He’s not getting the most blame – and he doesn’t deserve the most blame – but someone has to say it. And I will if I have to…

Steven Hauschka: 30%

Like it or not… when you need a field goal to win, a very makeable field goal, in a dome, with no wind or other issues… it needs to be made. That’s the end of it. The end. There’s nothing more to say. Clutch or not. Last minute or not. Field goals matter at all times; this one happened to determine the outcome of the game. Haushcka has to make the kick. The end. Throw blame everywhere else for our position up to that point, but Hauschka  has to make the kick.

In the words of a friend, let’s call it “poetic justice.” The minute Stover is picked up elsewhere, the makeable kick is missed. In all honesty, I love Hauschka and all that he brings to the table… but I was probably giving him better odds than most when I was thinking “this is 50-50…”

Ravens Secondary: 60%

Domonique Foxworth, Fabian Washington, Dawan Landry, Chris Carr, Lardarius Webb, Frank Walker. Frank f’n Walker. We’re looking at you. For the fourth time in six games you all looked worse than bad. You were pathetic. I’m not holding back anymore. I don’t know if you’re just confused or if you simply don’t have the ability, but you are the reason this defense is crumbling. Even the 100-yard rushers connect back to you.

Seriously, Frank, what are you doing? Is it even possible for you to be on the field and NOT have a flag thrown at you. Or not have the QB single you out? And Dawan… on yet another big play you looked absolutely lost. In fact, on one of Favre’s late TDs you almost seemed to be telling Brett to throw it to the man you were simply refusing to cover. Get it together.

Coaching: 10%

The Ravens defensive woes are not solely the fault of the players or the greatness of the opposing offense. Greg Mattison needs to find a way to get this unit to work together. Maybe it’s about getting Samari Rolle on the field. Maybe it’s about getting Paul Kruger on the field. Maybe it’s about play-calling. Whatever it is, do it.

Mattison has been unable to adjust his schemes and his plays to the needs of his players and the strengths of his opponents. Apparently the Ravens are just too easy to read.

Even offensively, Cam Cameron took long enough to find his groove. Had the Ravens started showing life just one possession earlier, perhaps that last kick is less necessary. Nice recovery, though, of course.

So far the most popular answer I’ve heard is the Ravens “weak” secondary. Just about everyone is pointing to a secondary that has allowed big numbers to big names. From Foxworth’s lack of physicality to Carr’s stumbles to Walker’s penalties.

In reality, we should be placing blame on every single Ravens player and coach that took the field on Sunday. They all failed. They all had opportunities and they all missed them. What we saw yesterday was exactly the opposite of the sharp, smart and dangerous Ravens teams we have come to know and love.

Following a nasty loss in New England last week, everyone expected the Ravens to bounce back with a vengeance and obliterate the Bengals. Instead, we got a lackluster effort. We got a team that looked too comfortable for its own good and then uncomfortable when it mattered most.

For me, it all starts with coaching. As a team, the Ravens were not ready to play yesterday. Whether it was complacency or disinterest or lack of focus, the Ravens did not walk into M&T Bank Stadium like a team that was ready to win that game. And that falls on the shoulders of John Harbaugh and his staff. No matter how good the Ravens may have looked in week’s past, it is the staff’s job to make sure they are ready to go on gameday. They weren’t.

You could tell on the first few series – the Ravens simply didn’t have their heads in the game. They looked bored.

But aside from the team’s overall lack of intensity, each unit lacked focus and discipline individually.

Offensively, the entire group looked disjointed. I am still unsure of any of Cam Cameron’s game plans. While the Ravens have been impressive at times, they don’t have an offensive identity. After criticism last week for being too pass-happy, it seemed that Cameron came down too far. The Ravens offense was predictable.

The Bengals defense is far improved from years past, but they are not spectacular. The Ravens should have been able to exploit some weaknesses, but they didn’t. That falls on Cameron.

Defensively, everyone is happy to point fingers at the Ravens secondary. And yes, the group has been a weak point this season. Unfortunately, mid-season, there is not a lot to be done about personnel. We’re stuck with who we’ve got. What bothers me more than our personnel failure has been Greg Mattison’s inability to adjust his defensive schemes to help his personnel.

The Ravens shifted their secondary personnel over the last two seasons – away from physicality and towards speed. That’s okay, actually. But you can’t expect a speedy corner to play like a physical corner. Washington, Foxworth and Carr cannot just overpower good receivers, they have to outsmart them. All three corners (four including Frank Walker) have done a fine job running with their man most games – but they have failed at making plays. Foxworth tried his best on Sunday, mauling Chris Henry to draw a pass interference call, and Henry still made the catch and ran 50 yards.

It is up to Mattison and his staff to find a scheme that works for these defensive backs. That’s going to mean teaching them how to find and play the ball, not the man. The Ravens will lose 9 times out of 10 if their DBs try to play the man. And up front, Mattison needs to find a scheme or a personnel package that is able to pressure the quarterback and assist the secondary.

On all three levels of the coaching pyramid the Ravens looked outmatched. It’s not a nice feeling, nor one I want to get used to. The Ravens have the talent – on the field and on the sidelines – to win every game they play. Both sides need to work to make that real.

Stupid Penalties: 40%

Second straight week the Ravens can thank themselves and their absolute lack of discipline for their problems. The officials were not good, but that’s not an excuse. The Ravens apparently didn’t learn anything from last week’s game in New England. I’m still a bit baffled by Steve Tasker’s relentless defense of the officiating – the Frank Walker pass interference and Chad Ochocinco lack of interference calls were particularly questionable, and Tasker failed to even acknowledge the possibility. Meanwhile, the Ravens gave away first downs and yards, play after play. [Is defensive illegal formation even a penalty, by the way?]

Stupid Players: 30%

Missed tackles. Missed coverages. Leaving holes wide open. Dropping passes. There are no excuses for the Ravens pathetic play today. As much as players and fans may want to be upset at the officials,  the Ravens came to the game today with no emotion and no heart. Half the game, I wasn’t even sure the defense wanted to be there – the secondary was consistently out of position and failed to find the ball while the front seven struggled to find their zones.

Stupid Gameplan: 20%

Noticing a trend yet? This whole game was stupid by the Ravens. I’m not sure what Cam Cameron’s offensive game plan was today. It’s become more and more clear to me that the offense simply does not have a steady game plan. In early games we dismissed the funky offensive style as “taking advantage of weak opponents,” but in two straight losses to good teams, there has been no “settling” of the gameplan. There were stretches where the Ravens looked far too conservative. At other times the Ravens looked far too aggressive. At no point did the Ravens offense look like the force it had been for the season’s first four weeks.

(Stupid) Disappearing Players: 9%

Derrick Mason. Willis McGahee. Kelley Washington. Terrell Suggs. Kelly Gregg. Fabian Washington. Le’Ron McClain. Were any of these guys even on the field today? Did McGahee even get a touch? Did Mason? Washington and McClain each had a moment or two… but I don’t even remember seeing Washington on the field more than two or three times.

Stupid Steve Tasker: 1%

Okay, so maybe he had nothing to do with the Ravens losing, but he certainly had a lot to do with me not enjoying the game. Gus Johnson is bad. Steve Tasker is just dreadful. I’m not sure how, but he’s actually gotten worse since the Ravens earlier games. Do they even show up before Sunday?

Offensive Play Calling / Cam Cameron: 40%.

Dear Cam, take a look at the numbers. Your offense ran the ball just 17 times for more than 100 yards, averaging 6.8 yards per rush. Meanwhile, you threw the ball 47 times for 264 yards, averaging just 5.6 yards per attempt. What does that mean? That our rushing game was actually far more effective than our passing game.

I don’t know that anyone thought the winning team in this game would come out with fewer than 25 rushing attempts… let alone fewer than 20. The Pats, despite managing only 85 yards, ran the ball 30 times. Where was Le’Ron McClain on 4th and short?

And please don’t give me that “game circumstances forced us into a different mode.” First, the lack of balance was apparent from the first moment of the game – the Ravens managed just 7 rushes in the first half. But additionally, the Ravens were never anywhere close to being out of this game. The rushing attack should have been featured more prominently. Period. It’s been said since our Week 1 victory against Kansas City.

Third Down Penalties: 25%.

I’m doing my best to not put blame on the refs. It truly wasn’t the refs fault (at least not most of the time). But despite being stout on defensive third downs throughout the game, the Ravens continued to give the Pats second chances. The second roughing call on Brady was extremely questionable. I heard it justified with a “if Brady doesn’t move his leg, he gets hit.” I didn’t know the NFL gave out penalties for almost roughing the quarterback.

Regardless of the calls, the Ravens need to be better about keeping their play in check. The defense looked confused and overmatched at various times and penalties are a symptom of that disorganization. Good teams don’t give second chances.

Meanwhile, a big kudos to John Harbaugh for letting the refs have it on some of the game’s more questionable calls.

Mark Clayton: 15%.

I’m trying to hold off on Clayton a bit here. If the Ravens perform better earlier in the game, if they play their game for three quarters, the team shouldn’t even be in that kind of position. But regardless, Clayton dropped the biggest pass of the game.  It was a great play call, a great route and a rocket pass to Clayton’s hands. Top receivers are paid to make those catches. We’re still waiting for you to prove yourself, Mark.

Chris Carr: 10%.

Carr has yet to be anything but a disappointment on special teams this season. We haven’t seen speed. We haven’t seen agility. We haven’t seen brilliant insight or smart moves. Until today, the most we had seen was the failure to make mistakes. Oops.

Carr’s fumble on the opening kick-off set up a long day for the Ravens. Instead of walking on the field, ready to establish the game’s tempo, Carr handed that opportunity to the Patriots. And it gave Belichick an early look at the Ravens D.

Dawan Landry: 10%.

Landry looked lost on the field for the second time this season. He was confused in Week 2 by the Chargers and looked similarly bothered by the Patriots schemes. He did a fine job in helping double Randy Moss and Wes Welker at various times throughout the game, but it didn’t make up for his mistakes.

Landry’s biggest mistakes cost the Ravens. Early in the game it was a pair of missed tackles on consecutive plays, leading to a Sammie Morris touchdown. The Ravens didn’t have any points to give away today.

Offensive Game Ball: Derrick Mason. Actually, lots of good news to go around on offense. But for 800 career receptions and one of the most fun TD receptions in recent memory – it goes to the vet and the leader. Mason made some nice catches throughout the game, a few for first downs, a few classic outs. But his 72 yard reception, turning to the ball, shaking the defender and strutting into the endzone: priceless.

Yellow Game Ball: Mike Furrey, Browns. The Browns wide out actually had a decent game when all was said and done, totaling four catches for 40 yards. And a few of those catches stung the Ravens. What wasn’t so hot, though, was his reception on the Browns first play of the game. Furrey caught the ball crossing about five yards out and promptly planted his bum on the turf. Seeing Ray Lewis out of the corner of your eye, Mike? Take the hit. [Honorable Mention to Eric Mangini opting for the field goal with the score 27-0 in the fourth quarter.]

Don’t Blink Game Ball: Domonique Foxworth. Foxworth  helped get Brady Quinn benched with his first quarter pick. I’m not sure whether he was tipped off by coaches or just did his film study, but with Braylon Edwards running straight at him, trying to sell the fly route, Foxworth didn’t move. Seriously, he didn’t flinch a muscle. And when Edwards let up and turned for the hook, Foxworth coolly stepped in front and took the pick. He also did his best Ed Reed impersonation, perilously pitching the ball to Reed for a few extra yards on the return.

Double Trouble Game Ball: Willis McGahee. McGahee is seeing fewer touches this year, but he’s making more of them. Apparently McGahee’s motto these days is “Twice as Nice,” finding the endzone two times for the third straight game. Today’s touchdowns were both on the ground and both involved McGahee prancing across the goalline untouched.

Underrated Game Ball: Dwan Edwards. The back-up defensive lineman was all over the field today. He wasn’t always making the big hit or even making the final hit, but he was a big part of getting pressure on the Browns QBs and closing holes in the run. Edwards certainly isn’t one of the Ravens bigger names on defense, but he is the classic example of a selfless player who plays his role for the team’s benefit.

Dumba** Game Ball: Eric Mangini, Browns Coach. Eric, Eric, Eric. You just weren’t made for this NFL coaching thing. Maybe quarterback controversy just follows you around. Brady Quinn wasn’t particularly good in the first half against the Ravens, but he also didn’t have much time to prove himself. The choice to switch to Derek Anderson mid-game was shortsighted and will come back to bite you in the ass.

Bite Your Tongue Game Ball: Steve Tasker, Announcer. I was actually quite pleased with the announcers today, which is an oddity. There was no sugar-coating of how bad the Browns were, no “let’s be nice” for the sake of the league. But one moment had me, and everyone, laughing a bit. Just as the Browns took the field in the fourth quarter, following their first and only scoring drive of the day, Tasker decided to praise Derek Anderson for his ability to turn the Browns around. Mid-sentence, of course, Anderson threw his second interception of the day, to Dawan Landry. Tasker quickly corrected himself, with a chuckle.

Defensive Game Ball: Brendon Ayanbadejo.  The back-up linebacker has been seeing more time recently, rotating in with Tavares Gooden, Jameel McClain and Antwan Barnes. Today he showed why. Four tackles, a sack, a pass deflection and an interception. Ayanbadejo was so good that he caught his interception of Derek Anderson with his gut. Actually, he didn’t even seem to be trying for the interception, but the ball stuck and he took it.

Teammate Game Ball: Derek Anderson, Browns. No better way to show his Ravens pride than tossing three to his old teammates when they counted most.

First Down Machine Game Ball: Kelly Washington. I’ve given Washington some trouble in recent weeks, but only because I love him. Washington caught five passes this week (proving more valuable than just about all of this year’s drafted receivers), and several for ffirst downs. In fact, I can only remember a pair of Washington catches this season that did not result in first downs. The man comes up big when it counts. Thankfully, the dancing has subsided… finally.

Scary Good Game Ball: Joe Flacco and Cam Cameron. The pair certainly know how to run an offense. Flacco set another career high with 347 passing yards today. The team continued its offensive explosion with 34 points. My only complaint is that their pass-happy, score quick approach ruined my prediction of getting both McGahee and Ray Rice to 100 yards. Not often that a team passes the ball 37 times and runs it only 28 in this kind of rout.

Silent Game Ball: Josh Cribbs and Braylon Edwards, Browns. The Browns only true offensive weapons, and the only players that had most Ravens fans worried. And both failed to show up. Their disappearance was TO-esque.

First Timer Game Ball: Ray Rice. Special congratulations to Ray Rice who found the endzone for the first time in this NFL career. Hard to believe that it took 22 games (including the post-season last year). Rice’s 9-yard scamper seemed to excite everyone on the Ravens. The little man deserved it.

Joe Flacco is not Trent Dilfer.

That not certainly does not come as a surprise to any fan of the Ravens. But around the league, to other fans and commentators, Flacco was nothing more than a glorified Trent Dilfer throughout his rookie season.

Take a glance at the numbers though, especially the Ravens heavy reliance on the run (nearly 40 attempts per game),  and it is easy to see why anyone not intimately familiar with the Ravens would confuse the two. Flacco’s mediocre 80.3 passer rating certainly didn’t help his cause, either.

But on Sunday against the Chiefs, Flacco stood up and put the Ravens offensive attack on his shoulders in a way that Trent Dilfer never did. And, with all respect to Dilfer, Flacco did so in a way Dilfer would never be able to. 

This is not meant to be a Trent Dilfer bashing session. Far from it. In fact, you might find no greater fan of Dilfer in this city, and no bigger critic of Billick’s decision to ditch the Super Bowl winner in favor of a “hotter hand.”

But critics of Joe Flacco, particularly those outside Baltimore, love to hurl the “just another Dilfer game manager” comments our direction any chance they get.  He’s been called the poor man’s version of just about every successful QB in the league today. We’ve been told he’ll never find his way out of Matt Ryan’s shadow, who was drafted earlier in the same draft class.

And all of those critics, all of those comments, would be wrong.

Joe Flacco’s numbers in 2008 are not worth writing home about. And yes, he did act as much as a game-manager as a play-maker for the Ravens offense. But that was one season in what will, in all likelihood, be a very long career.

The bottom line is this: Joe Flacco was playing in a Trent Dilfer-style offense last year. Thrown into the starter’s seat by a pair of weird injuries, Flacco was intentionally limited by the Ravens coaching staff last season. He had a specific job and he did it. And his role in the success of the Ravens rushing attack should not be overlooked; Flacco helped keep a young offensive line and varying mix of tailbacks on point throughout the season.

On Sunday, the league got to see for the first time what it looks like when Joe Flacco is allowed to open up the offense. Those were not Trent Dilfer throws. Nor were they Trent Dilfer play calls. And perhaps more importantly for the Ravens, they were able to open up Flacco’s options without losing the rush attack or their management of the clock and the defense.

It was not a perfect performance, but it was a statement. The Ravens have a weapon at quarterback, and they are learning how to use him.

The Ravens decision to show off the real Joe Flacco on Sunday will have positive ramifications for the Ravens throughout this season. As has been mentioned across the football universe, you can’t ignore what Flacco and the Ravens did on Sunday – even if it was against the Chiefs.

One game in and the debate is already raging. The Ravens won their first fight of the new season, amassed more than 500 yards of total offense, and exploded with four second half touchdowns. And yet a debate rages on.

Did the Ravens throw too much against the Chiefs?

The answer is probably yes. But the question is stupid.

Critics of the suddenly pass-happy Cam Cameron and Joe Flacco are pointing to the fact that after an especially pass heavy first half (25 passing plays to 14 running plays), the Ravens were still deadlocked with the Chiefs at 10-7. And that amid a pass-happy 3rd quarter, the Ravens trailed for the only time in the game following a Joe Flacco interception.

But following a 38 point showing and 14 point victory – if only a victory in the final moments – asking too many questions can be a bad thing.

The Ravens intentionally shifted to the pass on Sunday. And they will intentionally shift back to a more run-oriented attack in future weeks. We call these changes “game-planning.”

The Chiefs boasted one of the league’s worst pass defenses last year, including the worst pass rush in NFL history (10 sacks in 16 games). Attacking that weakness was a good move on the part of Cameron and John Harbaugh,  even if it came with some mixed results.

First and foremost, it helped to set up the crucial running success the Ravens had later in the game. It will probably help the Ravens run game for the rest of the season. No future opponent can look at the performances by Joe Flacco, Todd Heap, Derrick Mason or the offensive line and not take that into consideration when planning for the Ravens arrival. Putting the ball downfield forces a defense to account for that possibility – especially if you’re able to complete three of those attempts for over 20 yards. If anyone thinks the Ravens early passing did not have anything to do with their success on the ground late, they are simply wrong.

Also important, however, is giving Joe Flacco room to stretch. The second year is notoriously known as the Sophomore Slump for a reason. Usually, good rookies are asked to do more – or try on their own -  and the results can be catastrophic. Flacco will certainly be asked to do more this season for the Ravens, and at various levels. But allowing Flacco to show off his gun-slinging ability against the Chiefs was a good move. It not only builds confidence in the quarterback and offense, but it allowed Flacco to find his own limits in a safer environment.

This Sunday against the Chargers, you can certainly expect to see an offensive game plan more reminiscent of years past. The Ravens have not forgotten how to run the ball. Not even close. They elected to show off their passing ability against an inferior opponent, and it worked. Ray Rice, Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain will get plenty of work.  But Joe Flacco and the receivers will have their chances as well.

And that change can only be for the better.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

“Always tease tease tease
You’re happy when I’m on my knees
One day is fine, next day is black
So if you want me off your back
Well come on and let me know
Should I stay or should I go?”