Ravens Hold On Behind McGahee's 3 TD's, 21-13

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 3, 2010 7:29 PM EST

The Baltimore Ravens secured a Wild Card plyoff slot for the second season in a row for only the second time in franchise history, the first being the SuperBowl and following season. Beating the Oakland Raiders 21-13 behind three touchdown runs by Willis McGahee, including a season long play of 77 yards in the second quarter.

Who the Ravens play remains to be seen, although it will either be at the Cincinnati Bengals or New England Patriots and the game will either be Saturday or Sunday, to be determined later tonight. While the offense looked sluggish at times and the field goal kicking game, much less the long snapping, looked really shakey at best.

A lot of things can be said about the way the Ravens sneaked into the post season, but the simple fact is that we are in while a lot of other envious teams will be sitting home as their seaspon slipped away as the Ravens knelt down to run out the game's final seconds.

So much more to follow and we'll look closer at this game as well as next week's in upcvoming posts. For now, jot down your thoughts and thrills about the fact that we are playing post season football for another week!

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Run, run, run...

That’s the theme for the playoffs.

by mlb32001 on Jan 3, 2010 7:32 PM EST reply actions

The Three Horsemen.

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 8:29 PM EST up reply actions

did the

squeelers make the palyoffs?
lolololololololololololol
god i love beer

by section117 on Jan 3, 2010 7:37 PM EST reply actions

Colts fan here

Congrats on clinching a wildcard spot, you will play the Patriots regardless of bengals/jets outcome. They just lost Wes Welker with a Torn ACL and MCL , I wish your team luck and please please beat the crap out of those cheating pats…

by thebossuzzi on Jan 3, 2010 7:38 PM EST reply actions

Yeah we want to because...

we want another shot at you guys!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 4, 2010 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

We play the Pats no matter what.

If the Jets win, they are the 5 seed, and the Pats will be the 3 seed because the Bengals lost. If the Jets lose, the bengals get the 3 seed, we get the 5 seed, so we still play the Pats who get the 4 seed since they lost today.

by Gregory O on Jan 3, 2010 7:41 PM EST reply actions

what if they tie?

FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Benji5203 on Jan 3, 2010 7:43 PM EST up reply actions

Not very likely.

Bengals would be the 3rd seed with a half game lead over the Pats, Jets would be out of the playoffs, we’d play the Pats, Houston would play the Bengals.

by Gregory O on Jan 3, 2010 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

ok thanks

FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Benji5203 on Jan 3, 2010 10:15 PM EST up reply actions

We can beat the Pats

There run D is very suspect at this point. The lost of welker is HUGE. He kiiled us in week 4. If Cam is smart, he would know that NE wants to try and shut our running game down. We must establish our passing game early to loosin up them safeties in the box. After that happens, cram it down their damn thorats and keep Brady off the field.

FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Benji5203 on Jan 3, 2010 7:46 PM EST reply actions

Gotta make sure Bitchdy isn’t allowed to talk to the refs, or we will be giving up alot of 15 yard penalties.

I don't know shit about baseball.

by oVecKid on Jan 3, 2010 8:14 PM EST up reply actions

apparently brady has 3 broken ribs

and a fractured finger on his throwing hand.

http://twitter.com/Adam_Schefter
its on there

by On3 Man Army on Jan 3, 2010 8:32 PM EST up reply actions

I don't buy the broken ribs

I don’t believe that Brady could play with one broken rib, let alone that they’d actually play him in a game that isn’t that important in the grand scheme of things if he had three broken ribs.

by tvon on Jan 3, 2010 9:48 PM EST up reply actions

He's had the broken ribs all season

and done well enough w/ them and the finger can’t be expected to be an excuse. For them or for us!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 4, 2010 9:40 AM EST up reply actions

OH ONE MORE THING.....

BRADY HAS 3 BROKEN RIBS AND A BROKEN RING FINGER ON HIS THROWING HAND,WE MIGHT AS WELL BREAK A FEW MORE!!!

by thomlord on Jan 4, 2010 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

anyone witha fast computer? can you tell me if there are any bus or plane trips for the game in foxboro from B-more?

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 7:52 PM EST reply actions

You'd have to get a flight to Boston, then drive.

Don't give up, don't ever give up. - Jim Valvano

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Jan 3, 2010 8:47 PM EST up reply actions

does nasty nestor have a trip?

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 7:52 PM EST reply actions

Yes

Nestor does have a trip raven!

by section117 on Jan 4, 2010 8:08 AM EST up reply actions

Hmmmsounds like a very cold road trip.

I’d prefer to wait until the AFC Championship Game when we go to SD after beating the Pats and Colts on the road!

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 4, 2010 9:41 AM EST up reply actions

I am

saving it for Miami. If they make it I am going to try and make the trip there its alot warmer

by section117 on Jan 4, 2010 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

Can't do that this time

Going to Jamaica the very next day! Went to SB35 and had a great time. Might consider AFCCG location as my road trip for the post season. Anyone? (Bueller?)

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 5, 2010 9:12 AM EST up reply actions

All out pressure on Puss Brady

Lets rattle that candy ass Brady next week. Make sure we hit him in the gut as often as possible, so his sorry ass is buckled over holding his midsection & too sore to point to his poor girley knee this time. Go Ravens! Kick the Patsy’s where it counts this time…….Out of the Post season!

by Johnny Raven on Jan 3, 2010 8:06 PM EST reply actions

Great job ravens.

Not the way we expected to get there, but we achieved the first of two goals this season and are in the playoffs.

Thanks to Bruce and everyone here on this great blog who have made my love for the ravens even more special. Thanks for putting up with all my ups and downs throughout the season.

I am now off to virginia for 3 days of winter fishing. The beer will be extra cold and extra tasty. Can’t wait to get back to work on Thursday and get rolling for the week end. Great day to rep my hometown of Baltimore. Much love.

- Brian

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 3, 2010 8:20 PM EST reply actions

malor- my Vic 20 is really slow today can you go online and see what a round trip SW flight costs from 1/9-1/10 1 person out of BWI to Providence RI. i need an idea before i gas up the car and drive it.

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 8:27 PM EST reply actions

On my iPhone in the car on the way down to Virginia.

My phone is probably still faster than your computer. Good luck finding a ticket.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 3, 2010 8:29 PM EST up reply actions

can i have you’re i-phone when the police scrape it off the street after you fireball texting and driving?

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 8:39 PM EST up reply actions

Not driving butthead

My friend is. Just sitting in the front seat sipping on some smirnoff and Gatorade.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 3, 2010 8:57 PM EST up reply actions

your friend keep that on his lap?

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

Yeppers.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Jan 3, 2010 9:22 PM EST up reply actions

Hope you catch more than a cold

If any fish you catch are green & yellow, throw it back!!

Lonely Ravens fan in Cheese Head country (Watertown, WI)

by DorisF on Jan 3, 2010 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

If its Brown flush it down

The key to success in life is doing what people constantly say you cannot do.

by Zachary Beard on Jan 4, 2010 6:42 AM EST up reply actions

Modest win, but still a win

I guess I should be happy about the win but I’m not really too excited. I am glad we get another week of Ravens football post-season wise, and I’m glad that the Steelers didn’t get in, but I don’t see us lasting very long this year. We’ve been too inconsistent…Who knows who will show up next weekend??? Go Ravens!!! Beat the crap out of those Patriots and those bloody referees who will be officiating the game!!!

by Smiley4660 on Jan 3, 2010 8:29 PM EST reply actions

Oh, one omission...

Great game Willis! You looked awesome out there today! Keep on truckin’

by Smiley4660 on Jan 3, 2010 8:31 PM EST reply actions

Yeah Willis

Great audition for a new team next year as you will probably be a salary cap hit.

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 4, 2010 9:42 AM EST up reply actions

Yep..Flacco really sucked. 11-19. Last week 13-25. Total 24-44 in recent huge games. Last year 25-76 (ish) in the playoffs. Not really showing up when it counts.

Frye was about 18-25 160 today in a 1/2 against the number 2 D in the league. Frye>Flacco.

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 8:33 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

He has been horribly out of place out there the last couple of weeks…. Ugh, just what we don’t need…

by Smiley4660 on Jan 3, 2010 8:47 PM EST up reply actions

McGahee finally given the rock and mixed into the Rice game plan. Cam might not be smart enough to carry this into the playoffs.

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 8:37 PM EST reply actions

But you hope he would be.

by purpleonblack86 on Jan 3, 2010 8:39 PM EST reply actions

yeah but he hasn’t really been includded all year as rice takes 3 carries in a row at times.

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 8:40 PM EST reply actions

i know mcgahee gets the junk yards for TD’s but the midfield stuff stuff needs to open up for him.

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 8:40 PM EST reply actions

How many TDs did McGahee end up with this season?

14???

by Smiley4660 on Jan 3, 2010 8:46 PM EST reply actions

incredible considering he had about 100 carries.

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 9:19 PM EST up reply actions

Congrats, guys.

Please beat the Patriots (I hate them.) Feel free to take out either Indy or SD as well! Here’s hoping that the Bengals and Ravens both go far.

"If it wasn't this, it'd be something else."

by ZJiff30 on Jan 3, 2010 9:01 PM EST reply actions

flacco progression, rice becomes a star

Despite this year being inconsistant, the positive thing is…the future looks very bright for the ravens. Flacco needs a big play receiver just like every great QB does. Ray Rice emerges as a star, flacco did improve, and we still made the playoffs

by wildcatt86 on Jan 3, 2010 9:20 PM EST via mobile reply actions

despite ourselves we made it

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 9:25 PM EST reply actions

No kidding. If it werent for all the penalties, imagine how things wouldve gone for us. I just signed up today to be able to post and my, my people on here need to just stop worrying about flacco. All hes got is no receiving core. Remember, every great qb needs great receivers as well

by wildcatt86 on Jan 3, 2010 9:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Polamalu injury = ravens playoff appearance

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 9:25 PM EST reply actions

try not to hate on Joe but man he stinks it up when it REALLY counts- 3rd downs, red zone, big games, 2 minute drills. He is dead weight under a decent rush.

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 9:34 PM EST reply actions

Keep in mind that play calling tended to be pathetic as well this year. One game they wanna let him go, next game they go conservative. Fact is, flacco has a great arm and poise. Also, this is his second year. Our receivers have dropped several huge passes. Its all up from here with him.

by wildcatt86 on Jan 3, 2010 9:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

i’m just not sure what Joe is seeing. he knows the blitz is coming on 3rd and long. he needs to check through a lot faster. that’s not cam.

by raven on Jan 3, 2010 9:52 PM EST reply actions

Yea…he will get better though. So, in the draft…what do you think we go after??

by wildcatt86 on Jan 3, 2010 10:01 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

get that kid McCluster or something like that. That dude is a burner and under the radar at this point. he might only be a junior though.

by raven on Jan 4, 2010 3:22 PM EST up reply actions

I am so happy Ravens got into the playoffs

Rest up guys!!!!! next weekend is VERY important

Lonely Ravens fan in Cheese Head country (Watertown, WI)

by DorisF on Jan 3, 2010 11:06 PM EST reply actions

Please

stop asking, people, whether the Ravens deserve this playoff appearance. I they don’t, than who does? This must take place every year somewhere. The game is wins and losses. We freakin did it.

by Ravens Boner on Jan 3, 2010 11:18 PM EST reply actions

Ellerbe

Wow. I don’t know how Baltimore keeps doing it, but they’ve done it again. Ozzie goes into the rookie FA pool and finds another LB. To me, Ellerbe is right there with Willis for player of the game.

FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Benji5203 on Jan 4, 2010 2:28 AM EST reply actions

I met Dannell this summer

and reportedly he is the only undrafted FA for the Ravens to get a signing bonus, as they usually don’t get anything He was supposed to be one of the top LB’s in the draft but got injured in his senior season. Looks like he recovered, eh?

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jan 4, 2010 9:45 AM EST up reply actions

Exactly

let’s keep finding LBs in Rookie free agency and draft a WR for a change :)

by Tassadar on Jan 4, 2010 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

Congrats

On the win from a Raiders fan. We are certainly happy that we had the effect of putting you guys in the playoffs and keeping out the Broncos and Steelers. Good luck next week, hopefully you dont get hosed by the refs against the Pats like you did during the regular season.

by Doryano on Jan 4, 2010 3:55 AM EST reply actions

Thanks

If the refs do screw us over, I know a guy in Oakland……………….

The key to success in life is doing what people constantly say you cannot do.

by Zachary Beard on Jan 4, 2010 6:52 AM EST up reply actions

WE MADE IT,PATS HATE IT...

The point spread is 4,with Welker out,we double team Moss,stop the run,knock Brady around,he has a broken ring finger on his throwing hand and 3 broken ribs.It’s gonna be COLD,run the ball down there throats and we win…it’s not rocket science,it’s simply football.I can’t imagine the Pats wanna see the Ravens after the game earlier this season,we got a score to settle…no better time then the playoffs!

by thomlord on Jan 4, 2010 9:35 AM EST reply actions 1 recs