The Baltimore Ravens fall to 4-8 as their disaster of a season continues as they lost to the Miami Dolphins 15-13. A lot of fallout came from what many nationally thought of as an irrelevant game but this game featured two teams that had an ounce of hope of staying in the playoff chase with a win while the other would be all but officially out of the postseason. The Ravens would end up being the latter.
Despite the loss, we did learn a few things about the Ravens in week 13.
What We Learned
1.) Ravens never give up
I know there is no such thing as a moral victories in professional sports, but what the Ravens are doing with at least 17 players heading to injured reserve at the end of this season is impressive.
The Ravens, in all 12 of their games this year, have had outcomes decided by eight points or less which is an NFL record. It seems a bit odd that a 4-8 team can deal with so many injuries yet be in so many close ball games. That is a testament to head coach John Harbaugh.
2.) Ravens will have quality depth at the running back position next year
With Justin Forsett out for the season, Buck Allen and Terrance West have made the most of their opportunities in the last two games. Allen has 367 yards from scrimmage in the last two games with two touchdowns. Allen also tied New York Jets wide receiver Brandon Marshall in receptions with 12 on Sunday to lead all NFL players.
West in his two games with the Ravens so far has shown quickness as he is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and he has also shown that he has pretty good vision. When the middle of the opponents front seven is closed, he bounces outside for extra yards.
Next season between Forsett, Allen and West it will be an entertaining battle. If Allen and West keep on playing the way they are, I think all three players make the team next year and backup running back Lorenzo Taliaferro is on the bubble as he has been sent to IR in each of the last two seasons.
3.) Don't doubt Joe Flacco's abilities ever again
I don't doubt Flacco's ability at the quarterback position. The Super Bowl run in 2012 proved everything I need to know about Flacco. I always thought he was a top 10 quarterback.
But at the same time, there are a small minority of Ravens fans and plenty of critics in the national media who have been critical of him in the past. And when you look at backup quarterback Matt Schaub throwing interceptions that are returned for touchdowns consistently, those small minority of Ravens fans should be thankful for Flacco.
To have Flacco play for the Ravens in all eight of his seasons as a pro and only have one possible losing season to along with 10 playoff wins, three AFC championship appearances and a Super Bowl trophy is fortunate.
Ya, this 2015 season wasn't going well even when Flacco was playing, but he is clearly of the best at his position.Flacco had an off year just like almost everyone else on the team. It really shouldn't be debatable anymore about who Flacco is and I shouldn't have to write this.