Baltimore Ravens beat Dallas Cowboys on 10/14/12

The Baltimore Ravens’ narrow 31-29 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday was overshadowed by devastating injuries to their star defensive players.

Pro Bowl middle linebacker Ray Lewis was injured in the final two minutes of the game while making a tackle on Cowboys’ running back Phillip Tanner. On Monday an MRI confirmed that he suffered a complete tear to his right triceps and will be out for the rest of the season.

Lewis has led the Ravens in tackling every year with 2,643 career tackles.

While Lewis did not speak to the media after the game, he did speak with head coach John Harbaugh:

“He said some things about his faith,” Harbaugh said. “And he said some things that I’ll never forget. When you look at his situation and what he’s accomplished and what he was hoping to accomplish this year, he’s going to have to accomplish those things in different ways because that’s the way it’s gone.”

At 37 years old and in his 17^th season in the NFL, some question if this is a career-ending injury. No one knows for sure, but those who know Lewis best believe he will be back to end his career on his own terms.

While Lewis is out, the Ravens will use Jameel McClain, Dannell Ellerbe and Albert McCellan. They are the same combination of players used while Lewis was out last season with a toe injury.

Things went from bad to worse when the team later confirmed that cornerback Lardarius Webb tore his ACL and will also miss the rest of the season.

This is the second time Webb has torn his ACL, his tore it four years ago during his rookie season with the Ravens.

Webb is a bigger loss for the Ravens, this season he’s made 25 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. During the offseason he signed a six-year contract extension worth approximately $50 million. He was on his way to having a Pro Bowl caliber season.

“Lardarius had become one of the premier corners in the league,” Harbaugh said. “I’m biased. I’d say he’s the best. Maybe some people would question that, but I don’t question that. I see him every day.”

They will turn to Jimmy Smith while Webb is out.

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was also injured on Sunday. He suffered a minor MCL sprain to his right knee. He is expected to be back at practice this week.

Sunday will be a tough test when the Ravens head to Houston to take on the Texans who also have a 5-1 record. The game could potentially determine who will host the AFC title game, assuming both teams stay in the fight.

I wish Webb and Lewis the best in their recoveries. While the team feels confident that Webb will return next season it is anyone’s guess about Lewis’ future. I am fortunate that I was at the game on Sunday and got to see the “Ray Ray” dance. I hope it wasn’t the last time Lewis performed his famous dance.

Ray Lewis is my all-time favorite Raven and this injury makes me realize that the end of his career may be closer than I think. I still can’t imagine what the Ravens will be like without him, but now I don’t have a choice, I will witness it the rest of this season.

The Baltimore Ravens suffered their first loss of the preseason Friday night to the Detroit Lions 27-12. They played in front of an announced crowd of 70,567 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

While the Ravens still have problem areas, they looked better than they did in last week’s preseason game against Atlanta.

Once again the Ravens implemented the no-huddle offense; it is a work in progress. Quarterback Joe Flacco played just over a quarter and went 7 of 12 for 79 yards. While he failed to convert in the end zone, he did not have any interceptions.

Flacco felt comfortable with the no-huddle offense:

“I definitely like it,” Flacco said about the no-huddle. “It’s an up-tempo offense and it definitely keeps the defense on their heels. I also think we’re good at it.”

The only bright spot about the team not scoring touchdowns is that both kickers, veteran Billy Cundiff and rookie Justin Tucker got equal shots to make field goals. Both kickers made two field goals.

The offensive line played in tact for the first time this preseason and they gave Flacco time to throw and spread the ball around.

Unfortunately the defense is feeling the effects of linebacker Terrell Suggs’ absence. They gave up 254 yards in the first half, 507 total yards.

Defensive coordinator, Dean Pees, believes the defense will improve:

“We have to complete plays, not just be in position to make them,” Pees said at halftime. “Communication still isn’t where we want it to be. We need to get better, and we will.”

The defense played well with the first team, but had issues when the starters, including Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, left the field.

The secondary continued to have issues stopping the passing attack. Lions’ wide receiver Calvin Johnson had five catches for 111 yards, the last one caught over cornerback Jimmie Smith in the end zone.

Despite their issues, star cornerback Lardarius Webb is standing by his claim that the Ravens have the best secondary in the NFL.

“I don’t think anything needs to change,” top cornerback Lardarius Webb said. “I just think guys need to keep on competing. I think we’re nice, man. We know how to fix it; we know how to get back right. We’re still here.”

Ravens top draft pick Courtney Upshaw made his debut in this game. He had been out with a shoulder injury.  He got knocked down by the Lions offensive line.  He didn’t pressure the quarterback and had no tackles.

While there weren’t any major injuries, the injury bug was back:

• Linebacker Sergio Kindle: shoulder stinger
• Wide receiver LaQuan Williams: ankle sprain
• Fullback Vonta Leach: ankle sprain
• Linebacker Ricky Williams: hip contusion

The injuries aren’t expected to be long-term, but Harbaugh will update their status on Sunday.

I was pleased to see some improvements this week, but like I keep saying, it is preseason and I have faith that the coaches and players will work out the kinks and improve their game by the first regular season game on September 10.

I like the look of the no-huddle offense, but it is a work in progress; something they need to get used to. Even when you take off the training wheels, it takes some time to get used to riding without them, I feel the same about Flacco and the no-huddle offense.