Ravens Freeze Redskins Offense: 24-10

by Rexx on Dec 8, 2008 11:01 AM EST Comment 11 comments

Wow, I am here typing away on Monday morning and am still chilled to the bone after sitting outside at M&T Bank Stadium, watching my Ravens totally dominate the Washington Redskins. By dominate, I am not implying that our offense ran and passed all over them, but I'm certainly stating that in regards to our defense. As bundled and layered as I was, my bones were still aching from the bitter cold, but it dodn't look like it affected the players on the field, although perhaps it had something to do with all the fumbles.

When the Ravens jumped out to a 14 point lead in the first quarter, I turned to the others arounnd me and said, "ballgame," and I was right. There was no way that this defense was going to give up more than 14 points to the Redskins last night. I was actually surprised that they were able to even score ten points, but give the Ravens offense credit for those gifts in the fourth quarter. At the same time, I'm sure the Redskins fans think they gave us those first 14 points as a gift as well. However, the Ravens defense caused those turnovers while our offense just made poor plays when Joe Flacco threw into triple coverage and Willis McGahee just dropped the ball.

Either way, we scored more points than they did and I'll take another win, our seventh in the last eight games. I was also disapointed that our defense finally surrendered a TD for the first time since the second quarter of the Giants game, over 13 quarters of football ago. Since the Giants game, we have outscored our opponents 94-20, and in the last eight games (including the Giants loss) we've averaged just under 30 points per game, while surrendering only 14. To me, that's the makings of a playoff team!

Last night, the Ravens did it with a suffocating defensive effort, with obvious major contributions from All-World (and Redskins killer) Ed Reed. Reed has made a career of almost singlehandedly beating the Redskins by himself, be it in last night's game or the 2004 come from behind win in Washington where he had a sack, fumble recovery and TD to lead the Ravens to a 17-10 victory. Last night, he started it off early with a diving interception, then ripped the ball out of Clinton Portis' grasp and returned it for a 22 yard TD. He also ended it with his second interception of the game late in the fourth quarter.

The Ravens totally dominated the first three quarters, doing exactly what I had predicted they would in order to win the game. They took away Washington's ability to run the ball and forced QB Jason Campbell to throw the ball more often than either he or the Redskins were comfortable doing. Campbell is just not effective when called upon to carry the team on his arm. He made some poor passes but to give him some credit, he never had a lot of time to loook around as the Ravens pass rush harassed him all night long. Props must be given to the Ravens secondary, especially Fabian Washington, who blanketed Redskins wideout Santana Moss all night, breaking up more than a few deep balls. Samari Rolle has also played well since his return from injury and most Ravens fans are not missing C-Mac too much at this point (who?).

Offensively, the Ravens moved the ball at the beginning and the end of the game, but not too well in between. However, the mark of a good team is to get the job done and they did just that. The first drive after Reed's interception put us on the board and the final drive took the wind out of the Redskins' sails just when it looked like they might make a game of it. A typical ball control, clock eating drive down the field, finished off by a deceptive pass to a wide open Derrick Mason for the final nail in the coffin. Le'Ron McClain ate up chunks of yardage, wearing down the Washington defense, while the offensive line protected Flacco all night. Flacco made the mistake of throwing into coverage when he didn't need to, but other than that, he calmly found the open receivers and even made a great pass to a wide open Todd Heap on the fourth down play that extended the drive that gave us the FG that helped us on our way to victory.

Unfortunately, I thought we were going to get a big lift from the Dallas Cowboys, but they squandered a ten point fourth quarter lead and rolled over for the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday afternoon in a wild game. Perhaps they'll do the same for us in two weeks when we close out Dallas' stadium with another prime time game on Saturday evening, December 20th. However, the focus now is on the hated Pittsburgh Steelers, who come into Baltimore next Sunday afternoon for a rematch of our earlier game, won by Pittsburgh in OT, 23-20, on Monday Night Football. The Ravens have the chance to even up our records with a victory, although the Steelers hold the tie breakers for the AFC North division title. We would need to run the table and hope that the Tennessee Titans defeat the visiting Steelers when they play in two weeks in order to take the diviion lead. Otherwise, we are in fine shape for a Wild Card berth and post season football, when neither were in anyone's mind when this crazy season began in Seprember.

It sucks having to rely on other teams to help us out, but we put ourselves in this situation and should be up to the task to take care of it. It all starts next week, as our season is on the line in this upcoming game. More to follow, as this week should be a ton of fun, with all the trash talking between us and the Steelers' faithful. Keep tuned in, and join in the fun,......starting......NOW!

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Actually the forced fumble on McGahee was a great strip by LaRon Landry who hit the ball out low with his helmet. That being said, it might not even have been a fumble. It was really close and could have gone either way, but obv in that situation we weren’t going to get it overturned. The int by Flacco was absolutely terrible, however.

I hope we get our passing game together for next week. I’m not expecting fireworks, but we at least need to be able to put together a balanced attack. The number of 3 and outs in that game was just inexcusable.

Nevertheless, it was a great defensive effort bolstered by two strong offensive drives at the bookends of the game.

by math_geek on Dec 8, 2008 11:30 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

My eye balls started to freeze over last night.

Last years game against the Pats was a very cold, windy night game, but GOD DAMN last night was insanely cold. But hey, still a fun game to go to and we pulled it off in Ravens’ fashion.

- Ed Reed, well, you are our hero. As much as our beloved Ray Lewis kills himself every single game for us by stopping the run and being our war general, you make things happen when we need them. You are absolutely insane when it comes to getting your hands on the football. I mean, 2 ints, forced fumble, fumble recovery, and td! That is a ****ing great night! Reed now has 11 touchdowns on his career, that is just incredible to see from a defensive player. Thank you Ed, you are amazingly amazing.

- Fabian Washington. I am starting to realize that you may have been the best off season pick up we have had since Derrick Mason. Your god given speed has shut down every WR you have faced. I mean, Santana is one of the fastest players in this league, but so are you. You were running side by side with Moss alllllllll night and broke up any long pass coming his way, two of which looked like they could have been intercepted. Ok Beatdown, who here thinks that C-Mac would have been in the same position as Fabian last night on some of those deep balls last night……………….Exactly. We may have lost that game due to Chris’ age and inability to stay with a WR who can run a 4.3 40 yard dash. Fabian, I see you being a great Raven for many years to come, and thank you Oakland for getting rid of him since you already had your guy, Deangelo Hall. Oh wait, we played against him last night with the Redskins!

- Rest of our defense did an incredible job. Shutting down Washington in every which way. Give some credit to Sam Koch to guys, that man has been giving our defense 70-90 yards to stop the offense every time it seems like. But Clinton Portis, you made me look like a fool! I said that you were going to get about 50 yards rushing and you got 32! God Damn you for making me look stupid! D-Line, amazing, you guys can not be stopped. Linebackers, you clogged up those holes all night, 13 tackles for our boy Ray! Secondary, again, amazing job. Love Ravens style football

- Willis McGahee, well, I do not know what to say of you. You have looked just terrible as of late and last night, what happened mannn? I miss your style of running, shifting in and out of tacklers and picking up some solid yards. Where is it? Why are you fumbling? Why are you dropping easy passes? Why are you allowing a 260 pound fullback and 5’8" 21 year old rookie running back over shadow you? I do not want to continue, cause it will make me say things I do not want happening. Get you act together man, we need you veteran leadership.

- Joe Flacco, did the job guy. We dont ask you win the game for us with 300 yards and 4 tds, just dont lose it for us with 3 interceptions. You had a bone head play, whatever, you came back and led us to an amazing 4th quarter drive and a victory. That is all that matters. Flacco tied for 2nd place with Joe Nameth for consecutive games with a passing TD as a rookie, with 8. Who would have thought that one? Good job Sasquatch, lead us to 10-4 against those Squeelers. Joe Nameth, Joe Montana, Joe Flacco. Anyone see the trend?

Well, great game overall. Even though it was insanely cold, still a hell of a time. Keep the train rolling, enjoy your Monday at 9-4, and lets get back to work tomorrow. Pittsburgh is next and that is the only game that matters at this point. LETS GO!

by Mr MaLoR on Dec 8, 2008 11:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah

O-Line, you didnt give up a sack all night. Hell of a job. Thanks for being the ones who get the offense going. We got a good group of 5 guys to lead us to victory for many years to come.

by Mr MaLoR on Dec 8, 2008 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Line

did a fantastic job not giving up a sack considering how often the Skins brought the pressure.

"When they get drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, we expect them to play like that. Are we surprised? No."

by UMBC Oriole fan on Dec 8, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I second that! (well... third)

O-line looked real good. Flacco was barely touched. Except for when he made that run, which had a very ugly ending. He’s fortunate he didnt get hurt.

Now, lets hope the O line can redeem themselves at home and not let Harrison and Farrior through this time.

IT WAS DAMN COLD. I bought a beer and it was a beer slushy at the bottom.

by lespaul83 on Dec 8, 2008 3:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I bought a hot chocolate and it was just regular chocolate milk after i took the lid off for 2 minutes.

by Mr MaLoR on Dec 8, 2008 3:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My knee "hinges" started creaking!

I had three layers including a Reebok sideline jacket thart Reebok gave me for free last year for giving them props on this site. I also had an Under Armour face mask and hat, gloves, underwear and boots. I was out there in my section by myself for a while after halftime as all the other pussies were inside staying warm and watching on TV. I didn’t go there to see it on TV, but at 10 degrees, it was a lot colder for the Redskins fans there!

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 9, 2008 10:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

In spirit

for you cats freezing your butts off at that game, I set my Keg-erator a little colder than normal.

"When they get drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, we expect them to play like that. Are we surprised? No."

by UMBC Oriole fan on Dec 9, 2008 10:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yurp

It was over after Ed Reed backpedaled in the end zone for a touchdown after his fumble return, not to mention an insane interception about 2 minutes earlier.

by iLL on Dec 9, 2008 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It was also over.......

When an Eagle Special Teamer leaped over the Giants snapper on that field goal and blocked it.

by Mr MaLoR on Dec 9, 2008 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

great game..just dethawed myself. i only saw part of the game because a company decided to let 4 drunk employees sit/stand/sway in the seats in front of me. I don’t think they watched any of the game and pissed the hell out of the older folks in the section who can’t stand the entire game. Sit the hell down..standing doesn’t make it any louder or help the team anymore. Stupid, enjoy your seat..anyway-

Great game! Flacco, considering it was 20 degrees and against a decent defense did just fine. His INT was a little suspect because the receiver did not come back to the ball (on a windy night) but instead for some reason jumped in the air- time that could have been spent returning to the ball. There were 3 obvious drops of passes. He executed the inspector gadget plays perfectly. He was Joe Cool all night.

Leonhard is really special. Rice looked great. McClane just solidified himself as our number 1 and earned national respect during that last drive/all night. Suggs was a determined man and I think he came out of his shell a little more. He looked quicker (although the Skins had a backup center on him much of the night). Ray was the general his is and again earned the respect of national media..as if he needs to keep doing that. Joe Bugel said Ray is that quick and complimented him by saying he could be a 20 year player. That’s Joe Bugel folks..he’s seen everything.

I get the all the local Washington news and it’s been great watching Sonny Jurgenson and George Michael call it a season. Sunday will be here before we know it.

by raven on Dec 9, 2008 4:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs