That was a poorly called game, to say the least--but the Ravens had several calls (and non-calls) go against them.

For example, on 2 illegal contact penalties, the "contact" was well-away from the ball. For another example, the Titans should have been called for interference on Clayton's big catch--but in a token sense. Also, when the Titans were called for a dead-ball ("After the play . . .") late hit (the play on which Johnson was bent back) they got an extra down. They should have lost a down because the penalty occurred after the play--and I don't recall the ball being moved half-the-distance to the goal.

Anyway, in ironic sense, it may have been better if Flacco had given up the safety. The Ravens would still would have been ahead 10-9, and they would have picked up significant field position after the free kick.

Yes, it was a victory that was backed into, so to speak, but given the fact that the first game was lost on a questionable call, I suppose justice was served.

On the other hand, I think the Cam needs to be questioned on his overly conservative play calling. The Ravens could have established the run early, but went to the air way too soon--and the result was too many 3 and out situations.

Good to win and be alive, but as Jamie Dukes was saying, Flacco needs to take things to the next level if the Ravens have a chance to win next week, let alone in the Super Bowl.

The "Ravens still kicking" story on the main page is riddled with errors! I know you didn't write it, but the comment about the possible safety is just plain wrong. The video showed clearly that there was no safety, Flacco did NOT step out of the end zone. Also, the pass to Clayton was UNDERthrown, not over...otherwise, why would he have had to come back to catch it...

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Pete's reply: Thanks for the heads up. Our guys have to rush to ready something for the web site during the final minutes of the game. That definitive replay was shown on TV after the game. We're in the process of correcting the reference.

Hey Peter,,, I feel like the only person in the country that saw this (which obviously makes me VERY special, and I tell myself that all the time) but... the second time Chris Johnson "almost" got tagged in the endzone for a safety, he actually SHOULD have gotten tagged for a safety. I've watched the replay frame-by-frame, and after contact one of his knees DOES touch the ground in the endzone BEFORE the ball made it out. His dive finished at about the 1, but had Harbaugh challenged the "spot" there, the refs would have seen contact, knee down, ball still behind the goal line...

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Pete's reply: Good catch. He gets credit for the other challenge, which may have saved three points.

Tennessee didn't lose the game because of the non-call on the expired clock. They ran up 256yds in the first half to only 54 by the Ravens, yet went to the dressing room tied 7 all. The game should have been over long before the non-call.

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Pete's reply: Quite true, but you could say that about the Raven losses during the regular season. No game is really decided by one play.

Good post Pete. Though I don't share your sympathy for the Titans fans (because no one showed us sympathy when they won on a questionable call), I do respect that team. They gave their hearts out on the field, as did our players. It was a fantastic game, and I would still be calling it fantastic even if we would have lost.

Sure, the Ravens got some lucky calls (especially the delay of game non-call), but come on, to win a game like that on the road in the playoffs isn't "tainted". As we have said many times since the regular season game with Tennessee after the bad call on Suggs, the defense let the Titans drive down and score. Yeah, the play clock was out, but the Titans could have still stopped the pass, or stopped the Ravens from scoring. Or, better yet, they could have held onto the football.

Come on, Peter, let's give the team their due. They never quit and won a the biggest game of the year. You know. Like they've done for the last two months.

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Pete's reply: I'm not taking anything away from the Ravens. Far from it. They've gotten far fewer of those breaks than their opponents this year.

Chris Johnson had free rein, easily making the cornerbacks miss and out running Ray Lewis. Sadly, the vaunted Raven defense feels they have to twist ankles or injure the oposing players. They're not so tough, they just play dirty. And your star rookie, Flaco, benefitted from a terribly reffereed ball game and a 27 second play clock.

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Pete's reply: Yes the Ravens did benefit from that clock issue, but I didn't see a replay where Johnson got his ankle twisted on purpose and he said nothing about it after the game. DId you just make that up?

No doubt that delay of game could have been called, but if you watch closely the refs could call it multiple times in every game and don't. Since the refs don't throw the flag until after the clock goes to zero, it becomes just another judgment call.

If the League really wanted to, they could do something like the NBA does with its backboards that light up when the clock expires at the end of the game. In the NFL, maybe the goalposts could light up -- that'd be fun!

This shouldn't take anything away from a hard-fought victory. Congrats to the Ravens.

I was surprised that the Ravens didn't give the ball to Lorenzo Neal when the running game was faltering.

Can you comment on Ray Rice? He was out a couple of games, suited up last week but didn't play, and he was in at least once today ... Will he be playing next week? He seems to be the best RB in terms of quick moves.

Pete: Yeah, the play clock ran out and the back judge should have thrown the flag. But that's not why the Titans lost. The Titans lost because they failed to convert on their many opportunities and the Ravens D came up big when it had to, and forced all those turnovers, while the offense didn't turn the ball over once. Two playoff games, Ravens turnovers = 0, Fish + Titans turnovers = 8. That's why we've won.

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Pete's reply: Agreed.

I thought I was watching a Billick team out there today. Dumb penalties, dumb play calling, dumer penalties and fumbleitis.

I'm glad those guys were were powder Blue

Pete-This game was good one because it went down to the wire . Congrats to both teams , they all left it out on the field . As far getting a break from the Refs , just remember , Steelers and Titans fans took their victories ANY way they can , we Ravens deserve the same opportunity . Since it was a saturday game , will the NFL move next sunday's AFC championship game back to saturday or even friday ? Just kidding , LOL

Sorry,
but for the fans that are saying Chris Johnson was fouled, etc, no go. I have been reading some TN papers sports news and there is no mention of dirty plays in the 2nd quarter. The Titans were the aggressors tonight and McClain's injury was an example. Poking the eyes, twisting fingers and doing Kurt Angle styled ankle lock's are not legal but the Titans were all about that tonight. Instead of playing football, they tried to maim, which is why they got what they deserved.

But really, our "D" can't be giving up those yards next week, or Feb 1. Gotta get it together.

The Ravens beat the Titans because they kept their heads in the game from start to finish. No personal fouls, no picks, no sacks.

Is Ray Rice going to play next week?

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Pete's reply: I think he'll play some, but who really knows?

Lucky, lucky ravens! Steelers will slaughter the bird and make mincemeat out of the team! Cya next week!

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Pete's reply: Might want to get there before you start popping off.

Pete

I read a lot of the articles from the Tennessee papers on-line and they were very gracious towards the Ravens, Flacco and the stubborn way the defense played. They also quoted a number of Titan players and not one of them would blame the non-whistle for the loss. I thought that was classy all the way and can't help but wish them well in future.

Bottom line remains, if you don't protect the ball and you run up a lot of penalties, no matter how much you might outgain your opponent, you're probably going to lose.

Hats off to the Ravens for as gutsy a performance as I can recall since the 1960 Colts-Bears game.

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Pete's reply: The Titans are a class organization. Nobody should gloat. Tough, tough game, and the two teams are tied 23-23 for the season.

Yo Pete,
Here comes that Prediction !!!!!
1st Rookie Q-B to win a Super Bowl !!

Observations :
Finally , some of the breaks go OUR way .
Matt Stover ought to have the number on his jersey removed and replaced with a dollar sign , - he is money in the bank .
Joe Flacco = Joe Cool .
Where was Ray Rice ?

What do you mean appeared to run out... It freaking did run out. Stop with the lame excuses of what happened during the regular season. The Refs "appeared" to blow the call and it ultimately "appeared" to put the Ravens in position for the win.

None of it matters, the refs did what they did best, call a game as they see it within the rules. The Ravens had at least two calls against them on questionable calls on illegal contact away from the play. The Ravens play next week, the Titans don't that is all that matters. Makes it more fun to watch the Steelers and Chargers game today:)

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Pete's reply: Now, if you're calling the Samari Rolle illegal contact foul iffy on the first Tennessee touchdown drive, I'm going to have to call you on that. Samari mugged the guy. It was away from the play, but it was definitely the dictionary definition of illegal contact.

The Titans O line held so bad the tv commentators pointed it out and sounded surprised they were getting away with it.The delay of game penalty is not a consistent call anymore.It's been happening at other games,too.I think the NFL is creating more controversy if they don't enforce the rule more strictly;just my opinion.

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Pete's reply: I don't know if it was a coincidence, but they were calling it really close in the second game yesterday.

I hope they assign Ed Reed to do punt and kickoff returns for the next 2 games!
Also, where is Ray Rice??

Yes Karma lives, the clock ran out and the Suggs call is now "Even Steven"

The Ravens were tired and they should have been. After only 6 days off between play-off games, which followed a exhausting year due to the loss of their bye week. They showed true CLASS & GUTS. They never complained and there new mantra which is verberating natioanly "we love to play football; anywhere, anytime. That is a classic I believe first heard, at least by me, from Ed Reed.

Poor Jeff Fisher. Great coach, plays good tough football. He probably wont sleep for 6 months or more. Everytime he just about doses off, a fumble will jump out. Or a interception, god knows it's another panallty! It took the man years to get over the 2000 lopsided loss to the Ravens. I'm not sure he'll ever be able to recover from yesterday.

CONGRADULATIONS TO THE ENTIRE RAVENS ORGAINAZATION AND THANK YOU. YOU'VE INCREASED OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

My God! I can't imagine what's in store for next Sunday. Football at it's best is assured. GO RAVENS !!!

There are two things others have mentioned that are not being mentioned by the national media:

1. The ball never made it out of the endzone on Chris Johnson's second down run. That should have been a safety.

2. The Titans were given an extra down a few plays later.

Yes, the delay of game should have been called against the Ravens. But it's not like the Ravens were the only ones getting the breaks from poor calls yesterday. I would say it just about evened out.

In any event, the Titans had plenty of chances. They are a good team. They just didn't convert when they had to. After watching the Ravens lose 15-6 to the Colts two years ago, I know the feeling.

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Pete's reply: I thought the same thing on the "extra play" but the whistle apparently had not blown so it was not after the play.

FOOTBALL.......HE WHO GETS THE MOST POINTS WINS...PERIOD...HISTORY...........BAD CALLS...NO CALLS...WHAT IFS...SHOULDA...COULDA...ETC...ETC...ETC...LET US START SOME TALK TOWARDS NEXT VICTIM......THANK YOU......

Peter: I've heard from several friends who were at the game that the Referee - Terry McCauley, was signaling to reset the play clock during that controversial no call for delay of game. Any confirmation of that? If its true, the officiating crew didn't screw up. Not sure why McCauley would signal to reset it, but the Back Judge probably refrained from calling it because he saw the referee's signal.

Facts....

Flacco stepped out of bounds in the end zone (no call). Flacco says after the game - "I wasn't out because they didn't call it." Sounds like he knows he got away with one.

Flacco didn't get the snap off before the play clock expired (no call) and a completed first down pass (on 3rd and 8) to Heap. Had the official got it right it would have been 3rd and 13 and chances are the Ravens don't get the first down. Flacco gets away with another one.

So, (keeping in mind that I am not a Titans or Ravens fan) the Ravens' victory yesterday was tainted by poor officiating. I guess Ed Hoculli wasn't the only ref to gift wrap a game for a team this year.

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Pete's reply: If you watched the postgame show, you would have seen the overhead replay that showed very clearly that Flacco did NOT step out of the end zone.

great win, but the worst off. play calling i have ever seen from any team. we were very lucky to win. there was no imaganation what so ever. what did we use, maybe 8 diff. plays the whole game? next game better be diff., or it will be our last game. examble: first and goal, and we call 2 runs in the middle, with the titans having a man in every gap and 3 linebackers up close behind their 3 middle linemen. in short 6 men in the hole we were going to attack, result- 2 yd loss each time. where was a check off to another play. why do we ask flacco to play as though he has one hand tied behind his back?

Pete -

The non-call was a non-issue in reality. Titans score some points on those red zone possessions they could and should have put the game away! Credit the Ravens defense for hanging in there and making plays when they needed to. Pretty good game though. Good old fashion football with defenses dictating the outcome!

If the ref threw the flag, it would have been 3rd and 7 -- hardly a crushing blow. Tennessee fans are whiners.

This reminds me of the 2000/01 team in that some of the wins aren't so pretty but they get it done in a variety of ways. Normally the longer the other team has ball on offense the better. Like the 2000 defense the more plays the other team has during the drive the greater chance our defense is going to force a turnover. This has more to do with great defensive skill than poor luck that the TV commentators would have you beleive. When the other team is on a long slow drive it's almost like we've got them just where we want them. I love it when the commentators start saying things like" the Ravens defense has got to be tired." It is a tribute to their conditioninging,prepartion, teamwork and coaching that they have played this well without the rest that the other teams have had. One big difference offensively over the 2000/01 team is the diversity of plays Cam Cameron has put together along with our long ball threat. Now we can beat a great team like Tenessee with a couple good plays in games where we haven't maintained as much time of possesion. The other big difference is this teams humility and attitude. They look like enjoy every minute they are playing. Harbough deserves so much for this attitude along with Ryan and Cameron and staff. Team leaders are showing this humble attitude like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed along with Joe Flacco's calmness and poise. Derrick Mason has been a warrior and I loved his interview where he talked about how one game you might get alot of passes to you and the next game it would be your team mate.You get a much greater sense of team with these guys this year. This is a fun team to watch. STAY HUMBLE.

I agree with you that"No game is really decided by one play."

I agree and therefore don't see how the the victory is "tainted" at all by one call.

The "delay of game" non-call was a big, well, non-call in an even BIGger situation. But how can you feel "sorry" for the Titans fans Schmuck? Their team gained over 300 total yards in offense (at home) and managed only 10 points! The Titans and their fans have only those costly turnovers to blame for losing. With all that the Ravens had to overcome: A grueling 16-week run without rest, Suggs' injury, and last but certainly not least, pitting a rookie quarterback against the Titans highly ranked defense at home, I think it's safe to say that the better team won yesterday.

There are bad calls in every game, and it is part of the game. The Ravens certainly know what it's like to be hosed. No one can possibly say what would have happened on third and 7. I can relate to the Titan fans, but weren't we saying a few weeks ago that a team should never put itself in a position to let the refs decide a game? The Titans themselves know better than to blame the refs. What a game it was.

Pete, In response to all those looking for Ray Rice, I saw him twice in third down situations. Both times , he curled out of the backfield and set up for the dumpoff 5 yards in the middle . Both times Joe went elsewhere, but it looked like Rice could have used the umpire as a pick and gotten the first down plus a lot more.Hmmmm? Maybe next week after this gametape is looked at? Bottom line on no calls, bad calls,etc. I've seen enough go against us to realize one or two have to go our way sometime. And Pete, it's time to change your shirt!!!

I am surprised no one mentioned the Dolphins game last week in regard to the clock issue. the same thing happened I believe twice in that game. The clock on the TV is showing zero, yet no flag. As they explained it then the official clock is maintained on the field, so if the ref doesn't through the flag it is what it is. Just because you dominate the game statistically, if you can't score you don't win. In the first game we dominated and lost. I don't think that play will taint this win

GOT DVR? SUGGS NAILED CHRIS JOHNSON FOR A SAFETY! 2nd and 9 on the 1 yard line in the middle of 2nd quarter. Slo-Mo shows johnson's knee down before the ball gets anywhere near the end zone line. SO FORGET ABOUT THE CLOCK GOING TO ZERO...WHICH I SEE ALL THE TIME. HOW HARD WOULD IT BE TO RIG A BUZZER ON THE CLOCK LIKE BASKETBALL? SO--LEAGUE'S FAULT NOT YOURS. PS. IF YOU DON'T WANT RAY MY RAIDERS WOULD LOVE HIM. ravens vs. philly for the bowl.

No one is talking about the Titans getting an extra down in the 2nd quarter. It happened right after Ray popped Hall hard (Hall's helmet went flying). At that point, the Titans get 1st down starting on their 12. On 1st down, they run 7 yards from the 12 to the 19. After the play is over, Titans get called for unnecessary roughness (dead-ball foul). Since it was a deadball penalty it is taken from the spot where the 1st down ended - 19. Since the penalty occurred inside their own 20, its half the distance, refs put the ball on the 10. Here's the problem - shouldn't it now be SECOND down and not still 1st? Maybe we could have stopped them and forced them to kick from theri endzone versus intercepting later on in that series.

Pulled those plays from NFL's website - see, they received 1st down twice even though the penalty was against them!
1-10-TEN 12 (9:58) 28-C.Johnson up the middle to TEN 19 for 7 yards (55-T.Suggs, 52-R.Lewis). PENALTY on TEN-76-D.Stewart, Unnecessary Roughness, 9 yards, enforced at TEN 19.
1-12-TEN 10 (9:52) 28-C.Johnson right end pushed ob at TEN 20 for 10 yards (57-B.Scott).
2-2-TEN 20 (9:25) 25-L.White left guard to TEN 20 for no gain (52-R.Lewis, 57-B.Scott).
3-2-TEN 20 (8:41) (Shotgun) 5-K.Collins pass short middle to 12-J.Gage to TEN 30 for 10 yards (31-F.Washington).

The full play by play from NFL's website - http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbyplay?game_id=54459&displayPage=tab_play_by_play&season=2008&week=POST19&override=true

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Pete's reply: Except it wasn't a dead ball penalty. They ruled it happened before the whistle blew.

Awesome game - I was standing up the entire 4th quarter and I was watching at home!

I've heard and seen it mentioned at least three times (the first being from that amateur Dierdorf - boy, how many mistakes can a guy make and still get the "big" game assignments?)) that the Ravens have gotten 8 turnovers while giving the ball up 0 times. Not true. They have 9 turnovers and gave it up once for a +8 turnover differential. Small point maybe, but still...

I concur with the standing up comment. I never stand while watching a football game, but yesterday I stood in front of the television for about half the game. The tension was tremendous in my living room, especially during crucial moments of the game. I could not stay in my seat.

A little bit off topic, but it was clear that the Ravens were gassed during the entire game. I believe they started the game with about a half a tank of gas and most of that was gone by halftime. They were running on fumes in the second half, especially the defense, which is the primary reason Ten was able to run up and down the field on the Ravens.

My question is this. Is 8 days enough time for the Ravens to recover and go into the AFC Championship game in better shape then they were going into the Ten game?

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Pete's reply: It's going to have to be and the other team will have less time to recover.

More important then the Ravens. Did you know that The Rightous Brothers went to Cal. St. Fullerton. Now that's something to brag about.

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Pete's reply: Actually, Bill Medley went to my high school -- Santa Ana High -- though about 20 years before me. If he went to Cal State Fullerton, it wasn't called that at the time. The college was originally called Orange State, believe it or not.

I'm a Ravens fan, but I just wanted to clarify that Chris Johnson was not tackled for a safety. Maybe you guys don't have HD, but my DVR clearly showed that he broke the goal line. There was a great replay CBS showed from a camera right on the goal line.

What about Flacco's 48-yard answer to Mason? I thought the Ravens were going to lose that game the way Johnson was running all over them. But when Flacco hit that pass, I knew we had a chance.

The Titans loss was a tough one for the home team. You cannot turn over the ball and get penalized so often and win- however they still almost managed to pull it out. You have some good fans. They were good guests and have alot of spirit....good people. Thanks for noticing that non-call. It may have made a difference, but you still have to make your own breaks. It was a bad end to a good season.

Bill, you're talking about dirty play from the Ravens, against a team with 3 or 4 personal fouls yesterday, and who has Albert Haynesworth, Cortland Finnegan, and Kyle vanden Bosch?

Wow - talk about seeing things through some strange glasses.