Lamar and the Ravens Dominate In The 2nd Half, Hand Tom Brady His First 3-Game Losing Streak In Two Decades
Mike Ehrmann. Getty Images.Finally.
Finally the Ravens play a "tale of two halves" type of football game and come out on top.
That 2nd half is the type of football that Ravens fans have been clamoring for all season. There have been flashes of brilliance during this season, but complete and total incompetence in the 2nd half of games has sunk this team not once, not twice, but thrice. All of that has been frustrating beyond belief, as we know too well what type of potential this team has. The fact that 8-0 feels like it isn't all that far out of reach only backs that up.
The first half that the Ravens played had myself (and plenty of others) on the ledge. They had every opportunity to jump out to a commanding lead and squandered it. Couldn't punch in in the red zone after a muffed punt gave them the ball at the Bucs' 6 and then Humph dropped an interception on Tom Brady's very first play. They had more opportunities to put points on the board, but failed a 4th and 2 in the red zone and had a field goal blocked just before half. Down 10-3 at half of a game that felt like should've been in the Ravens' control felt like much more of the same that we've seen in the 3 disappointing losses. It takes quite a bit to get me to this point.
The 2nd half was dominant. The boys absolutely bullied the Bucs. Had their way on the ground with them and moved the sticks on key 3rd and shorts. They punched it in in the red zone on numerous occasions. They were creative offensively despite losing Mark Andrews to injury (prayers up on that). Isaiah Likely ARRIVED. They kept the Bucs D on the field for decades. And the defense got stops repeatedly, which you couldn't say about all 3 of their losses. Gotta get off the field.
This puts the Ravens back on track in a big way. They already have control of the division, and the schedule starts to ease up from here. Road game on MNF at New Orleans is no cakewalk, but then it's the bye week (sorely needed with guys getting banged up), Carolina, @Jacksonville, Denver, @Pittsburgh, @Cleveland, Atlanta, Steelers, and @Cincinnati to finish. Ladies and gents… this is a 5-3 team that could easily go on an absolute TEAR down the stretch here. I've got 13-4 or 12-5 on the brain. Week 18 at Cincy may not even matter. Despite all the turmoil and the "FIRE HARBAUGH/ROMAN" crowd out there that's in shambles tonight, that's the reality of the situation.
Huge huge W. Eat your heart out Cheah.
PODCAST INSTANT ANALYSIS TIME:
