Baltimore Ravens’ season is on the rocks after a heartbreaking 28-24 loss to New England Patriots.
Next week, a Pittsburgh Steelers win over the Cleveland Browns will be a powerful blow. The Ravens must still beat the Packers at Green Bay, even if they lose. The Ravens may not be able to win without their star quarterback Lamar Jackson. He took a knee just before halftime, and didn’t play the rest of game.
Even if they miraculously qualify for postseason, the Ravens’ loss to the Patriots proved that they don’t belong there. Teams in the playoffs do not have two-possession lead at the end of the fourth quarter. Playoff teams don’t turn their backs on their Hall of Fame runningback in crucial moments. Playoff teams don’t fumble the ball away.
Sunday night the Ravens did these things, and lost another game that they should have won. Tyler Huntley was at the center of an offense that rushed for 171 yard, made seven out of 11 third down attempts, and scored two touchdowns. A Derrick Henry fumble early in the first half snuffed a chance to control the game. And another by Zay Flower on the Ravens final drive ended any hope of winning. Henry, who had averaged 7.1 yards per carry during the game, was nowhere to be seen on their penultimate drive.
John Harbaugh, Ravens head coach, said it was Keaton Mitchel’s turn to rotate in the backfield. However, he seemed to acknowledge that Henry should have played during such a critical drive. Mitchell was unable to gain space and ended the game with only 13 yards from nine carries.
Baltimore’s defence is also responsible for the defeat. Drake Maye, the Patriots’ quarterback, was unstoppable. They forced two turnovers during the first half of the game and limited New England to 79 rushing yardage. He racked up 380 yards of passing despite only intermittent pressure and led two touchdown drives to take the game in the fourth. New England gained 162 yards on these drives in only 17 plays. The Ravens defense was unable to make a crucial play.
Kyle Hamilton, a safety, said of Rhamondre Stevenson scoring the game-winning touchdown: “It was like taking in water and taking water. Then finally, it broke.” Flowers’ fumble two plays later completed the collapse.
Jackson was clearly in pain after the game but stated that he hoped to play Saturday against the Packers. Huntley, if not, would make his second start for the season – possibly against Malik Willis, if Jordan Love fails to clear concussion protocols in time.
A win in Green Bay will only be important if the Browns beat the Steelers on the following day. The Ravens must still win in Pittsburgh during Week 18. This is a far-fetched scenario at best.
Sunday night, the Ravens didn’t just lose the game. The Ravens fumbled their way out of control and may have ended up with an eighth season without a Super Bowl Ring, as well as the playoff destiny.