BSL: Ravens beat Cincinnati; What did we see?
http://baltimorespor...cinnati-ot-see/
The Baltimore Ravens used an energetic M&T Bank home crowd; and a strong defensive effort to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 in Overtime. With the win, the Ravens improve to 4-5 on the year, while the Bengals fall to 6-4.
The Bengals were able to force OT, when their prayers were answered on a 51 yard heave with time expiring. Ravens Safety Jamed Ihedigbo did not knock the ball down, instead tapping the ball up, and allowing AJ Green to make the game tying catch.
In OT, the Ravens came up with a 4th down defensive stop (with Ihedigbo helping), and answered offensively with a FG for the win.
What did we see?
1) For Baltimore to have any remaining post-season aspirations; they needed to win this divisional game vs. Cincinnati. Playing at-home, with that back-drop; it was our expectation that the Ravens would play with intensity today. That expectation proved accurate.
2) Great effort from the Ravens defense. They were aided by the crowd, and some horrible play from Andy Dalton; but the Ravens defense deserves credit on their own. It started up-front with good line play (DeAngelo Tyson, Art Jones), and continued into the Secondary (Jimmy Smith played particularly well). Fantastic job of making Dalton uncomfortable in the pocket, and taking away AJ Green as an option.
3) Defensively, we liked seeing Webb brought in multiple times with the CB blitz. (Webb also had a nice 3rd Quarter pick, and was consistently active all over the field.)
4) Offensively, we liked seeing Flacco roll out on multiple plays. Was just a play, but we did like seeing Tyrod Taylor being utilized on the reverse. Taylor has strong elusiveness.
5) The thing we liked most today (besides the win) was seeing the Ravens get to play from ahead. What a huge difference.
6) It might get somewhat lost in the win today, but this was a poor game for the offense. The offensive line issues continued. The inability to run continued, even with Geno Atkins on the shelf for the Bengals. (Shipley was temporarily forced out of the game, replaced by Jah Reid.) Flacco's accuracy issues continued, and there were multiple turnovers. At the end of regulation, the Ravens were 2 of 15 on 3rd down. It should be noted that Atkins was not the only Bengals defensive starter out.
7) One of the big early moments of the game was when the Ravens defensive came up with a 4th down stop on the Bengals initial drive. Following that stop, the Ravens advanced to a 1st and Goal situation when Cincinnati's Reggie Nelson was called for Pass Interference on a horribly under-thrown ball from Flacco. On 2nd down, Ngata was brought in as an extra-blocker on a run for Leach. On 3rd down, Flacco did a tremendous job of extending the play, and found Clark for the score. It was nice early redemption for Clark, who had dropped a potential 1st down on the Ravens initial series.
8) One of the consistent stories of the game, was that Ravens were able to generate good 3rd pressure on Dalton. Dumervil had his way with Whitworth in the 2nd half.
9) The Ravens 3rd drive would end with a Tucker FG, and a 10-0 Baltimore lead. The drive started with a nice looking roll out from Flacco to Smith. Pierce had a catch, and gained some yards after the reception. Pierce followed that up with a 1st down run between the tackles for 9 yards. The Ravens were not able to pick up the 1st down though, with Flacco making a poor throw on 3rd down.
10) Ngata looked to be having one of his better games of the year, before being forced to leave with a sprained knee. He was in and out of the game thereafter.
11) Pressured on 3rd down, Flacco tried to make something happen and threw a 2nd Quarter pick - being hit as he threw. The interception did not provide a huge difference in field-position vs. what would have been the result of the punt; but Flacco should have taken the sack there. Flacco was not helped by Rice missing his blocking assignment on the play.
12) Baltimore went up 17-0, when they capitalized on a Dalton interception. The score coming on a fantastic catch from Torrey Smith over the middle.
13) Coach Harbaugh lost a timeout with his 3rd Quarter challenge.
14) Leading 17-3 in the 4th, Flacco was picked off for a 2nd time. It was a little bit early to be thinking about milking the clock, but the inability to run kind of telegraphed the pass. Regardless, it was a poor decision from Flacco. Several minute later, the Bengals would pull within a TD when Bernard found the end zone.
15) With just over 4 minutes left, Flacco fumbled, giving the Bengals the ball back around midfield.
16) It generally looked like Pierce was more effective in his opportunities touching the ball than Rice was with his.
17) Ihedigbo came up with his 2nd interception of the game with 1:55 left in the 4th, a crucial play.
His good play during the game goes for naught with his volleyball tap to Green for the tying score as regulation ended. Incomprehensible. That said, he gets credit for the 4th and 2 stop he helped make in OT.
18) After the 4th and 2 stop, the Ravens did enough to get into position to attempt a FG. Good job from Rice coming back to the ball on his catch.
19) Baltimore's remaining schedule is @Chicago, NY Jets, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, @Detroit, New England, and @Cincinnati. Cincinnati's remaining schedule is Cleveland, BYE, @San Diego, Indianapolis, @Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Baltimore. Today's win gives the Ravens the chance to continue to dream about the post-season. To me, it will take winning the AFC North, and likely winning in Cincinnati. To get the chance for that game to mean something though, the Ravens have to use today as a spring board. Winning in Chicago this coming week, and getting back to .500 would be a good start. Being at home made a difference today. Taking advantage of the home conditions in that 3 game stretch after the Bears has to happen as well.
