Bears, Ravens, Tornados?? Oh My!!

[ChitownGetEm23]

In what was a wild weather day in the Windy City, the Bears squeaked by with a 23-20 victory over the Ravens. From the start of the game you could tell this was going to be a wild game for the ages. No there weren’t huge down field catches, there weren’t any kick returned touchdowns, or any long made field goals. This was a game where you had to be a man and run between the tackles. This is a game where the direction you were facing decided whether you were going to be throwing the ball or not.
The first quarter got under way with the Bears starting with the ball but unable to move down field. The Ravens got out to a quick start scoring on 2 out of their first 3 drives to take a 10-0 lead before the 1 hour and 48 minute weather delay began due to several tornados touching down outside of Chicago. The rain poured down as the 60 thousand plus fans were escorted to the concourse area and players left the field to return to their respective locker rooms. The winds pounded Soldier Field as the rain poured down turning a seemly controversial Soldier Field into a sloppy wet land. Players were aloud an additional 15 minutes to warm up after the delay, however, the lack there of footing was apparent. Players from both teams were seemly on skates as changing direction while running was now going to be the biggest challenge.
The Bears received the ball following the delay and the offense started clicking. The Bears would drive down field and get to the two yard line and fail to convert a touchdown. Following the Robbie Gould field goal the Bears were trailing 10-3. The Ravens next possession was short lived as Ray Rice failed to block defensive end David Bass, who then intercepted Joe Flacco’s pass, and returned it for a touchdown. The Bears were now tied 10-10 in a game that originally looked like Baltimore would run away with.
The next Ravens possession made all Bear fans cringe as the Ravens moved the ball down field easily, converting three third downs, scoring a touchdown, and now leading the game 17-10. The Bears would drive down the field again, stalling before scoring a touchdown, and settled for a field goal.
With the score 17-13 going into the fourth quarter, Bears fans prepared themselves for a possible let down once again. The Bears would exchange field position with the Ravens for the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, both teams going 3 and out consecutively. Then the Bears put a drive together and a Matt Forte screen pass would go for a touchdown. The Bears lead now 20-17 but the defense needed to hold. Joe Flacco was “Joe Cool” in the final minute of the fourth, leading the Ravens down the field to kick the game tying field goal, and sending the game to overtime.
The Ravens won the toss and elected to receive, putting the Bears shaky defense on the field. The Ravens wouldn’t make it past the 50 as the Bears defense buckled down and held the Ravens offense in a pivotal point in the game. The Bears would get the ball back on a Ravens punt and begin their drive at their own 30 yard line. Thanks to a perfect placed 43 yard throw from Josh McCown to Martellus Bennett, the Bears would bring Robbie Gould out to kick the game winning field goal. With the wind swirling and Chicago fans on their feet; Robbie kicked a right hooking kick that made it just inside the right upright to send the Bears to victory.

This game was a must win game for both the Bears and Ravens. The Bears were the only NFC North team to win this past week, once again placing them into a tie with Detroit for 1st. With the Ravens losing and divisional foes Pittsburgh and Cincinnati winning; the chances of the Ravens making the playoffs is becoming seemly a distant hope. The Bears (6-4) follow this game up with a game in St. Louis against a very good Rams (4-6) team next week, who have come alive since losing Sam Bradford. This could be a trap game for Chicago as they need to come out guns blazing to assure a victory. Weather won’t be a factor as the Rams play in a dome so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jay Cutler back in the lineup. On the other hand the Ravens (4-6) play the New York Jets (5-5) next game. This should be an easier game for the Ravens to win, but with the Jets defense playing as well as they are now don’t be surprised if the Ravens fall to (4-7) by end of next week.

Jon Argoudelis