Baltimore Ravens: A Team Lacking Killer Instinct

Nov 15, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) reacts after losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars 22-20 at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Once again, the Baltimore Ravens found themselves in a close, hard-fought game. Yet, once again, they found themselves on the losing end of things. This has become an unsettling pattern for the Ravens, a team that is typically known for its ability to finish games. All of this boils down to the fact that this team simply does not have the killer instinct that it once had.

For years, the Ravens have been considered as one of the NFL’s blue-collar teams, much like its home city of Baltimore. However, something just doesn’t feel right about this year’s edition. In each game this season, the Ravens have had a chance to win, losing seven out of nine games by no more than eight points.

Some may point to the loss of one of the team’s vocal leaders, Terrell Suggs in Week 1. Others may point to head coach John Harbaugh and his inability to motivate his players this year. There are also arguments that the Ravens just have not been the same since Ray Lewis and Ed Reed retired. Regardless of what the reason is, it is a sad state of affairs for this football team.

When really breaking down each game the Ravens have played this season, the Ravens’ record could honestly be the other way around. A play here, maybe a play there, and they could have won some of those games.

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The same could be said for Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Baltimore led for a good portion of the game, including late in the fourth quarter. Had it not been for an unfortunate facemask personal foul against Elvis Dumervil, the Ravens would be 3-6, instead of 2-7.

It’s the NFL, so any given Sunday, you could be in for a dog fight. The Baltimore Ravens have been in countless dog fights in the 19 years of the franchise’s existence. However, the 2015 Ravens have failed to close the deal on too many occasions.

Something just isn’t right with this team. It’s not the Ravens that we are used to watching. Too often, this team has showed little heart and motivation to win late in games. No. 52 should not have to give the Ravens a pre-game speech for them to go out and play like their lives depend on it. Sadly, that appears to be the case.

Next: Ravens-Jaguars Score Prediction

The real Baltimore Ravens are out there somewhere. No one has been able to find them yet this season, though.