In a very exciting game Sunday, the Ravens came up just short in a 33-31 loss to the undefeated Minnesota Vikings. Joe Flacco came through in a big way in the second half again in Baltimore’s furious comeback attempt.
The offense struggled early in the game, as Brett Favre helped the Vikings to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. In fact, the defense got off to a slow start too. After taking two quick punches the defense held up until the fourth quarter.
Flacco aired it out for 385 yards and two touchdowns. That was almost good enough. He ran the two-minute drill to perfection giving the Ravens a shot to beat the Vikings as time expired. Unfortunately, Matt Stover wasn’t the kicker. Steve Hauschka got his chance for his first pressure kick and didn’t pass the test.
The defense again had a letdown. The secondary was suspect and the rush defense was again leaky. Adrian Peterson was able to find creases and holes all the way to 143 yards. That’s now two consecutive games with a 100-yard rusher after over two seasons without allowing one. Still, this game could have been much worse.
What I did notice, defensively, is the Ravens play the sidelines very well. They have trouble stopping slants and intermediate routes over the middle. Minnesota tight end Visanthe Shiancoe drove the Ravens linebackers and secondary crazy all day. Sidney Rice broke a huge run on a slant pattern and Bernard Berrian’s touchdown was on a slant too. Something has to be corrected there.
Offensively, aside from the success of Flacco, Ray Rice had an unbelievable day. Rice gained nearly 200 yards on 20 touches. Derrick Mason wasn’t shut out again and Mark Clayton even got in on the act. Clayton caught a touchdown pass, almost redeeming himself for the Patriots drop. There was even a Demetrius Williams sighting. Williams got on the field because of a Kelley Washington injury, but he made a crucial grab.
Also, on an even more positive note, Michael Oher played very well. Oher was filling for Jared Gaither for the second consecutive and almost shut down Jared Allen completely. Allen had one sack, but he was unblocked on that play. Oher also sealed off Allen on Rice’s go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Overall, the Ravens weren’t horrible, but they weren’t outstanding either. The bye week comes at a good time for this team. They will now have time to heal up and focus on what they’re done wrong and what they’ve done well. I’m looking forward to the Denver game on Nov. 2.
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