I found it interesting in a not-so-good way recalling, researching and revisiting the Ravens’ games of the 2009 season. Why? It was really a bit of a stretch to find five games that I would want to lump in the category of "best." The team didn’t really play very many complete, sound football games with plus contributions in all phases.

With that in mind I’ve chosen games during which the Ravens were either in complete control or in one case, a game in which they knocked a big monkey off their backs – a win against a quality opponent on the road.

Wildcard Playoff Game @ Patriots, January 10, 2010

All of the Patriots history stared the Ravens in the face. Tom Brady was undefeated at home in the playoffs; Belichick never lost a Wildcard Game; etc, etc. It mattered for all of 20 seconds as the Ravens delivered a huge body blow to start the game with Ray Rice’s 83 scoring run followed up by Terrell Suggs’ strip of Brady and fumble recovery early in the opening period. Before the Patriots could catch their breath, they were down 24-0 after the first quarter. The Ravens used their running game and an extremely well prepared and opportunistic defense to beat the Patriots 33-14, a score which doesn’t come close to defining this extreme beat down.

Ravens @ Chargers, September 20, 2009

The Ravens had struggled with quality opponents on the road during the regular season and in the San Diego Chargers, Harbaugh & Company encountered yet another such challenge. The Chargers got off to a fast 7-0 lead in the opening quarter but the Ravens answered quickly. Joe Flacco led a balanced attack that miraculously kept pace with the Chargers’ high octane passing attack. Late in the fourth Steve Hauschka hit a field goal to put the Ravens up 31-26 (the final score), forcing Philip Rivers to go the distance on the Chargers’ next and final possession. Ray Lewis put an end to any San Diego comeback hopes  when he dropped Darren Sproles for  a 3 yard loss on the game’s final meaningful play from scrimmage.

Ravens v. Broncos, November 1, 2009

The Broncos like the (3-3) Ravens were coming off a bye week and entered M&T Bank Stadium as a rested 6-0 team. Beginning with the game’s opening play from scrimmage – an uncontested sack by Jarret Johnson of QB Kyle Orton, it was clear that the Ravens defense would control the Broncos' offense. What wasn’t clear is if Joe Flacco’s unit could ever get started. However, they received a spark from rookie Lardarius Webb who took the opening second half kickoff 95 yards to post the Ravens to a 13-0 lead. They never looked back winning easily 30-7.

Ravens v. Browns, September 27, 2009

This one looked like the varsity scrimmaging the JV as the Ravens toyed with the Browns from the opening whistle. Cleveland's only score was a 29 yard field goal from Billy Cundiff, then the Browns' kicker. Not to be outdone Joe Flacco would cap the scoring with a 72 yard connection to Derrick Mason. The Ravens outgained the Browns 479-186 yards, producing 28 first downs to Cleveland’s 11. Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson took turns demonstrating ineptness at the quarterback position. The Ravens were not without fault as they were penalized 8 times for 84 yards during this 34-3 yawner.

Ravens v. Bears, December 20, 2009

While Ravens’ fans were in the midst of a big dig to remove over 2 feet of snow that crushed the area, stadium custodians and hired guns were brought in to uncover the blanket of white from M&T Bank Stadium. Bears fans may have wished that Jay Cutler was among the tons of snow removed from the field as the Ravens won easily 31-7. Joe Flacco was 21 of 29 for 234 yards and 4TD’s while Cutler struggled mightily, 10 of 27 for 84 yards and 3 interceptions. The game was never in doubt although the 31-7 win did have its collateral damage – as in ligaments.  Lardarius Webb was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

When looking back upon the 2009 season it isn’t hard to see where the Ravens need to improve. Clearly they need to upgrade their passing game and they need to clean up their act and play with more discipline. All too often in 2009 the Ravens beat themselves with penalties and/or an inability to dissect zone defenses. These games were no exception and they rank as the team’s worst performances of the season.

Divisional Playoff Game, Ravens @ Colts, January 16, 2010

Once again it wasn’t Peyton Manning who beat the Ravens. It was the Colts defense who kept the Ravens offense out of the end zone for the second time during the ’09 season. The Ravens haven’t scored a meaningful touchdown against the Colts since 2002.

Ravens @ Packers, Monday December 7, 2009

U-G-L-Y! The Ravens and Packers combined for a shocking 23 penalties for 310 yards. Time and again the Ravens' secondary was flagged keeping Green Bay drives alive. Despite it all, the Ravens had a chance to make it a game in the fourth quarter but Joe Flacco threw an unforgiveable interception from the Packers’ 3 yard line. A TD there would have brought the Ravens to within 3 points with nearly 9 minutes remaining. It was not meant to be in this 27-14 loss.

Ravens @ Bengals, November 8, 2009

On the heels of a 31-7 win over the previously undefeated Denver Broncos, the (4-3) Ravens looked to exact a measure of revenge against the Bengals who beat the Ravens at M&T four weeks earlier in the games waning moments. The Ravens came out flat and never seriously threatened the Bengals who looked like they were simply toying with the Ravens late in the second half during this listless 17-7 drubbing.