Preston: Reason to believe

[demopublican]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/r...lumn?track=rss

Special seasons have defining moments, and the Ravens may have had theirs Sunday when they pulled off a miraculous comeback and defeated the San Diego Chargers, 16-13, in overtime before a crowd of 57,882.

Mark down this date and game, because great moments like these don't happen often. Few teams gain 110 total yards in the first half and gain 333 in the second. Few teams are down by 10 points in the last eight minutes of the game, and then win in overtime

I have always believed that. Champions overcome odds and championship teams always have key victories lie this one. Does this win make us champions? Hell no. But it makes our odds better.

[Peej7245]

demopublican, I agree but add that the greatest increase in the odds occurs within the chest cavities and between the ears of each player...they have to come back from SD with a higher confidence that their unit will find a way and the other units will do so as well.

Add to that the fact that they are coming home 9-2 and have never looked past the Steelers.

[demopublican]

That first half anemic offense is still a major concern. Why does this offense flounder at times and flourish at others? I really just don't know.

[Peej7245]

That first half anemic offense is still a major concern. Why does this offense flounder at times and flourish at others? I really just don't know.

I wonder if it could be jet lag? Sometimes it just gets into a team's collective psyche and it is hard to get it out.

I have played tournaments on the West Coast and, no matter how much our coaches tried, sometimes it took a game or even a set to get back to full speed...

Just for grins, I went back to GameRewind and looked at the trend of all SD opponents and, over the last two seasons, the Chargers have won the first half in all but two games against east coast or midwest teams.

Regardless, as I posted last week, this was the kind of game that the Ravens would most likely have lost last year, but this is a different season.

[RavnFreek]

The world really is coming to and end. Preston writes a positive article about the Ravens.

[can you hear me now!]

he's written the same thing the last two weeks....this team just wins and at the end of the day wins are what matter....

[JohnnyUrulz]

That first half anemic offense is still a major concern. Why does this offense flounder at times and flourish at others? I really just don't know.

Harbaugh kind of explained this in the post game. He said that teams game plan to keep Flacco from getting started. I guess sacking and knocking him down a lot at first so he can't get going. But once he does he is nearly unstoppable. At home he is obviously more comfortable and can run the hurry up and kind of get going early most of the time. But on the road....

[Frank Costanza 831]

I agree with Preston on this one. This game reminds me a lot of the Ravens vs Jets game on Christmas Eve in 2000.

[VHRocks]

Agree, but the First Half Offensive No-Shows will hurt the Ravens in a couple of games from here on out.

[Peej7245]

Agree, but the First Half Offensive No-Shows will hurt the Ravens in a couple of games from here on out.

Sorry to point this out, but your statement is one that a lot of our more negative fellow fans have been saying since the preseason!

There is a strong indication that this team has the tools to find a way to win the game! For example:

The defense did hold the Chargers to 13 points at their home! They made 5 sacks and a number of QB hurries! Gave up a FG after a questionable penalty in the 4th quarter. In OT, they stonewalled the Chargers on their two possessions.

Special teams did what special teams have been doing nearly all season!

The offense stepped up after halftime. Remember, the winning drive in OT started at the Ravens own 10 yard line! A 75 yard drive for the winning FG with about 5 minutes on the clock! And they used up 4 of those 5 minutes.

[baltiMOREO&R]

Just for grins, I went back to GameRewind and looked at the trend of all SD opponents and, over the last two seasons, the Chargers have won the first half in all but two games against east coast or midwest teams.

You, my friend, have a bad case of 'too much time on your hands'.

[Peej7245]

You, my friend, have a bad case of 'too much time on your hands'.

Multitasking, amigo, multitasking! LOL