the black hole.
Free Agent watch. The following folks have contracts expiring on February 6: WR Steve Smith (possibly retiring), WR Kamar Aiken, CB Jarraud Powers, SS Matt Elam, DE Lawrence Guy, FS Anthony Levine, QB Ryan Mallett, G Vladimir Ducasse, DT Brandon Williams, FB Kyle Juszczyk, and RT Ricky Wagner.