Wow, What a Finale.

I tried to sit down after last nights game and write this, but lets be honest, that simply wasn't going to happen.

Lets start with the series finale between the Red Sox and the Orioles. This was not a particularly exciting game, but it did come down to the 9th inning. Down by one, the O's had the bases loaded with only one out. However they could not capitalize when they needed too, Machado grounded into a fielders choice and then Flaherty struck out looking. Luckily for the O's, the Yankee's also lost, so they remained just one game back for 1st place in the AL East.

The O's will look for a quick rebound today, they have to play Toronto in a crucial double header tonight.

Now lets move on to the wild weekend's wild finale. A weekend full of Boston vs. Baltimore came down to football, and a rematch of the AFC Championship Game.

In the first quarter, the Patriots came out of the gate with their high flying offense, quickly going up 3-0. On the Raven's first drive, Flacco threw for an interception, which the Patriots capitalized on, now leading 10-0. Before the 1st quarter came to an end, the Patriots were on top 13-0 and it looked like it would be a long night for Baltimore.

Torrey Smith mid-catch for his first
of two touchdowns.

Flacco came back firing in the second quarter, and if you blinked you probably missed it. Flacco connected on two beautiful touchdown passes to Torrey Smith (pictured right) and Pitta, and before you knew it the Ravens were back on top 14-13 with just over a minute left in the first half. Unfortunately the Patriots still have Tom Brady, and a minute is all he needs. The Patriots marched down the field and the Patriots headed into half time with a 6 point lead over Joe Flacco and the Ravens.

The Ravens got the ball to start the second half, and picked up right where they left off, scoring on a Ray Rice 7-yard touchdown run to make it 21-20.

From here on out it was simply a dueling contest between two elite quarterbacks. Flacco, down by 9, needed two scoring drives and a little bit of help from his defense in the 4th quarter, and that is exactly what he got. Flacco again hit Torrey Smith for a touchdown with just over 4 minutes remaining. On the Patriots ensuing drive it looked like it would be all over for the Ravens. The Pat's were driving and trying to kill the clock. Penalty after penalty was called on the Ravens, including a bench penalty called a John Harbaugh (who just wanted a time-out). The refs were bad enough to elicit a stadium wide chorus of expletives that rhymed with bull spit. (If you don't believe me, or just want to laugh check it out here.)  M&T Bank is always loud, but this chorus was loud enough that on TV, that you could not hear the announcers. The Ravens defense seemingly reacted to the crowd, and forced a punt with 2:01 left in the game. Flacco is no stranger to last minute drives, which would prove crucial in deciding this game.

Tucker celebrating his game winning
last second field goal.  

It all came down to a last second field goal by Justin Tucker (right). For many Ravens fans, this looked all to familiar. The Patriots called a time-out just before Tucker drilled one right down the middle, so the teams lined up once more. With two seconds left on the clock, it was hit or miss, Tucker would either be a hero, or most likely run out of town. The snap wasn't perfect, but veteran punter Sam Koch was able to get the hold down in time. With the kick on its way all of Baltimore held its breath. The kick sailed just inside the right post, and the Ravens win it 31-30.

Now lets focus on some individual players that made this game so great to watch.

First lets look at both quarterbacks. This offseason Flacco was asked if he thought he was an elite quarterback. He responded saying that to be the best you have to think you are the best. National media blew this out of proportion mis-quoting Flacco saying that he thinks he is better than Brady and Rodgers. Well yesterday (and in the AFC Championship game) this proved to be true.

Flacco standing tall in the pocket

Brady went 28/41 with a touchdown, 335 yards and was sacked twice.
Flacco went 23/39 with 3 touchdowns,  382 yards and was not sacked at all.

Flacco simply out dueled Brady last night, putting any ref indecision aside.

Next we have to look at the spectacular play of Torrey Smith. Smith was playing just 16 hours after finding out his younger brother died in a motorcycle accident.

Smith overcome with emotion
following the death of his brother.

Out of no-where Torrey became the Raven's leading receiver, catching 6 balls for 127 yards and two touchdowns. And on plays where Torrey didn't catch the ball, he was usually responsible for one of the underneath routes being wide open. Most of the night Torrey was able to command the respect of a double team, leaving Boldin, Pitta and Ray Rice open for big gains off short throws.

Torrey had his best career game last night, especially considering the extra unusual circumstances under which he was playing. 


Now I was not lucky enough to acquire tickets to the Ravens, Patriots showdown, but several of my friends were. They all said they heard the same thing: as M&T Bank Stadium emptied into the streets of Baltimore their was a loud "Lets Go O's" chant echoing through the city. To be clear, that is "Lets go O's" not "Lets go Ravens."

The Ravens will always be a pride of Baltimore, but this year the city has been swept up in the late September playoff race of our Oriole Birds.