Bob Haynie: Ravens Earn Much-Needed Victory
After back-to-back road losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, the Baltimore Ravens had fallen into last place in the AFC North and were a team that could really use a win. On Sunday afternoon at M & T Bank Stadium, they got just what they needed against the Tennessee Titans.
Paced by RB Justin Forsett and a defense that awakened after a slow start, the Ravens got themselves a 21-7 "W" over the Titans and head into their bye week with a 6-4 record. With the win, Baltimore improved to 4-1 at M & T and remain one of the best home teams in the NFL.
The Ravens also got some help from the Jets who beat the Steelers 20-13 at MetLife Stadium. Baltimore and Pittsburgh are now tied in a division that is surprisingly lead by the Cleveland Browns (6-3).
Forsett has been the Ravens' offensive MVP in 2014. Picked off the scrap heap after being cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he has injected life into a running game that was virtually nonexistent in 2013.
The seven-year vet from Cal has rushed for 721 yards and five TDS. Forsett is averaging an impressive 5.4 per carry and has also chipped in with 31 catches. Where would the offense be without him?
The Baltimore defense got pushed around early by Tennessee, but they settled down and made life tough for the Titans and their rookie QB Zach Mettenberger. Linebackers Terrell Suggs (1.5) and Elvis Dumervil (2.5) combined for four sacks and DT Timmy Jernigan added one as the Ravens got to Mettenberger five times.
Tennessee had no luck running the ball as they could only rush for 67 yards. The Ravens continue to be tough to move the ball against on the ground.
Overall, a winning--not pretty--performance against a team the Ravens are supposed to defeat.
So the Ravens hit their bye tied for last in the AFC North. Yet, they are only a half-game out of first place.
Do you think the final six games will be interesting or what?
Let's enjoy the bye and get ready for an exciting stretch run for the Baltimore Ravens.
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