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Baltimore Ravens: Motivation No Problem On Christmas

By Chris Schisler

Dec 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) blows a kiss to the fans after his fourth quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) blows a kiss to the fans after his fourth quarter touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens will go into Heinz Field as pumped up as they ever have been:

Motivation should not be a problem on Christmas Day for the Baltimore Ravens. This is a chance to win the AFC North. While the division will not be clinched with a victory, they won’t make the playoffs if they lose this game. Motivation seemed to be a problem against the Philadelphia Eagles. A game the Ravens should have won handily came down to a dramatic end.

Related Story: All Comes Down To This: Ravens, Steelers, Christmas

The Ravens came into the game with the number one defense against the run. The Eagles left the game with over 100 rushing yards. We’re talking about a front seven with nose guards like Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce. Baltimore has explosive players like Timmy Jernigan and Terrell Suggs. Zach Orr and C.J. Mosley have played out of their minds. There is a reason that the Ravens defense has been so strong against the run.

There is no schematic explanation, the Ravens just got their butts handed to them. Philadelphia brought their A game. Baltimore beat themselves and they still won. This strikes me as the Ravens being incredibly human. It makes sense. Flat after a loss to the Patriots (a loss they were not over) on a short week, while they were looking ahead to the Steelers, the Ravens had a rough outing.

The Bottom Line:

The Ravens survived a real scare. Now the Ravens have a chance to make this season matter. Coming together and overcoming a four game losing streak means nothing if they miss the playoffs. This is a chance to say that Baltimore Ravens football is back.  John Harbaugh had the purple and black making noise as perennial playoff contenders. This is an opportunity to let everyone know that those days are not over.

Next: A Way Too Early Look At The Ravens 2017 Opponents

There is a reason why the Ravens have won four games in a row against the Steelers. These battles mean everything to the purple and black. They get up for these games. They went 5-11 last year and they swept the playoff Steelers. To keep the streak going the Ravens have to give their best effort. There is no reason to believe they won’t.

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