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Four things we learned from Ravens-Broncos playoff classic 01.12.13 at 10:10 pm ET
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Ray Rice -- who ran for 131 yards -- celebrates with Ravens fans after the game. (AP)

Ray Rice — who ran for 131 yards — celebrates with Ravens fans after the game. (AP)

Four things we learned from Saturday’s wild divisional playoff contest between the Broncos and the Ravens, a double-overtime masterpiece football folks will be discussing for a long time.

1. Joe Flacco comes up big. No matter what you think of the Ravens’ signal caller, he came up big in a huge moment against the Broncos, finding Jacoby Jones on a ridiculous 70-yard touchdown pass with less than a minute to go in regulation to tie the game up. Denver safety Rahim Moore didn’t help things by blowing the coverage, but Flacco was still able to make the connection with the game of the line. (Of course, some clock mismanagement on Flacco’s part caused the Ravens to burn a timeout late in regulation, but we’ll give him a pass because of his late game heroics.) In the end, he finished 18-for-34 for 331 yards, with three touchdowns and no picks.

2. The entire Baltimore roster showed some terrific mental toughness. It wasn’t just Flacco making some big plays — the Ravens tenacity in this one was very impressive. Whether it was the fact that they didn’t necessarily want to lose this one for Ray Lewis, or the fact that they were able to bounce back time and again on the road in a historically difficult place to win, it was a really nice display of grit by the Ravens, who will be going back to the AFC title game for the second consecutive year.

3. The Broncos made some odd choices. Whether it was deciding to take a knee and play for overtime at the end of regulation, or Peyton Manning‘s decision to throw across his body at the end of the first regulation — a pass that led to an interception that led to the Ravens’ game-winning field goal — the Broncos made some questionable calls. Manning ended up going 28-for-43 for 290 yards with three touchdowns and two picks, but given the fact that Denver entered the postseason as the No. 1 playoff seed in the AFC, some of the decisions they made in this playoff loss will haunt them this offseason.

4. Special teams were in the spotlight. It’s impossible not to notice the fact that the Ravens season ended last year on a missed field goal by Billy Cundiff in the AFC title game against the Patriots, and now, they’ll continue to play because of a made field goal by youngster Justin Tucker. Tucker connected on a 47-yard field goal 1:42 into the second overtime to send the Ravens back to Baltimore to prepare for the AFC title game. Because of Tucker’s game-winner, we’ll forgive the special-teams breakdowns that took place in regulation, when Trindon Holliday became the first player in NFL with punt and kickoff returns for touchdowns in the same playoff game. Holliday took a punt back 90 yards in the first half and opening the second half with a 104-yard kick return to help jumpstart the Broncos.

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  • Titletown1

    Can we please stop talking about how great Manning is? 9-11 in the post season is, well, mediocre.

  • dajisus

    Tebow won more games for the Broncos than Manning so far in postseason play… sweet

  • Schwank

    Certainly one of the best games in recent memory and I go back to the ice bowl in ’67 when I was 9 (yes I watched that whole game too.)  Here are my random thoughts:

    I’m not ready to annoint Flacco into upper echelon just yet.  He’s good year in and year out but he still does stuff that makes me shake my head.  On the 3 bombs….I thought he heaved it up there and due to the athleticism of his receivers he prevailed.  Those all could have gone either way.  Yes that safety screwed up….but none of those throws were safe throws.  I also thought he did all he could to blow the game …. the fumble, another time rolling out to the right and he wouldn’t throw it to Pitta even thought he was open and of course when he no clue that the play clock was about to expire costing them that timeout. (He made a nice throw on the next play but that defender mad an excellent play.)  I thought they were finshed then…..especailly after giving up the 1st down right before the 2 minute warning.    

    Didn’t think Manning played that bad actually looked good (more on his performance later).  Wonder if they ran too much once they were up and they were a 1/2 a nail away from closing that coffin.  The two return touchdowns actually kept Manning off the field, but they were offset by the hail mary bombs by Flacco.  It was the perfect scenario for the upset. 

    The kid Smith looks like an All Pro.  Made Champ Bailey look old and slow. 

    I didn’t think Baltimore could get into a gunslinging contest with Denver…but they did….but again I believe they prevailed because of the 3 bombs…..otherwise I think they lose because I think Manning would have done something in those two possessions (had the kid not made the runbacks for them) if not just kill more clock. 

    Manning looked invincible when he wasn’t pressured.  When the Ravens sent somebody he panicked “every” time.  It truly is his Achilles Heel.  He’s always been that way.  It cost him on the last interception.

    Now I know why Dierdorf is on the 2nd team of announcers.  His comment on the tuck then his comments on why Manning’s fumble was a forward pass was over the top.  As much as I wanted to at least be openminded to his comments I couldn’t. It was a fumble and it made for an awkward moment as his announcing partner had to literally sound surprised once the call was made.  At one time Dierdorf was good but he talks too much now.  Just the facts…Jack…

    Thought that officiating crew had a tough game.  Seemed like a combination of weird scenarios that made them look like the replacement ref….imagine if those guys where in those situations OMG.  Not sure I agree with the NFL’s practice of making up new teams of officials (based on the grading) for the playoffs.  Just like the teams who play they’re a team too.   

    Once Manning made the 1st down before the two minute warning, I agreed with Dierdorf (OMG) that Manning should have tried to pass for the first down on that 3rd and long.  Everything to gain at that point. 

    Denver’s defense was spotty.  Lots of talent at LB.  But they had big lapses … obviously….but not just the bombs.  Letting Ray Rice get through a couple times…..perhaps it boils down Denver’s lack of talent at safety.

    Last thought If they played the game over….Denver would win. 

     

  • Highlandtownhon

    If, if, if, but, but, but…the Ravens beat the Broncos. Just admit it!

  • anarchialdesire

    you want to beat Baltimore simple stack the line on 1st and 2nd down and bring in an extra DB on third down. How predictable is Baltimore? Every set of downs followed that game plan even Dierdoff pointed that out but in the end Manning choked again….. and Fox was out Foxed and murdering Ray lewis gets to play another day…

    Oh well lets hope the Pats can give Ray a it’s been a nice ride but we’re going to the SB!!!!!!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/JRyder6868 Japhy Ryder

    If New England played this game, it would be a clear cut blowout. If New England somehow, someway beats the Texans, the game against the Ravens will be painful to watch for us. 

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