Baltimore Ravens: The season isn’t over, it just feels like it
The Baltimore Ravens are still in the driver’s seat to get into the postseason as the sixth seed. The season isn’t over but it kind of feels like it:
The Baltimore Ravens still have a lot to play for, but it’s hard to have perspective at the moment. Irrational thought and emotional losses kind of go hand in hand. I can’t count the times that I have said or done something stupid in anger or heartbreak, so I can’t blame any Ravens fan for being on an emotional cliff.
It feels like the world is falling out from under the feet of the Ravens Flock, after a 39-38 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game that Ravens fans have just endured felt like it was longer than the entire season. The Ravens felt every emotion known to mankind in that game. From getting down 14-0 to surrendering a commanding lead, that battle put Baltimore fans through the ringer.
Let’s look at the path in front of the purple and black:
- Baltimore Ravens @ Cleveland Browns
- Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens
- Cincinnati Bengals @ Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens next three opponents have a combined eight wins and the Cleveland Browns have none of them. The only teams that the Colts have beaten were the San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans and the Browns. In other words, the Colts have beaten three teams that were as bad as they were. The Bengals just destroyed 33-7 by the Chicago Bears, in Cincinnati.
A win against the Steelers would have been huge. It would have practically sealed the deal for the Ravens in terms of the playoff picture. The loss means the Ravens have to take care of business. It’s hard to imagine that the Ravens don’t get to the postseason. Before giving the Steelers one heck of a game, they had one three straight games. John Harbaugh got the team back on track.
Next: Ravens offense shines but defense plummets in 39-38 loss
The Ravens lost a game they should have won. Things feel awful. Monday is going to be rough and the stain of this loss will haunt the team for a while. The bottom line however is that the Ravens have a chance to get to the playoffs. They control their destiny. All the Ravens have to do is beat three bad teams and they should punch their ticket. If the Ravens lose any of their remaining games, they don’t deserve the postseason in the first place.