Baltimore Ravens beat Indianapolis Colts 24-9 to face Denver Broncos in next game – NFL Recap
The Baltimore Ravens are through to next phase of the playoffs after beating the Indianapolis Colts 24-9 in first wildcard game on Sunday (Jan. 06).
Wide receiver, Anquan Boldin, set the franchise record of 145 receiving yards as rookie Andrew Luck-led Colts did not know to stop a playoff team, after achieving a remarkable recovery in the regular season. The Colts had only a pair of wins a season earlier
and bouncing back this year to make the playoffs is superb performance from them.
The quarterback nevertheless has admitted they have made mistakes, which was the main reason to stand no chance whatsoever. Coach Chuck Pagano however is satisfied with the team’s performance, and with the fact that they have built a strong foundation to
make solid progression in the future.
The Colts were without offensive coach Bruce Arians, who was hospitalised overnight due to some unknown illness. Coach Chuck Pagano said Arians was fine and would soon join them back.
It was this season’s last game for rookie Luck who has set many records on the way to the playoffs. With overall excellent run in the season, he was also exposed to committing some frequent mistakes. He nevertheless has shown huge potential for a remarkable
future ahead of him and the Colts must see themselves lucky to have found such a quality talent to replace their former star Peyton Manning.
Back with the Ravens, they were content that the result has come within their expectations. According to Boldin they wanted to have the Denver Broncos to face in next phase and they have got it.
His reference was to the loss that the Ravens were inflicted on by the Broncos about three weeks earlier. The receiver said they want to settle the score with them but did not comment on how they are going to counter QB Peyton Manning.
The win has also delayed retirement of veteran linebacker Ray Lewis, who is playing his last pro season. He has already announced retirement plans and according to some media reports, he has also signed a contract with ESPN to work as a league analyst.
Lewis returned to action on the weekend after about a couple of months. He was placed on injured reserve list designated to return, rehabbing from a triceps injury.
The LB said:
"My only focus was to come in and get my team a win. Nothing else was planned. It's one of those things, when you recap it all and try to say what is one of your greatest moments. I knew how it started but I never knew how it would end here in Baltimore.
To go the way it did today, I wouldn't change nothing."
He added:
"It's on to the next one. We saw them earlier in the year and now we get them back again, but with all of our guns back."
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