Any time the Colts professional football team comes back to Baltimore it is a special game for fans. Not just what it means to celebrate the proud past that was the Baltimore Colts but to also look ahead to hopes of a possible playoff berth.

Baltimore had all the elements in place to pull off an upset of the unbeaten Colts but in the end found ways to undo a strong effort against an elite team.

The defense held Peyton Manning’s offense to 17 points with only a Field goal coming in the second half. The much maligned secondary came through with two interceptions and Ray Lewis leveled Tom Santi with a jarring hit causing the fumble that saved another score.

The Ravens offense had a good mix of running plays with Ray Rice (20 for 71) and Willis McGahee (6 for 25) and pass plays taking advantage of Indianapolis’ injury riddled secondary with Joe Flacco (23 for 35 – 256). They moved the ball well most of the day but could not break the endzone and instead had to settle for five Field Goals from newly signed Billy Cundiff.

They also had costly mistakes down the stretch. Haloti Ngata was charged with an Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty after he piled on after the defense held Joseph Addai for a loss. That penalty helped get the drive going and set up a Matt Stover Field Goal to give the Colts the lead for good 17-15. Joe Flacco threw a costly interception on third down with about two minutes to Gary Brackett as the Ravens were driving and in range to kick a go ahead Field Goal of their own. Even still the Colts played it safe and the Ravens had a shot for at least a desperation play or two but Ed Reed tried to lateral the ball to keep the play alive and Indy recovered.

So instead of a chance to gain ground in the Wild Card chase and in the AFC North since both Pittsburgh and Cincinnati lost the Ravens are stuck at 5-5 wondering what could have been. The Steelers travel to M & T next week for another huge match up next Sunday night.

Points to Ponder

How frustrating is this loss?

For me, no more frustrating than New England or Minnesota or Cincinnati (twice). Any time you lose it hurts but the way you lose hurts more. These are games that if you make a play or two you get the victory. I feel that this team has the talent to play with any team in the NFL. But they just seem to find every way there is not not close out games. Dropped passes, Mental errors, Bad coaching decisions, Missed kicks, and Penalties, Penalties, Penalties. If it’s not one thing than it’s another.

How did Billy Cundiff fare in his debut?

He did his best Matt Stover c. 2000 impression. He carried the offense with 5 field goals but badly missed his shortest attempt that could have been the difference. But I think the bigger issue still is the offense’s inability to find the end zone.

What do you do on First Down and Goal on the One?

Well let’s review this crucial series. First down you have a Joe Flacco sneak. I like the call since you have a 6’6″ quarterback. He didn’t execute well enough to get his head between the Guard and Center and drive forward. Second Down you go off-Guard with Willis McGahee. I’ve said before that McGahee is needed if this team is to do anything down the stretch and I had no problem that his number was called. Third Down they run the same play to McGahee at the same spot and he’s thrown for a loss. The play developed slowly and McGahee almost tip toed up to the line. Personally I would like to have seen play-action and then hitting the Tight End flaring out. Often running the same play to the same spot is a bad idea. But here is something that no one has mentioned. I would have gone for it on Fourth Down.

It’s early in the Fourth Quarter and you are at home. You need a yard. Even if you don’t get it there is still a lot of time in the game. I think everyone knows that you can’t try and beat the Colts with Field Goals. The offensive line should have been able to get the push to get that one yard.

Are the Ravens officially out of the playoff picture?

Not yet. Losing yet another winable game against a quality team doesn’t help by any means. But you have 3 teams with 6 wins (Pittsburgh, Denver and Jacksonville). Denver appears to be in full free fall and the Steelers are in rough shape losing to the Cheifs and they could be without Ben Roethlsiberger when they march into Baltimore next Sunday. You also have the Texans and the Dolphins with 5 wins. So they are still in the thick of things and after this tough stretch ending with Green Bay they still have teams like the Lions, Bears, and Raiders to face. None of those game are gimmies but they are more winnable than most.

Who was the offensive player of the game?

Ray Rice. What would this team do without him? He often makes yards out of nothing. Derrick Mason had a good performance but he was targeted too much and dropped a sure long gain late in the game. Joe Flacco threw well to the outside but rarely threw in the middle of the field and the interception was costly. Flacco needs to get others involved in the game. I can’t figure if he doesn’t wait long enough in his reads or some players aren’t getting the separation they should. It’s probably both. Michael Oher and Jared Gaither did a great job quieting the Colts pass rush. However the interior lineman had issues all day. I will note that Cam Cameron finally had the balance that this offense needs in terms of playcalling (31 rushes, 35 passes)

Who was the defensive player of the game?
Jarret Johnson. No sacks and nothing spectacular just very good play in all phases. Give the secondary credit for a gusty performance against one of the best under center. Two interceptions is more than fans would have expected and getting the Colts to turn it over three times total should give you enough to win. Ray Lewis was off today. He whiffed on Joseph Addai’s touchdown run and bit several times on Manning fakes.