Ravens' Untimely Meltdown Against Steelers Definitely a Group Effort

If the football world could have foreseen a Ravens' 21-7 first-half lead against the Steelers at Heinz Field in their playoff game Saturday, most fans probably would have felt that Baltimore's offensive firepower and solid defense would send them to their third AFC Championship game in franchise history.

But what really happened was the Ravens had a major meltdown and the Steelers rightfully took advantage for a 31-24 victory.

"We don't feel good about this one," said Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. "When you look at those turnovers and then you could look at it and say we beat ourselves."

So, who should get the blame? Flacco, running back Ray Rice, wide receivers Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the defense, the play-calling, or their motivation?

Undecided? Let's break down the sources of the meltdown:

• Their intensity. On the Ravens' first series to start the second half, it was clear that the Ravens' offense was sluggish. The offensive line didn't hold their blocks long enough to protect Flacco, which led to a sack. And after 405 carries, the reliable Rice fumbled and that allowed the Steelers to have great field position. The Steelers took advantage and scored a quick touchdown, which started the meltdown. The Ravens' sluggishness continued throughout the third quarter and into the fourth. After being up by 14 points, the Ravens found themselves down by three.

• The defense. In the first half, the Ravens' defense was furious and aggressive. But in fairness due to three quick turnovers by the Ravens' offense, their defense was on their heels which led to their lack of aggressiveness in the third quarter, allowing the Steelers to take control.

"We didn't put them away," said Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. "We didn't put them away. ... We have nobody to blame but ourselves. We have to take a long look at ourselves."

• The officiating. The officials called a decent game, as they allowed these two titans to clash. But in a critical situation, it never fails. Late in the fourth quarter as the Ravens were battling back after settling down, cornerback Lardarius Webb returned a punt for a touchdown that would have given the Ravens a 27-24 lead. But the play was called back because Marcus Smith was flagged for holding. It was a back-breaking, bad call as both players were locked up as they went down, while Webb passed by from the outside.

• The Ravens' play-making receivers. Boldin and Houshmandzadeh were not signed by the Ravens for statistical purposes during the regular season, but for this game, for game-changing plays which playmakers make. After the bad call on Smith, Boldin dropped a sure touchdown pass on third-and-goal which would have given the Ravens the lead. They settled for a field goal, making it a 24-24 contest with 3:58 left in regulation. With 1:09 left on fourth-and-18, Flacco threw another perfect pass, this time to Houshmandzadeh, but he dropped the pass which would have had placed them at the Steelers' 40, giving the Ravens another opportunity to score a touchdown in hopes of sending the game into overtime. Both players are great, but after all the talk of not receiving many passes, the playmaking opportunities they were originally brought to Baltimore for, went through their hands.

"It's unbelievable," said Houshmandzadeh. "I can't believe that happened. I would bet every dollar I have that I make that."

Despite the Ravens' meltdown in the second half that led to them losing a golden opportunity to get to the Super Bowl for the veteran leaders like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, the Ravens are holding their heads up high because they know what had happened. Hopefully, the Ravens can come back next season, intact, to finish their business, with the Steelers waiting.

"All you can do in life is to take a shot at being great," said Ravens coach John Harbaugh. "That's all you can do. Our guys did that. We just weren't great enough today. We'll be back."