Ravens' December brings four playoff-caliber games
Maybe it was after the road game in Miami when a 27-13 win over the rebuilding Dolphins brought the Ravens to 3-3, or perhaps the following victory at home against rudderless Oakland, 29-10, that lifted Baltimore above .500 in late October. But somewhere along the line, it became apparent that if this team continued to improve that it was just possible the Ravens could be playing meaningful games in December -- something that was unthinkable in August when coach John Harbaugh was still trying to figure out which of three quarterbacks was his starter.
So here we are on Dec. 1 and each of the Ravens' remaining games loom with the importance of a playoff game. First, the Redskins -- a rival on several counts -- at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday night. The natural rivalry between Baltimore and Washington is ratcheted up several notches now that the Redskins stand between the Ravens and an AFC showdown with the Steelers. Conversely, the Ravens stand between Washington and the Redskins' own playoff hopes.
Then, of course, is that showdown game with Pittsburgh at home. This figures to be the most important regular-season game in recent Ravens history and fie on any Baltimore fan who sells their ticket to a Terrible Towel waver.
Game 15 is in Dallas against the resurgent Cowboys in the final game at Texas Stadium and even if the 'Pokes weren't fighting for a playoff spot -- and they probably will be -- they're going to fight that crazy in that one simply because of the historical significance.
And finally, the Ravens play Jacksonville at home and who knows what the puzzling Jaguars will bring in that one.
But for the Ravens, each game will be fraught with subplots and playoff implications and for any fan who has ever gotten goose bumps watching some NFL Films drama with John Unitas covered with mud and blood or the ferocious Ravens defense opening the millennium with a championship, this December that lies ahead is what you've been waiting for.
Comments
Bill that is all any team can ask for to be in contention and be in charge of there own destiny. While the colts schedule is a cake walk the final 4 games, i must take my hat off to the pittsburgh for probably playing a tougher schedule then ravens. I must tell to you at the beginning of the season i didn't give the ravens any chance of being in this position, but when i am wrong i admit that i am wrong.In any event i will tell you that whatever happens it's been a pleasure watching this team week in and week out get better. I take my hat off to coach harbaugh and the rest of the coaches on this team for preparing this team to play every week. I know in training camp many players didn't take to that much tougher training camp but i truly believe that they respect him as there coach now.One thing you have to like about harbaugh is he doesn't play favorites with any one player as billick did.
Posted by: blancione | December 1, 2008 11:47 AM
It'll be better once McGahee gets back on the field
Posted by: Drew Rosenhaus | December 1, 2008 2:00 PM
I'm not worried about the Skins, or the Jags, but the two games in the middle are crucial.
So far the Ravens have shown an ability to beat mediocre and bad teams. They still haven't gotten a win against a true contender and they need to win at least 3 of their last 4 to get in given Indy's light schedule.
Both the Ravens and the Steelers have improved since they met earlier in the season, and it's shaping up to be possibly one of the best games in the NFL all season. As for the "pokes" in Dallas, sometimes all that history and having 300 diferent reasons to win works against a team.
At least in B'more sports history, the worst thing that can happen is for a game to have "historic" implications.
However it works out though, this season has been way more fun that I expected at the start, and I can't heap enough praise on our new coach and his staff.
Posted by: Roy | December 1, 2008 3:12 PM
it's going to be a great month of football. i need to figure out a way to get tickets to that pittsburgh game!!!
in response to blancione's comment about the steelers having a tougher schedule: the schedules are identical except for 2 games. the ravens got miami and oakland, while the steelers got san diego and new england. clealry new england is a tougher draw than oakland, but i'd say s.d. vs. miami is a wash, especially since the ravens had to go on the road for that game, and the steelers got n.e. at home.
either way, it's hard to argue that 10 wins with this schedule is a GREAT accomplishments given the expectations at the beginning of the season and the fact that they've done it with flacco starting and without mcgahee at full strength.
go ravens!
Posted by: happyjack | December 1, 2008 5:53 PM
The Jags game is like a playoff game, Bill? How do you figure? Like everyone else I think the Ravens will be fine against the Skins and Jags, it's the two games sandwiched in between that I'd be concerned about. Steelers haven't swept the Ravens since 02 but they still look real strong, I thought the Pats might pull off a win but they destroyed them in their own stadium. They have their weaknesses, obviously, but they're a force defensively and will be hard to beat, even at home. Not impossible but real tough.
Dallas has emerged again with Romo back and they have to go to their stadium. Yes, that D can be exploited, but if the Ravens don't get pressure on Romo he will pick the secondary apart like Peyton Manning did earlier this year. I mean it'll be just as ugly if not worse with TO, Williams and Witten, their offense is scary.
Still, I'd be totally satisfied with 10 wins and a playoff berth, even if we're one and done. It would still be a big accomplishment for them this year with a rookie head coach and QB.
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Marcus,
My thought on the Jags game is that if it comes down to a must win, well, regardless of the caliber of the opponent, it rises to level of am elimination contest.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Marcus | December 4, 2008 2:06 AM