Ravens @ Falcons, Week 13 Gameday Thread

Harbaugh's best challenge in a long time

 

I hate that the Ravens refused to throw with Griffin also. It's like we just look for any reason to get conservative

 

Defense has been smothering so far today. The Ravens need to score a TD though because I do NOT want to see Matty Ice only down 6 at the end.

 

When the defense is only on the field for a minute in the second half, that helps a lot too

 

Tucker has been money today, 9 point lead, a little bit of breathing room

 

Ravens D with a HUGE play, Strip sack by big O and return for a HUGE TD!

 

Amazing how much better the defense looks with sacks and turnovers! Where have you been for half the season?

 

The defense absolutely imploded on the drive. Horrendous and sloppy in every facet.

 

Stopping that 2 point was crucial though.

 

Well that PI call on Carr was complete bullshit, he wasn't holding Julio, he had his head turned back and looking. Home cooking reffing right there, but yeah they got really sloppy there. Now just run out the clock Lamar, a nice clock eating drive upcoming

 

The Ravens have had the ball 35 minutes with 4 minut3e to go. The ToP has been insane the last three weeks. Coincidentally, the defense has been better also. Matt Ryan and the Falcons were averaging, I think, around 29 per game at home. 9 points today

 

Hmm would you go for it and seal the victory if you nail it?

It's a decision that gets crucified if you fail, but half a yard to win a game seems like a worthwhile gamble.

 

That was the smart decision. Risky, but smart coaching.

 

Lamar sneaks it for the first down, game over. Victory formation time

 

hahah, they got the cheer going in the stands, lots of Ravens fans at the Falcons home

 

After the Chargers smoke those Steelers tonight, the Ravens will only be a half game back although the Chiefs are coming up next week.

 

U mean Mayfield actually played a pretty good defense and this happened...what a surprise...every time Browns fans get silly(playoffs) and talk like their good it comes back to bite them...just blitzed by Houst from opening kick

 

The Ravens defense played far better today than they have in a long time. They got a huge assist from the offense in barely having to be on the field, but they were facing an actual NFL offense with superstar players to worry about compared to the creampuffs the past two weeks. That is my most pleasant surprise of the day.

The offensive line and offense in general has looked so much better since moving on from Alex Collins at RB. I'm sure Jackson has a big part in this, but we were still running the ball on a massive drive with RG3 under center.

 

Part of that is because of Zeus Jr taking over for creampuff Hurst at right tackle. Also Bozeman comes in as the extra lineman sometimes in a TE spot it seems or for Lewis, not sure yet but I have seen him in some today. Either way the OL play has been very improved the last few weeks.

 

Not sure what changed in the defense but they were on fire - at least until the point they gave up 4 penalties leading to a score in garbage time. Having that defense in fantasy is frustrating that way - capable of great numbers, but can frustrating when they give up yards and points even if meaningless in a win. Still, the tight play, sacks, TFLs, QB pressure happened when it mattered most.

The offense was mobile and did just enough to win. Not dominant, and a little dicey at times, but used the gift the defense game them. The obvious performance to point to is Lamar Jackson. He looked more comfortable in the pocket than I've ever seen him, but he still wants to run the ball and is inaccurate down field even against a weak secondary (ranked 28th). Again, LJ ran way too much (17 att, 75yds, TD) and nearly cost him a couple games in concussion protocol. He STILL refuses to slide and STILL didn't learn after his consussion scare and he's going to get himself killed. Say what you will about Joe, but his baseball experience allows him to slide on the rare occasions he brakes one off up field, and even then... It would be nice if he'd teach that to LJ, but we know that won't happen given the circumstances. Jackson again, broke another record for most carries in first 3 starts. It had it's desired affect for about 3 quarters, but even a lousy defense like Atlanta (25th) began to clamp down on on the run by the end of the 3rd qtr.

Gus Edwards is just a beast. Of all the players I evaluated I underestimated him the most. Alex Collins going on IR for his foot might explain his low production this year and with Edwards emergence there was no longer a need to have him on the field. I doubt Collins is able to command a big contract next year and taking another low-salary deal is probably the only way he stays with the team. Edwards on the hand is also on a one year deal and looks like he could command a pretty decent contract for himself next season if he continues to produce. At this point of the season he can still afford to carry the ball 20+ times per game.

Mark Andrews makes me think that it was really smart to draft Hayden Hurst with out first pick and not Calvin Ridley...said no Ravens fan with a brain ever. Ridley didn't do much this game, but he has 625 yds and 8 TDs on the year, which is more than Andrews and Hurst combined. Still Andrews is doing a nice impression of a young Dennis Pitta and he looks to be equally valued by Joe and Lamar. Great hands, but slow feet.

With three games in and Lamar showing his difficulty connecting down field, I wonder if they keep John Brown next season. His numbers since Joe got hurt are in the toilet - 16yds avg on 4 tgt/gm over 3 games when he averaged over 66/gm before.

Great win when most predicted a loss here which keeps Ravens in the hunt for first place in the AFCN. If The Steelers lose to a red hot Chargers then they're within a half game of the lead.