Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans: What We Learned

Dec 21, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) attempts to rush around Baltimore Ravens tackle Eugene Monroe (60) during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens’ season is almost certainly over

There remains hope, however slight, that the Ravens can make the playoffs. If San Diego loses to the Chiefs and the Ravens beat the Browns, the Ravens are in. That’s realistic, if unlikely. But with the way Ravens players are dropping like flies, should fans really want a playoff berth?

Well, yes, fans should always want that, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Ravens have been infected with the injury bug this year. Eugene Monroe and Rick Wagner both went down with injury yesterday, as did Justin Forsett for a brief moment. With all the injuries in the secondary this year, it really has been a brutally unlucky year for the Ravens.

And even if the Ravens do make the playoffs, the combination of injuries and poor secondary play makes winning out a virtual impossibility. My advice? Enjoy the fact that the Ravens were much better this year than last. There was real progress, and they were a whole heck of a lot more fun to watch.

Best of all, you can look forward to the future. Ozzie Newsome made fixing the O-line priority No. 1 this past offseason, and the results were incredible. If he can work similar magic with the secondary and receiving corps, the Ravens will be Super Bowl contenders again next year.

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