Some games you hope to win, and others you just expect to win. This week 10 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars was one that certainly fell into the “expect to win” category.
Well, that wasn’t the case… at least not during this 2015 season.
There are several things wrong with this Baltimore Ravens team. Coaching schemes, defensive backs not making big plays and forcing turnovers, receivers lacking the ability to create separation and make catches on critical downs, clock management, I could go on. But instead of that, here’s what some fans had to say about the week 10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
"“Absolutely frustrating that we didn’t fix any of our previous issues from before the bye week. Turnovers, penalties in critical situations, lack of 3rd down conversions and big plays given up in the secondary over and over again. This could be one of the most disappointing losses I have ever seen being a Ravens fan. It’s not that we don’t have the talent, we’re just our biggest opponent week in and week out.” – Cody Kirkessener"
"“Every week Harbaugh coaches us to the point of “nail biter” endings. It’s not coincidence any more. The past 3 years we’ve had the talent to win those close games and now we don’t. It’s finally costing us. That’s why we keep losing. The one thing I notice is that we play ultra conservative. It’s in effort to not make mistakes. The downside is you don’t score a lot in the process. It creates close games. Conservative is a coach’s choice. We’ve been this way at least 3 years now and we don’t have the pro bowl hall of gamers here to pull it out in the end any more. Every game is by a few points. It’s not coincidence any more. He’s managing games.” – Tory Lomax"
"“We gave that game away in turnovers. Games like this make me miss Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin because they got open and held the ball.” – Talithia Woodrum"
"“I don’t think it’s pees when it comes to the loses. Let’s be honest, Jimmy Smith hasn’t been the same since he got a Super Bowl ring or even before the injury. I wish they could’ve kept McPhee because Dumervil and the rest of the [defensive] line are not as disciplined as we’re used to being. But ask yourself this question, do you really want us to make the playoffs with 20 ravens on ‘IR’ on both sides of the field? Flacco keeps being placed in the hot seat while others keep forgetting that he’s throwing to practice squad players, not proven veterans. I think Marc Trestman is the man to blame because he turned a QB that was once an elite QB, into another Jay Cutler.” – Troy Grant“0-1 of our 8-0 declared magical & historic run….Inexcusable Penalties, inconsistent secondary,turnovers, ‘who’s who’ in our WR Corp, Injuries, and a total defensive breakdown at the end of the game is causing us to give these games away. However, a positive outlook, the”3 Musketeers of Tight Ends” [Gilmore, Williams, & Boyle] looks as if they’ll have a bright future. But at the end of the day, we just are not good enough.” – Norm Savage"
Next: Ravens and Jaguars: Behind Enemy Lines
I must say, I expected a close game as Daniel Lago expressed to me when I went “behind enemy lines” earlier this week. Lago mentioned some of the key improvements that the Jaguars made despite their record. However, his winning prediction was correct as he said the Ravens would need more than 20 to beat them. He was right.