The Ravens won a playoff game on Sunday while turning in a weak effort offensively. Ravens coach John Harbaugh says that can’t happen again.
After the Ravens’ 20-13 win over the Texans, Harbaugh said that if his team wants to go to New England on Sunday and beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, they’re going to need to put on a better offensive display.
“I would anticipate against the team we’re about to play, you have to do a better job offensively, in terms of numbers and stats and points, of course than we did today,” Harbaugh said.
Harbaugh is right: The Ravens had almost as many punts (nine) as first downs (eleven) against the Texans, and Joe Flacco completed only 14 of 27 passes for 176 yards, while Ray Rice averaged 2.9 yards a carry. The Ravens’ two touchdown drives totaled just 36 yards, both coming after turnovers in Texans territory. That kind of offensive output doesn’t win many playoff games.
Flacco’s struggles are particularly alarming. He’s simply not playing like a Super Bowl quarterback. But the good news for the Ravens is that the Patriots’ defense isn’t as good as the Texans’ defense.