Garceau: Ravens Crazy Night Nothing New
Like the team's wide receivers, the Ravens can't get separation. Monday night in Cleveland, the Ravens became the first team in NFL history to play their first 11 games with all 11 decided by just one possession (8 points or less).
This high-drama might be more interesting for Baltimore fans if their team hadn't lost 7 of the first 9 of these games. It's unlikely that magic happens when two teams with a combined 5-15 record gather but for Ravens fans Monday night will be the unforgettable moment of a forgettable season.
With the game tied at 27 and only 3 seconds left on the clock the Browns lined up for the game winning field goal. Kicker Travis Coons was perfect (18-18) for the season but that's when a Browns thing happened. Brent Urban playing his first game of the season blocked Coons' field goal attempt and before Browns fans could say oh no there goes the win, it was damn here comes the loss.
Ravens safety Will Hill scooped up the blocked kick and tiptoed past John Harbaugh and the Ravens bench 64 yards for a touchdown as time expired, giving Baltimore a stunning 33-27 win. A wild win for the Ravens and sudden death for the hapless Browns and their long suffering fans, some who showed up for the game wearing brown paper bags over their heads. The Browns sixth straight loss was cruel and unusual punishment.
The Ravens walk-off, "kick-six" win was just another day at the office. They've won 4 games this season and all 4 have come on a field goal attempt on the final play of the game. The only thing different Monday night, they were defending the field goal not kicking it; here are the other 3 walk-off winners.
At Pittsburgh Oct. 1: Josh Scobee missed 2 late fourth quarter field goals for the Steelers (and was soon cut) Justin Tucker hit a field goal with 3 seconds left to send the game into overtime and then ended it 5:08 into overtime with a 51 yard game winner. The 0-3 Ravens had their first win of the season.
Home San Diego Nov. 1: The 1-6 Ravens lost star receiver Steve Smith to a season ending Achilles injury in the third quarter of this game. The Chargers tied the game at 26 with just over 2-minutes left but Justin Tucker kicked a 39-yard field goal on the game's final play, after 3 lead changes in the final 4:34 the Ravens walked off with a 29-26 win.
Home St. Louis Nov 22: An ugly game full of turnovers, penalties and injuries. Joe Flacco and Justin Forsett suffered season ending injuries, the Ravens had 2 turnovers (the Rams had 4) and 137 penalty yards. Down 10 points in the fourth quarter the Ravens rallied and won the game 16-13 on Justin Tucker's 47-yard field goal as time expired.
The 2015 Ravens may not be very good but they might lead the league in excitement.
