Now that it has been close to 24 hours since the disaster that took place last night,  and the emotions of Ravens’ fans settle into a more subdued state of mind, thinking logically in an effort to explain what exactly went wrong in the game against Green Bay becomes an little easier. While the grace period between the end of the 4th quarter and Tuesday evening doesn’t solve the problems that the Ravens are facing, and, for some, doesn’t make the loss easier to swallow, it does allow for the team and the fans to take a step back and gain a better handle on the situation.

Nobody wants to accept that the 2009 Ravens are an average team, vulnerable on both sides of the ball with an underachieving offense and an aging defense, a roster full of players prone to injury, and coaching staff whose decisions have been questionable on more than one occasion. Leading up to the beginning of the year, many analysts had Baltimore at the top of their list of teams that would represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. The maturity Joe Flacco displayed towards the end of last season, as well as a defense that can supposedly fill in the holes when they lose impact players to free agency, created an image that made it difficult to deny the Ravens the recognition of being “the team to beat”. An ora of confidence was built within Baltimore, and the Ravens were portrayed as being immune to defeat. With a Cinderella run at the AFC championship last season, the reasoning for hope was pretty clear; The Baltimore Ravens seemingly had all the pieces to bring a world championship back to a city that is among the proudest with it’s impeccable NFL tradition and admiration.

1. The defense.

The defense has been disappointing all season, due to the unavoidable fact that they will always be compared to the years that Ravens’ defenses manhandled every opponent they faced. An “every man steps up” mentality, meaning that 2nd and 3rd string players know the role they have to fill when called upon, has not seemed to enter the equation this year. Fans have seen a huge drop in defensive aggression after the loss of Terrell Suggs to injury, as was displayed by the lack of pressure on Aaron Rodgers last night. Fabian Washington’s season-ending injury has forced the hand of John Harbaugh, and now Chris Carr and Frank Walker are being given more time to pretend to be football players. The pass coverage was horrendous, allowing Green Bay to move the ball down the field via completions and penalties.

2. The offense.

The Ravens' offense has had trouble finding their feet, but why?

The frustration with the offense is beginning to surface as well. Whether it is Cam Cameron’s fear of liberal play calling, or Joe Flacco’s lack of experience, the Ravens’ offense cannot seem to find a rhythm. Screen passes to the outside or over the top have become the only passing attack that seems to be in the playbook. Ray Rice leads the league in receiving yards by a running back, but chances are, it is because he is the only one on that Flacco can get the ball to. The firepower of the Ravens’ offense is about as bland as a blank piece of paper.

However, Flacco is not the only one to pass blame on. The offensive line, who have been marred by injuries again this season when Adam Terry went down for the season, needs to provide more time for Flacco to find options down the field. The number of sacks on Flacco have consistently increased as the season drags on, peaking last week against Pittsburgh when Flacco found himself on his back five times. There is no hope for any successful offensive production when the quarterback does not have enough time to make a play.

With the success of any good offense, route running must be solid as well. Included with the ability to run a good route is the ability to extend it as well. On several occasions during the game against Green Bay, Flacco found time to throw the ball, but didn’t seem to have any available targets. Whether or not the wide receivers are getting open is in question; However, their contribution to the offensive woes of this team could further exceed any offensive line problems.

3. Please, for the love of God, stop with all of the penalties.

John Harbaugh and Derrick Mason need to stay composed if this team wants to stop being penalized.

Once again, it was raining yellow flags during a Ravens game. This time the storm was a bit heavier because Green Bay is suffering through the same discipline problems that Baltimore has, however, it didn’t seem as if any impact was made on controlling the emotions and the mistakes of this team. Whether it was the ridiculous number of pass interference calls, or the unsportsmanlike flag on Derrick Mason for using inappropriate language towards a line judge, the penalty issue has gotten out of hand. With this team losing so many close games in the past, it’s hard to imagine that the message isn’t loud and clear- get your act together and you will become a better team.

The Ravens have a home game next week against Detroit. With home field, as well as an obvious advantage in terms of sheer talent, veteran presence, and emotional leadership, it is a game that they should win without much trouble. But, if frustration takes precedence over educated decision making and pin point execution, don’t be surprised to see an opportunity to earn a victory swirl right down the drain.

The fact is, the season has become frustrating on more than one level. Not only are the fans up in arms over the under achievement that has been portrayed on the field through thirteen weeks, but the players are also beginning to wear their emotions on their sleeves. Each player holds a responsibility of self-control, with veteran players holding the torch high while leading the rest of the team. Derrick Mason cannot allow himself to become the whipping boy by making off-the-collar decisions; It will only diminish the reputation of the team, as well as the emotional state that the locker room finds itself in after every contest.

4. Ed Reed is going to make a great coach some day.

Ed Reed made the most of his injury by helping the young players.

Team/Player Photos: Baltimore Ravens Team / Player Photos on Jul 25, 2010

Did anybody else notice how involved Ed Reed made himself on the sideline? While some NFL players who find themselves injured will sit back and watch the game as any spectator does, Ed Reed chose the road less traveled, and planted himself next to John Harbaugh, making him his personal sidekick for the evening. While Harbaugh went to work, Reed took it upon himself to make himself a figurehead and a leader as much as possible without actually putting pads on. The leadership personality of Reed shone through admirably, and I’m sure that the young defensive backs that the Ravens appreciated his undying interest in their quest to positively impact the game.

While the Ravens’ loss last night was disappointing and deflating, the reality is that the Ravens are still well within the hunt to earn the last playoff position. The journey is a much tougher one than it was just 24 hours ago, but still within reason to hold onto hope. Jacksonville, who currently claims the last playoff position, is only a game better than Baltimore, and still has games against New England and Indianapolis. The Ravens have depleted their lifelines, however, and mistakes from this point on could be detremential to their playoff hopes. A game against the Detroit Lions may not have come at a better time then this one; Let’s just hope that Baltimore’s heads are screwed back on, and the team has a short memory.