Ravenous Hunger

Well, I just watched the Baltimore Ravens get kicked in the teeth by the Miami Dolphins in overtime. I didn't really watch the game, as R.Y. came over and we were connecting (i.e. playing Halo and not really connecting). However, I did have to leave to mail out some Christmas presents (were you one of those lucky few? Stay tuned, you should have your answer by Wednesday). When I came back, the internets told me that it was 16-13, and the Ravens had 4th and goal at the 1 yard line. I turn on the television, and it turns out they kicked the field goal to tie it up.

You have it that close, and you're not going to go for it? Your team's offense is based on the running game, overtime is essentially a toss up, all you need to do is stack the line and essentially fall forward, and you're not going to go for it? You have an excellent chance to avoid the humiliation of losing to a winless team in week 14 of the NFL season, and you're not going to go for it?

In overtime, the Ravens did get the ball, and they put it on Matt Stover's foot to kick the winning field goal. It was a 44 yard field goal, not an automatic make for every kicker, and certainly not for Matt Stover, now about 62 years old. I do not blame him for the miss, because he can only do so much. No, when you have to gain 3 feet, and you do not go for it, and you think a 44 yard field goal, or losing that field position in OT, is the better option, you deserve to lose. Brian Billick, you make baby Jesus cry. Shame on you. I hope you go coach the Patriots as their offensive coordinator next year.