ExtremeRavens Posted yesterday at 05:49 PM Posted yesterday at 05:49 PM We asked readers if the Ravens’ shocking loss to the Bills in Week 1 changes their outlook on Baltimore’s season. The Ravens led, 40-25, late in the fourth quarter before allowing 16 consecutive points to lose, 41-40. Here are the results from our online poll: Yes — 64% (326 votes) No — 36% (183 votes) Here’s what some fans have told us about the team’s season-opening loss and future outlook (answers have been edited for clarity and grammar): Honestly, I was nervous the whole game. Buffalo was only one big play away (see Henry fumble) from a momentum shift. As for the last five minutes, if you can’t get closer to the quarterback than they did, it is going to be a long season. But no worries, the Commanders have brought in more bandwagon buses. There will be room for us. — Jay Esterson As long as John Harbaugh is the coach, this is who the Ravens are as a team. The Ravens are full of talent but they frequently get out-coached in big games against better coaches. The Ravens will make the playoffs again and choke again. What reason do we have to believe otherwise? Prior performance is the best predictor of future performance. — David Carroll Someone needs to remind the Ravens that the game is for 60 MINUTES!! Last night’s game should rank as one of the WORST LOSSES suffered by a team in the history of the NFL! — Scot Howard Expectations remain the same (i.e., making the playoffs and then finding a creative way to lose to a lesser team). — Dave C New year, new defensive players, and the same old problems. This has been going on for several years. No pass rush, defensive backfield shoddy, and relying on the offense to outscore the opponent. I think this comes down to inferior coaching. Harbaugh can talk all he wants about how good his defense is, but until proven otherwise, it could be a long season considering the quality of Ravens’ opponents. — Robert I was a Ravens season-ticket holder for 26 years, since their inception, starting at Memorial Stadium. I moved to Denver and still watch Ravens religiously. Not impressed with Harbaugh any longer. He hardly ever speaks to coordinators on his headset like other head coaches. His news conferences are totally boring, e.g. “They are a good football team, we played hard, we go to work tomorrow, we have more games to play.” Hold somebody accountable, maybe owner Steve Bisciotti should. If we get to the playoffs and go one and done, I don’t think Lamar Jackson or coaching staff can do it. Thank you for letting me vent my frustrations. — Charles Ignatavicius I am a lifelong Baltimore Colts and Ravens fan in Richmond, Virginia. I am a loyal supporter of the Ravens and say this with respect as I know these players work so hard and give everything for this team and the Baltimore community. I also think the Ravens may have the most talent of any team in the NFL. But something is wrong somewhere, when over a period of several years now you continue to blow big leads in the fourth quarter. Watching the Bills game in the fourth quarter I got this sick feeling that I have seen this movie before. And sure enough, it had the same ending. Not sure what the answer is? — WT Brown Are you kidding? First game of the season, and the Bills got lucky. End of story. The first 3 1/2 quarters of the game the Ravens’ offense was making shockingly amazing plays, anyone remember? This loss is on the Ravens’ defense but it does not alter my high hopes for this immensely talented Ravens team — maybe the best ever — to go all the way this year. They won’t forget the pain from this, and it will just drive them on to greater heights. Watch out next time Bills, and all other haters. Go Ravens! — JD Bills kicker Matt Prater kicks a field goal from the hold of punter Brad Robbins as time expires in the second half of this past week's Bills-Ravens game. The Ravens gave away a 15-point fourth-quarter lead in the loss. (Adrian Kraus/AP) No, if you are interested in the Super Bowl talk, this loss, although disappointing, has no effect on it. Teams in the Super Bowl are mostly those hot at the end of the season, relatively healthy, and have strong leadership. History tells us this. Look at the Ravens’ Super Bowls. Do you really think Kansas City with its loss, won’t be there at the end of the season? My only concern with this loss is it was head to head with Buffalo and could impact playoff seeding. — Stephen Daryl Smith Like the Four Tops record from 1965 “It’s The Same Old Song.” Year after year with the same failures. And what bugs me the most is that after so many mistakes and failures all we hear from Harbaugh is, “We have to work on that.” Like, hello, players get paid not to make those mistakes. The real games start with the playoffs and the Ravens hold on just enough to get there but then DONE. We have a great team overall, and I’m just wondering how long the owner will stand for this … it’s already too long in my opinion. A change NEEDS to be coming. — Jerry Solomon This is becoming a common problem for Harbaugh. He by far leads the league with blown leads late in the game. This is just not coincidence. With the talent he has been given, this should not happen. Bisciotti should be asking Harbaugh some tough questions and demand reasonable answers. — Chuckie The Ravens have the best running attack in the league, great receivers and phenomenal defensive talent. But their coach can’t seem to maximize their talent. He doesn’t get the most from the Jackson/Henry duo. He’s a good-not-great head coach. — Ronald Why was Derrick Henry on the sideline on the last offensive possession? Why didn’t the defense rush more in the fourth quarter? Why did Hopkins run less than the yards he needed for a first down? Harbaugh blew another game with poor play calling and the defense was terrible. Missed tackles, open receivers, no pass rush. — Tim Malstrom This loss actually gives me more hope. These are things they will clean up … no problem! We have coach John Harbaugh! — Joshua Valladares Until the defense gets it together, we’re in trouble. I know that we’re not in the Ray Lewis or Terrell Suggs era but this defense couldn’t stop a Pop Warner team. I pray there are better defensive days for our Ravens! — Candy Hall No, my expectations are the same. The Ravens will make it to the playoffs and lose. — Andrew K The Baltimore Sun reader poll is an unscientific survey in which website users volunteer their opinions on the subject of the poll. To see results from previous sports polls, go to baltimoresun.com/sportspoll View the full article Quote
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