In a season that has featured many different losses, the Ravens found a new way to get their seventh defeat Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
And this one may be the most heartbreaking and freakish one yet.
As the clock ticked down with the Ravens leading, 20-19, the M&T Bank Stadium crowd chanted as the seconds passed. It seemed the clock had hit zero.
But the Jaguars barely got the snap off in time, surprising even quarterback Blake Bortles, who tripped and fell to the ground. Outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil pounced on him, but was flagged for a facemask penalty.
That gave the Jaguars a free play from the 35-yard line and they sent out kicker Jason Myers, who had missed a 26-yard attempt earlier in the game. As luck would have it, Myers nailed a stunning 53-yard bomb.
The Ravens fell to 2-7 and, just when it looked like they could have back-to-back wins for the first time this season and some momentum, it was snatched from them.
It wasn't as if Baltimore played a perfect game by any means.
The Ravens turned the ball over four times in the second half, including on three straight offensive drives. Quarterback Joe Flacco threw two interceptions and lost a fumble. Returner Jeremy Ross muffed a punt that led to a Jags' 19-14 fourth-quarter lead.
However, it looked like a 10-play, 80-yard drive by Flacco and the Ravens offense in response was going to be enough to hold on.
Yet the defense once again faltered down the stretch. The unit broke its streak of 61 straight drives without a turnover, but safety Kendrick Lewis dropped a gift-wrapped interception that would have ended the game with 20 seconds left.
Quote of the Day
"Obviously just about as tough a loss as you're ever going to see, you're ever going to have to deal with." -- John Harbaugh
Turning Point Of The Game
Dumervil's facemask penalty with zero seconds remaining gave the Jaguars one more chance to win and they took advantage with the game-winning field goal. Dumervil had three sacks in the game, but his penalty gave Jacksonville a second life.
Impact Plays
- In the first quarter, a referee's call that could have gone either way went against Baltimore. Outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil scooped up a loose ball and had nobody in front of him, but Jacksonville running back Denard Robinson was ruled down by forward progress. The Jags scored on a 5-yard pass to receiver Allen Hurns on the next play to grab a 7-0 lead.
- Cornerback Jimmy Smith had what could have been a pick-six go through his hands. The deflection went off another Raven and into the air, but Smith had already removed himself from the play and didn't see it still could have been caught.
- On the next drive, the Ravens finally broke their streak of 61 drives without forcing a turnover, dating back to Week 3 against Cincinnati. Cornerback Lardarius Webb broke on a first-down pass and made a nice snag in front of Hurns.
- The Ravens quickly flipped the turnover into points just two plays later on a lobbed 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Crockett Gillmore, drawing the score even at 7-7 in the second quarter.
- The Jags marched 16 plays,but were stopped on the 3-yard line after two passes and a run for no gain. Jacksonville had to settle for a 21-yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead before halftime.
- Flacco went 7-for-8 on an 80-yard touchdown march before the end of the first half. Flacco found rookie tight end Maxx Williams wide open on third-and-2 for a 21-yard touchdown, putting the Ravens ahead, 14-10. It was the rookie second-round pick's first career touchdown.
- Flacco was intercepted on the first play of the second half when his pass intended for receiver Kamar Aiken was a bit high and bounced off his hands. Cornerback Davon House grabbed the deflection, setting up a field goal for Jacksonville.
- Flacco was picked off again on Baltimore's second drive of the second half. This time, Flacco launched a pass from the 41-yard line that was intended for receiver Chris Givens. It was too short, however, and House adjusted better than Givens for the pick.
- For the third straight drive, Flacco turned the ball over in the second half. The Ravens were once again driving when Flacco held onto the football for too long and was hit and stripped by linebacker Telvin Smith.
- The Jaguars marched to the Ravens' 8-yard line on the next drive, but Myers strangely shanked a 26-yard field goal wide left, keeping the Ravens ahead, 14-13, heading into the fourth quarter.
- The Ravens defense sacked Bortles for a third time, forcing a punt, but Jeremy Ross muffed the fair catch, giving the Jaguars the ball back on Baltimore's 37-yard line.
- Will Hill was flagged for a personal foul on a hit to the shoulders and head area, moving the chains when the Ravens would have been facing fourth down. Bortles found receiver Allen Robinson two plays later for a 15-yard touchdown. After a failed two-point conversion, the Jaguars led, 19-14.
- In his first NFL game, receiver Jeremy Butler caught a 21-yard pass down the right sideline, putting the Ravens in position for their go-ahead touchdown. Flacco capped the 10-play, 80-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Chris Givens, giving Baltimore a 20-19 lead.
Standout Performer
CB Lardarius Webb
Webb ended the Ravens defense's turnovers streak and played well in coverage on a couple goal-line stops that held the Jags to field-goal attempts.
Stat of the Game
The Ravens broke a streak of 61 straight drives without getting a defensive turnover when Webb picked off Bortles in the second quarter.
On the Horizon
The Ravens will be back at M&T Bank Stadium next Sunday against the St. Louis Rams.
Check out some of the best photos of the Ravens Cheerleaders from week 10 of the 2015 season!