Ravens Facing Another Short Week

September 23, 2012; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (52) high fives fans after beating the New England Patriots 31-30 at M

The Schedule-makers didn’t do the Ravens any favors this year.  The Ravens captured their biggest and most emotional win of this still young season on Sunday night, but unfortunately they have very little time to celebrate, recover and prepare for next week.

The Ravens first four games were arguably the toughest in the NFL.  Week one they hosted the Bengals in the seasons inaugural Monday night match-up. While the Bengals are not a serious Superbowl contender, they are still a very good team and should not be undervalued. They are currently 2-1.

The Ravens faced a short week to prepare for the Philadelphia Eagles on the road in a Sunday morning game. Not only was that game on a short week, but it was also against perhaps the most talented team from top to bottom in the league. The Ravens lost by one point on a last minute touchdown by Mike Vick.

The Ravens then hosted the consensus preseason AFC Superbowl favorite New England Patriots. No big deal here as the game was only one of the most physical and nasty of the recent season, It was emotionally draining due to the death of Torrey Smiths younger brother Tevin, and It was decided on a last second field goal that barely squeaked inside the right upright. Easy-peasy.

Now the Ravens finally get a break from the big time teams and face the 0-3 Cleveland Browns. Of course, nothing can be that easy so the game is just four days from the time their last game ended. It is always a treat to watch the Ravens on Thursday night football, but this game is going to be unnecessarily difficult thanks to a schedule that featured 3 primetime gams and two short weeks in four games.