The Ravens also lost starting running-back Justin Forsett early in the game with a broken right arm that will end his season.
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St. Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum had his head slammed into the turf by 300lb defensive lineman Timmy Jernigan and was allowed to keep playing during a loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Flacco could have torn both his ACL and MCL in his knee, which might jeopardize the start of next season. Flacco had started 122 straight games which was third among active quarterbacks and fifth most all-time.
However, if you happen to have Flacco on your fantasy football team, chances are that you aren’t going to want to fearless the home-stretch of the season and even the playoffs by going at it with Schaub at quarterback. You have to just stand tall and be tough about it. That’s all you can do.
The last to do so was Heisman Trophy victor Troy Smith, who completed 16-of-27 passes with one touchdown when the Ravens ended the 2007 season with a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which broke a franchise-record nine-game losing streak. By the time the Steelers travel to Baltimore for their penultimate game of the season, and their final game against the Ravens, it should be clearer how well the team can perform under backup quarterback Matt Schaub, formerly of the Houston Texans. It was common at that time to see analysts rank him as a better quarterback than Flacco.
But he stayed in the game, and handed off twice, before stopping the clock to put Justin Tucker in position for the game-winning field goal.
For younger Ravens such as rookie running back Buck Allen and pass-rusher Courtney Upshaw to develop to a point where they can make a positive impression during the season’s last six weeks, they will have to be led by someone who wasn’t anticipated to play at all.
What is next for the Baltimore Ravens?
Forsett was stopped for a 5-yard loss on a first-and-10 from the St. Louis 41. Baltimore kept the ball on the ground until the attempt by Tucker, who had just missed a 51-yard attempt on the previous drive. Regardless of whether he was concussed or not, and it sure looked like he was, Keenum should have been taken out of the game.
Keenum didn’t talk to reporters after the game because, well, because he had a concussion.
John McNulty, like many fans in the stadium, didn’t realize the extent of Flacco’s injuries until after the game. He was replaced after 10 games, and hasn’t been able to regain his mojo as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
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Colts 24, Falcons 21: Adam Vinatieri, the oldest player in the league at 42, kicked a 43-yard field goal with 52 seconds remaining to lift Indianapolis (5-5) past host Atlanta (6-4). While Romo did throw two interceptions, he also went 18-28, racked-up 227 yards, and had two touchdowns, including one to my current favorite ‘Boys receiver, Terrance Williams. Keenum has 31 yards passing, no touchdown passes, no interceptions.
