Okay, well we can stop with all the 20-0 talk. That's a relief.
The score was 36-35, and we're moving the ball in Ravens territory ready to run clock and kick the game-winning field goal with no time left. Easy-peasy.
And Clyde Edwards-Helaire fumbles for the first time in forever.
Oh wow. It should never have gotten to that point. In close games like this anything insane like that can happen, games turn on these horrors. But it shouldn't have come to this -- we should've put this game away early.
But our defense. Owwwwwch.
We even had a chance to stop them on 4th-&-1 with good minute of game-time left for us to get the ball back -- yet sure enough they still get that 1st down to end it.
To open the game we were told the Ravens had tons of injuries. Their replacements played pretty great to keep this one close. Thing is, Lamar Jackson's running abilities made the Ravens in this one. The Chiefs just cannot stop the run. In fact, I really wonder why the Ravens simply do not run Jackson just about every single play. After a while it seemed they did.
The game started with Ray Lewis making an appearance inspiring the Baltimore crowd. That said everything when it comes to the Chiefs. Yep. I can't not say it again: we just really truly actually need a Ray Lewis in there. Yes Derrick Johnson was wonderful, I got that. Yes Ray Lewises are a rare breed, I got that.
But these Chiefs. Ugh. Maybe a Nick Bolton can step up and be something even remotely close to that Ray Lewis type. If we can't get that play, look out. The Ravens ran all over us tonight, even without their best running backs in there.
Then there is the reality that we absolutely cannot stop teams in the red zone. I know we were bad, but the television people went and pointed out that we're the absolute worst. No team is as bad at stopping a team from scoring a touchdown once they get into the red zone than the Chiefs. Errcgck. Here's what I think. Many may disagree, but here's what I think. Next year -- in fact the year after that -- in fact for the next ten years: draft no one but defensive players, please. Nick Bolton looks like he's the only tackler out there, but he can't do it by himself.
What about the offense, and players to get there in the draft? I just think Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid will do fine with whoever we can get out there. But dang do we need some bodies who can win the line on the defensive side, we so need them.
It seems like we have good players there on defense, yes. But wow. We just got steamrolled tonight. I don't know how when we're told we have Chris Jones and Tyrann Mathieu and Frank Clark and everybody who is supposed to be good. What I see in real life is our defensive guys getting shoved right out of just about every play.
Then there was our braindeadedness. One time we had the Ravens at 2nd and 24 on their side of the field and right after that two blown coverages on two consecutive plays gave the Ravens a touchdown. Errrrrgcghck.
Our offense meanwhile showed some amazingness as always. Mahomes used a bunch of different receivers tonight: Robinson got a long TD catch, Pringle and Kelce both took short passes the distance. That's great.
But because we lost by one single point, there were two instances that got us severely messed up tonight. Either one of those being turned into points might have made a difference.
Creed Humphrey made me nervous last week with some snaps that were not sharp. He totally missed one tonight, a wretched snap that put us way back and we could not take advantage of that series. After that though he was solid.
Then we could have put the Ravens away in the 3rd quarter but Mahomes made a poor choice when being dragged down he tried to fling a ball to someone and his wobbly pass was intercepted. That was the turning point.
The Ravens really took over from there.
Still, the key is the work Brett needs to do with that defense. Go for it Brett, I can see the wheels spinning right now. I see him reviewing the college ranks right now preparing for the next draft when we select the most ferocious defender with every single pick. I can't wait until he attacks that defense like he attacked the offensive line this off-season.
But this season? For now? We won't face Lamar Jackson every game, that's cool. But still, it just seems our offense must be perfect on every single drive to make up for whatever ugliness the defense spews up.
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