Baltimore Ravens win 16-13 against the San Diego Chargers

The Baltimore Ravens defeated the San Diego Charges with a field goal in overtime 16-13. That game was probably one of the most exceptional games I have seen, especially the run by Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice had. 29 yards on 4^th down and he got it by about a foot. It was good, smart thinking on Joe Flacco’s part. He set the field up to throw a Hail Mary and instead threw underneath to Rice. Flacco had his Receivers go deep with 8 of the Chargers defensive players. The Chargers were prepared for the Hail Mary pass… everyone was expecting a Hail Mary pass. So, when Joe threw a short pass to Ray Rice, the Chargers were taken off guard and had to hustle. It was lucky play, but it was also a talent showcase. Flacco made the right call, Rice had the right moves, and the offensive line was able to block. I think this play is going down in Ravens history as one of the greatest plays. It won them the game, no question about it.

It’s hard to say the Chargers made a bad play. They had every reason to believe Flacco would go for the Hail Mary. With 29 yards for a 1^st on the 4^th down, to think it could be done as a short running pass would have seemed incredibly unlikely. They did the right thing preparing for the Hail Mary. The credit really has to go to the Ravens on this one. That play had everything and it kept their drive alive. It was a game changer.

There were so many big plays at the end of that game. The beginning was so lack luster that going into the half, I think most of Baltimore was feeling glum. Both teams had been playing cat and mouse. I know I was in doubt. I thought “oh, here we go again…”. The Ravens are always so hot or so cold. In the first half, they were cold as a fish in the freezer. They made no big plays and they capitalized on nothing. They had no points on the board. Something happened during half time. My guess is Coach Harbaugh must have been pretty upset and had some choice words with the team. He would have told them that they all needed to adjust and act like a team… and that’s what we saw in the second half.

Winning any football game is a team effort. If we’d only seen that big play from Ray Rice, the Ravens wouldn’t have won. There was also the fantastic reception by Torrey Smith in over time getting the Ravens into field goal range and of course Tucker getting the ball between the uprights. The defense stepped up and stopped the Chargers from scoring in overtime. It was a great game. I think that in the end they came together as a team and that’s what you have to do in the NFL. These guys are thinking that way right now. With the possibility of Ray Lewis coming back within a week or two weeks along with the team we saw Sunday in the second half, their credibility for their drive to the championship in strong.

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

The Ravens can not walk into this game in San Diego like it's going to be easy. Rivers is a hell of a quarterback and the San Diego Chargers have the potential to really put it to the Baltimore Ravens. Something people don’t understand is traveling across country really takes a lot out of you. So it’s going to take a good job of coaching and it’s really going to require the offense and defense to step up. Rivers can drill that ball. The defense has to put a good rush on him and get him flustered a bit. That way he’ll start putting it in the air giving the Ravens the chance to pick a few off. We’re already without Ray Lewis and Ladarius Webb, it’s a good thing the Ravens will not be without Ed Reed. I think if we can get past this one we will get to the play offs no matter what. However, right after this game we’re right back here Baltimore against the Steelers again. Is Roethlisberger going to be ready? I don’t think so. Plus, we’re undefeated at home. We have everything to really be excited about. I know that John Harbaugh will have this team focused and that’s the key. You have to pay attention to each game one at a time. The Ravens can’t be focused on Pittsburgh next week. They have to treat every game like it’s the most important game of their lives. I really think the focus will be there. I think we have a lot of real leadership on the field. Matt Burke, Flacco, and Ray Lewis are all firing these guys up. Haloti Ngata is going to be better this week too. The Ravens have to be sure they’re 100% ready for this game.