How the Ravens lost at Denver

[SirPainsalot]

There's gonna be unnecessary panic unfortunately, however, the team we saw in the first half was the team you should be looking at.

 

 

This is a game all about momentum guys, we lost that momentum though.

 

JOHN HARBAUGH and the staff up there should've thrown the red challenge flag on the incomplete pass on 3rd down, but didn't. It was clearly on the ground, and the completion came after the HUGE sack we had. Refs should seen the ball on the ground, but didn't for the second time. Frustrating, to say the least.

 

I'm sure the defense was probably waiting for the red flag, and didn't expect that the Broncos would get the play off. Corey Graham was yelling at Harbaugh to throw it, most likely distracted.

 

That's when it all went downhill.

 

A 34 yard pass later, they score an easy touchdown and gain HUGE momentum. Comparable to the Super Bowl momentum shift, except we had a bigger lead and a defense with more spirit.

 

Injuries did not help the offense AT ALL. Oher and Jones out... Pocket collapses because of the now-hyped up defense, Flacco can't do anything but try to make a big play to shift momentum, which he clearly didn't. There couldn't be a better time for the Broncos to put pressure on the offense.

 

So a three-and-out, it couldn't get worse though, right?

Then the blocked punt. Oh my lord, that pretty much sealed the game right there.

The blocked punt gave Broncos MASSIVE momentum and ANOTHER easy touchdown. Notice how these two touchdowns were NOT the defense's fault really, especially since the first one should've never happened. Momentum is everything.

 

After another three-and-out with a drop from Dallas Clark, a dejected defense then came in afterwards, which Manning would pick apart. With the three and out, the defense was tired and probably really pissed that the previous two touchdown happened.

 

So after the initial two touchdowns, basically what happened was Manning wearing down the defense with the Broncos defense dominating because of the momentum. This game is ALL about momentum, a spark is needed to make a comeback. The spark came in the fourth quarter with that touchdown, but it was too late clearly.

 

It was practically a domino effect honestly. The score will say different, but this game was much closer if it were not for that one misplay by the coach (at least, imo).

 

This is still a great football team, I'm gonna be really annoyed to see all the calls for sacking... except Dallas Clark, he sucked even when we did good. Seriously, dropping the ball for a touchdown? That would've been huge, but nope.

 

(also we're not losing to the Browns at home, no way in hell)

[CalvinSmoke]

Too many mental lapses all around on the Ravens part. This team can do great things but the penalties and bone head plays will have to stop for this team to make it to the dance at the end of the season. I'll love this team 16-0 or 0-16 but we wont win many games losing concentration like we did tonight. Dropped passes (these go all the way around), silly penalties, bad plays. 

 

We've broken one trend of winning season openers. Lets work to make it back to the playoffs before we end anothe trend. 

[usmccharles]

Dropped passes

 

blown coverages

 

no challenge

 

Those things instantly come to mind

[PurpleCityLights]

Same old song. Offense cant stay on the field , D cant get off the field .

[Militant X 1]

Same old song. Offense cant stay on the field , D cant get off the field .

boom!

 

~Mili

[Gordo52]

If talking heads think Ray or Reed playing in this game would've made a huge difference, I swear

[Orange Crush]

So all the same reasons the Broncos lost the playoff game eh?
 

One of the best teams in the league were beaten by another of the best teams in the league. Not the end of the world. These things happen. Brush it off and come back next week. At least this was a regular season game and not the playoffs. The Ravens will be fine.

 

Wouldn't be surprised to see another rematch in January.

[Bltravens]

If talking heads think Ray or Reed playing in this game would've made a huge difference, I swear

How don't they? The communication issues alone would have changed the outcome of some defensive series. If that was what Huff is like we might as well play both Elam and Ihedigbo all season.

[Gordo52]

How don't they? The communication issues alone would have changed the outcome of some defensive series. If that was what Huff is like we might as well play both Elam and Ihedigbo all season.

Communication is really the only thing that would've been different. I don't think it would've made a huge difference because we couldn't do anything on offense and Peyton wasn't human tonight. He's also alway owned us in the regular season.

[nyc9192]

So all the same reasons the Broncos lost the playoff game eh?
 

One of the best teams in the league were beaten by another of the best teams in the league. Not the end of the world. These things happen. Brush it off and come back next week. At least this was a regular season game and not the playoffs. The Ravens will be fine.

 

Wouldn't be surprised to see another rematch in January.

The most logical reaction to this game.The "experts" are gonna be jumpin for joy tommorow.smh

[ratedr]

If talking heads think Ray or Reed playing in this game would've made a huge difference, I swear

Ray? No. But Reed would've been better than Huff, no doubt.

[ravensconvert]

We were up 17-14 at the half, and one dropped touchdown from 21-14.  The defense had gotten three sacks.  So what changed?

 

What changed was the offense.  We were low on weapons before Jacoby went out, then a clinic was put on showing how Stockley & Dallas Clark are over the hill and Ed Dickson never had good hands.  This was somewhat made up for by the line, which was giving fantastic protection before Michael Oher got hurt.  After that we lost the ability to run the ball and the good protection.  They just kept going three and out every time they got the ball.

 

That wore on the defense.  Even the best players.  Ladarius Webb was shutdown until you saw him gasping for air in the third quarter.  Even the announcers could see the tired Ravens defenders dragging around trying to keep up with the no huddle.

 

Before the half the defense looked good.  The offense looked like a mediocre unit with good blocking and bad weapons, but who could put up some points.  After the injuries it was over.  Once the snowball got rolling...boom.

[Milehigh18]

This way...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uEvGcHcV0Sk&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuEvGcHcV0Sk%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

[Gordo52]

Ray? No. But Reed would've been better than Huff, no doubt.

Probably, but I don't think it would've been a game breaker. He would've missed some tackles too most likely.

[ratedr]

Probably, but I don't think it would've been a game breaker. He would've missed some tackles too most likely.

True, but teams were more reluctant to go deep against Ed.

[Ravenglenn]

I thought that the issues with over-the-hill receivers and sub-par defensive backs was supposed to be shaken out during pre-season.  Or did the coaching staff not get the memo that pre-season was over and this was the real thing?

[Death_from_Above]

Nothing felt right about this game from the start.  Everything about the game just felt weird. The fact we weren't home because of our very own Orioles; the overly done pre-game, season kickoff celebration; the delayed start; and then the fluke disaster with Jones on the punt return. Something was off from the start.

 

I really feel like the Jones injury and the fluke way in which it happened sent the team reeling. Nobody looked right from that point on. We just went flat for too long and the game got out of hand.

 

The only real negative comment I have is about the Tight End position. Way too many drops that should of been catches.  As I recall, every TE drop would have moved the chains and kept drives alive.  Of all the off season losses, I knew the Boldin loss would be felt the most.  I hope Ozzy and Harbs can figure something out.

[reediddy]

If talking heads think Ray or Reed playing in this game would've made a huge difference, I swear

 

You know it's gonna happen. That's gonna be unbearable

[DMH_in_WA]

We were up 17-14 at the half, and one dropped touchdown from 21-14.  The defense had gotten three sacks.  So what changed?

 

What changed was the offense.  We were low on weapons before Jacoby went out, then a clinic was put on showing how Stockley & Dallas Clark are over the hill and Ed Dickson never had good hands.  This was somewhat made up for by the line, which was giving fantastic protection before Michael Oher got hurt.  After that we lost the ability to run the ball and the good protection.  They just kept going three and out every time they got the ball.

 

That wore on the defense.  Even the best players.  Ladarius Webb was shutdown until you saw him gasping for air in the third quarter.  Even the announcers could see the tired Ravens defenders dragging around trying to keep up with the no huddle.

 

Before the half the defense looked good.  The offense looked like a mediocre unit with good blocking and bad weapons, but who could put up some points.  After the injuries it was over.  Once the snowball got rolling...boom.

 

This right here.  The entire game swung on losing our #2 receiver, but more importantly losing Oher.  Wagner looked like a revolving door ...  how many different ways did he get schooled out there?  The run game ground to a halt and the passing game couldn't evolve because of how fast the pass rush was getting in along with only having 3 WR available.   That put the D on the field over and over in the 3rd quarter .. they were gassed and against Peyton Manning he ate them alive.

If 'coby and Oher are only dinged up, I'm not super concerned.  Both sides of the ball need time to gel and figure out their identities.  This is a different team ... I don't expect them to win 13+ games this year .. I just hope they get enough wins to get into the playoffs and by then, they should have figured out who they are.

[PolishRifle]

If 'coby and Oher are only dinged up, I'm not super concerned.  Both sides of the ball need time to gel and figure out their identities.  This is a different team ... I don't expect them to win 13+ games this year .. I just hope they get enough wins to get into the playoffs and by then, they should have figured out who they are.

Aaron Wilson ‏@RavensInsider 2h

Jacoby Jones sprained knee, MRI on Friday, Oher optimistic about sprained ankle

[T3hRaven]

True, but teams were more reluctant to go deep against Ed.

 

Or at least that's what the Reed fans will keep telling themselves.

[Purple Punishment]

TE malfunction hurt us incredibly. It was actually a mix of things, but you are trusted to catch a ball and hold on to it. Dallas Clark TD that never happened hurt us bad. Dickson dropping every single thing thrown at him....I mean, what the hell, clearly he's not reliable at all. I think the TEs not being trusted is big. Clark was wide open in the back of the end zone and Flacco chose a much harder throw to make for the score. That told me how much he trusted the TEs. Flaccos deep ball looked terrible too. Too many overthrows.

[757RavensFan]

Two dropped passes ended this game for the Ravens. The dropped TD pass by Clark at the end of the half and the dropped pass by Welker on 3rd down that wasn't challenged. IF Clark catches that TD its 21-14 to start the 3rd. And if Welker's dropped is challenged, the Broncos have to punt giving the Ravens an opportunity to make it 24-14 or 28-14 with the momentum on our side and the fans out of the game. The game turned at that point and I honestly think we could have overcome the injuries of Oher and Jones if it wasn't for those 2 plays.

[Cville-Raven]

This way...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uEvGcHcV0Sk&feature=youtu.be&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DuEvGcHcV0Sk%26feature%3Dyoutu.be

 

win a superbowl and then we can talk 

[GrimCoconut]

Well, it's a simple recipe. We couldn't run the ball effectively, people dropped passes, the OL didn't get any push, the defense became exhausted and poor communication with bad tackling on defense.

[bmorefan444]

The dropped passes hurt us more than anything.   Oh, and Peyton Manning found some weak spots and exploited them for 7 touchdown passes.  That hurt us too.  

[jimmypowder]

The crazy thing about this game is we almost got back in it in the 4th quarter , even with all of our miscues .

[ratedr]

The crazy thing about this game is we almost got back in it in the 4th quarter , even with all of our miscues .

I honestly didn't think the Broncos were super awesome last night. The back to back of Clark's missed TD, the missed challenge, and the blocked punt really changed the game.

[Guest RBates]

Huff tackles like a corner.  He is not a SAFETY!  The non challenge killed us. We lacked the playmakers last night.  We had nobody on the roster that could catch a pass. 

 

It's a shame, we saw all of this in Preseason and elected to start the season with this group.

[Guest RBates]

The crazy thing about this game is we almost got back in it in the 4th quarter , even with all of our miscues .

That's because we are that good.  We just lack the playmakers.