It was late in the first half and the Ravens looked like they were taking control on Monday Night Football.
The Ravens had taken a 10-7 lead on the previous drive, then the defense pitched a three-and-out. Momentum was on Baltimore’s side.
But as has been the case all too many times this season, the good news was soon followed by the bad.
Return specialist 
The Cardinals recovered, took over possession at the Ravens’ 12-yard line (following an unnecessary roughness penalty) and went into the end zone to take a 14-10 lead just before the end of the half.
It was a disastrous turn of events.
“That stuff is always tough, making critical mistakes in pressure situations,” Ross said. “We just try to bounce back and move on from it.”
Ross, who the Ravens originally signed to their practice squad in early September, had done well stepping in for
He had two fumbles on punt returns last year for the Detroit Lions, and one in 2013.
Still, it looked like Ross may have been down. It was a close call and referees said the play “stood” as opposed to “confirmed,” meaning there was not enough clear evidence, in their opinion, to overturn the call on the field of a fumble.
“I felt like my knee was down,” Ross said. “I thought for sure the call was going to get overturned.”
It’s the first turnover the Ravens have had on special teams this season after struggling in that area in the preseason. Baltimore didn’t force any gaffes from Arizona, who turned the ball over three times the previous week against Pittsburgh.
“The turnovers, we aren’t getting enough and we have too many,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “When you have one, that’s too many. Obviously, in a tight game like this, that’s going to be a critical play. [Ross] knows that better than anybody. Those are the areas that we have to get better at.”
In a game against a strong opponent, on the road, on Monday Night Football, a costly fumble can be tough to overcome. It’s especially difficult for a Ravens team that is battling so many other factors, such as injuries.
At this point, Baltimore has to play pretty close to perfect to win.
“The one thing about us right now, we’re the kind of team that has to minimize mistakes and have to execute,” Harbaugh said. “We’re going to be forced to develop the ability to do that with perfection. That’s the kind of team we are right now. In the long run, that’s going to be good for us. We’ve just got to fight through it.”
