The Baltimore Ravens sat a number of their star players and removed others by the end of the first quarter in a 23-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
The game was meaningless to both teams, so the Ravens used the opportunity to rest any players who weren't 100 percent and remove their other key guys early in the game to avoid injuries.
The Ravens actually lead the game until late in the first half and had a chance to pull out a victory until Tyrod Taylor threw an interception in the fourth quarter that was returned for a touchdown.
Taylor actually didn't play all that poorly considered how little action he has seen during his time in the NFL. His athleticism is clearly an asset in allowing him to escape pressure and to also pick up big chunks of yards with his feet. He isn't a great passer and gets nervous in the pocket, but did show the ability to string together some completions.
Meanwhile, the AFC playoffs are now set after a stunning development in Indianapolis. The Colts beat the Texans, knocking Houston from the No. 1 seed down to the third seed, costing them home-field advantage and forcing them to play on wild-card weekend.
The Ravens will host the Colts, a matchup that was already decided heading into the final week of the regular season. The Colts returning to Baltimore will be a big story, and the last time Indianapolis was in Charm City for the playoffs, they pulled off the upset en route to winning the Super Bowl. It was a devastating victory for the city that left players and fans beside themselves.
The other matchup will have the Bengals traveling to Houston to take on the Texans. It seems like a game the Texans should win rather easily, especially after already beating the Bengals in the playoffs last year, but they have really struggled in the second half of the season.
Denver earned the top seed while New England laid claim to the other first-round bye. If things go according to plan, the Ravens would play at Denver and the Texans would make another trip to Foxboro for the divisional round.
Comments