ExtremeRavens Posted December 11, 2023 Posted December 11, 2023 The Ravens are befuddling but scary, which is why they are one of the favorites heading toward the postseason. They might not be the best team in the NFL, but they are one of the most balanced, right up there with the San Francisco 49ers. On Sunday, the Ravens beat the Los Angeles Rams, 37-31, as reserve receiver Tylan Wallace returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown in overtime to give Baltimore its third straight victory and seventh in its past eight games. There has always been this general belief that the good teams peak in December and that momentum carries over into the playoffs. The Ravens aren’t peaking, but they’ve got guys like Wallace making plays, it makes them hard to beat, especially in a watered-down and mediocre NFL. “That’s how these games are won, and that’s what our guys did,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “That’s the amazing event that I’m talking about this December in this game in this stadium today – December football. I just couldn’t be more proud of those guys, because it was mountains and valleys. … Our guys just weathered all those storms – figuratively and literally – out there and found a way to make those plays to win the game at the end. As a coach, there’s nothing better than that.” After Wallace’s thrilling, game-winning touchdown that was set up perfectly with four great blocks, the Ravens locker room was upbeat and exploding with raw emotion. This game had all the elements of a postseason win, and Baltimore fought back and won despite numerous lead changes. The Ravens won because they have so many playmakers. In years past, they had quarterback Lamar Jackson and they went as he did. But it’s not that way anymore. Jackson completed 24 of 43 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns Sunday, but it wasn’t close to one of his best performances. If he had hit on three or four other long throws, this game might have been a blowout. But in crunch time, with the Ravens trailing 28-23 with 4:41 left in regulation, Jackson was spectacular in leading the Ravens on a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 21-yard touchdown pass to rookie receiver Zay Flowers, who also caught the 2-point conversion. That’s the difference compared with previous years. Jackson doesn’t have to carry the offense. The Ravens have Flowers, who had six catches for 60 yards. They’ve got the ancient one, receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who turned back the clock and had four catches for 97 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown in the second quarter. They’ve got an explosive running back in rookie Keaton Mitchell, who they need to use more after gaining 54 yards on nine carries Sunday, and the most clutch kicker in the NFL in Justin Tucker, who converted on field goals of 31, 47 and 33 yards against the Rams. DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore RavensÕ Tylan Wallace, left, is congratulated by teammate Odafe Oweh after scoring the game-winning touchdown against the Rams in overtime. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Ravens players celebrate game-winning punt returned for touchdown against the Rams in overtime. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace runs for a 76-yards game-winning touchdown against the Rams in overtime. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore RavensÕ Justice Hill, center, makes a key block on Los Angeles Rams punter Ethan Evans, left, allowing RavensÕ Tylan Wallace, right, to score the game-winning touchdown in overtime. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore RavensÕ Tylan Wallace, center, runs 76-yards for a punt return game-winning touchdown in overtime against the Rams in the quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace scores his first career touchdown, retuning a punt 76-yards as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace runs toward the end zone, retuning a punt for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace flips into the end zone after retuning a punt for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace flips into the end zone after retuning a punt for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh talks with officials during an injury timeout as the Baltimore Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, celebrates with tight end Isaiah Likely after connecting for a 54-yard touchdown in the first quarter Sunday. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh talks with officials during an injury timeout as the Baltimore Ravens host the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium.(Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. celebrates his 46-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter Sunday against the Rams. (Jerry Jackson/Staff)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely, center, dives onto the end zone against Los Angeles Rams Jordan Fuller for a touchdown in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is greeted by fans as the Baltimore Ravens prepare to host the Los Angeles Rams at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson tries to throw as he is being sacked in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Ravens outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, center, celebrates, after stopping RamsÕ Kyren Williams for loss of eight yards in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: RavensÕ Arthur Maulet, right, misses a tackle against RamsÕ Cooper Kupp, left, who gained 32 yards in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker points skyward after kicking a 47-yard field goal in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace runs through defenders, retuning a punt for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace runs through defenders, returning a punt for a touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Under pressure, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws incomplete to Zay Flowers in the 2nd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Odafe Oweh wraps up Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams in the 3rd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: RavensÕ Keaton Mitchell, right, runs for 27-yards against RamsÕ Cobie Durant, left, in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Travis Jones sacks Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in the 3rd quarter for a loss of 4 yards. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson runs out of bounds after keeping the ball for a gain in the 2nd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: RavensÕ Patrick Queen, left, and Roquan Smith stand ready against the Rams in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Charlie Kolar chases Los Angeles Rams Ahkello Witherspoon after he intercepted a Lamar Jackson pass in the 2nd quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: RavensÕ Kyle Hamilton, right, tackles RamsÕ Puka Nacua, left, for a short gain in the first quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, from left, celebrates touchdown pass to wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. with Isaiah Likely in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. scores a 46-yards touchdown against the Rams in the second quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, left, celebrates after scoring two-point conversion against the Rams in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers, right, catches a 21-yards touchdown pass against Rams' Jordan Fuller, left, in the fourth quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers scores a 4th quarter touchdown on a pass from Lamar Jackson. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is congratulated by Rashod Bateman after Flowers scored a 4th quarter touchdown. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Isaiah Likely looks for yardage after a reception in the 3rd Quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeatedthe Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Keaton Mitchell pushes through the line for a gain in the 3rd Quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeatedthe Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson kicks the ball out of the end zone after a bad snap in the 3rd Quarter. The illegal kick was penalized as a safety. The Baltimore Ravens defeatedthe Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, left, walks to the sideline in frustration after a bad snap to Lamar Jackson, right, costed the Ravens a safety in the third quarter. The Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Tylan Wallace, right, celebrates with quarterback Lamar Jackson after his 76-yard punt return for a touchdown in overtime gave the Ravens a 37-31 win over the Rams on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff)Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh signals to go for a two-point conversion following a Zay Flowers touchdown in the 4th quarter. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)Baltimore Ravens Tylan Wallace celebrates with teammates after retuning a punt for the game winning touchdown as the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Los Angeles Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Jerry Jackson/Staff photo)DEC. 10, 2023: Baltimore RavensÕ Tylan Wallace, center, is congratulated by RamsÕ Jason Taylor II as Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, right, celebrates after the Ravens defeated the Rams 37-31 in overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff photo)Show Caption of Expand And here’s another major difference from the previous seasons. The Ravens have a defense. Yes, they gave up 410 yards to the Rams, but this group has been the guiding force. Now, they just have to put it all together. “I wish I would have had those other few [deep balls],” Jackson said. “I feel like I was too excited because I just saw [my receivers] flying, but I should have just kept my poise and delivered them like I did earlier on in the game and the game probably would have been over faster than [going to] overtime. “[That was] electric. That was crazy [and] that was a wild game. Shoutout to ‘Ty’ [Tylan Wallace]. The emotions right now are electric right now. It’s not a championship, but it was like [a] playoff atmosphere. It was a team game, [a] team win.” That’s what is so intriguing about this team. It’s a bizarre bunch because they play down or up to the level of their opponent. There is nothing special about the Rams. They came to Baltimore with a 6-6 record. They were ranked No. 13 in total offense and No. 16 in total defense. They had won three straight with wins against Seattle, Arizona and Cleveland, but had lost three in a row before that to Pittsburgh, Dallas and Green Bay. The Ravens, though, found a way to survive. They usually do, which is why they are 10-3 and competing for home-field advantage throughout the postseason. On Sunday, aside from allowing all those yards, they were penalized seven times for 79 yards and even had an errant snap go past an unprepared Jackson for a safety, which put them behind, 22-20, midway through the third quarter. Some teams lose games like this, especially when their quarterback is struggling. The Ravens, though, can beat you in a lot of ways because they have the talent and a strong blue-collar work ethic. Besides the standouts, they can sign and rely on journeymen free agents and get production out of outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jadeveon Clowney. They can get unheard-of free agents such as safeties Geno Stone and cornerback Arthur Maulet and plug them into a system and be successful. They find a player like Wallace, who committed a boneheaded offside penalty on a punt that eventually led to a Rams touchdown in the second quarter, but he ends up scoring the game-winning touchdown while playing a position he rarely if ever even practices in. “Going into it, obviously, with ‘Duv’ [Devin Duvernay] going down [and] me having to step up into that role, I obviously — like you were saying — I hadn’t had too many in-game punt returns,” Wallace said. “So, the main thing for me, especially with the weather, I was just like, ‘I need to catch it first before anything.’ “But, on that play, we had the return set up, and I was like, ‘This is a perfect opportunity to put the game away.’ Shoutout to the guys blocking for me.” You wonder now if the Ravens are lucky or if this is a team that is destined for greatness. Winning games like Sunday can make you wonder. The Ravens have the players and the proper attitude, but they still haven’t hit a stride of consistency. Yet, they still win, and that says something. This one against the Rams was special. “It’s a chapter written in the story, and we’ll see,” Harbaugh said. “That’s the thing. It’s like, ‘Will we be looking back on this moment saying it was a galvanizing moment?’ The team has been galvanized, so maybe the galvanization is reflected in a moment like this for everybody to see.” View the full article Quote
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