Once Again, Flacco And Ravens Fail To Seal Deal
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By DERON SNYDER
Losing back-to-back games — on the final play of regulation last week and in overtime on Sunday — is no way to begin your stretch run. It’s also no way to bolster your argument for consideration as an elite quarterback.
That’s where the Baltimore Ravens and Joe Flacco find themselves after a 31-28 loss to the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Sunday. They’re good enough to be contenders and good enough to be on the verge of victory, but not good enough to seal the deal, at least not lately.
In a game heavy on playoff atmosphere and postseason implications, the seasoned Ravens figured to have the edge. These situations are as normal to them beginning contests with midfield coin tosses. But it was the upstart Redskins who found a way to win, while the more-experienced Ravens failed late for the second consecutive week.
“It’s how you start, not how you finish,” said halfback Ray Rice, who rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown that gave Baltimore an 8-point lead with 4:47 left. “I don’t want to be known as ‘If we get them close in the fourth quarter, the Ravens will give it away.’ That’s never been us and it’s not going to be us.”
