Here’s what the Baltimore Sun sports activities employees needed to say instantly after the Ravens’ 17-9 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Saturday’s Week 16 sport at M&T Bank Stadium.
Jonas Shaffer, reporter: It was ugly. It was chilly. It was towards the Falcons. But a win is a win. Considering the state of the Ravens’ receiving corps and Tyler Huntley’s mistake-averse strategy, the Ravens will take it.
Childs Walker, reporter: A aim line stand, capped by linebacker Patrick Queen taking pictures the hole on fourth down, preserved the working margin the Ravens wanted to outlive the coldest house sport in franchise historical past. They’re not anyplace close to high type as they await the return of quarterback Lamar Jackson, however they’ve made the playoffs for the fourth time in 5 years due to an explosive operating sport (what a distinction J.Ok. Dobbins and Gus Edwards make) and a protection that retains scores low.
We noticed a few of the tendencies which have haunted the Ravens in current weeks, together with blown performs within the pink zone and lax protection within the two minutes earlier than halftime. That method gained’t work once they’re dealing with the AFC’s finest in January, however they stored pushing towards a postseason berth with their most necessary participant on the sideline for many of the final month. We can’t say they lack willpower.
Ryan McFadden, reporter: The Ravens’ protection delivered one other robust efficiency, with inside linebacker Roquan Smith displaying why he was named to the Pro Bowl. It was nice to see the Ravens’ go sport present some life with backup quarterback Tyler Huntley making a few big-time throws.
Despite the win, the Ravens’ struggles within the pink zone stay troublesome in addition to Huntley’s decision-making. He had tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely open in the long run zone on a number of events however he held on to the ball too lengthy.
C.J. Doon, editor: The Ravens entered Week 16 with out their beginning quarterback and can go away it with a playoff berth. Any approach you slice it, that’s fairly good. The well being of Lamar Jackson stays the important thing to the Ravens’ hopes for a deep postseason run, and now they may give him loads of time to relaxation his sprained PCL earlier than the wild-card spherical.
Tim Schwartz, editor: It wasn’t fairly however that is precisely what the Ravens wanted. They acquired again to their bread and butter and ran the ball 34 instances for 184 yards to care for enterprise and beat the lowly Falcons within the coldest house sport in franchise historical past. Considering the query marks surrounding this group (there are a lot of), they’ll take an unpleasant win with their backup quarterback. They dearly miss Lamar Jackson underneath middle and Baltimore isn’t going anyplace with out him, however a minimum of the operating sport is working and the protection is enjoying at a excessive stage for when he returns.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
