The Baltimore Ravens looked as if they missed their wake-up call in the first quarter of their game against the Minnesota Vikings. After two early first quarter touchdown passes from Brett Favre, it looked as if it was going to be a very long football gave for the team in white.

 

The Ravens' secondary looked confused and utterly clueless in the early going. Questions about Dawan Landry and his coverage, or lack there of, continued as he completely loss track of Visanthe Shiancoe in the back of the endzone.

 

The Ravens finally got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter as Steve Hauscchka kicked a 29-yard field goal near the end of the half. That kicked provided some hope, but there was no way that even the most rabid Ravens' fan could predict what the second half had in store for those who were watching on CBS.

 

After a 40-yard field goal by Ryan Longwell, the Ravens put together an offensive assault that showed what the future of this team lies. For weeks, Ravens fans and media member had been asking for this team to run the football more. However, with the Ravens running game sputtering and the Vikings lead growing, Cam Cameron had to rely on his passing game, led by Joe Flacco, to get points and to set up the running game.

 

Flacco used the passing game to set up a 22-yard run by Ray Rice to get the Ravens back in the game in the third quarter. But after a Longwell field goal and another touchdown reception by Shiancoe, the Vikings had a 17-point lead that seemed unreachable. That's when the Ravens put the game into the hands of their best two offensive options, Flacco and Rice.

 

Flacco threw a 32-yard jump ball to once battered receiver Mark Clayton to pull the Ravens to striking distance. That lead was shortlived as Longwell added yet another field goal to make it a 13-point lead for the Vikings. But Flacco and offense marched right down field as he connected with Derrick Mason on a 12-yard scoring strike and a six-point game.

 

After Ray Lewis and company finally stopped the Vikings offense, the Ravens took the lead by setting up the running game with the pass. Ray Rice finished the Ravens scoring with a 33-yard touchdown run for a 31-30 lead.

 

That's when Brett Favre and Vikings went downfield to set up, yet another, Ryan Longwell field goal. This time it was a 31-yarder that gave the Vikings the lead.

 

The Ravens got the ball needing just a field goal to win. This team had been here the past three weeks and could not finish. A big drive to win the game and to send the team into the bye week was deperately needed. After the dropped pass in New England and bad timing against the Bengals, this team needed to show they could conduct a game winnning drive.

 

Flacco showed poise and maturity as he led the team down inside of Vikings territory. After a three-yard run put the Ravens on the 26-yard line of the Vikings, it was time for Hauschka to earn his keep. At this moment, Brett Favre shared something in common with many Ravens fans. He could not watch as the Ravens lined up for a game winning try.

 

It wasn't to be on this day. Hauschka missed a 44-yard try that would have won the game. With Matt Stover signing with Indianapolis this week, they'll be lots of "what if" talk during the next two weeks, and not all of the talk will be surrounding "what if we had Stover."

 

The Ravens last three weeks have been bogged down by "what if." This team has lost three games on arguably three plays. There's a lot you can draw from this. You can say this team isn't ready to win big games, and that's looks pretty obvious right now. You could also say that this team is close and a bye week is just what the doctor ordered. Either way, this team is 3-3 and John Harbaugh has his work cut out for him.

 

No, I don't believe there's any in-fighting on this team. They're just losing close games. Although that's extremely frustrating, there are veterans in this locker room and they'll keep it together. I can't say the same things for the fans. I don't know who will keep the fans together.

 

 

 -     This team seemed to have been suffering with identity crisis. Today, they came out and ran the ball, and really got nowhere with it. I believe today, they discovered who they really are. With 10 games left in the season, there's no more need to be a "three-yards and a cloud of dust." This is a team led by its quarterback. There's no "three-headed monster" on this team at the running back position.

 

 -     Michael Oher did quite well against an All-World pass rusher. Jared Allen had one sack and it appeared to be on a botched play. It looked as if both linemen on the left side were pulling and someone wasn't on the same page. Other than that, he was a non-factor in the passing game.

 

 -     Lardarius Webb is a very good returner for this team. He was better than steady and as far as I'm concerned, is the best option by far on this team.

 

 -     Tavares Gooden is a very good linebacker. He was all over the field today. He saved a long run that would have been a touchdown when he chased Adrian Peterson down from behind. That play kept the Ravens in the game and gave them a chance to win.

 

 -     With 385-yards passing, three touchdowns, and gutting it out when it mattered, Joe Flacco is a leader. This is his team. If this team continues to "look for itself" without Flacco throwing it 35-plus times, they are looking in the wrong place.