In week 17 the Baltimore Ravens coaching staff made the decision to rest their best players. They had secured the top bracket in the AFC. They would also have a bye in the first round of the playoffs which would give a rest to the most important players for two full weeks.

I am a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. I watched a previous year when the Steeler’s coaching staff made a similar decision, and they lost the divisional playoffs. I am convinced that the Raven’s coaches ended the forward momentum of the best team in the NFL. They will be watching the Super Bowl; not playing in it.

The Ravens were out coached, and out played. On Saturday evening they looked like the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns.

Tennessee played above expectations, but the game was the Ravens to lose; and they did. Lamar Jackson reminded me of several black quarterbacks in the past who decided to run the ball first, and pass as a last resort. The Ravens’ defense failed to stop a quarterback whose history was filled with failure, and a huge running back who would not be stopped.

The blame always remains on the shoulders of the head coach. John Harbaugh lost this game and therefore lost the Super Bowl.

It may not be the best term, but ‘rust’ is the word which best describes why the 2019’s best team will be spectators in February. Dropped passes, missed tackles, penalties, and an offensive line which looked old and tired ended the season for the Ravens. The Ravens were playing a preseason game while the Titans realized they were in the playoffs.

I never believed in “resting” players. The momentum is lost and also the timing of pass plays.

Tennessee will now face the Chiefs or the Texans on Championship Sunday. I will not be watching the game I hoped for which would have tested the talents of Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.

“The Truth Lives Here”

Op-ed by James Turnage

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