The Baltimore Ravens went in to Indianapolis a confident team after giving the New England Patriots a beat down. They left a confident team with no game next week.
Baltimore’s Divisional Round game against the Colts started out in promising fashion. Their defense held the Colts to a field goal on the opening drive of the game and then answered the bell with an 87 yard drive that resulted in a field goal. At the time, this drive seemed like a success for the Ravens, but it wasn’t. On the drive, Joe Flacco threw a sure touchdown pass to Le’Ron McClain that was dropped. This was the last time the Ravens got anywhere near sniffing the end zone.
The Baltimore defense was solid for most of the game except for a five minute stretch at the end of the first half. Of course, those five minutes decided the game. Domonique Foxworth was called for for pass intereference on a route being run by Reggie Wayne. That set up a new set of downs for the Colts. Peyton Manning threw over the middle to Austin Collie, but Ray Lewis jarred the ball loose and then was called for a questionable helmet-to-helmet hit giving Indianapolis another new set of downs. Manning cashed in throwing a quick slant to Wayne for a touchdown.
On the other side of the ball, Cam Cameron had some trouble calling plays. I understand trying to throw the ball early, but it looked like Baltimore abandoned the run a little too early. The running game wasn’t awful, but was forgotten in that five minute stretch that decided the game. Instead of running the clock down, while behind 10-3, Cameron chose to throw the ball instead of forcing the Colts use their timeouts.
In the second half, not much happened. Indianapolis wound up outscoring the Ravens 3-0. There was another questionable non-call on a pass to Ray Rice, but there wasn’t much impact on the result of the game. What did impact the game was Ed Reed’s play-making. Reed picked off Manning one time, returned it 38 yards and then fumbled. That’s when it seemed like the Ravens were just destined to lose to the Colts. Reed then intercepted another Manning pass, but Corey Ivy was called for pass interference negating the turnover.
At the end of the day, Baltimore wound up with four turnovers, three points and not much else. This brings a fitting end to the Ravens’ inconsistent season. The problems of penalties and a sputtering offense showed up Saturday night in a game that was a microcosm of Baltimore’s season. After the game, Reed and Derrick Mason answered questions about their futures. I will write more on that later in the week, but more than likely, they will give the season some time to sink in before any decisions are made.
So what does the loss mean to the Ravens? This team doesn’t need to be dismantled. They aren’t bad and they aren’t as old as they are perceived. A team that makes at least the final eight in the NFL doesn’t need to be broken up. However, I would expect to see some changes.
Depending on the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Ravens have numerous free agents, including their entire receiving corps. McClain is a restricted free agent, but will most likely be tendered a contract. As I mentioned, Reed and Mason might retire. Let’s take a look at the rest of the team.
Lewis is aging, but still has a little bit left in the tank. I think Dannell Ellerbe will be his replacement once he’s finished playing. If Reed retires, Tom Zbikowski will be fine in replacing him. Lardarius Webb will be back from his ACL tear and be better next season. Most of the age on this team is on defense. The offense is pretty young, with the exception of Matt Birk.
The Ravens will continue to be a solid team as Flacco grows along with Rice in the offense, and the defense transitions to younger, faster players.
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