Ravens Take Care of Business & Bears, 31-7
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 20, 2009 8:37 PM EST
49 comments
Moving one step closer to the post season, the Baltimore Ravens defense pitched a shutout against the Chicago Bears' offense, winning 31-7 and now sit firmly in the driver's seat for the Wild Card with an 8-6 record. By virtue of the Ravens competition for the Wild Card all losing this weekend, this means Baltimore now sits in the 5th seed and actually leads the Wild Card race with the Denver Broncos falling at the last minute to the Oakland Raiders The Ravens own the tie-breaker with Denver due to their 30-7 victory over the Broncos earlier this season.
With QB Joe Flacco having one of, if not the best game of his career, the Ravens only mistake all day was letting the Bears return a punt from our end zone for a TD in the first half for their only score Flacco's stats included 21 of 29 for 234 yards and four TD passes, including two to rarely used Todd Heap His QB rating for the game was a robust 1356, easily the best of his career. Compare that with Cutler's 79 B rating with three picks and that alone sets the tone for what transpired on a frigid day after a blizzard paralyzed the city and forced the Bears to arrive in Baltimore only late last night
After the game was over, the Bears probably wished they had just remained in Chicago, as they now trudge home frustrated by not only this game, but their season as a whole On the other side of the stadium, the Ravens had a bunch of help today as their playoff competition, the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, and Jacksonville Jaguars all lost this weekend. Only a last second TD pass by the Pittsburgh Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger today in their comeback victory over the Green Bay Packers prevented the Ravens from being the only team in serious playoff contention to win in week 15.
Next up for the Ravens are those same Steelers in Pittsburgh, still with playoff implications making that game a must win even more for the Steelers than for the Ravens. Baltimore can still actually make the post season if they win one of their two remaining games, either at Pittsburgh or at the Oakland Raiders If the Ravens were to do that, they would finish 9-7, and in most cases that would still get them in the playoffs, depending on what should happen with the rest of their competition However, the easiest way to ensure football in January would be to just sweep the final two games and get the #5 seed and a date with revenge on their minds at either the Cincinnati Bengals or New England Patriots. Of course there is still a chance fo rthe Ravfens to actually win the AFC North title if Cincinnati loses the rest of their games
For now, the Ravens can relish in their dominating victory over the Bears and then get right back to work gameplanning for the Pittsburgh Steelers This rivalry is one of the best in sports, as you can always bet on this being a streetfight no matter what the records are or what is on the line.
0 recs |
49 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Great game by Flacco and the recievers
D was amazing, doesn’t matter that Cutler’s struggling ATM, he can also carve up a defence so it’s good that the former happened.
I feel as if you can get rid the “one of” referring to Flacco, he was good against the Chiefs, but in my opinion much better today.
"We're only going to score 17 points?"
by Edgware on Dec 20, 2009 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
i think we can take the squealers
but oak scares me. a lot.
"Going over the hitters it was decided that we should pitch Frank Robinson underground." - Jim Bouton
by neptunerav on Dec 20, 2009 8:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Super bowl
a few weeks ago I thought the Ravens were still in the hunt when it looked pretty bad, now?
Super Bowl…..eagles 31 ravens 24.
by Farmer Fran on Dec 20, 2009 9:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Not to nitpick....
but your missing some decimal points in Flacco’s and Cutler’s QB rating. I am still dumbfounded at Cutler’s performance for the year considering what the Bears gave up to get him. It’s almost on par with Ryan Leaf when you just consider how disappointing Cutler has been and how much was actually given up.
"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"
by UMBC Oriole fan on Dec 20, 2009 9:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
not to mention the Q in Cutler's QB rating
"We're only going to score 17 points?"
by Edgware on Dec 20, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Demetrius Williams
He needs more touches. the guys a monster
by On3 Man Army on Dec 20, 2009 9:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Actions speak louder than black people in a movie theater......
by Baltimore Warrior on Dec 20, 2009 9:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Whats Next
Now he will probably drop the next 20 passes like he did last season
by Rob from Davidsonville on Dec 20, 2009 10:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I gotta say, I liked the black uniforms.
Actions speak louder than black people in a movie theater......
by Baltimore Warrior on Dec 20, 2009 9:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Wanted CB to play
With Webb out for some time we are in trouble against Pittsburg. I dont think Walker can do it against Holmes, because Foxworth should be locked up on Ward. Maybe we can run the ball and keep Ben GAY off the field. Will see next week but the Squealers look alot more formidable then I thought a week ago.
by Rob from Davidsonville on Dec 20, 2009 10:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Pittsburgh is the most misspelled city in America
by Bug Ben on Dec 20, 2009 11:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We just feel that there is no reason to have an H at the end of it.
Actions speak louder than black people in a movie theater......
by Baltimore Warrior on Dec 21, 2009 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
bruce
u have my stport next week go ravens
okay i have cereal palsy arhrtis and chronic fatiue as well i have a grea life loveing folks some days are better that other days i got a make a wish in 2001 saw my favorive team the broncos was the trip of the lifetime i wish everyone couild gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that ok but i bleed organ and bule
by j-man on Dec 20, 2009 10:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Question
How come qb rating is a four digit number？ ：）
by Tassadar on Dec 20, 2009 10:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Time to take on Shittsburgh next week
I am not worried one bit about them.
Actions speak louder than black people in a movie theater......
by Baltimore Warrior on Dec 20, 2009 10:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Nice win today guys
I was playing around on Yahoo’s playoff generator, and if we beat you and Miami wins on Sunday, Week 17 could be incredibly chaotic. If Denver loses at Philly next Monday and both them and you win in the last week, our game vs Miami will be huge. A Steelers win means that BAL and PIT will make he playoffs as the 5 and 6 seeds, while a MIA win sends them and DEN to the postseason, lockng the Ravens out!(This scenario assumes that JAX, TEN, and NYJ lose at least once in the final two weeks.) Crazy stuff!
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Stampede Blue's Resident Steelers Fan
Ben doesn’t look for hits. They seem to come automatically…
Me, 12/07/09
by LV Steelers Fan on Dec 21, 2009 12:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Just think....
if the Chiefs and the Browns weren’t so damn bad ass this year…you’d guys would be in the driver’s seat. I kid…just getting the blood flowing for the rivalry game.
"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"
by UMBC Oriole fan on Dec 21, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Great Game!!
from what I could watch. I think NFL goes around during halftime killing all streams, I didn’t get the game back until 4th quarter. And yes I was rooting for the Steelers cuz I root for ANYONE who plays the Packers, that was a close game too. I will hear McCarthy bitch and moan all week now lmaooo love it!
Lonely Ravens fan in Cheese Head country (Watertown, WI)
by DorisF on Dec 21, 2009 1:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Sup
I am new here, long time SB Nation user, first time here though.
Go Ravens
by iced on Dec 21, 2009 4:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Victory was sweet
Defense shut the Bears down! 0 points against, again! Four picks and two fumble recoveries…
Offense looked strong. Solid running (not spectacular), showed some creativity with the Wildcat, awesome passing by Flacco…(Naysayers beware. This guy will be a star!)
One more down in the victory column, one to go. (I play it like the Ravens do. One game at a time. No looking ahead!) Go Ravens!
by Smiley4660 on Dec 21, 2009 8:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
1,356 QB rating?
Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23
T.Lex doesn't want to be fed, he wants to hunt. Can't just suppress sixty five million years of gut instinct.
by Patssuck456 on Dec 21, 2009 8:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
See you next week
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by Johnny_S on Dec 21, 2009 9:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Funny how things change
We will be wary of your offense and you will be wary of our defense!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 21, 2009 9:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hey Bruce, Your guys played a great gams and............
I am not surprised. You beat the Bears about as bad as we did. Next week’s game between you and the Steelers is going to be the game of the week. I only wish the games was not on at the same time as the Bengals game. Frankly, I don’t know who will win and I really can’t say I will be rooting for you as we aren’t in the post season yet. I like our chances against the Chiefs at home but it will be a tough week with Chris’s funeral on Tuesday and the holiday breaking up our week of prep. If we play like we did yesterday we will handle them but with the Bengals you never know what you are going to get. Like Raven I am hoping for a playoff game against the Ravens. Can you imagine the diatribe between MaLor, Raven and me if that happens. LOL You probably will need to get your whip out to keep us corralled. It goes without saying that I will be rooting big time for a Bengals win but, if you don’t see it by now, it is the process that is just about as important to me as the result. So I will be asking God to please give us the Ravens in the playoffs. The risk will be great as the smack will be unbearable if we lose but the unmitigated joy of beating a quality team like the Ravens 3 times in one season might just be bad for my health – I am an old guy you know and I don’t know if this old ticker can take it.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Dec 21, 2009 10:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Here you go again
Talking about the Ravens in the playoffs. I still don’t think we make it. I reallllllllllly want us to make it, I always do. However, I just have the feeling this year that I have gotten in the past where we are just gonna choke. After what happened yesterday and the way some teams lost, I could really see Pitt somehow taking the 6th spot. I dont know why, but I just get that feeling about the rest of the way. They will most likely demolish us in Pitt. We are going to go in there thinking we are all fancy cause we can run double reverses and Troy Smith packages against the Simbas and the Koala Bears and not stick to the style of football that wins that game.
I am sorry, but I do not think you will be seeing the Ravens in the playoffs. I think a big time Referee game is bound to happen to us sooner or later. It always does.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Dec 21, 2009 10:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
WOW MaLor!
You are not going to like this……but……well…….you are starting to sound like a Bengals fan. Sorry I know how much you hate that. But I agree that you will have to play hard to win in Pittsburg and the Raiders game won’t be as easy as one might think. But on the bright side if you can win those games you will be battle tested and ready for that Bengals/Raven rematch both of us are so looking forward to. In that game I think the home team wins. It will be that close.
Referee problems are problems for lots of teams. You just have to play well enough that they don’t make a difference. You may notice that the champs of crying about the referees are Steeler fans. You don’t want to be associated with them do you?
BTW I am curious. You mentioned finals. What are you studying? Just curious. As for me I am 60 years old and my career as a business owner is almost over. I am going to retire in a little over a year after a 27 year run and am really looking forward to it. Maybe then I will have the time to come to Baltimore for our games there (I am considering going to next years game. I hope I will be welcome and can get a good ticket for me and my wife of 37 years) . I have a BS in mech engineereing and a BS in electrical engineering from THE Ohio State University. A Bachelors Degree in Busnisse Administration from Wright State University and a MBA from the University of Dayton. So I have a firm understanding of the pressures of finals.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Dec 21, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We may have the biggest problem with the Refs in the league
Over the last 2-3 seasons, I have yet to see one team involved in as many referee complications as the Ravens. We just always seem to get fucked over in these crazy situations. Whatever, guess it happens to all teams.
I am a Political Science major with a minor in Sociology. Gotta go 5th year though because of stupid required classes restrictions here. I swear UMD just wants to squeeze more money out of us. Gonna go take a year off after I graduate to intern in DC with my uncle then probably go to Georgetown Law School after that. Not sure if I want to be a lawyer, but law school doesn’t mean I have to. If all else fails, I’ll just run for President.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Dec 21, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My daughter is on that path
She has a Poly Sci degree from The Ohio State University and is finishing up at Capitol Law in Columbus this spring.I told her that I would prefer that she find a more honest profession – you know – like bank robbery or jewel theft but she has a mind of her own. At least the tuition and book bills will soon stop and I can get that monkey off my back.
Good for you. You know what they say. If you can’t do you teach and if you can’t teach you go to work for the government. President, now there is the ultimate can’t do anything else job. I actually had a 20 minute or so conversation with former president Carter a few years ago at a business conference. One of the most delusional and clueless guys I ever met so I am surprised he was such a bad president. He seemed ultra qualified.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
by JUNGLEJOHN on Dec 21, 2009 10:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My dream is to be a Game Show Host though
But there are not enough good ones around anymore.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Dec 21, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wary about our defense?
Chris Carr and Frank Walker are our # 2 and #3 CB’s now that Webb is out for the season with what looks to be a torn ACL. We are screwed against Ben. 500+ on GB defense? He could put 700 up on us if he plays like that again.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Dec 21, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Arians will switch up the offense to make sure he doesn't
He seems to be very good at getting away from what works on offense.
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by Johnny_S on Dec 21, 2009 10:32 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Did he do bad yesterday?
Didn’t get to catch the game, but he has to be doing something right if Ben can have a day like that.
Wallace is too damn good man.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Dec 21, 2009 10:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It's too damn hard to tell
Either he or Ben figured out that check-downs are very good against aggressive blitzes and that TEs are huge on 3rd downs.
I am so damn pumped for this game and it is only Monday!
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by Johnny_S on Dec 21, 2009 10:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not
Too much crap to get done this week. Wanna know what really sucks? Terps bball plays at 2pm on Sunday. I really hope the Ravens-Steelers game gets flexed to at least 4:15. I cannot see why it wouldn’t, this is by far the biggest game of the week. Might even get moved to 8:15.
You guys are rolling off that win over GB, and I think we have our heads up our asses with wins over the Lions and Bears. We will try to get way to pretty for such an ugly game and Joe will somehow lose it for us in the redzone. I can just see it now. God I hope I am wrong though.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Dec 21, 2009 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They play Florida Atlantic. I wouldn’t mind missing that game. The next real game isn’t until Jan 10th against FSU.
The football game is going to be a good one no matter what.
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by Johnny_S on Dec 21, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Man, the way our offense works at times, I am afraid of William and Mary tomorrow. I never miss Terps bball games, but if the Ravens-Steelers game is at 1pm on Sunday, I am going to have to miss the Terps.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Dec 21, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I used to go to every home Terps game I could. Since the disappointing years after 2002 that has trailed off. I’ve become a much more “watch it on TV” type. Did you ever see a game in Cole? Man it used to get so loud in there.
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by Johnny_S on Dec 21, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I have been going to every home game since I was 6 years old
My dad is a Terp freak. It is scary sometimes how he acts when watching/at the games. Cole was the best arena I have ever watched a sporting event in. When Steve Blake stole that ball from Jay Williams right before halftime that one game and scored, that place freaking erupted. I also went to the final four and National Championship when we won in 2002.
I have been to Cameron Indoor twice and got to see the Terps win there. That place rocks to, but in a more homosexual way.
Comcast is really nice though. State of the art, but still has that Cole feel. Last year’s win over North Carolina was the single greatest sporting event I have ever been to. That was so much god damn fun.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Dec 21, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Same here
I’ve been going to ACC games since before I could remember. I loved Cole and it is definitely one of the better arenas I’ve ever seen a sporting event in. I’ve been to a few ACC tournies including the one they won, but had to watch the Nat Champ from my couch and my parents got to go, damn!
Comcast is ok, the shear size of it takes away from the loudness. The UNC game last year was pretty damn good, but I am not sure if it is even the best Terps game I have been to. Some of those games from ‘00-’02 were pretty incredible.
Optimism. Positivity. Win.
by Johnny_S on Dec 22, 2009 9:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yea I feel ya
In 00-02, we actually knew that we were looking at a possible National Champion. Not sure if these guys today can even get far in the NIT after some of the games I watch. Big game tonight against Winston Salem!!!!
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
by Mr MaLoR on Dec 22, 2009 3:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Terps going to lose anyways so just watch the Ravens play.....
Actions speak louder than black people in a movie theater......
by Baltimore Warrior on Dec 21, 2009 8:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Hilarious - Referee Game
Mr MaLoR, you are so right! This will be the NFL game of the week and Roger Goofball will send his “Carck” Officiating Team to Schlitzburg to make sure the playing field is level…. Led by Edward G. "Ed" Hochuli (born December 25, 1950 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) an attorney on weekdays, dumb@$$ on Sundays, this game probably shapes up to be a disaster…. Our Blackbirds just need to go out and beat Puttsburg and the referees! Go Ravens!
by Smiley4660 on Dec 21, 2009 10:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Who didn’t know that Ward would draw a flag on Bens final drive yesterday. Nice soccer dive. I was listening to that game on the radio on the way home form the Raven game and I just kept waiting for a flag on the Packers. It was just a matter of time before the NFL saw the ratings dip without China’s team playing.
by raven on Dec 21, 2009 4:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great Performance from Flacco!
One of the best games I’ve seen from Flacco. He really spread the ball around. The defense played very well also for the second week in a row.
Don't forget to check out my blog at http://baltimoreravenschat.blogspot.com
Best regards,
Chris
by RavensBlogger on Dec 22, 2009 8:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Baltimore Beatdown
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
