A week ago, Ravens fans were sure their team would beat the Steelers in what was being billed as the biggest regular season game in franchise history. A week and a loss later, and a boat load of doubt from purple fans, the Ravens headed to Texas.
Turns out, we were a week premature with that biggest game theory. What God looked down on from the hole in the roof was an incredible 33-24 Baltimore win.
If y'all noticed, the final act at Texas Stadium was colored bright purple; the famous star at midfield looked an awful lot like a crab cake, hon.
Go ahead and scream it from the Inner Harbor to the Outer Loop of the Beltway, "How 'Bout Them Ravens!!!!"
Look up team in the dictionary, and there he is, coach **John Harbaugh**. This was his kind of win, it was all about team. The defense basically shut down Romo and friends until late in the 4th quarter.
When the Cowboys finally got their offense cranked up, the Ravens answered with their Texas Two Step. **Willis McGahee** starred in dead man running with his 77-yard touchdown, and when the 'Boys answered that; **Le'Ron McClain** brought Dallas more pain with an 82-yard gain for 6.
And let's not forget the special teams, Sam Koch's great punting (5-46.6, 2 inside the 20) is a weekly given but "look at that punter run" might have been Howard Cosell's call. Koch's run on the fake field goal was one of the game's biggest plays.
**Matt Stover** had a great Dallas homecoming hitting all 4 field goal tries; he's hit his last 12 attempts and 24 of his last 27.
I know, players make plays but Harbaugh and his staff are pressing all the right buttons.
**Rex Ryan** kept the pressure coming right to the end, the Ravens couldn't afford to let Romo get into rhythm, and they didn't. The defense consistently hit the quarterback.
**Cam Cameron's** timing is impeccable. Sure, staffs spend hours looking for tendencies, and that's part of it, but the best also have a gut feeling and aren't afraid to fail.
Backed up on their own 18 and facing 3rd-and-4, Cam sent Joe Flacco around the left end on a naked boot-leg for 14 yards and a first down. No punt from near the goal line – Cam's timing kept the drive alive.
**Jerry Rosburg** is the Special Teams Coordinator, and John Harbaugh made his NFL living coaching special teams. The Ravens led only 9-7 when the pair passed up 3 points on 4th-and-6 and turned a fake field goal into 7 points – an aggressive, educated gamble that the fans and players love.
How 'Bout These Ravens:
- **Derrick Mason**: The one-armed bandit refused to give in to excruciating shoulder pain; he kept making plays including a TD grab – Ed Block Courage Award stuff.
- Ed Reed: 2 Romo picks and no laterals! His 7 INTs tie for the league lead.
- **Joe Flacco**: Still Joe Cool, bounced back after his early fumble turned into a Dallas touchdown. He gave his team a chance to win, and it did.
- **Willis McGahee**: 8 carries for 108 yards and a TD, love ya, man!
- In the 37-year history of Texas Stadium, **Mr. Bisciotti's** team has never lost to America's team. Sing it, Mr. Meredith: "Turn out the lights, the party is over."
3 and out! Happy Holidays,
Scott
Long-time and respected broadcast journalist Scott Garceau has covered Baltimore sports, including all of its pro football teams, for the last 30 years. Scott, who was the radio voice of Ravens football for the team's first 10 seasons (1996-2005), is a seven-time Maryland Sportscaster of the Year. Garceau is also honored as Baltimore's Pro Football Hall of Fame selector/voter. A native of the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where he is a member of the area Hall of Fame, Scott has covered the NFL since 1971.
