Ravens Assert Their Dominance, Smoke The Steelers In Baltimore
It's awfully satisfying when a team goes and stands on business in their building in a big spot.
Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I'm of the understanding that eubqverybody on planet Earth who had seen these football teams play 14 games up until tonight knew who the better football team was. While the Ravens played with their food and coughed the ball up twice in their barn, I think even the most slanted of Pittsburgh fans knew that they had been getting away with murder time and time again against better football teams.
Today was a proper correction and then some. The Ravens did move the football more consistently and played a better 60 minutes than Pittsburgh… but they also produced the kinds of plays that has kept Pittsburgh competitive in games they otherwise shouldn't have.
The red zone fumble by Russ was honestly stunning… you don't expect that from a guy of his tenure, but those types of plays pop up time and time again in this rivalry.
Lamar weirdly evened that out with a red zone pick that was probably more shocking giving the context of the Ravens moving the ball so consistently on the ground at that point in time.
But unquestionably, the play of the game is the pick 6 by Marlo.
If you go to M&T Bank Stadium, you are inevitably inundated with highlights of defensive return touchdowns. It's in our DNA. Whether it be Reed going 108 yards against Philly or Cleveland, Ray Lewis against Tennessee, or McAlister against Denver, the highlights all seem to lead back to big time TD's in championship years.
Humph taking Russ to the house is a moment that feels like a championship moment that stands out on the DVD.
This team is not perfect, but it is capable of a championship. The analytics (point differential, DVOA, plenty more) are all around us as to why the Ravens are a top 5 football team in the league if not better… and tonight's performance is one that is indicative of that potential.
They just have to fight to the finish line here to best position themselves for that tournament run. They're in the dance… that much is clinched… but a home game against say… the Chargers or Broncos makes their path to Arizona that much easier.
It's right there in front of them. Houston ain't much better (if at all) than the team they pounded last January. They have to stand on business on Christmas and hope the Chiefs to theirs to hope for an AFC North title… but I do like our chances there.
As for Lamar and the MVP thing… I mean…. weird pick and his first honest interception of the year…. shame on him I guess…. so I guess that takes him to 37 TD's and 4 INT's. If you're keeping tallies on the MVP race… feel free to compare that with others… both this year and in football history. Don't think Lamar is going to get any serious consideration for MVP if it doesn't involve an AFC North title… but I suppose that's still out there.
All in all…. very fun night at the Bank and one that hopefully makes a difference when it's all said and done.
Go Vens.