Right Off Russell

At least they didn’t get embarrassed…

This is the 4th time this season where I felt like they let the game get away from them. And we really can’t blame it on anyone in particular. We sure enough can’t blame it on the defense. Holding Indy to 17 points is phenomenal.

Here are the major miscues as I see it.
1) Billy Cundiff missing the 30 yard “cheap shot” (thanks Greg Gumbel)
2) Cam Cameron’s play calling on the 2 yd line.
3) Haloti Ngata’s personal foul
4) Joe Flacco’s interception
5) John Harbaugh’s Time out usage
6) Ed Reed’s forward pass fumble.

A team of destiny wins these games and this team can’t seem to win them. The good news is that if they miraculously make a run and escape into the playoffs, these little things can turn around in their favor. As for now, we shake our heads as fans and think about what might have been.

What were some of the other miscues that cost the Ravens?

Color me scared. The Ravens have not looked good once this year against a top flight QB. And I have a hard time believeing that will change on Sunday. Peyton Manning can pick apart defenses with his knack for getting the Colts in the right play, his pocket presence and his ability to make all the throws. Considering that Manning may be playing the best ball of his career this could be a long day for the Ravens defense. How can the Ravens begin to limit Manning, keep him of the field and points off the board?

Against the Run:The Ravens need to be strong at the point of attack and good at setting the edge. The good things are that NT Haloti Ngata should be back in action this weekend that Indy does not have a strong running attack. The Colts do not always need to run the ball well to have an effective offense, but their line is also not as strong as it has been in years passed. Joseph Addai is still a capable back and the Colts have been good running the ball in the red zone. The Ravens need to force as many 2nd and 3rd and longs as possible and that begins with limiting the Colts backs. The Ravens do have the front seven to do this, even without Terrell Suggs. Will they be able to stop the run if they have to divert too much attention to the passing game? If the answer to that is no, then the Ravens may have some success. Paul Kruger will have to step up and Kelly Gregg and Dwan Edwards will need to have big games. Read more »

Progression: the act of progressing; forward or onward movement.

Regression: the act of going back to a previous place or state; return or reversion.

Through the first part of the season, the Ravens offense showed quite a bit of progression from last season.  It was new. It was great. It was a dynamic offense scoring in different ways.  And it was scoring a lot. The line play was excellent.  The running game was steady and effective. And even though the receiving corps isn’t greatest, they were making plays when needed.

Enter regression.

So what in the world happened?  This team hasn’t scored a first half offensive touchdown since the Patriots game. That’s 5 games in a row without one.  Even more alarming to me is that in those 5 games, they’ve scored a total of nine points in the first half.  And the past two weeks they’ve scored exactly zero points in the first half.  That’s taking the term “slow start” to another level. Read more »

For a little more inofrmation on this weeks opponent, we were able to work with the guys over at the Colts Blog-18 to 88. Here are the answers we gave them.

Indy is unbeaten but they are not dominating. A win is a win, but there are few people predicting an undefeated season. Who trips up the Colts?
We predicted Indy to lose at Houston before the season. I like the Texans a lot, and while Indy has dominated the series, the games at Houston are always tough. That’s the game I think will tough to come away with. Beyond that, I suppose the game at Jacksonville could be tough. The Colts have started out with at least a 7-0 mark 4 times in 5 years now. We all know enough to realize that they’ll eventually drop a game. It will be to a good team who plays well. In 2007, it was the undefeated Pats by 4, in 2006 it was Dallas, and 2005 in was the Chargers. Someone will knock Indy off, but they’ll have to bring their best effort.

If you were game-planning against the Colts D. Where would you try to exploit? Read more »