Friday Replay: Ravens Win in Craziest Way Possible

1. Ravens win in craziest way possible.
As ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt said after the Ravens win, “Ravens fans deserved this one.” It has been a miserable season, a veritable house of horrors, and it seemed we were heading toward yet another crushing loss. Let’s set it up for you.

Late in the fourth quarter, with the score tied at 27, Matt Schaub—who did a reasonably good job filling in for Flacco despite a few ill-timed interceptions—was picked off by Browns cornerback K’Waun Willliams. Ravens fans collectively groaned. Instead of driving for our own potentially game-winning score, we had given the ball right back to the Browns, with 50 seconds on the clock, in pretty decent field position. But the defense did its part, holding the Browns to seven yards (thanks, at least in part, to a bone-headed play by Browns backup QB Austin Davis, who could’ve slid out of bounds to stop the clock and grant his team another shot down the field). As the Browns lined up for a 51-yard field goal, most Ravens fans were simply praying for overtime. Instead, the miraculous occurred: Brent Urban blocked the kick, the ball was picked up by Will Hill, who ran all the way for a game-winning touchdown. Everyone was stunned, including the MNF announcers, who were actually giddy over the sudden turn of events (Mike Tirico called it a “kick six”), and poor Cleveland fans, who had poised their cameras to take videos of the winning moment, only to end up documenting their own misery.

A few of the videos here and here and here are hilarious but decidedly Not Safe for Work. (LOL to the “unmistakable sound of a man slipping into madness.")

In the end, it was a nice reminder of the fact that, while the Ravens have had a bummer of a year, it could be worse: We could be Cleveland.(Too soon?)

2. Orioles acquire Mark Trumbo—but does this mean Chris Davis is gone?
It’s an “insurance plan.” That’s how The Sun’s Orioles beat writer Eduardo A. Encina described the Os’ acquisition of power-hitting outfielder/first baseman Mark Trumbo in a trade with the Seattle Mariners, who received backup catcher Steve Clevenger. (The O's also got left-handed pitcher C.J. Riefenhauser in the deal.) Normally O's fans would be stoked to acquire the Trumbo, who has a career average of 31 home runs and 96 RBIs per year. But his acquisition made many fans nervous.

The Orioles traded for Mark Trumbo (lol), so where's Chris Davis going? It sure as hell won't be Baltimore.

— Adam Bernstorf (@IDoNotGiveAdam) December 2, 2015

Well the #Orioles told us everything we needed to know with the trade to get Mark Trumbo that we are not gonna re sign Chris Davis

— Matthew Jenkins (@DutchMatt187) December 2, 2015

I don't want Mark Trumbo I want Chris Davis

— Kyle Reinaldo (@KyGuy01) December 2, 2015

The Orioles insist they’re still in the hunt for Davis. (And reliever Darren O’Day, to whom they’ve made a competitive offer). I guess it’s always good to have a backup plan.

3. Terps hire new head football coach.
The Terps have got their man. After firing Randy Edsall on October 11, the 3-9 team had been in the hunt for a new head football coach. Lots of high-profile names came up: Tony Dungy, Mack Brown, former MD quarterback Frank Reich. But in the end, it was Michigan defensive coordinator, 37-year-old D.J. Durkin, who landed the job. While not exactly a household name, Coach Durkin has a few things going for him. Michigan’s defense was one of the best in the nation. Plus, he was a graduate assistant under Urban Meyer and a coordinator under Jim Harbaugh. If you can’t get the best, get a guy who learned from the best? Reports indicate that interim coach Mike Locksley is unlikely to return to the team.

4. Navy football racks up the awards.
Navy cruised to a 7-1 conference record (9-2 overall) it’s first year in the American Athletic Conference and it now has the hardware to show for it. Senior quarterback Keenan Reynolds was named AAC offensive player of the year—and is on the shortlist for the Heisman Award—and Coach Ken Niumatalolo was co-named coach of the year. We’re sure the rest of the league hates them already.

5. Dundalk Owls make first trip to State Championship.
Let’s focus on the positive, shall we? With junior quarterback Darrius Sample leading the way, the Owls had an unlikely and incredible season—and made it to the Class 3A football final for the first time. Alas, all good things must come to an end, as they were overmatched last night at M&T Bank Stadium by an experienced Damascus team, losing 55 to 14. But, while we're seeing the glass half full, let it be known that Damascus stud running back Jake Funk, who scored seven touch downs last night (no, that isn’t a typo) is on his way to College Park next year to play for the Terps. D.J. Durkin must be licking his chops.