For the first time in a few weeks, I wasn’t nervous at any point during today’s game. In fact, my mom swears that at one point in the third quarter my eyes were shut (this is debatable!). I’m certainly not going to complain that the game was a snoozer because I would much prefer that to the Ravens more recent style of nerve-wracking play! I know that everyone in Baltimore was as proud as I was to celebrate the team’s huge accomplishment.
Lately, more than a few Ravens naysayers have been emerging from the Baltimore woodworks. These “Balti-morons” have been so critical of a team that has largely given us so much to be proud of this season! Sure, there will always been those annoying people that want to pick apart the tiny details but all in all, we have a team that boasts an 11-4 record and the possibility of winning the AFC North. (Come on… we could be from Carolina!) How much more could we possibly ask for?
Things we should be particularly proud of? Especially after today’s game, we should be proud that our defense is continuing to produce! Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are carrying this team on their backs and as a fan; I have nothing but the greatest admiration for these two future Hall of Famers.
Ray Lewis talked some trash pretty publicly this week comparing Peyton Hillis to a “blind cat” and inferring that the Ravens defense essentially handed him their last game on a silver platter. He very confidently stated that it would not be happening again and not too surprisingly – it didn’t.
I might be a little bit biased here because of my fan-girl response to all things Ray Lewis but if there is ever a player who can back up his words, it is Ray Lewis. Despite some of the criticism he received for what some perceived as unsportsmanlike comments, I think the nature of his statements were to pump up and motivate his team. He wanted his teammates to perform and today, they didn’t let him down. Look at the ease with which the Ravens defense produced turnovers today!
Ed Reed really dominated rookie QB Colt McCoy today and forced him to make not one, but two mistakes. McCoy may be the answer to the Browns 29th ranked offense’s prayers, but today he collapsed under Ravens defensive pressure. He just couldn’t handle my Ray Ray… I truly appreciate the wisdom and experience that Reed and Lewis bring to the table and I am sure that Ravens fans everywhere recognize the effects of their leadership too!
There is no denying that the defense looked hot today, with two interceptions Ed Reed was on fire. Apparently, his fire was so hot that he literally caught flame on the sideline! Lewis was reliable as always and got the job done making sure that Hillis didn’t make fools of the Baltimore defense for a second time. Lardarius Webb really made a name for himself today too, which was exciting having met him earlier this week!
Have I neglected the offense?! Oops, I think it is time that I offer my congratulations to the offensive line, these guys really stepped it up today. Joe Flacco had 2 touchdown passes today as well as a few third down pickups. He was only sacked once and he was impeccably cool under pressure even making a few runs. The penalty situation was entirely under control today as the Baltimore Ravens only recorded ONE, yupp O-N-E penalty the entire game! (Hats off to Oher!)
I’m really excited to see what the playoff picture holds for the Ravens. If ever there was a time for this team to peak, it is now. The defense is holding up their end of the bargain and the offense is really starting to put the pieces together. We will continue to hope for the return of Todd Heap as well as for a speedy recovery for Morgan Cox’s knee injury. We are dodged the bullet today in Cleveland so let’s hope for a nice win against the Bengals next weekend, it’s time to redeem ourselves!
No comments:
Post a Comment