Ravens: Did that really happen?
Seriously, that's what I thought when I woke up this morning and started remembering everything that led to the Ravens' ignominious come-from-ahead loss to the evil Steelers.
Following the game, I heard a lot of people saying that they felt pretty safe at halftime, and why not? The Ravens had dominated the first half after the Steelers scored that tainted first touchdown -- much like the Ravens came back from the first touchdown by the Chiefs last weekend.
Myself? I didn't feel safe at all at that point, because the Steelers were getting the ball to start the second half and if they could drive the field, they would be back in a one-score game. When I started feeling like it was in the bag was right after the Ravens stopped Ben Roethlisberger on third down on that first possession.
The Steelers had used up some time to start the third quarter and they were giving the ball back. I actually articulated in my mind at that point -- and I'm sure many of you did the same thing -- that the only thing that could stop the Ravens was a string of turnovers, which just didn't seem possible after the way they had won the turnover battle in Kansas City and during yesterday's first half.
Obviously, I was right and wrong at the same time. They Ravens did turn the ball over in rapid-fire fashion, and they did it with a look of panic that told me where this thing was going. All it needed was an extra push from the officials, who were simply awful both ways for much of the game.
Let's not throw this all on Joe Flacco. Just about everybody on the offense who is supposed to makes plays -- at some juncture -- failed to make a play that good playoff teams make. Flacco certainly failed to hold things together. Anquon Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh dropped passes in very key situations. Ray Rice had his first fumble in forever to start the snowball rolling downhill.
And I'm not letting the coaching staff off the hook on either side of the ball. I don't know why Flacco was going long downfield to Todd Heap at a time when the Ravens were still ahead and really just needed to re-establish possession and find some offensive rhythm. I also don't know why the defense decided to drop into total pass coverage on that key third-and-19 throw that put the Steelers in the red zone at the end.
You can say all you want that the guy shouldn't have gotten behind the coverage, but if you're willing to let Ben Roethlisberger stand in the pocket as long as he wants, he's going to make a big play. That's what he does, just as he did in the second regular-season meeting under similar defensive circumstances. I guess those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it, but this is getting ridiculous.
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Comments
LOL, you need a tissue for your tears? GO STEELERS!!!
Posted by: Mike | January 16, 2011 1:14 PM
It's funny how no one remembers the steelers turnovers which put the ravens in the lead and how they over came it but it's an impossible feat for the ravens to overcome the same adversity. Shmuck your analysis is insulting your city and team. Man up.
Posted by: Ray | January 16, 2011 1:36 PM
Cry baby. Boo who who. Baltimore can't stop the Steelers in the post season. The Ravens coach said it himself before the game. Someday we will be good enough to have a playoff game in our field. Even the coach knew you weren't going to win. Soon, Pittsburgh will face New England. You don't like the Steelers? Watch how Tom Brady destroys these pretenders and do something you cry babies NEVER WILL. Beat PITTSBURGH to earn a right to the Super Bowl.
Posted by: Anonymous | January 16, 2011 1:41 PM
amazing how classless steeler fans are. the ravens in their loss were congratulatory and humble. hines ward was popmous and acted like a ten year old. guess the fan in pittsburgh take after their teammates. overcompensating for a dirty city where everyone has to move to the east coast may have something to do with it.
Posted by: battim | January 16, 2011 1:56 PM
Tainted first touchdown? Awful officials? I didn't know Mike Holmgren was your twin. Losers always need to employ conspiracy theories to explain the unfairness that is life. Face it: the Ravens were COMPLETELY outplayed by a better team. Dry your tears and wait 'til next year. The Steelers are, after all, getting old.
Posted by: jhkjhk | January 16, 2011 2:26 PM
The Ravens took advantage of two RARE turnovers in the first half in the red zone. Both were gimme TDs. The Steelers took advantage of two RARE turnovers in the second half in the red zone. Both were gimme TDs. Remove those freak occurrences for both teams and the Steelers still dominated the game. Let's face it. The Steelers played better and were coached better and the Ravens defense, except for Suggs, is showing its age.
Posted by: Rugby | January 16, 2011 2:33 PM
Mike - nice to hear from you - actually alot of you Steeler fans - actually it's nice that you chime in meaning you either live HERE - ahem - and NOT up in the Burgh - or when there isn't football going on that city is as boring as watching the street lights go on at dusk everyday - I am convinced the only people who actually live in that place are the 65,000 who attend the games - otherwise they - like you probably - have already left. Go ahead - beat your chest - we'll live and be ok here - after all - there IS something else to do in this part of the country when football is not being played......can't blame you - if I lived up there - after visiting last year - I'd be like you - bored to tears looking for something to do - or I'd have moved like you maybe? HAHAHAHAHA - your football team is the only exciting thing up there.
Posted by: Rich | January 16, 2011 2:49 PM
Rich: Yeah, there's a lot to do in Baltimore, like looking over your shoulder constantly. That comes with living in the murder capital of the US. It's safer in Baghdad, but people like me who don't live in (never did) Pittsburgh still love the teams. The only fun things to do in Baltimore are eat crab and go to the aquarium, which gets old quickly. But if attacking cities that beat yours in playoffs floats your boat, no wonder you think there's so much more to do in Baltimore than Pittsburgh.
Posted by: jhkjhk | January 16, 2011 2:58 PM
Pittsburghers may be moving to the East, but I assure you they aren't moving to Baltimore. Yesterday's bad showing by the Raven's aside, they still, as they consistently do, had a good season. Wouldn't want to have to go through anybody else in the post season. Go Steelers!
Posted by: Ben | January 16, 2011 3:13 PM
The good news is, only 29 days until spring training. Maybe the baseball version of local under-achievers can finally turn it around, as the football version obviously could not. Maybe by the 2011 season (if there is one) we'll have a new GM (if Ozzie takes the Alabama job), a new offensive coordinator (if Bisciotti takes Cam up on his alleged dare to fire him. - one can only hope) and perhaps even a new qb unless the brain trust, or lack of same, decides that Joe is either smart enough to call at least some of his own plays or he isn't. Some changes are clearly due. Notwithstanding the 13-5 record, this team never looked like the true Supe contender we were led to expect against even very poor teams, save KC. They still can't win the big one.
Posted by: jaybird | January 16, 2011 3:14 PM
the ravens were simply not a playoff team this season or they would have had the bye and won the divison had they not lost to teams like the benglas early on. they did not beat the temas they were supposed to beat.i predict they will not be a playoff team fro the next seveal years. derrek mason should retire and sho should ray lewis. the ravens defense is plain and simple too old. one thing i do wonder about is the big powers that be do not want to see a baltimore team in the play off's or the super bowl. it is rare that we ever see any ravens high lights from the 2001 super bowl. for this years ravens team in the play off's they just out and out gave the game away to the steelers.
Posted by: leonard | January 16, 2011 3:44 PM
Yes, Mr. Schmuck, it really happened. it really happened that the Ravens blew a two touchdown lead by fumbling an un-tucked football, producing an interception on a miserable choice of a pass, then fumbling a snap. It really happened that Ravens' receivers dropped passes in the end zone and on 4th down. It really happened that in the 3rd period the Ravens had more turnovers that yards gained. And, Mr. Schmuck its really true that Mr. Flacco is NOT now or ever going to produce an offense to match the Ravens' excellent defense. Its really true that the now decade long search for an offense will enter a second decade. Its really true that we Baltimore fans whine about officiating (I still think the 69 Super Bowl was fixed). Its also true that the Steelers have a better team than the Ravens. Again the Ravens offense produces nevermore.
Posted by: Unitas2Berry | January 16, 2011 3:47 PM
No way should the Ravens have lost that game! What a humiliating day to be Ravens fan!
Can Cam!
Choke up that Hairball! (At least we have the second best Coach Harbaugh in the NFL.)
"Where have you gone, Rex Ryan? Our city turns its lonely eyes to you?"
What a wacko! Replace Flacco with... (thinks for a moment) ...Jacko!
Enough of Boldin's foldin'.
Is T.J. still playing for the Bungles?
What a Heap!
That Rice in undercooked!
Edgar's play was Poe.
Ray-Ray didn't show up that day-day.
They didn't have a Oher in the water.
Cundiff kicked like a stiff.
McGeehee? Tee-hee!
Yanda should be sitting on the veranda.
Give McClain a cane!
Koch? Pretty good game!
Posted by: Ultimate Ravens Fan | January 16, 2011 5:06 PM
Listen I hate the Steelers as much as the next fan, but we are what we are. We cant beat the Steelers, nor the Pats, nor the Colts. Joe Flacco is my guy but he is NOT an elite quarteback, not now. We are what we are. So steeler fans, go ahead, laught, mock and ridicule, this team deserves it.
Posted by: terpmaniac | January 16, 2011 7:55 PM
Yes,Pete,I thought we had this 3 man rush ideology toasted back a few games ago and conventional wisdom took over Mattison again.I'm not an inspired fan of Cameron and his offensive philosophy,so,I guess we'll see Joe Flacco in his 4th season as a growing rookie again.Ozzie needs to come through with some better o linemen real soon.
Posted by: Dan R. | January 16, 2011 8:18 PM
Interesting that there are always Steeler fans who are not satisfied with the fact that their fine football team won a game. They seem to have an unfulfilled empty spot, an unmet need, a longing for something-- you know, something really important in their mundane lives.
So they get on other teams' blogs and make knuckle-dragging fools of themselves.
Posted by: OldPhil | January 16, 2011 9:47 PM
steeler fans crack me up. put down your towels and get a life. haha. ps - holmgren kicked your butts in the super bowl. everyone knows u guys didn't really win that one. later.
Posted by: pop fisher | January 16, 2011 9:56 PM
Steeler fans:
I attended the game yesterday, and I've never witnessed so much classless behavior. Shoving a child and spitting on a woman are way over the line (and a bad choice; enjoy that liquid food, dirtbag).
As for the game, truly objective analysis covers every aspect of a game, including officiating (just ask the Denver Broncos). Questionable calls that have a direct impact on the outcome of a game are fair game for discussion.
All things considered, the better team won yesterday, so congrats to the Steelers. As for the Ravens, I hope you watched the Jets closely tonight and took notes. That was Championship Football.
Posted by: Disgusted | January 16, 2011 11:39 PM
Amazes me the chump Steelers fans talking smack on here. Especially about us not being a playoff team. I sure hope the Roonies are sending a bouuet of flower to Steve JOhnson. Had he caught an easy td pass- your team wouldnt have had the luxury of playing at home this past weekend, or this coming weekend.
Steelers fans- face it. Your tea is overrated. The ravens choked and gave the game away. You didn't dominate anyone. Were it not for the home cooking- Boldin and TJ probably wouldnt have had the chance to choke- cuz we'd have already retaken the lead.
Pretty lame to keep talking smack when yur team wins. rather than enjoying it- youd rather rub it in. Good thing this is all writing- cuz i doubt any of you chumps would man up and say anything face to face.
Posted by: Jeremy | January 17, 2011 12:02 AM
As a Steelers fan, I want to congratulate the Ravens and their fans for a hard fought game and a great season. Yes, the outcome could have been different if not for a couple of missed opportunities or missed plays by the Ravens. It also could have been different if not for a couple of clutch plays by our guys. It also may have been different if not for a couple of penalties being called or not called (you have to admit that there were questionable calls on both sides that benefited both teams) It also could have been different if not for a couple of coaching decisions by either team. That's what made it a great game, super close and hard fought down to the wire, just like most of the games between these two great teams. I hope Suggs was right when he said the winner of this team will win the Superbowl. Oh, and to the guy who didn't like Hines Wards attitude after the game, I guess you missed the part when he called Suggs over, hugged him and said "I love you man, you're a soldier."
Posted by: joetbn | January 17, 2011 2:39 AM
Well said, joetbn. It's good to see that there's still some class out there in Steeler Nation.
The Ravens will be back!
Posted by: Disgusted | January 17, 2011 10:45 AM
First of all I expected a whole lot more from the Ravens, the Orioles not so much.
TJ who? indeed....The Oriole equivalent of Garret Atkins.
Ray Rice has proven he is no big time talent with the game on the line.....GET RID OF HIM!
Daqwan Landry? played better than Miss Ed Reed but thats not saying much
Ben Grubbs? what a waste of space
Ngata? all show no go
Flacco? Joe Montana with out the WRs
last but not least Ray Lewis?
time for the glue factory
Notice to raven management...pay up and get some players
Is Baltimore another word for sucker?
Posted by: wayne | January 17, 2011 9:01 PM