Ravens Watch

Hit on Joe Flacco Ignites NFL Concussion Conversation

And other top news from Baltimore sports this week.

Hit on Joe Flacco Ignites NFL Concussion Conversation
Although the Ravens managed to come out with a win, the offense took a major hit late in the second quarter. As Miami’s defense put the pressure on, quarterback Joe Flacco tucked the ball and ran up field, but as he began to slide Miami linebacker Kiko Alonso dropped his shoulder and drove into Flacco’s head. A woozy Joe managed to signal for help and was later diagnosed with a concussion and a deep cut on his left ear that required stitches.

The Ravens took the hit on their QB personal and after already leading the game 13-0, they continued to slaughter the Dolphins with the final score 40-0. The victory was the best performance from the Ravens this season.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was in a rage after witnessing the hit, even more so when Alonso was given a 15-yard penalty, and not an ejection, for the hit.

Ravens got their mojo back.
Despite the huge hit, the dominating performance from the Ravens last night reminded us why our defense is one of the best in the league and also revived the team’s playoff hopes. The Ravens are now 4-4, placing them in second place in their division after coming off a three game losing streak.

Even after Flacco left the game, the offense was still able to move the ball with Alex Collins dominating the running game with 113 total yards. Even the defense managed to put points on the board with two pick-sixes from middle linebacker CJ Mosley and cornerback Jimmy Smith.

“We got back to playing Raven football tonight,” said linebacker Terrell Suggs after Thursday’s victory.

Manny Machado a finalist for the 2017 Golden Glove for third base
Here in Baltimore, it’s hard to be surprised to learn that the Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is one of three American League Golden Glove finalists. Machado joins Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria and Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez as candidates for the award that honors the game’s top defenders. Machado had a standout season—despite the team’s losing record—with unbelievable throws, saves, and 33 homeruns.

Machado won his first Gold Glove in 2013 and was voted the Platinum Glove winner for the game’s best fielder in 2015. The 2017 Gold Glove awards will be announced on November 7 on ESPN.

The Maryland Terrapins face off against Indiana for the homecoming game.
This game has a bit of added pressure not only because it’s the homecoming game (who really wants to lose that?) but also because the Terps haven’t been able to win against Indiana since 2014. That victory three years ago was Maryland’s first-ever Big Ten conference win.

Both teams enter the game with nearly identical records of 3-4—Indiana has struggled to find a conference win so far this season. Matchups between Maryland and Indiana over the last three seasons have proven to be high-scoring events, with the Terps averaging 33.7 points and Hoosiers averaging 34.7 points.

At least the future for University of Maryland is looking bright!