The late-game let downs seem to continue throughout the season every time the Ravens play a team with any sort of value. It doesn’t seem to matter whether the game is played at home or away, what the injury report has in store, or what the Vegas line is; The Ravens haven’t yet figured out a way to pull victory from the hands of frustrating defeat. Whether or not you agree

with the scheduling is one thing, but the NFL has that part of it’s game down to a science. Opponents are based on the previous year’s standings, so it’s hard to argue that the Ravens are forced to face teams that outmatch them in terms of talent and production. Baltimore needs to find the edge they’ve been lacking all year. The fact of the matter is, it may be too late already.

1. The Baltimore Ravens are a third place team.

The reality kicks in like a mule when the words are written out in front of me, so I figured I’d do all the readers a favor by having you face the backside of the kicking bronco. The Ravens have a record worthy of a third place standing in a division that they were predicted by most to finish on top. While expectations of a team can sometimes be a bit harsh, as we have seen with the 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers, who finished with a .500 record after winning a Super Bowl the year before, the Ravens are facing a much tougher reality. Baltimore is already sitting at an even 5-5 record, with sights set directly on several games that could cause a sudden drop off the face of the earth. With two games against Pittsburgh, as well as the majority of their matchups against NFC North rivals, minus the Vikings, the Ravens may have some of the hardest portions of their schedule still ahead of them.

Games against the Packers and the Steelers on the road pose some of the most treacherous games that Baltimore has faced so far this season. Minus the game in New England against Tom Brady and the Patriots, the Ravens haven’t expected to face such a talented opponent as the two franchises in Green bay and Pittsburgh. Every team in the NFL faces challenges when having to travel to Lambaugh Field, facing the elements just as much as the consistently competitive team that is fielded in Wisconsin. And if you have any question as to whether or not the Ravens and Steelers games have become one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries, well, you need to get over your Cleveland Browns obsession, because that hatred is all but dead.

2. The offense has reverted back to the Kyle Boller days… but worse.

Ray Rice, along with the rest of the offense, couldn't find a way to score in the red zone.

Baltimore Ravens’ fans haven’t seen such a stagnant offense as the one that is currently playing since the days of Kyle Boller several years ago. Not only is the passing game horrific, the team might as well automatically kick a field goal once they get inside the

opponent’s 20 yard line. Flacco can’t seem to find an open receiver (not even Heap, who has had tendency to step his game up when the rest of the offense has played like utter crap), the running game can’t seem to drive the ball for anything but negative yardage, and Cam Cameron’s play calls are nothing short of questionable. The Ravens have not scored a 1st half touchdown in six straight games, and last week against the Colts, despite the chances, were unable to find pay dirt. What is a team to do?

Ozzie Newsome has certainly noticed the situation, and has taken it upon himself to sign a new fullback. Charles Ali, a former Cleveland Brown FB, will most likely find some playing time this week. One can only assume that Harbaugh’s best answer to a non-productive goal-line offense is to give the ball to a player that proved to be successful last year- Le’Ron McClain. However, in order to provide ample opportunity for McClain, his natural position of fullback must be filled, hence the signing of Ali.

The question I pose is this. If the Ravens needed a fullback familiar with the system, and who had a proven track record, why not offer a contract to Lorenzo Neal? Neal, who played in all 16 games with Baltimore last year, is still a free agent after being cut by the Oakland Raiders in the pre-season. While we have yet to see what Ali brings to the table, Neal was part of the reason why McClain was so successful in gaining over 1,000 yards rushing last season, and being named to the Pro Bowl.

3. The cornerbacks. What happens now?

While the Ravens signed Cary Williams off the Titans’ practice squad, any fan will realize that the depth of Baltimore’s pass coverage has been weakened considerably. Fabian Washington, who had actually been holding his own during the season, is now done for the rest of the year. If there was a bright spot to stare at and go blind, Washington was it. With his injury, Frank Walker will more than likely be re-activated and see some playing time. God help us all.

Losing Fabian Washington will be a costly loss for the Ravens' defense.

How Frank Walker still has a place on this team, nobody knows. Some Monday morning quarterbacks have pointed out that Ty Law was available up until a few weeks ago. Law, who is older than dirt, may or may not have been able to help out a weak Ravens’ defense. Most likely, he would have signed with the Ravens, only to disappoint a fan base whose expectations are much higher than most teams around the league.

Newsome, who has never had a history of signing a ton of guys mid-season, will have a chance to prove his ability to find diamonds in the rough, even after reaching week eleven. The Steelers, who signed Corey Ivy this week, did us all a favor by taking away a huge blip on the Ravens’ radar, forcing Baltimore to make moves towards players that bring a different taste. Speaking of Corey Ivy, give me five minutes while I use the bathroom.

4. Baltimore’s destiny is still in their own hands. Seriously.

Take a look at the numbers, the standings, and the upcoming schedule, and you’ll quickly realize that this season is nowhere near out of reach for the beloved Ravens. Yes, a 5-5 record is nothing to squawk at (ha!), a mediocre defense seems to get a team nowhere, and when you combine that with an offense that looks like it’s being led by a post-punch Jimmy Clausen, the faith tends to disappear into thin air. However, a schedule that includes two games against a playoff-contending team such as the Steelers, as well as give me games (I say that now… I wonder how my foot tastes?) against Detroit and Oakland, and the Ravens hold their fate in their own hands. Seriously, the most challenging opponent from here on out is Pittsburgh, an in division rival who has shown it’s own share of flaws by losing to the likes of the Chicago Bears and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Next week, the Ravens face a weak Steelers team. Ben Roethlisberger is chasing down the birds circling his head, Troy Polamalu can’t straighten his leg completely, and the terrible towels will be limited since the game is in Baltimore. It’s hard to imagine that Ravens’ fans will allow the Steelers’ crowd to invade M&T Bank Stadium this Sunday night, and so home field advantage should be at an all-time high.

The biggest thing the Ravens need to understand is that the object right now is to overcome the Steelers in the standings. The Bengals, who are two games ahead, and seem to have a firm grip on first place, are not the object of affection at the moment. The Ravens need to keep things in check; They have two games against a team that, if overtaken, will give up a playoff spot. Baltimore holds tie-breakers against both San Diego and Denver. If they can surpass the Steelers for their 2nd place position in the division, mainly by buckling down in the two matchups left, a wildcard birth is well within the picture.

The preparation this week will count more than any other week so far this season. The Ravens’ defense will have to evolve through several changes, which is something that has been done in the past. In fact, this team has always taken pride in replacing injured impact players with younger guys that can withstand the workload. Sunday’s game against Pittsburgh will provide the biggest challenge that this 2009 squad has faced when it comes to adversity. All of Baltimore has faith that they can continue what has become a point of pride within Baltimore football.