MNF Liveblog: Ravens vs. Broncos

By Brett | Permalink | No Comments | October 9th, 2006 | Trackback

We’re gonna do something a little different tonight. Instead of updating every drive, we’re going to do a quarterly recap. Quite honestly, we just don’t care that much about tonight’s match up, and we want to have a little bit of time to update another post on what went down during week 5. So, while the MNF liveblog may be a bit scaled down, we’re going to attempt to do something that we’re relatively sure no sane person has tried to do before: update two blog posts, simultaneously. While we admit that this isn’t on par with accomplishments such as swimming the English Channel or whistlin’ Dixie with your armpit, we’re pretty stoked about it.

We’re also stoked about seeing Denver’s running game vs. Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense. Liveblog coming up in 2.2.

BAL 3 — DEN 13

1st Quarter Summary
The story so far is that Denver turned the ball over on their first two possessions — a Tatum Bell fumble, and, of course, a Jake Plummer INT. The INT was no surprise, but Theisman’s actually called Jake out for doing it, instead of blaming the WR. Ole Jake’s a pretty easy target, though, so we’ll take this one with a grain of salt.

So far, it’s looking like a pretty ugly, defensive game, as would be expected with these two teams. The Ravens are doing a nice job of working the left side on the ground, which will pay off in the second half.

Broncos have had a few big hits…unfortunately for them, they’ve all happened with the Ravens’ ballcarrier 10 yards downfield.

2nd Quarter Summary
Ravens offense looks bad on their first drive, and can’t take advantage of Plummer’s pick. They were able to down a punt inside the Bronco 5, though, which helps them accomplish the two most important things in a defensive game being played in bad weather: win the field position battle, and give the ball to Jake Plummer backed up against his own end zone.

Broncos manage to get out of their own end, and Plummer almost throws two more picks before the Broncos end up punting.

Ravens run a screen pass on the first play of their third series. Is there a less effective play in the NFL than a RB screen? We’d be willing to bet that 9 out of 10 times, they don’t pan out. Lowest percentage play in the game, outside of the onside kick.

On 3rd and 1, Ravens go play-action. Todd Heap has his guy beat, but McNair can’t get it there. You know, McNair’s been getting a TON of love the last few weeks, but we’re not sure that it’s really warranted. The guy just hasn’t been playing that well.

Great punt return sets up the Broncos w/ good field position, but can’t do much with it. End up settling for an Elam FG. 6’s are better than 3’s, but in a game like this FG’s aren’t bad. 3’s all around.

Ravens putting together a decent drive late in the 2nd quarter. Look like they’re thinking about getting in position to kick a field goal. Not trying to get too hasty….no need to think about a TD, just maybe thinking about a FG.

McNair with a sideline pass that took a looooonng time to get there, almost picked off.

Mason gets open down the sideline, McNair hangs him out a little. Safety late getting there, just misses a HUGE hit. That can’t feel good. You get beat, then you wiff on the hit. Ravens now seriously threatening to kick a FG with just over a minute to go in the 1st half.

Ravens getting a little predictable running on second and long. Big 3rd down at the 11 coming up.

Ravens toss a fade into the end zone, and Champ Bailey picks it! Looked like he knew that route was coming. Terrible play call. Are you seriously going to run a one person route against Champ Bailey? Throwing to Clarence Fucking Moore against Champ Bailey? Awful.

3-3 at halftime.

Halftime
Berman — nice fucking hat, nice fucking tie. This is why people hate (but not us). We just don’t dig the gear.

We’re going to get another slice. Be back soon, suckas.

3rd Quarter
Jake the Snake with six –6!– passing yards in the first half. Jeez, man. That’s pretty f-in’ bad, you know?

3rd and 5, around midfield, and the Broncos run it. Guess they don’t have much confidence in Plummer. Can’t say we blame ‘em.

McNair 10-19, 88 yards, and one INT. OK, so the weather is bad, the Broncos are a pretty tough defense, but we have to wonder….couldn’t Kyle Boller put up those kind of numbers?

To be fair, though, the Broncos secondary is doing a fantastic job covering the Ravens down the field. There’s just really nowhere for McNair to go with the ball.

Broncos fake and end around, and go deep post to Rod Smith. Smith open, but the ball hangs on Plummer. If he throws that ball out in front of Smith, it’s a TD. Man, the QB play has been pretty bad tonight.

Our in house Aussie can’t help but note that Jay Cutler looks like a ‘fat 12 year old.’ That’s the nicest thing he’s said all night.

McNair sacked on the Ravens 12, fumbles, but Baltimore recovers. Got lucky on that one. McNair held the ball way too long.

Still three all…one of these teams needs a big play, an INT return for a TD, a long pass…something along those lines. That should be all it takes to win this one, because neither team can move the ball.

Broncos ball again, inside their own 30 yards. Plummer converts a third down to Javon Walker. Nothing fancy, but they needed that one.

Ray Lewis has had a pretty quiet night so far.

Plummer with a nice play action roll out, complete to Walker. That’s three in a row for Plummer.

Broncos drive stalls out around mid field, punt it inside the Ravens 15. At least they’re getting the better of the field position battle right now. So far, though, that hasn’t meant much.

Broncos defense looking pretty nasty. Kornheiser looking the money in the leather jacket.

3rd quarter winds to an end, still tied up at 3. Another Monday night, another pretty boring game.

4th Quarter
OK, we’ll admit, we don’t really care that much about either of these two teams. If we did, though, this would be a pretty intriguing game. Both teams are playing great defense, close game, possible playoff preview.

Mike Anderson rips off a couple ten yard chunks on the ground, while ESPN gives us a great ground level shot.

Jamal Lewis drops a pass on 3rd down, may or may not have picked up the 1st. Ravens punt it away. Should’ve been able to swing the field position, but only got a 10 yard punt. Could that be the big play we’re looking for? We’re hoping there’s something bigger in store for us.

Plummer takes off running, picks up a big first down, fumbles at the end but it pops out of bounds. Good play for Denver, with a good break at the end.

Broncos knocking on the door of field goal range. Need another maybe ten yards.

Plummer had Kircus wide open down the sideline for a TD, but overthrew him. Man, not to pile on Plummer, but he’s missed a couple TD opportunities.

Broncos now in FG range. If it were us, we wouldn’t throw another pass the entire drive.

Broncos do just that, get a FG from Elam. 6-3 Broncos…that could be enough.

Guess we’ll find out if McNair has another 4th quarter comeback in him.

Ravens ball, catch the Broncos dropping deep, run a screen for a first down.

John Lynch knocked out, not good news for the Broncos. They’ll miss him if he has to miss the rest of the game. Under minutes to go.

McNair throws an INT!!! Broncos ball in good field position, with 6:50 to go! There’s the huge play.

And Plummer drills Javon Walker on the deep slant on 1st down. No Marty Ball here tonight. Ballsy play call, Shanahan.

You know, for as much shit as we give Plummer, he’s making plays right now. Not a great game, but he’s making plays. On the other side, McNair has looked awful all night. Maybe after this one, everyone will get off his nutz a little bit.

Tatum Bell picks up a huge first down running up the gut on 3rd and 9, dragging Ray Lewis for the last 2 yards. Great, great run right there.

2:26 left, Broncos ball, first and goal.

Plummer to Smith for the TD!!!! Ball game! Man, just about the time that ESPN started showing the fat 12 year old on the sideline, Jake Plummer started playing some ball. Damn, man, you just can’t bury this guy. 13-3 Denver. Game over.

Kornheiser with the line of the week: “Plummer: They’re not gonna hate me until next week.” We’d give it til Wednesday.

Ravens trying to make something happen, but with just over a minute to go, it’s going to be too little, too late.

Denver’s gonna win another big game. Their defense has only given up 1 TD in 4 games. Unbelievable. Hate to say this, Bears fan, but this could be the best defense in football.

Heap and Clayton try to bust out the old hook and ladder, one of the coolest plays in football. Nothing doing, though.

Next play, McNair throws another pick!!! Foxworth picks it off the tip, almost takes it all the way back. 3 picks tonight for Steve McNair. Rough game.

That’s ballgame, kiddos. Broncos are tough are home, knocking off one of the few remaining undefeated teams in the league. Great win for the Broncos, good second half for Jake Plummer.

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