Well, Sunday the Ravens proved they didn't need Ray Lewis to win the game.  They didn't need Ray Lewis to make a defensive stop.  When the Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) came into Baltimore to play the Ravens (6-3), both teams needed to win this game to keep their playoff hopes alive. 

With the winner going 7-3 and sharing the lead with the Steelers, and the loser going 6-4 and falling to third just two games above last place Cleveland Browns, both teams were off and giving it their all.  Each team made one great play after another. The Bengals at first kept it close, but then the Ravens took off, leaving the Bengals trailing by 17 points. 

Flacco completed 17/27 for 270 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT.  The Ravens also added Rice who rushed for 104 yards and 2 TDs and Smith receiving for 165 yards and 1 TD.  But the Bengals were not done and Dalton responded with 24/45 for 373 yards, 1 TD, and 3 INTs.  The Bengals also had Benson rushing for 41 yards and Simpson receiving for 152 yards. The team started getting in the game and then, all things went to hell.  

In the later part of the game, the part where Ray Lewis normally steps up and controls the game, the Ravens made one of two key stops.  However, none of the two stops were the result of a well organized defense; instead, both were called by the officials. 

The first stop, which led the Bengals to a field goal, was a legitimate touchdown turned by the officials.  It was a catch, plain and simple.  I’m still confused how they got it right at first and simply over turn the call a few seconds later.  With two feet in, and a great football move, the catch was fair.  But the officials didn’t see it that way and the Bengals had to settle for a field goal.

In the second stop, the Bengals got the ball back and drove it down the field.  Now down by just 7 points, they get into the redzone.  As they got under a minute to play, the Ravens increased the pressure.  Baltimore's Terrell Suggs hits Dalton in the head (yes, a hit to the helmet) in an attempt to bring him down.  When he did, he was doing it by way off a horse collar tackle, but of course the officials once again screw it up and give the Bengals an intentional grounding call, which backed them up and made it impossible to get a touchdown.

Really, it is a damn shame all this had to go down.  It is a game that means so much to the playoff picture and has been controlled by the officials instead of the teams.  The Bengals should win this game, but thanks to Ray Lewis's replacement on the field, the officials, the Ravens leave the game with the "W". 

No, it was not like the Calvin Johnson’s catch last year, this time the Bengals actually caught the ball.  The Bengals lost the game; I take a loss, and get bumped from the football pool.  Thanks alot officials, and yeah, you SUCK!!!!

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