TYLER LOOP WITH A 56 YARD BOMB IN BRAZIL TO BEAT THE COWBOYS

WHAT AN ABSOLUTE NUKE FROM THE KID TO TOOOOTALLY REDEEM HIMSELF

Insane insane football game down in Brazil. Just another game where the Ravens seemed to doom spiral themselves right into another blown two score lead and they finally made some big plays when they were needed and shut it down. Especially when they were forced to plug a rookie guard in at center and overcome just an absolutely HORRIFIC pass interference call that damn near put the game on a platter for the Cowboys.

Balls. They showed some fucking balls for once. It already felt like a momentous achievement to finish off that gritty drive to take the lead at 31-28. The reason it felt so damn difficult was because throughout this game we showed that we may be the worst team in history in 3rd and 4th and short. I don't know how it's possible that Derrick Henry is so damn bad when all he needs is one yard, but as the game progressed, we were just getting pushed around up front. Especially when Pocic stepped in at center. Punching that one in felt like a damn root canal, but Lamar was able to keep his poise and find Hibner for his first career tuddy.

As good as that felt, there was little faith that the defense was going to come through in the last 90 seconds, and that feeling was immediately supported when the Cowboys worked their way down the field with complete and total ease. Just the same kind of thing we saw from the defense last week against the Saints.

I was sure it was ballgame when Goodell's henchmen threw up all over themselves in yet another big moment.

There is such an effort in this league to discourage the face-guarding that's taught in the college ranks, and it's usually officiated that way. Nate Wiggins... an absolute dude of a corner by the way... played perfect technique and was well positioned to make a game-saving INT this franchise and city needed very badly based on the way this team has choked away games and The Shield yanked the rug right out under us. Awful, awful call.

That said, the defense put their foot down and stepped up in a big way with a small assist of a false start. Huge stop to force the field goal.

7 seconds, just take a knee, right?

For whatever reason the Cowboys booted it through the back of the end zone to set us up at the 35. I was actually enraged when Tyler Loop did the same after the touchdown to set the Cowboys up at the same spot, but I guess Aubrey had botched enough kickoffs out of bounds trying to squib it into the landing zone that he just said fuck it, 35 is better than the 40.

Regardless, it would have been easy for the Ravens to just feel lucky to be going to OT and taken the knee.

Enter an absolute MISSILE by Lamar. 

That throw might as well be his magnum opus to anyone who disrespects his arm talent. Great job calling the timeout and giving the kid a chance. By the way, that throw reminded me a little of the 4th and 19 to Sammy Watkins (yes, that Sammy Watkins) to set up that JT winner in Detroit a few years back.

What is there to say about Tyler Loop there? To many he will never really redeem himself for what happened in Pittsburgh last year, but what a fucking moment for him that should take his confidence to new heights. And honestly, what a great spot that was for him to make a giant kick without the risk of a potential loss falling on his shoulders. All in all the stats on him are pretty good. He DID make 30 of 34 last year and is 35 for 40 on the career. There were some hiccups in the preseason that didn't allow the fan base to put much confidence in him and I'd be lying if I said the concern has been totally put to rest, but getting him back into good graces was always going to be a process and this is a MASSIVE step forward. But more than anything, good for him. He took it on the chin last year like a man and he's going to enjoy every minute of that 10 hour flight home tonight.

As for the rest of the team and the outlook? Idk man. There's a really good football team in there, but the OL is poor (and falling apart) and one clutch goal-to-go stop doesn't mean this defense is suddenly where it needs to be. There is a lot of room for improvement in a lot of areas and I'm grateful it's the Titans next week at home on a travel lagged week.

All I gotta say is thank god for Lamar Jackson. Derrick Henry got a lot of work (26 for 89 and 2 TD's), but where we seemed to find our stride was when we put the game on #8. Even that one first down that got called back for illegal formation felt like a momentous play where he just said fuck it, I'll do it myself. We need more of that. And it's so clear the difference in this offense when Zay Flowers is out there. Big fucking grab by him and a great performance from him on a snap count.

Needed that one bad. Now the AFC North is a 4-way deadlock at 2-1 and we take care of business against some weak competition before we get a big one against Cincy in a few weeks. Go get it done.