The firing of former offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and the subsequent promotion of quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell to that position, were supposed to help the Baltimore Ravens out of an offensive slump that has now seen the team lose three straight games, and go from a seemingly sure AFC North winner to a team seemingly hoping for a home playoff game at 9-5. Caldwell, who worked with Peyton Manning in Indianapolis for years, would call plays for the first time in an NFL game while facing his old buddy as the Ravens took on the Denver Broncos at Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium. Change, at least to start, wasn’t successful. The 34-17 thrashing, which was not nearly as close as the score may indicate, was the worst home loss of the John Harbaugh era. The worst play happened when, with first-and-goal at the Denver 4-yard line with 15 seconds left in the first half, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco threw an interception to Broncos defensive back Chris Harris, who returned it 98 yards for a pick-six. “You come to the Ravens’ house and beat them handily, it’s definitely a statement game,” Harris said. “We definitely wanted to show to everybody that we’re an elite team.” The 11-3 Broncos most certainly are. The Ravens? Not so much. “I felt like it was Christmas and not for our side,” said safety Ed Reed, who was individually embarrassed when Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno jumped over him during a 20-yard gain.. “We were in a giving mood. … We didn’t play football. I was embarrassed. I am embarrassed as a player to come out and perform the way we have. As a Ravens nation, as a player, I am embarrassed for our city.” Flacco, who was the target of boos from the home crowd, acknowledged that the fans had a right to be ticked off. He finished with 20 completions in 40 attempts for 251 yards, two touchdowns, and that pick-six. However, both touchdowns, to tight end Dennis Pitta, came in the fourth quarter, when the game had entered the “laugher” stage. Baltimore’s first right drives read like a JaMarcus Russell career retrospective: Fumble, punt, punt, punt, punt, punt, interception for touchdown, end of half.
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Caldwell’s promotion makes no difference as Ravens’ offense continues to collapse (Shutdown Corner)
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