Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (R) walks off the field after the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots won 35-31. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Oh you Ravens. Â You had us throwing in the towel following a disgusting loss to the Houston Texans, qualified for the playoffs thanks to the Chiefs, and then you look like world beaters in the Wild Card Round by defeating the Steelers. Â Hopes were high as you rode into Foxborough Saturday night, and for the most part, you delivered.
But alas, it just wasn’t meant to be.  Despite a colossal offensive effort that had but a few questionable decisions, the Patriots found a way to come back and avoid another upset on their home turf.  It took a little bit of trickery and reading between the lines of the NFL rulebook, but they found a way to come back from a 14 point deficit, twice, and win.
But don’t despair, Ravens faithful.  The fact that they made it this far is pretty incredible considering how tattered their secondary really is.  Filled with street free agents and cast offs thanks to a bout of injuries that is too long to list, the unit held up surprisingly well, considering.  An offseason infusion of talent in the back end of the defense is really all this team needs to be scary good.
As we do each week, we have assigned letter grades to each unit based on their performance.  While we oftentimes focus on the final stats, it’s usually best to look at the big picture when you want to get the whole story.  Here are my Baltimore Ravens grades for the Divisional round of the NFL playoffs.
Next: Offensive Grade: Juggernaut?