GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Don't blame this loss on the Baltimore Ravens' defense, for once, or on the officiating.
The Ravens' offense takes the brunt of the blame for their 26-18 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. After struggling most of the second half, Baltimore had a shot to tie the game, but Flacco's floating pass to tight end Crockett Gillmore with six seconds left was intercepted by Tony Jefferson, sealing another close loss. It was reminiscent of the Ravens' season-opening loss in Denver, where a last-minute pass to Gillmore in the end zone was intercepted.
"That’s really on me," Gillmore said. "When the ball is in the air, it should be mine. There’s really no excuse. The team relies on me to make that play and he made a play."
In all of the Ravens' six losses, Baltimore had a chance to tie the score or take the lead in the final two minutes. The Ravens have lost all of their games by one possession, eight points or fewer.
This didn't have to come down to the final minute if the Ravens' offense hadn't disappeared earlier in the game. Baltimore managed 108 yards in the second half and only had 36 yards before that final drive. The Ravens were 1 of 6 on third downs after halftime. On Baltimore's six possessions in the second half, the Ravens punted four times, turned the ball over once and scored a touchdown, which came after a blocked punt set them up at the Cardinals' 1-yard line.
"We probably didn't really play well enough to win the football game, but we are always in them," said Flacco, who was 13 of 17 for 121 yards in the second half. "It was a matter of making one more play."
What it means: At 1-6, Baltimore is tied with the Detroit Lions for the worst record in the NFL. The Ravens lost their sixth game of the season, joining the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks and Lions as teams who have either matched or exceeded their loss totals from 2014. Baltimore went 10-6 last season. This marks the second straight three-game losing streak of the season for the Ravens.
What were they thinking: The Ravens were left scratching their head when John Urschel was flagged for an illegal formation after catching a 6-yard pass on the opening drive. Replays showed Urschel signaling to the referee that he was reporting as an eligible receiver, but Baltimore was flagged for 5 yards. The Ravens, who should have had the ball at the Arizona 7-yard line, had to settle for a field goal.
What were they thinking (part two): Baltimore again was wondering what happened in the third quarter, when Chris Johnson broke a 62-yard run. It looked like nose tackle Brandon Williams had wrapped up Johnson for a moderate gain and that his forward progress was stopped. But because Johnson was lying on Williams' lap and never touched the ground, he got up and raced to the Ravens' 8-yard line, setting up a field goal.
One reason to be pessimistic: The Ravens continue to hurt themselves with turnovers and penalties. With the lead late in the first half, Jeremy Ross fumbled a punt return, and Asa Jackson was flagged for unnecessary roughness, which made it too easy for Arizona to score the go-ahead touchdown before halftime. The Cardinals never relinquished the lead.
Fantasy watch: Wide receiver Steve Smith. In a game in which the offense sputtered, Smith was the only spark. He led the Ravens with 78 yards receiving, 49 more than any other Baltimore receiver. Smith continues to fight to get open and get yards after the catch even though he has four microfractures in his back.
Ouch: The left side of the line left with injuries in the fourth quarter, when left tackle Eugene Monroe suffered a shoulder injury and left guard Kelechi Osemele hurt his knee. This continues a long list of injuries for the Ravens this season. Monroe and Osemele were replaced by tackle James Hurst and guard Urschel. Reserve CB Tray Walker underwent the concussion protocol in the fourth quarter.
What's next: The Ravens return home to play the San Diego Chargers on a short week. Baltimore has lost the last three games after playing Monday night.
