Ravens head coach Brian Billick said Tuesday he did not have time to reflect on Monday night?s 13-3 loss to the Denver Broncos. Instead, he decided to look forward to the team?s game this Sunday with the Panthers.
“We didn?t do enough to win the game,” Billick said. “Whether it was capitalize on turnovers, not turning the ball over, sustain a drive, keep them pinned down on the 1-yard-line … it?s across the board.”
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The Denver game was the first, however, in which many of the mistakes the Ravens (4-1) have been making caught up to them. The Ravens committed three turnovers Monday, the most damaging coming in the second quarter when Champ Bailey picked off a Steve McNair pass in the end zone. The Ravens were in position to tie the game when McNair under-threw a fade pattern to receiver Clarence Moore.
After the game, Bailey told reporters that he knew the play was coming because Moore is rarely in the game for situations other than a fade pattern.
“That?s what film study is all about: anticipation,” Bailey said. “It?s not cheating if you study it.”
On Tuesday, Billick called the interception “ill-advised.”
Not only did the Broncos beat up the Ravens on the field, but they did so in post-game locker room interviews, as well. Denver running back Tatum Bell said of the Ravens vaunted defense: “We built them up and gave them the respect, but they haven?t played anyone yet. We play against the best defense every day. We knew whoever could run the ball and stop the run would win.”
Bell was largely impressive, despite still not scoring a touchdown this season, with 19 carries for 92 yards. The Denver offense was held to a total of 222 yards, and quarterback Jake Plummer threw for only 106 yards.
McNair struggled mightily against the Broncos? defense despite connecting on an impressive 20 of 34 passes. McNair?s 165 yards did little to mask his three interceptions. His final interception came at a time when he usually shines. With his team trailing, 13-3, and time winding down, McNair had a deflected pass fall into the arms of defensive back Domonique Foxworth, ending any distant hopes of a comeback.
“The turnover battle usually decides the game,” Foxworth said. “Baltimore got two on us early, but we were able to get three with our cornerbacks.”
McNair, despite leading the team to a pair of come-from-behind wins in recent weeks, still does not appear to have found a comfort zone.
The predictability of the Ravens? offense came into greater focus as the team?s running game once again stalled. Primary running back Jamal Lewis rushed 15 times for 43 yards.
“Of course these things concern us,” tight end Todd Heap said. “There were things that concerned us in the first four weeks.”
