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The Beat with Aaron Wilson - Ravens: 'They have nothing to lose'
Baltimore trying to avoid being upset against Jaguars
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Posted On: 12/28/08
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OWINGS MILLS -- When the Baltimore Ravens walk off the field today against the Jacksonville Jaguars at M&T Bank Stadium, they know precisely what scenario they want to have avoided.
Any outcome that involves a loss is unacceptable.
Regardless of whether their regular-season finale carries the meaning and stakes of a must-win situation to make the playoffs or if the final result has no consequence and is rendered moot by the New England Patriots being upset by the Buffalo Bills in a preceding game and earning Baltimore an automatic playoff berth, the resurgent Ravens simply want to win.
A victory clinches the sixth and final playoff berth in the AFC for the Ravens. However, a loss to the underdog Jaguars (5-10) could eliminate the Ravens (10-5) from the postseason picture if the Patriots defeat Buffalo.
"This one is back to business," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "We don't want to have that sick taste in our mouth come Monday morning."
And that unpalatable possibility is exactly why the Ravens are preparing as if the Patriots are a juggernaut that will roll over the Bills with Coach John Harbaugh calling New England the lock of the week and advising people interested in wagering to "book it."
During a surprising turnaround season following last season's 5-11 debacle, the Ravens aren't accustomed to taking anything for granted or being handed to them. That's why they aren't looking for assistance in the form of a helping hand from Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
They want to enter the playoffs in the same manner that got them into this position: They want to earn it.
"New England is going to win a football game, we know that, everybody knows that," Harbaugh said. "So, we're going to have to win our football game. That's what we need to take care of, and we don't need anybody else to get us in the playoffs. That's our job to take care of that."
Even a cursory glance at the Ravens' track record displays a trait that they're likely to guard against a collapse today against Jacksonville.
The Ravens are 6-0 against teams that currently own losing records, winning those contests by an average margin of 19 points.
Installed as a 12 1/2 point favorite for the Ravens' largest point spread of the season other than an eight-point advantage against the Oakland Raiders, a game they easily covered in a 29-10 rout at home, Baltimore wants to stamp out any hope the Jaguars are harboring.
That means manufacturing a fast start.
When asked if the Jaguars could be dangerous since they want to deliver a knockout to the Ravens' playoff prospects, rookie quarterback Joe Flacco replied: "Yeah, probably for about the first quarter. But as long as we come out and let them know that we're here to play, hopefully we can let them know that they have no business coming to Baltimore and trying to ruin our chances."
History suggests the Ravens will be able to stave off the upset bid.
Baltimore has won seven of eight regular-season finales at home, including a seven-game consecutive winning streak. The Ravens are 5-2 at home this year, haven’t allowed more than 13 points at home this season and have won eight of their past 10 games.
Plus, they've won six of their past seven games against the Jaguars.
Nonetheless, they have no intention of taking the Jaguars lightly. Not against a Jacksonville team one year removed from making the playoffs that features multi-dimensional running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who is going to play today despite a knee injury.
"They have nothing to lose, they have everything to gain," Harbaugh said. "They're a prideful team. I think we understand the personality of their football team. They are a rough, tough football team, and they've proven that they can win in tough elements.
"When you watch them on tape, you understand they're very capable of beating anybody in the NFL. We just can't allow it to happen, and that's our responsibility."
The Ravens know what it's like to play the spoiler role.
A year ago, the Ravens had won just four games heading into the final game of their season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the Steelers essentially mailed it in and lost to Baltimore heading into the playoffs, the Ravens used the game to fuel their confidence heading into this season.
The Jaguars could use a similar boost having parted ways with vice president of player personnel James "Shack" Harris, a former Baltimore executive, this week and losing four of their past five games.
"We know they're men on a mission, this is actually their first game for next year," Suggs said. "They're anxious to put this season behind them and they want to get started for next year right away. Sure, they're disappointed that their season didn't particularly go how they wanted it.
A victory clinches the sixth and final playoff berth in the AFC for the Ravens. However, a loss to the underdog Jaguars (5-10) could eliminate the Ravens (10-5) from the postseason picture if the Patriots defeat Buffalo.
"This one is back to business," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "We don't want to have that sick taste in our mouth come Monday morning."
And that unpalatable possibility is exactly why the Ravens are preparing as if the Patriots are a juggernaut that will roll over the Bills with Coach John Harbaugh calling New England the lock of the week and advising people interested in wagering to "book it."
During a surprising turnaround season following last season's 5-11 debacle, the Ravens aren't accustomed to taking anything for granted or being handed to them. That's why they aren't looking for assistance in the form of a helping hand from Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
They want to enter the playoffs in the same manner that got them into this position: They want to earn it.
"New England is going to win a football game, we know that, everybody knows that," Harbaugh said. "So, we're going to have to win our football game. That's what we need to take care of, and we don't need anybody else to get us in the playoffs. That's our job to take care of that."
Even a cursory glance at the Ravens' track record displays a trait that they're likely to guard against a collapse today against Jacksonville.
The Ravens are 6-0 against teams that currently own losing records, winning those contests by an average margin of 19 points.
Installed as a 12 1/2 point favorite for the Ravens' largest point spread of the season other than an eight-point advantage against the Oakland Raiders, a game they easily covered in a 29-10 rout at home, Baltimore wants to stamp out any hope the Jaguars are harboring.
That means manufacturing a fast start.
When asked if the Jaguars could be dangerous since they want to deliver a knockout to the Ravens' playoff prospects, rookie quarterback Joe Flacco replied: "Yeah, probably for about the first quarter. But as long as we come out and let them know that we're here to play, hopefully we can let them know that they have no business coming to Baltimore and trying to ruin our chances."
History suggests the Ravens will be able to stave off the upset bid.
Baltimore has won seven of eight regular-season finales at home, including a seven-game consecutive winning streak. The Ravens are 5-2 at home this year, haven’t allowed more than 13 points at home this season and have won eight of their past 10 games.
Plus, they've won six of their past seven games against the Jaguars.
Nonetheless, they have no intention of taking the Jaguars lightly. Not against a Jacksonville team one year removed from making the playoffs that features multi-dimensional running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who is going to play today despite a knee injury.
"They have nothing to lose, they have everything to gain," Harbaugh said. "They're a prideful team. I think we understand the personality of their football team. They are a rough, tough football team, and they've proven that they can win in tough elements.
"When you watch them on tape, you understand they're very capable of beating anybody in the NFL. We just can't allow it to happen, and that's our responsibility."
The Ravens know what it's like to play the spoiler role.
A year ago, the Ravens had won just four games heading into the final game of their season against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Although the Steelers essentially mailed it in and lost to Baltimore heading into the playoffs, the Ravens used the game to fuel their confidence heading into this season.
The Jaguars could use a similar boost having parted ways with vice president of player personnel James "Shack" Harris, a former Baltimore executive, this week and losing four of their past five games.
"We know they're men on a mission, this is actually their first game for next year," Suggs said. "They're anxious to put this season behind them and they want to get started for next year right away. Sure, they're disappointed that their season didn't particularly go how they wanted it.
“I mean, we had the same feeling last year. They want to get off on the right foot. They don't want to end their season with a loss. We don't want to be knocked out of the playoffs, so it's really a big game."
The Ravens have a clear preference of heading into the postseason with a win regardless of whether it means something or not.
A win would allow the Ravens to win at least 11 games for the third time in franchise history after winning a franchise record 13 games in 2006 and 12 games in 2000 when they won the Super Bowl.
"We're going to go out there and do our best to win this game no matter what," Flacco said. "No matter how we get in there, believe me, we're going to be a playoff team and we're going to be happy that we're in the playoffs. But we're going to go out and win this game regardless."
Aaron Wilson covers the Baltimore Ravens for the Carroll County Times and the Annapolis Capital.
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Posted On: 12/28/08
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