Sunday’s matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions isn’t just a game with playoff implications, it’s a homecoming for former Ravens.
As the Baltimore Ravens head into the final playoff push of the regular season, they face a tough home matchup against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Both teams enter the game 6-5 looking to secure a wild-card spot this season. It’ll be one of the Ravens’ toughest tests the rest of the season but there are also other storylines to follow in this game. Three former Ravens will be making their return to the Charm City on Sunday.
Head coach Jim Caldwell, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and right tackle Rick Wanger will all make the return to their former city. It wasn’t long ago all three were on the Ravens together but with the NFL being the business it is, all good things must come to an end.
Caldwell was hired as the Ravens quarterback coach before the start of the 2012 season and became an integral part of the offense. After Cam Cameron was fired in December the same year, Caldwell took over offensive coordinator duties. He led the Ravens through an incredible playoff run as they upset the Broncos and Patriots on the road to eventually beat the Patriots in XLVII.
Caldwell won’t get much of the credit but the Ravens don’t make the postseason run without him. That was the best we’ve ever seen Flacco play when he threw 13 touchdowns to zero interceptions. Caldwell’s success with the Ravens earned him a head coaching job with the Lions in 2014 and rightfully so. He was one of the few positives the team has had at offensive coordinator over the years.
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Wagner is the most recent of the three to leave. He signed a five-year contract with the Lions this past offseason after the Ravens were unable to keep him. It wasn’t a surprise that Wagner moved on and there’s no love lost. The Ravens didn’t have the means to keep him and that’s just what happens. Much like his time in Baltimore, Wagner has been consistent and started all 11 games for the Lions this season. It’ll be fun to watch him up against his old teammates come Sunday.
Last but not least, we can’t forget Haloti Ngata. The gentle giant was a fan favorite and one of the most underrated players in franchise history. He was a force up front and a constant problem for any opposing offensive line. There wasn’t one lineman who could move Ngata by himself and he was extremely athletic for his size. Never before have we seen a 330-pound lineman run as fast with a fumble or interception.
Unfortunately, Ngata was placed on Injured Reserve with a torn biceps in Week 5 but hopefully still makes the trip back. He’s a player we’d all love to see in the Ring of Honor someday along with retiring back with the franchise.
The bottom line
Like I mentioned, there’s really no love lost between any of these three. Things happened and both sides moved on for a reason. It’s one of those situations where you look forward to seeing all three back in Baltimore because of all the great things they did on the field. It’ll be a talking point as we’ll see plenty of hugs and rekindling before Sunday’s game.
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Now, of course, I’m hoping they leave with a loss but that’s to be expected.