Baltimore vs. St. Louis
Ravens Walk-off Win a Costly One as Flacco/Forsett Lost for Season
Sometimes even when you win, you lose. The Ravens forced four turnovers and tasted victory for just the third time this season, but lost their starting quarterback and running back in Sunday’s 16-13 win.
Facing a tie game with less than a minute remaining in regulation, Flacco dropped back and threw an incomplete pass to Chris Givens. Following the release, left tackle James Hurst was pushed into the back of Flacco’s left leg. The longtime gunslinger came up limping, but stayed in the game for the final two handoffs to Javorius Allen before Justin Tucker split the uprights for a game-winning 47-yard field goal as time expired.
“I wanted to win a game, and I didn’t know what was wrong,” quarterback Joe Flacco said on the play immediately after suffering his season-ending injury. “I tried to hop up as quickly as I could, and I was heading toward the sideline. The fact that I was able to hop up and head toward the sideline, I said, ‘oh, ok, let’s hang out here and see what I can do.’ I don’t know if that was the best thing.”
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Following the game, Flacco was diagnosed with tears in both his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments. He finished the final game of his season with 299 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions.
The franchise quarterback’s injury wasn’t the only serious one suffered on offense. In the first quarter running back Justin Forsett broke both bones in his forearm after a running play was blown up in the backfield by Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and Forsett was thrown to the ground on his left arm.
Head coach John Harbaugh said the hardship of losing two integral pieces on offense doesn’t diminish the overall team effort in picking up a victory that’s been hard to come by this season.
“I don’t think those two things run parallel,” explained head coach John Harbaugh. “I don’t think you tie those two things together. Obviously, it’s tremendously disappointing for those guys. We’ll be fine as a football team. We’ll bounce back, that’s what you do.”
Harbaugh said the gameplan going forward involves longtime Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub, who the Ravens signed in March on a one year, $2 million contract.
“My mindset is not going to change,” backup quarterback Matt Schaub said. “My mindset hasn’t changed. If you have to change your mindset an the way you prepare, then you’re not ready, you’re not going to be able to go out and function and do your job.”
While the Ravens were plagued by injuries, the Rams were troubled by turnovers. St. Louis fumbled the football four times, the most costly of which came with a minute to go in the fourth quarter when Courtney Upshaw strip-sacked quarterback Case Keenum. Elvis Dumervil fell on the loose football at the St. Louis 41, setting up the Ravens with prime field position for its walk-off field goal attempt.
“Turnovers will kill you every time, especially in their part of the field,” tight end Lance Kendricks told reporters following the loss.
GAME RECAP
Neither offense was able to cross into its opposition’s territory on the game’s opening three drives, all of which resulted in punts. Baltimore’s second possession proved to be a costly one, as St. Louis defensive tackle Aaron Donald blew up a run in the backfield for a five-yard loss, breaking Justin Forsett’s right arm as he fell to the turf. Adding insult to injury, Justin Tucker’s 51-yard field goal try sailed wide right to keep the game scoreless late in the first quarter.
It took the Rams 95 seconds from there to score as a defensive pass interference by Jimmy Smith cost Baltimore 49 yards and Todd Gurley took a 3rd-and-1 handoff into the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
Both sides would exchange punts on their following two possessions. Baltimore’s next drive would end with a turnover as Joe Flacco’s deep throw toward Crockett Gilmore was intercepted by Rodney McLeod.
The mistake wouldn’t be a costly one as St. Louis followed with a quick three-and-out. The Ravens followed with one of their own, but Tavon Austin’s muff of Sam Koch’s punt was recovered by C.J. Mosley at the Rams’ 31. Baltimore ate up the remaining time in the half before Tucker made good on a 25-yard field goal try to close the half with the Ravens now trailing 7-3.
Baltimore opened the third quarter with a promising drive toward the edge of Tucker’s field goal range. However, instead of attempting a 50-yarder, the offense remained on the field as a Flacco to Kyle Juszczyk completion only picked up five of the 11 yards needed, resulting in a turnover on downs.
After another pair of punts, the errors continued for both halves. Albert McClellan recovered a fumble by St. Louis quarterback Case Keenum only for Flacco to give it back three plays later when Trumaine Johnson intercepted a throw intended for Maxx Williams.
Keenum would capitalize on the takeaway as he would find Lance Kendricks for a 30-yard touchdown pass, extending the Rams’ lead to 13-3 with 6:25 left in the third quarter. Lawrence Guy blocked the extra point attempt to keep it a 10-point margin.
Both offenses continued to struggle with the Ravens punting twice and the Rams once to close the third quarter. St. Louis opened the final quarter with yet another turnover as Brandon Williams jarred the football free from Gurley’s hands and Courtney Upshaw recovered it at the Rams 42.
Baltimore finally found the end zone seven plays later as Flacco threw off his back foot and found Kamar Aiken for a 3-yard score to cut the deficit to 13-10 with 11:16 remaining in regulation.
Flacco went back to work after another three-and-out and a 46-yard catch-and-run by Crockett Gilmore set up a game-tying 20-yard field goal by Tucker to even the count at 13-13.
Both kickers had a chance to take the lead with under two minutes in the game but Greg Zuerlein and Tucker both pushed 50-plus yard attempts wide right.
St. Louis’ fourth and most costly fumble came with one minute left as Upshaw strip-sacked Keenum from behind and Elvis Dumervil fell on the football at the St. Louis 41-yard line.
The first play of the final drive proved to be the most costly as offensive tackle James Hurst was pushed into the back of Flacco’s left leg. Despite tearing his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, Flacco stayed in the contest, handing it off twice to Javorius Allen, who picked up 12 key yards. Tucker’s 47-yard game-winning attempt hugged just inside the right upright, providing the 16-13 final score.
UP NEXT
Baltimore (3-7) prepares for prime time against division rivals Cleveland (2-8). Hoping to get by with backup quarterback Landry Jones, an injury forced regular starter Ben Roethlisberger back into action for Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger threw for 379 yards and three touchdown passes in relief as the Browns dropped their fifth straight, 30-9 in the Steel City.
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