Baltimore Ravens Game Balls for 21-7 Win over Titans
Nov 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
The Baltimore Ravens losing streak is over, as they improved to 6-4 with a 21-7 win over the Tennessee Titans. So impressive is this Ravens’ team that they can sleepwalk through the first quarter and still come out winners by two touchdowns.
These performances set the Ravens over the top.
Offensive Game Ball: Justin Forsett
Justin Forsett was like a stone rolling down a hill against the Tennessee Titans. He started slowly, but with every touch of the football, he seemed to gain speed, becoming an unstoppable force by the end of the game.
The best way to describe Forsett’s running style is slippery. Check out this 11-yard touchdown run for an example:
Forsett won’t lower his shoulder and run over defenders. Once he’s through the hole, though, he will shake off any defender who dares try to tackle him from behind. His lower body strength is remarkable for a smaller back, and he turned that into yet another big day, with a final stat line of 20 carries, 112 yards (5.6 yards per carry) and two touchdowns.
Throughout the season, Forsett has proven that if there is a hole to run through, however small, he can crack through it for a nice gain. He has been the rock for the Ravens’ offense this season, and no game better showed that then this physical win.
Defensive Game Ball: Elvis Dumervil
An honorary game ball goes to Anthony Levine and Danny Gorrer, the Ravens’ new defensive backs who had a fantastic first showing. Where those guys were good, though, Elvis Dumervil was extraordinary.
The linebacker known as “Doom” has been unblockable this season as the Ravens’ most consistent pass rusher. Despite being a smaller rush linebacker at 5’11”, 255 pounds, Dumervil has done his best work this season with the bull rush. Being shorter than opposing tackles can be an advantage, as Dumervil consistently pushed Michael Oher right into Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger. When that happened, Dumervil had little trouble shedding the block and finishing the sack.
Dumervil’s partner in crime, Terrell Suggs, also had a nice game, notching 1.5 sacks himself. With that duo coming off the edge, and Pernell McPhee and Haloti Ngata pushing the pocket, the Ravens have the best four-man rush in the NFL. As the leading member of that quartet both today and throughout the season, Dumervil earned himself another game ball.