The Baltimore Ravens’ Week 18 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals wasn’t an ideal way for the team to end their regular season schedule, but with a rematch against their divisional rivals on the horizon, the team doesn’t have much time to lick its wounds. The two teams will face of in the Wild Card round, with hopes of extending their playoff run.
John Harbaugh addressed the lack of production that plagued the Ravens’ receivers last weekend in his comments to the media on Monday. Despite their shortcomings, he said, the effort of his receivers was exemplary.
“[We just need them to] make some plays.We did have a chance to make some plays on Sunday, so [we have to] come up with that. Sammy [Watkins] made some plays out there, did a really good job and made some plays. We had other chances, [and] we didn’t always make those plays. So, you can talk to some guys – we look at the blocking as well. I understand your point – we want them in the passing-game production – but I want to say, they’re working hard, and they’re fighting and competing out there to help us any way they can. We need them to make the plays for us, and I know they want to, and we did make a few plays in the game.”
Baltimore will have no margin for error from their receivers moving forward as the postseason necessitates maximum production from every positional group on the field. If the Ravens’ receiving corps can come up with a better strategy in their rematch against the Bengals this week, expect this Wild Card matchup to end with a much closer score than the teams’ last meeting.
