Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 14, 2013 http://hosted.stats.com/fb/preview.asp?g=20131216008&home=8&vis=33 (AP) -- The Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions are both in position for playoff berths, but only one of them has made significant progress toward reaching that goal lately. The surging Ravens, though, have also struggled on the road this season and will try to end those woes Monday night while dealing the host Lions another blow in NFC North race. Baltimore (7-6) currently holds the final AFC wild-card spot, but only by a tiebreaker over Miami. The Ravens, who also lead San Diego and the New York Jets by one game, maintained that position by coming out on top in a wild game with Minnesota this past weekend. The teams combined for 36 points in the final 2:05, with Baltimore scoring 22. The Ravens capped their incredible finish to that 29-26 victory with Joe Flacco's 9-yard pass to Marlon Brown with four seconds to go. Its third straight win also kept Baltimore two games behind Cincinnati in the AFC North, but the Ravens will face three straight division leaders to conclude the regular season. Two of those games are on the road, including a visit to the Bengals in the regular season finale Dec. 29. Baltimore is 1-5 away from home, losing its last three there. "I think we've won the close games at home and we haven't won them on the road. That's the bottom line," coach John Harbaugh said. "We've done the things we needed to do to win tight games at home and we haven't done the things we've needed to do on the road. It's us." The Lions (7-6) have had trouble in most of their recent games no matter where they've played, dropping three of four. They blew out Green Bay 40-10 on Thanksgiving but their inability to close out games resurfaced in Philadelphia this past weekend. Detroit gave up 28 points in the final 15 minutes in a 34-20 loss - its third blown fourth-quarter lead in the past three weeks - and dropped into a tie with Chicago atop the division. The Lions own the tiebreaker thanks to their two wins over the Bears but know they have to get back on track quickly if they want to win their first division title since 1993. "We'll just take this slap in the face and hope it wakes us up," cornerback Chris Houston said. "We have two straight home games and we have to go get them. We can't get down on ourselves. We are still in a good position in our division. I think we like when our backs are against the wall." Detroit has committed a combined five turnovers in the final quarters of its last three losses and totaled 20 giveaways in its past six games. "It's tough to win football games when you turn the ball over," said quarterback Matthew Stafford, who has seven interceptions and two fumbles in the last four games. "We know that. We're doing everything that we can to correct it." Baltimore has forced just four turnovers in its last four games after tallying 13 in its first nine, but sacks leader Elvis Dumervil may return after a one-game absence due to a sprained left ankle. "We're starting to get healthier. We're starting to put it together as a team," Flacco said. "We just need to start putting it together for a full 60 minutes and see where it takes us." The Ravens, however, might face a motivated Calvin Johnson after Baltimore rookie safety Matt Elam called the All-Pro receiver "old" following some initial compliments. "He's pretty old, so I don't know how physical he'll be," Elam said. "He's a big guy, but he's older. I guess when they get older they're not going to be as physical, you know what I'm saying? We're going to have to be physical, make him uncomfortable." The Lions could also get leading rusher Reggie Bush back from a calf injury that kept him out of the loss to Philadelphia. Bush needs 147 yards to surpass 1,000 for the second time in his career. "I feel good," Bush said. "It's honestly never happened to me before. I never missed a game for a pulled muscle. I look forward to getting back this week." Baltimore has won two of its three meetings with the Lions and routed them 48-3 in the most recent one Dec. 13, 2009. The Ravens are making their second trip to Detroit and were beaten 35-17 in the other one Oct. 9, 2005. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 14, 2013 Lions keep on choking it away. The Ravens have got this guaranteed. 27 20 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KempBolt 498 Posted December 14, 2013 Because I want it to happen: 3 847 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 16, 2013 Might be the most painful game to watch of the season... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted December 17, 2013 Reggie Bush (calf) is active for Monday night's Week 15 game versus Baltimore. As expected. Bush was listed as questionable after getting in two limited practices Friday and Saturday. The expectation is that he'll handle his normal workload on the fast track at Ford Field. The Ravens play tough run defense, but Bush is a space player and is mostly matchup-proof in this offense. Fire him up as an RB1. Inactive for the Lions are CB Chris Houston, CB Darius Slay, QB Kellen Moore, RB Mikel Leshoure, OL Rodney Austin, OL Jason Fox, and OL Leroy Harris. Ravens OLB Elvis Dumervil (ankle) is active for Monday night's Week 15 game against the Lions. Dumervil sat out last week's game against the Vikings, but he and his 9.5 sacks are back in the lineup. He plays the vast majority of his snaps on the left side, so he'll line up across from Lions rookie RT LaAdrian Waddle. Inactive for the Ravens are S Brynden Trawick, S Omar Brown, RB Bernard Scott, OL Ryan Jensen, WR Deonte Thompson, OLB John Simon, and DT Brandon Williams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 17, 2013 I hate prime time games. They never start on time... LETS GO ALREADY!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted December 17, 2013 Yeah MNF always starts at like 8:4X Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 17, 2013 Oooooooh kill em!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 17, 2013 COME ON BALTIMORE! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 17, 2013 Omg.. these officials... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 17, 2013 Cant believe what im watching right now. This team is such a disapointment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted December 17, 2013 No you aren't. You are making a ton of Packer fans happy right now! GO RAVENS GO! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted December 17, 2013 When both division challengers lose their QBs and stay in the race, you don't deserve playoffs anyways. Please hatefuck the Ravens though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 17, 2013 The Lions are such a garbage team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 17, 2013 I take back everything I said about this team being able to make noise in the playoffs if they somehow made it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 17, 2013 Are the officials doing this on purpose??? My God. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted December 17, 2013 Such a bullshit no-call. Dude was holding Durhams arm so much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 17, 2013 If the lions can score on this drive. OMG. Yes, please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 17, 2013 (edited) OH MY GAUWD!!!! LET'S GO!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE no prevent. PLEASE!! Edited December 17, 2013 by DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DonovanMcnabb for H.O.F 2,241 Posted December 17, 2013 Welp. I'm not ready to give up hope on the season, but, its pretty much a wrap. lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cherry 1,302 Posted December 17, 2013 Tucker bails the Ravens out so much. You know your offense is shit when your kicker scores all 18 points Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted December 17, 2013 Ravens control their own destiny. That is such garbage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BradyFan81 404 Posted December 17, 2013 (edited) They'll definitely beat the Pats this Sunday, so it will come down to the big clash with Cincy Week 17. They might get a Bye. Well, actually that's pretty unlikely. Cincy might miss the playoffs though. Edited December 17, 2013 by BradyFan81 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sacks98 28 Posted December 17, 2013 Stafford really cost the Lions with two horrible throws the one to Elam and then the one earlier that he forced side arming it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
