One Hell of a "Last Ride"

 

AFC Championship Recap

As many of you know, last Sunday the Baltimore Ravens exorcized yet another demon. In a post season that seemed rigged to send Baltimore home empty handed, the Raven's prevailed. In the Wild Card round, the Raven's were up against the Colts, a team that they were 3-9 against, and 0-2 in the post season. After finally beating the Colts in the post season, the Raven's had to face Peyton Manning, the long time quarterback of those same Colts. The Raven's were only 1-8 against Peyton leading up to the Divisional Round, in which they were 9.5 underdogs in the below freezing altitude of Mile High Stadium. But as we all know, last second heroics placed the Raven's back in the AFC Championship game. So in a post season of demons, the obvious next step would be to place the Ravens back in New England, where the ghosts of Lee Evans and Billy Cundiff are all to close in memory. The Raven's had to play against the inspired young Colts, the physical Broncos, and the mind of Bellichick and Brady; but this Ray Lewis driven team, would not go down without a fight. 

On Sunday, the Raven's took on Brady and the Patriots. The game started slow,  with both teams looking more like a Raven's v Steeler's defensive matchup than the high-flying style the Foxborough fans were accustomed to. But the second half brought the scoreboard back to life, in a way that stunned that very same Foxborough crowd. 

The game started slow, with both teams punting on their first drives. But then life came when the Patriots methodically down the field, but were ultimately held to a 31 yard field goal. After each team had several more series and several more punts, the quarter ended with The Patriots up 3-0. 

The Raven's came out hot in the 2nd quarter, scoring on their first drive. The Raven's capped off a 90 yard drive with a Ray Rice touchdown. Ray was able to bounce off three tacklers on his way to the end zone for a 2 yard touchdown, putting the Ravens ahead 7-3. The Patriots quickly responded with a touchdown drive of their own, to regain the lead at 10-7. The drive was capped by a 1 yard touchdown pass to Wes Welker on a coverage miscommunication between Chykie Brown and Corey Graham. After forcing a three and out, the Patriots increased their lead by kicking a 25 yard field goal to end the half with a 13-7 lead, and all of the momentum. 

As the Second half began, it appeared to be a continuation of the same tide, each team was forced to punt on their first possession of the half. With 10 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, the tide of the game shifted once again, and there was no looking back. The Ravens scored 3 unanswered touchdowns, while forcing 3 turnovers to secure a 28-13 victory, sending them to the SuperBowl. 

The Ravens overcame being 9.5 point underdogs in two consecutive games, the first time that has happened in NFL history. They also got past two future HOF quarterbacks, a HOF coach, and a young team on the rise. 

Does the League Hate the Ravens? Or is it Just Las Vegas. 

You could make the valid case that the odds makers in Las Vegas simply just don't like the Ravens. Being a 9.5 point underdog to the Broncos is understandable, but still slightly over-the-top, especially considering the beat down they had just put on the Colts. But then to disgrace them by being 9.5 point underdogs again against the Patriots is absurd. The Ravens lost by 3 points a year ago, and won by 1 point this year when playing the Patriots, so how could Vegas assume they would lose by more than a touchdown, especially when you factor in the victory of the Broncos. 

But lets keep in mind that it is not only Vegas, but the League, the Refs, and the analysts that hate the Raven's as well. The NFL is a business, and like any good business, they were hoping for the best possible story line each week. Which for them would leave them rooting for a Peyton vs Brady AFC Championship Game. But ultimately in the Super Bowl they got their wish of having the first ever siblings coach against each other in any major sporting championship. So why do I say that the League hates the Ravens? It would be because Roger Godell has made a point of making a point out of the Ravens. Time and again he chooses Ravens players as targets to make his point for increases player safety, while ignoring the safety of Ravens players. 

Not to worry, the Refs also seem to be on the side of the League. Not only was Tom Brady not penalized for his obvious attempt at kicking Ed Reed in the 2nd quarter, but the refs seemingly did everything they could to get the Patriots back in the game in the 2nd half. Early in the 2nd half, hard hitting safety Bernard Pollard was flagged for hitting a defenseless receiver in the head and neck area. The penalty was justified, as Pollards hit was slightly high, however the argument could be made that the receiver ducked into the hit. My complaints really start with the missed call against Dennis Pitta. In the middle of the 3rd quarter, Pitta caught a 5 yard crossing pattern pass from Flacco, and was promptly hit by inside linebacker Jarod Mayo. As shown below, "Mayo (B2) launched and hit Pitta (A2) in the head with; the crown of his  helmet, facemask to facemask, his shoulder, or his forearm."As the rulebook clearly states, this would be an illegal hit on a defenseless receiver, warranting a 15 yard penalty, or in this case, half the distance to the goal. For those who would like to take a look, a video of the hit is placed below. I understand that in this case, the penalty would not have changed the outcome of the play, and the drive ended with a touchdown on the next play anyway, but consistency from the refs is a must if the league wants to continue to claim that player safety is of utmost importance. 

Ok, maybe you don't buy my belief that the League and the refs hate the Ravens, but how about the analysts. Yes, the ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS Sports and NFL Network analysts. I believe that the analysts hate the Ravens, with few exceptions, like beloved NFL Countdown anchor, Chris Berman. When the Raven's went to Denver, only 4 of 36 analysts picked the Ravens. A week later, when playing the Patriots, only 13 of 53 analysts from these networks picked the Ravens to win. Of course, I will mention the fact that only 4 of 29 analysts picked the Colts to win in the Wild Card match up. But other than the one game in which the Raven's were favored, most analysts picked against the Ravens, some even going above and beyond, as mentioned in last week's blog. 

Super Bowl Showdown

You don't have to be a Raven's or a 49ers fan to understand that importance of this match up, not even a football fan or a sports fan... national media is all over the "Harbowl". Brothers John (Ravens) and Jim (49ers) will coach against each other for the games biggest prize. Which ever brother wins, it will be their first Super Bowl victory, and the first for their respective franchises in over a decade. Which ever brother loses, it will be that franchises first loss in the big game, as both teams are a combined 6-0 when making it to the Super Bowl. 

But this game as many more headlines than just the sibling rivalry. Ray Lewis will be playing in his last NFL football game. For the past few weeks we have been wondering which game will be his last, but now we now, number 52, making his last ride, has made it to the big dance once again. His career will end on Feb. 3rd, whether the Ravens win or lose. But this is not only a big game for Ray. Veterans Ngata, Reed, Birk, Suggs, and Pollard will all be making their first Super Bowl appearance late in their careers. The often criticized Joe Flacco will be making his first Super Bowl appearance, 5 years into his career (keep in mind, the obviously Elite QB Peyton Manning didn't make it until his 8 year in the league). 

In a league most recently dominated by high powered offenses, the two teams playing in the Super Bowl are defense driven teams, with "unproven" offenses. The defenses have both been a top story during the playoffs, and each offense has been a surprise leading up to the Super Bowl. 

Last Thanksgiving Won't Matter

If you remember, last Thanksgiving featured the first Harbaugh brothers showdown, but unlike the Denver game, their are very few ways in which you can compare last seasons meeting with the upcoming Super Bowl. 

Last years game featured the newly revived Alex Smith, this year, the 49ers QB position was controversially switched to Kaepernick, who will be making just his 10th career start, but waisted no time impressing the league. A few other players will be in different roles than they were last year. Ray Lewis was sidelined for last years meeting, but now he is healthy, and playing for the last time. You can rest easy knowing that Ray Lewis will be playing with passion, intensity, and a will to win that may not be surmountable for the 49ers. Terrell Suggs was an impact player last year, and put in a performance that may have solidified his position of DPOY. This year, Kruger is the primary pass rusher, with Suggs quietly getting pressure. 

Last Year, each team was just shy of a Super Bowl birth, each team was let down by special teams. The 49ers fumbled a punt, leading the a Giants recovery, and it ultimately lead to the Giants winning the game. And the Ravens were let down by a botched field goal, which would have forced overtime against the Patriots. This year, the 49ers are plagued by kicking questions, while Ravens rookie Justin Tucker has been as consistent as they come. Each team has sured up their return game, with Pro-bowl quality return men. 

This game will be nothing short of extraordinary, each team has a legitimate chance to win.