Time To Be Concerned?

Not to say the Ravens have had a rough season by conventional standards, after all, any time an NFL team qualifies for the playoffs it’s tough to look a gift horse in the mouth. Not to mention, the Ravens only Super Bowl in 2000 came on a wildcard bid, actually faring worse in postseason history when winning the AFC North outright. Still, while the total wins and losses might not be cause for concern among the Baltimore faithful, who those wins and losses came against, under a closer microscope, may temper optimism in regards to the probability of a deep playoff run.The Ravens are one of the better teams in the league, of this we can be certain, but better teams don’t walk away with the end of the season hardware. No, the Lombardi Trophy is reserved for the best of the best, and thus far this season, the Ravens have not demonstrated the ability to beat the best teams. Perhaps as close to an elite squad as you can find, when matched up against the true top teams in the NFL, the Falcons, Patriots and Steelers (the toughest divisional competition, for argument’s sake), the Ravens posted a dubious 1-3 record, the sole win coming in week 4 against a Steelers squad with Charlie Batch under center.Yet all 4 games were painfully close, losing to New England in overtime, giving up a go-ahead TD to the Atlanta with :20 left and another to Pittsburgh in the final 3 minutes. This would lead one to believe to the talent is there to compete with anybody in either conference, rather a question of grit and resolve as the time ticks of the clock. The 2009 New Orleans Saints found a way to win close games (eerily reminiscent of the 2010 Falcons actually), as it’s NFL tradition for the funny shaped ball to bounce favorably towards all soon-to-be champions. So far, the Ravens luck has been something of out of an Edgar Allen Poe story. Then again, perhaps luck only has so much to do with it. Ultimately, it comes down to clutch coaching decisions and player execution, two areas the Ravens will need to show marked improvement if they hope to turn a good season into a great one.