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Thought on last week's Ravens game

SportsBem Written by SportsBem, Wednesday November 25 2009
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Watching the Ravens lose last Sunday to the Colts, I couldn't help but wonder where has the three-headed running attack gone this season?

 

 

Watching the Ravens lose last Sunday to the Colts, I couldn't help but wonder where has the three-headed running attack gone this season?

 

Ray Rice has been spectacular this season, but Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain haven't seen enough carries to be effective. Part of the reason the Ravens went 13-3 last season was their ability to finish off drives with touchdowns in the red zone. A large part of that was McClain, who accumulated a career-high in touches, yards and TDs.

 

For some reason, the Ravens seem reluctant to give the ball to McClain on short and goal-to-go situations. On three attempts at the 1-yard line against the Colts, the Ravens were unable to punch the ball in. I liked the play call on the quick QB sneak as the Ravens were trying to catch the Colts off guard and unset.

 

However, I don't understand why they didn't take one shot with McClain on the next two plays. It seems that the handoffs to the deep back in the goal-line situation gave the Colts an opportunity to break into the backfield and stop the play before it started. The upback McClain would have gotten the ball quicker and had a head of steam heading into the line. If I'm the Ravens, I like my chances with McClain in that situation.

 

I realize that it may not have mattered in the end because Peyton Manning would have likely had the ball at the end of the game and would have led the Colts to a winning score. However, these situations are likely to continue to crop up with the Ravens playing all of these close games. With all the recent offensive failures, one has to wonder if the Ravens will have the confidence to execute down the stretch.

 

At 5-5, the Ravens are facing a tough road to the playoffs. They have a trio of 6-4 teams sitting in front of them including the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens must solve these offensive woes with the Steelers visiting Baltimore this Sunday night. The Ravens can't afford to lose another divisional contest and fall another game behind Pittsburgh.

 

The Ravens are running out of time and their defense isn't what it used to be, so their offense has to get going now.


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