from Jamison Hensley of espn.com
MINNEAPOLIS — The Baltimore Ravens‘ season is spiraling downward, following the direction of their plummeting and painfully awful offense.
The Ravens’ 24-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday can be chalked up to another futile performance by quarterback Joe Flacco and a thinned-out supporting cast.
Baltimore had gone nine full quarters and an overtime period without an offensive touchdown before reaching the end zone on the final, meaningless play of the game — a 13-yard pass from Flacco to Chris Moore. Before that score, the Ravens’ only points against the Vikings came off three long Justin Tucker field goals (48, 57, 47 yards).
While Baltimore was able to end that offensive touchdown drought, it doesn’t wipe away another inconsistent and sputtering performance. The Ravens’ offense managed just 214 total yards and was held to 6-of-16 on third downs.
“It’s the biggest thing on everyone’s mind right now is getting the offense going, helping out the defense and getting points on the board,” said Michael Campanaro, one of just three healthy wide receivers for the Ravens by the end of the game.
Sadly, none of this comes as a surprise. The NFL’s 29th-ranked offense played most of the game without its top three wide receivers. Mike Wallace was knocked out of the game in the first quarter with a concussion, and Baltimore had already scratched Jeremy Maclin (shoulder) and Breshad Perriman (concussion).
Flacco, who finished 27-of-39 for 186 yards, had nowhere to throw the ball. The only healthy receivers were Moore, Campanaro and recently signed Griff Whalen. That trio had combined for 12 catches for 104 yards and no touchdowns entering this game
Flacco also had little time to get rid of the ball behind a makeshift offensive line. He was sacked a season-worst five times.
As a result, the Ravens didn’t get in the red zone until 1:14 left in the game, when they trailed by 15 points.
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