The more things change…

Last night’s heartbreaking loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers can be traced back to one ridiculous penalty.  The Ravens had the game in hand until Jarrett Johnson let his emotions get the best of him when he shoved Hines Ward out of bounds late in the third quarter.  Ward is no doubt the most obnoxious (yes, even more than Ocho Cinco) and hated opponent in the division.  Every Ravens fan has wished they could be on the field to knock that smile off Ward’s face with a big hit.  That is still no excuse for what Jarrett Johnson did, single handedly putting the Steelers in scoring position for the first time since their first drive of the game.  He lost control, something we hoped we’d seen the last of once Harbaugh supposedly brought discipline to the team.  Credit Harbaugh for getting in Johnson’s ear right after the play and ripping him a new one.  Even Ray Lewis could be seen much later giving Johnson the business while on the bench. 

This one play awakened the silent crowd and energized the Steelers.  We all know what happened from there so there’s no need to revisit memories that are still fresh and painful.   This is a game the Ravens never should have lost and they know it.  Now they will have to rebound against an undefeated Tennessee Titans team that matches up equally with the Ravens (more on this later in the week).   Fans have a right to be worried after the team gave up 8 penalties for 72 yards, not including the multiple offsetting personal foul penalties.  If the Ravens intend on getting through the season with a winning record, these emotional penalties will have to stop.  Under Brian Billick, this team would have imploded after blowing a game like this.  On the bright side, at least the defense can’t put all the blame on the offense anymore.  Time will tell how the Ravens respond under the Harbaugh regime.  At least for now, the more things change the more they stay the same.