Ravens: You can exhale now
Billy Cundiff delivered the game-winning field goal after Paul Kruger's first career interception put the Ravens in position to avert a potentially disastrous defeat. They're 6-5 and can now turn their attention to the Green Bay Packers, who await them at Lambeau Field next week.
Just another must-win situation in the making, but aren't they all?
The planets seem to be lining up for them, but Aaron Rodgers may have something to say about that. The Ravens have had trouble with the big-slinging quarterbacks this year and he'll be in his comfort zone at Lambeau.
Comments
The Ravens are now in position to be the #2 wild-card team. We're the ones in the driver's seat.
We just need to win. Ugly ones still count, especially when all the other teams are just as flawed as we are.
Posted by: DJ | November 30, 2009 12:08 AM
A win is a win, especially against the Steelers in an absolute must win situation. But, oh my gosh, can't any Baltimore team ever win a laugher? It certainly doesn't auger well that we barely eked out a win against a team that was on the road playing its 3rd string QB an without its best defensive player. Still way too many stupid, stupid, stupid penalties. Ravs were actually lucky to win this one, but, considering how many recent games against PIT have been lost in the last seconds, I'll take it.
Posted by: Noel Johnston | November 30, 2009 12:14 AM
Pete--Wow, what a gutsy call by Harbaugh going with the pass from Flacco to Rice on 4th and 4.
Way to go Ravens!
Posted by: Barry | November 30, 2009 12:28 AM
How bad are the Ravens my god, it took them OT to beat the Steelers who were missing Polamalu + Roethlisberger and missing starters on the OL and DL ... the Ravens better learn how to play football if they want to have a shot at the Wild Card.
Posted by: Matt | November 30, 2009 1:21 AM
I hope you were watching this game Steve Haushka! Watch Cundiff kick a game winning field goal and take notes loser!
Posted by: Tim Lumber | November 30, 2009 2:45 AM
Matt... the ravens have lost their starting DE, CB going into the game, our QB has a sprained ankle and our FB left the game hurt. Polamalu or not, they still have a top defense. Their running game still did well lining 8 men up to block. Dixon got amped up for the game.
the pass rush isn't going to magically get any better this year. Bannan/Edwards/Gregg should be on their way out this offseason. Need to get on the youth movement on the D line like on the O line.
a win is a win, a roll is a roll and a toll is a toll, and if we don't get no tolls then we don't get no rolls.
Posted by: SHAMROCK | November 30, 2009 10:47 AM
The Ravens were missing players and had players playing hurt, too.
As for FGs, Matt Stover missed a 32-yarder wide right when IND was still trailing HOU.
All I'm saying is nothing is guaranteed. One team misses this. Another team is missing that. Tom Brady was Brady Who when he first took over for Drew Bledsoe, and Matt Cassel finished 11-4 for NE last year when it was supposed to be doom and gloom in Boston.
Unless the game becomes 10-on-11 with someone missing, I'm not getting too excited by who is missing or what the score should have been.
Aaron Rodgers is a good QB but I'm not giving GB 30 points as an automatic. The stupid penalties have to stop and the blocking schemes need to get better, though.
Posted by: waspman | November 30, 2009 12:37 PM
A lot of open Pittsburgh receivers in this game. Lucky to be facing rookie QB making first start.
Better find a way to sack Rodgers 6-8 times, otherwise secondary will get lit up by Driver, Jennings, Nelson, Jones, and Finley.
GB defense not dominant but solid, especially given lack of superstar talent on Ravens offense. Front 7 deep and need to watch out for ballhawk CB Woodson and FS Collins.
If performance against Steelers repeated, Ravens will lose.
Posted by: Dave | November 30, 2009 3:05 PM
As it stands now the Jags are holding the final playoff spot, not the Ravens, based on a better conferance record.
Posted by: jOHN | December 1, 2009 11:37 AM