A frustrating day left the Ravens little to smile about as they packed up for a long flight home.
Demetrius Williams, however, gave Baltimore one bright spot to take into the upcoming week.
"It's not a good feeling when you take a loss," Williams reflected after the game. "But we did see some things, and I hope we can use this to turn it around this week and get better."
Entering the game in Indianapolis, the Ravens' No. 3 receiver, a rangy third-year wideout, had six grabs for 57 yards in four games. On Sunday, Williams practically mirrored his season totals, hauling in another six passes for 53 yards, all coming in the second half.
Hoping to establish the running game early, the Ravens instead saw their ground attack held in check, rushing for just 14 yards in the first half on their way to a 24-0 deficit at the break. The Ravens' game plan subsequently shifted to the pass, particularly featuring a number of short, high-percentage plays designed for rookie quarterback Joe Flacco to safely spread the ball around.
In doing so, the Ravens utilized three-wide sets extensively as the game wore on, mixing Williams on the field along with normal starters Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton as Baltimore attempted to put a dent in the Colts' lead.
On the first Baltimore possession of the second half, Flacco completed all seven of his pass attempts – three to Williams, one of those for a first down – to set up a 37-yard field goal by Matt Stover.
Yet as the Colts continued to run the clock with a healthy lead, the urgency to move the ball only increased, and Flacco started looking downfield more.
"As receivers, we're all trying to go out there and make plays on the ball," said Williams. "We wanted to move the ball late in the game. Joe was making some good throws, and I had to make plays for him. We have to get better."
On Baltimore's ensuing possession, Williams showed flashes of his ability to stretch the field and make grabs running up the seam with receptions of 17 and 16 yards, respectively, though that drive ultimately culminated in one of Flacco's three interceptions.
As the clock ran out, Williams capped the game with a 3-yard reception on a quick crossing route over the middle.
But what does Williams' performance mean going forward? Will this outstanding outing translate into increased involvement in game planning down the road? It's too early to say, but, in Williams' view, his output today was mainly a matter of performing his job when the opportunity arose.
"We're all getting chances with this offense," he noted. "As we all get more comfortable, we'll all be able to get a chance.
"I just have to step up when my number is called, and that happened today."
