mnf: ravens/pats

I knew this game was either going to be a complete blowout or a good one. It was a great one. Unfortunately the end was bitter. 50 seconds away from ruining history for the Pats. 2 4th down stands on the final drive slipping from the Ravens claws. This had all the makings of a monumental upset - except for 2 things - untimely miscues by the Ravens and the refs.

The Ravens can only blame themselves: the Boller interception, Ed Reed's fumble after his interception before halftime, the timeout called right as the defense stuffed Brady on a 4th and 1 to end the game and the idiotic penalties. I have a problem with Billick getting too conservative at the end of the game. Yes, McGahee was slicing up the Pats D on the ground for most of the game. But you knew the Pats were going to put 8 in the box at the end of the game. To pull an upset, you have to think outside the box and pull off some extraordinary plays from unexpected individuals (i.e. Boller was going to have to make a play in the last drive).

But after all of that, they still had the lead with less than a minute to go. Then the refs get involved. Are you really going to call interference on a borderline bump on the deciding play of the game? 4th and 5 near the goaline and you're going to call that? I can't complain about the Gaffney touchdown. It was slightly questionable, but you had to give it to him. Then the idiotic penalties doomed any chance as Boller's Hail Mary was caught - 2 yards short of the end zone.

Even though this game is meaningless in the grand scheme of things - the Ravens are out of the playoff picture regardless - it was the most frustrating loss in years. I blame Don Shula for parking his old ass in the MNF booth. Probably jinxed us. He'll have to chill his champagne a little longer.

This is classic: