Straight from the heartbreaker: Colts 17, Ravens 15

I had a lot of doubts about the Ravens going into their Week 11 game against the undefeated Colts. The history in scoring between the two teams said that the Colts would blow out the Ravens like they do in almost every game. That’s what I believed. The Ravens would prove me wrong.

Vegas oddsmakers said Colts -1.5 (according to the Friday edition of the USA Today) against the Ravens and I told many that they’d be dumb not to bet on the Colts.

Indy won by two, squeaking out bets made on Friday by a mere half of a point. Those lucky enough to win would be sulking with empty pockets had Ravens’ coach John Harbaugh made some bold decisions.

Harbaugh made two key mistakes: The first came in the 4th quarter with around 8 minutes to go when Harbaugh called for three runs up the middle, none of which worked, then a 20 yard field goal try by kicker Billy Cundiff for three. The field goal marked the sixth attempt on the day. It would put the Ravens up by one.

The second mistake came at the end of the game right before the two minute warning as Lardarius Webb fumbled the ball on the kickoff following an Indianapolis field goal. Harbaugh first called timeout and then immediately challenged the play, which he lost due to a correct call initially. In the span of 10 seconds Baltimore burned through its final two timeouts with Indianapolis in possession of the ball. Whoops.

The clock ticket down to another Ravens loss. This time it can’t be chalked up for a lack of effort. It has to go to bad coaching.

If the Ravens had been bolder today they would be 6-4. If they had made key field goals against New England and Minnesota, they’d be 8-2. If they were 8-2 the media would be talking about playoff contention, Super Bowl appearances, the Little Offensive Engine That Could.

Now the Ravens are 5-5 with a home game next week against Pittsburgh which promises to be a rough one too. Sometimes when you need the cards they just don’t come your way.