Sunday, December 31st marked the end of many things. For most people, it simply meant the end of the year 2017 and the beginning of the next chapter, 2018. However, for Ravens fans everywhere including me, December 31st marked the end of the Baltimore Ravens 2017 season.
Nothing can compare to the miracle of a season in 2012 where Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis lead the Ravens to a Super Bowl victory. Flacco had a turnover-less postseason and the hard-nosed Ravens defense was as strong as ever. Those two factors resulted in Baltimore not only reaching the Super Bowl, but winning it all; from a wild card spot! Now fans cannot be blamed for believing this 2017 season was reminiscent of this magical 2012 season. Despite the lack of offensive weapons and ultimately having one of the worst offenses in the league, the Ravens still had their eyes set on not only the playoffs, but the Super Bowl.
Baltimore has always prided themselves on a tough, ball-hawking defense. This season was no different as they had the #2 ranked defense for most of the year, behind the impressive Jacksonville Jaguars. I had always been told, Defense wins championships, and the 2012 season put that into fruition. However, with the season on the line, and a playoff berth at stake... The Ravens choked. With a win-and-in situation, The Ravens needed to beat one of their division rivals to make it into the playoffs. It all came down to week 17 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Ravens looked ugly in the first half, giving up 24 points seemingly immediately. Then, as I'd hoped, the offense finally came alive in the second half. The score late in the fourth quarter was Ravens 27- Bengals 24. Ravens Kick off the ball with three minutes left, and suddenly it was all up to the defense to finish the job. Something they have done time and time again in all my years as a Ravens fan. This time, they choked... Andy Dalton threw a 50-yard pass to Tyler Boyd and just like that, the season was over.
After such an up and down season, it stinks to end it on a bad note. As a fan, I hope that feeling of disappointment urges the players to work even harder in the offseason. I hope that bitter taste of defeat never leaves the mouths of the 53 players on the 2017 Baltimore Ravens roster. Most of all, I hope they come back hungry and stronger than ever... Here's to 2018 and to the Baltimore Ravens! Wings up!
