The Baltimore Ravens finished the 2011 season with a 12-4 record, earning themselves a first round bye in the playoffs. The Ravens dominated their AFC North counterparts, winning all six games, including their games with future possible playoff opponents, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. In terms of fantasy stars, the Ravens had several, but who are the biggest surprise and disappointments, and which star can say they were the Ravens 2011 fantasy MVP?

MVP – Ray Rice

The fourth-year back from Rutgers continues to improve each season and is now known as one of the best running backs in the NFL. He accumulated more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage this season and scored 15 touchdowns. On the ground, he rushed for 1,364 yards, while he made 76 receptions for 704 yards. It was his third straight season of rushing for more than 1,200 yards and earning more than 550 in the passing game. He is an easy one of the top three running backs off the board, especially in PPR leagues.

Biggest Surprise – Torrey Smith

The rookie from Maryland had a solid season, lining up opposite of Anquan Boldin. He made 50 catches for 841 yards and scored seven touchdowns. With other rookie studs like Victory Cruz, A.J. Green and Julio Jones getting all the notoriety, Smith constantly had solid performances without getting the same recognition. That is something that will change, especially if he has a great run in the playoffs. As a second-round draft pick, Smith wasn’t expected to be the second receiver, but an injury to Lee Evans forced him to that role and it is a spot he will not be moving from anytime soon.

Biggest Disappointment – Joe Flacco

While Flacco still had a solid season, throwing for 3,610 yards and 20 touchdowns, he could have done a lot more for this offense. He threw 12 interceptions and lost six fumbles and continues to struggle to improve his game from when he burst onto the pro scene in 2008. A year ago, he had the best season of his career, but failed to live up to the expectations his past success have made for him. With their stellar defense and Rice controlling the offense, Flacco doesn’t necessarily need to do more, but if he wants to hear his name mentioned with the best, he needs to.

For a closer look at All-Injury teams for all major fantasy positions and biggest stars and busts from each NFL team, click here.

More from this contributor:

LeSean McCoy is Top Fantasy Running Back in 2011

Backup Running Backs to make Splash in 2011

Don’t Give up on These Players too Early

Drafting Individual Defensive Players?

Top 2011 Fantasy Football Rookies

Hobson Lopes has been playing fantasy football for more than 10 years and can be followed on Twitter @HobsonLopes.

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BALTIMORE (WJZ)– The Baltimore Ravens earn their way to the playoffs this year, and the team wants fans to know they couldn’t have done it without you. That’s why they put some lucky ticket-holders in the spotlight Thursday.

Kai Jackson has more on the big surprise.

Baltimore Ravens fans are passionate with Purple Pride. But it’s more than just spirit even broadcasters admit that fans can bring pain to opponents.

When the Ravens beat the Browns at home on Christmas eve, it capped a perfect season at home– eight wins, no losses.

“On behalf of the players and the coaches, we are giving the game ball to the Ravens fans for this 8 and 0 season,” John Harbaugh, head coach for the Ravens, said.

Thursday, Coach Harbaugh made good on his promise.

“I just wanna say what a pleasure it is to accept this on behalf of all Ravens fans and I’m honored to be here to represent,” Ravens fan Delray Smith said.

Three fans were chosen at random to receive actual game balls in used in the Ravens victory over Cleveland.

“Well, that’s about what I feel like right now, I got a game ball! Thank you very much to the Ravens!” Billie Armstrong, another Ravens fan, said.

A perfect season at home is a tough thing for any team to achieve even when they hitting all cylinders. Yet, Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh says he gives a great deal of credit to Ravens fans.

And fans give that credit back to the Ravens.

“It’s just an honor and pleasure to sit up there every week and watch these guys play. And I guess the twelfth man really is important for you guys,” Ravens fan Michael Shue said.

The Ravens have won 18 of their past 19 games at M&T Bank Stadium.

Not much else going on in the NFL world today.

CBSSports.com wire reports
Dec. 24, 2011

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Ravens achieved perfection at home for the first time, and now they’re looking to add to that ledger in the playoffs.

Joe Flacco threw two touchdown passes, and the Ravens beat the bumbling Cleveland Browns 20-14 on Saturday to move one step closer to winning the AFC North.

Ray Rice ran for 87 yards and caught a TD pass for the Ravens (11-4), who led 17-0 at halftime and held on.

“I have never been perfect at home in 16 years of football. That’s amazing,” Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis said. “As good of teams we’ve had here, we’ve always found [a way] to lose one or two here or there. I think this year we really made a focus on taking care at home. This is the result, us being able to go 8-0 and being able to be sitting where you want to sit at the end of the day.”

The Ravens would win the AFC North by defeating Cincinnati on the road next week. That would also give Baltimore a first-round bye and a home playoff game – two if New England loses next Sunday at home against Buffalo.

“It’s big, man,” linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “We are at our best when we are at (home) and our fans are rocking. So we definitely need a home playoff game, by any means necessary.”

Flacco went 11 for 24 with touchdown passes to Rice and tight end Ed Dickson. He also had a 33-yard run.

Josh Cribbs had a career-high 84-yard punt return for a TD for Cleveland (4-11). But the Browns generated very little offense and were guilty of questionable play calling, bad clock management and untimely penalties in their fifth straight loss.

Cleveland saved the worst for last. Having already burned their three timeouts, the Browns lined up on defense after the two-minute warning with the Ravens facing a fourth-and-2 at the Cleveland 37.

It appeared obvious that Flacco and the Ravens were merely hoping to draw the Browns offside.

As the play clock moved close to zero, Cleveland tackle Phil Taylor jumped across the line of scrimmage to give Baltimore a first down.

“It was the first hard count and we stayed onside,” Taylor said. “The second time, I just jumped. Of course you feel bad, but you just got to move on.”

Said Flacco: “I don’t know if I’ve ever been in position for that to happen. It’s never worked.”

The Ravens then ran out the clock on their eighth straight win over the Browns, including two this month.

“We knew this would be quite a challenge for us,” Cleveland quarterback Seneca Wallace said. “We’re playing the Ravens at home, and they’re playing for everything. I should have played better, and I should have made better decisions.”

Wallace went 19 for 33 for 147 yards in place of Colt McCoy, who was out with a concussion. Peyton Hillis ran for 112 yards, but Cleveland’s offense mounted only one decent drive.

The Browns took the opening kickoff and moved from their own 26 to the Baltimore 30 behind the power of Hillis, who gained 30 yards on six carries. But on a third-and-1, Cleveland inexplicably went to the air, and Lardarius Webb intercepted Wallace’s pass for Mohamed Massaquoi.

Flacco immediately threw deep for Torrey Smith, who drew a 60-yard penalty for pass interference on Mike Adams to set up a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dickson.

Later, a 29-yard throw from Flacco to Smith led to a 48-yard field goal by newcomer Shayne Graham, signed in the middle of the week to take over for the injured Billy Cundiff.

After another Cleveland punt, Flacco directed an 82-yard drive that gave Baltimore a 17-0 lead. Rice slipped behind linebacker D’Qwell Jackson on the right sideline, caught a soft pass in stride and sprinted into the end zone to complete a 42-yard scoring play.

That made Flacco 5 for 5 for 94 yards and two touchdowns on third down.

Cleveland moved deep into Baltimore territory late in the first half, thanks in part to a 30-yard pass interference call against Chris Carr. But with the clock inside 10 seconds and the Browns without a timeout left, Wallace handed off to Hillis instead of spiking the ball, and Hillis went nowhere.

Wallace took the blame, and so did Browns coach Pat Shurmur.

“I need to communicate it better, OK?” Shurmur said.

Time expired before Cleveland could get off another play, and the Browns headed to the locker room after being held scoreless in the first half for the second time this season. The other time it happened was also against Baltimore.

Graham kicked a 43-yard field goal in the third quarter to make it 20-0.

The Browns finally scored when Cribbs took a punt on the right sideline, escaped an arm tackle and broke toward the center of the field before outrunning three defenders into the left corner of the end zone late in the third quarter.

“I was wondering where all the defenders were,” Cribbs said. “I saw all the great blocking around me. From there, it was easy. It was just a walk in.”

Cribbs also contributed to Cleveland’s next touchdown, catching a 23-yard pass from Wallace as part of an 80-yard drive that ended with a 9-yard TD throw to Evan Moore midway through the fourth quarter.

The Browns forced a punt, but on a fourth-and-4 from the Cleveland 45 with 4:03 left, a pass to Hillis did not produce the necessary yardage.

Taylor’s jump across the line of scrimmage soon followed.

Notes

• Ravens KR David Reed hurt his left knee and declared himself out for the season. Also, Baltimore OT Marshal Yanda (chest) and CB Cary Williams (concussion) did not play in the second half.
• Shurmur said the Browns sustained no serious injuries. Cleveland closes the season next Sunday against Pittsburgh.

That’s all for today.

The Cleveland Browns suffered another disappointing heartbreak against the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Eve (12/24/11). The end of the first half certainly has fans scratching their heads. Why the Browns did not attempt a field goal is beyond comprehension. Browns’s coach Pat Shurmur looked like he was going to explode when the team did not go for a field goal.

Shurmur is saying that he is responsible for the communication breakdowns that happened throughout the game. However, speaking of the particular play at the end of the first half, Shurmur said, “I never would have called a run in that situation with that much time.”

Seneca Wallace took the field as quarterback for the game because Colt McCoy is still out with his concussion. Wallace really looked a lot better last week. He had a few good passes in today’s game, like the excellent touchdown pass to Evan Moore, but he seemed far less confident in this game than he did in the Arizona game.

Wallace has been in the NFL for nine seasons, but he really seemed to be carrying a rookie confidence around with him today. This is the thing that the Browns do not need, especially when playing a team with the talent of the Ravens.

Going into the second half with no points on the board looked really terrible. Then, finally Josh Cribbs saved the day by running an 84-yard touchdown off of a punt. It was a truly remarkable play. This play was not a game-saver, but it definitely re-energized the Browns and gave the fans a little hope and confidence.

Should we even discuss the fourth quarter? Specifically that play where Wallace passed to Hillis when they should have just kicked the ball. This was another head-scratching play that is becoming all too characteristic of the Browns.

Then, with two minutes to go in the game, Phil Taylor just had to go offsides. The Browns had one more chance to actually do something, but him going offsides completely eliminated their chances of a last ditch effort. Had he not gone offsides, the Browns would have had two minutes (I know not much, but at least it would have been something) to at least attempt to score a touchdown.

The Browns will take on the Pittsburgh Steelers for their last game. If they expect to add another win to their record, they are going to have to stop with the careless mistakes and put forth more focus.

R. Elizabeth C. Kitchen is a lifelong Browns fan who grew up in a household of Browns’ fans. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and still lives there. Regardless of the trials and tribulations the Browns have been through, she remains loyal, albeit honest about her home team. Follow Rose on Twitter @Rose_Kitchen

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BALTIMORE, Md. — Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco was thrilled with the gift he received from Browns rookie defensive tackle Phil Taylor at the end of the game: a jump on fourth-and-2 that cost the Browns a chance at a comeback in the 20-14 loss.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been in position for that to happen,” Flacco said. “It’s never worked.”

With two minutes left in the game, the Ravens were clinging to the 20-14 lead and facing the crucial fourth down at the Browns’ 37. Everyone in M&T Bank Stadium knew the Ravens were going to try to draw the Browns offsides.

“In the timeout, we talked about the potential of that happening,” said coach Pat Shurmur. “I’ve seen it, and we had a nice huddle to discuss that might happen. And then you’re out there playing and you can’t do that.”

Sure enough, Taylor bolted off the line and wrecked the Browns’ hopes of tying or winning the game.

“We got them,” Flacco said. “[Coach] John [Harbaugh] was like ‘there’s no way they jump.’ In that situation, we got fortunate.”

Immediately afterward, linebacker D’Qwell Jackson put his hands on Taylor’s head and offered words of encouragement.

“He said ‘hold your head up,’” Taylor said. “It’s tough. Of course you feel bad, but you’ve just got to move on.”

Flacco executed the fake perfectly, then took a knee three straight times to end the game.

“They gave us a first hard count and we stayed onsides,” Taylor said. “The second time, I jumped.”

Jackson defended the mistake.

“We talked about it before the play, but it was the first time he had been in that situation,” Jackson said. “I was telling him, ‘You played a great game,’ and it’s a great learning experience for him. You hate to be that guy. I had my fair share of mishaps today, but you play in this league a long time and things like that are going to happen. You just have to be able to learn from them and try to minimize those mistakes.”

Added cornerback Sheldon Brown: “The only way to learn in this game as a young player is to be out there doing certain things. Unfortunately it happened, but we have to play faster and start faster. You can never point the blame or the finger at one person.”

Jackson said the bright side is that Taylor played the whole season and gained valuable experience as a rookie.

“He’s done a tremendous job all year,” Jackson said.

TDs on Jackson: Jackson gave up the Ravens’ two touchdown passes, a 5-yarder to tight end Ed Dickson and a 42-yarder to running back Ray Rice. Rice caught the ball at about the 25 and ran it in.

“Ray is a great back,” Jackson said. “He understood how I was manipulating a lot of running backs throughout the year. Being in man coverage, I’m able to hug. He took a chance. He got out real fast and once his feet are moving and he’s downhill, I tried to close the gap as quick as I could but it was a great ball by Flacco and there was no chance I was catching him.”

On the one to Dickson, Jackson had his back to the ball when it floated to Dickson.

“I’ve just got to close the air between him and the ball and I’ve just got to do a better job covering,” Jackson said.

Steelers game moved to later start: As a result of the NFL’s flex scheduling, the Browns-Steelers game Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium has been moved from 1 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.

Cribbs TD: Wasted in the loss was Josh Cribbs‘ career-long 84-yard punt return for a touchdown that pulled the Browns to within 20-7 in the third quarter. It was his third career punt return for a score and 11th total return touchdown of his career, which is the fifth-most in NFL history. It was his first punt return for a touchdown since the 2009 season opener, when he returned one 67 yards against Minnesota on Sept. 13. Cribbs has totaled 20 career touchdowns; two rushing, three on punt returns, seven receiving and eight on kickoffs.

“It felt great,” said Cribbs, who was questionable for the game with a groin injury. “‘I saw all of the great blocking around me. From there, it was easy. It was just a walk in.’”

Hillis sensational: Browns running back Peyton Hillis followed his 99-yard game in Arizona with a 112-yard effort against the Ravens’ second-ranked run defense. Heading in, the Ravens had allowed only eight 100-yard runners in its previous 81 games and 10 in its past 98 games. One of those was Hillis’ 144-yard outburst here last season.

“It was tough [this season] because I knew I was hurt and I was injured and trying to go back out there and trying to play when you’re not 100 percent is tough because you know you really can’t help your team,” he said. “Then a lot of people are doubting you or thinking that you’re not trying to play hard. I love this team and I love going out there and playing football. It?s what I love to do. I don’t like people questioning that because my heart’s big and I want to do great things for this team.”

Hillis hobbled off for one play with an ankle injury but came right back in.

“My ankle popped there for a second,” he said. “I got a little concerned, but it wasn’t hurting. So they just took me to the sideline and cut off the tape and [re-taped] me then I was fine after that. I was just a little worried and concerned I didn’t hurt anything, which I didn’t.”

Hillis passes: Hillis tried to make something happen on back-to-back passes in the fourth quarter, but Wallace threw too short to him on third-and-5 at the 45 because of pressure by Ed Reed and Paul Kruger, and he was stopped for no gain on fourth-and-5.

“I think they were pretty much playing zero coverage there toward the end trying to hurry up and get the ball out,” Hillis said. “The second one that came to me, I caught and maybe I could have made something happen, but the defender was on me pretty quick. And the first time, if the ball got to me I think something great would’ve happened. But Seneca did a great job. He threw off his back foot there but he made a lot of crucial throws throughout the whole game, so you’ve gotta be proud of him about that.”

Maynard superb: Punter Brad Maynard recorded three more punts inside the 20-yard line. On the season, he has placed 30 of his 75 punts inside the 20 and has zero touchbacks. His inside-the-20 total is the second-most in Browns history. Bryan Wagner holds the record with 32 in 1989.

Draft order: The Browns’ draft order ranges from No. 3 to No. 9. Here are the scenarios:

If the Browns lose to Pittsburgh and finish with a 4-12 record:

They draft No. 3 if Jacksonville beats Indianapolis and Minnesota beats Chicago.

They draft No. 4 if Jacksonville beats Indianapolis and Chicago beats Minnesota.

They draft No. 4 if Indianapolis beats Jacksonville and Minnesota beats Chicago.

They draft No. 5 if Indianapolis beats Jacksonville and Chicago beats Minnesota.

If the Browns beat Pittsburgh and finish with a 5-11 record:

They draft anywhere from No. 6 to No. 9, depending on several outcomes.

Plain Dealer reporter Tony Grossi contributed to this report.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith had a simple view of Saturday’s game.

“Well, this week we won,” he said. “At the end of the day, that’s all that matters. We know there are things that we have to improve upon. We have shown we can do it. It’s just a matter of us being consistent.”

The Ravens escaped Christmas Eve with a 20-14 win over the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. In doing so, Baltimore had its second consecutive lackluster game – the Browns had an opportunity to take a late lead – following last week’s 34-14 loss to the Chargers.

“I don’t know if it is a concern, but obviously you do want to play better,” wide receiver Lee Evans said. “At the end of the day, you do have to find a way to win

Cleveland Browns free safety Mike Adams (20) gets tangled with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith as Smith goes up for a catch in the first half of Saturday’s game in Baltimore. Cleveland was charged with a pass interference penalty on the play (AP PHOTO – NICK WASS)

games. We were able to do that today, and we can build on that. Next week, our job is just to win one more.”

The Ravens (11-4) head into next week’s road game against the Bengals needing either a win or a Pittsburgh Steelers loss to win the AFC North. Doing so would allow the Ravens to play host to their first home playoff game since 2006 and would give them a first-round bye.

They finish the regular season 8-0 at home, the first time they’ve been perfect at home.

“(Having a home playoff game is) Big, man,” Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “We want a chance at winning, and you’ve got a better chance to do it when you’re at home. And our fans, like I said, I consider myself to be a player of the people, and we are our

best team when we’re in M&T and our fans are rocking. So, we definitely need a home playoff game by any means necessary.”

The Ravens appeared ready for a home playoff game when Lardarius Webb intercepted Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace to give his team the ball at their 36-yard line. The first offensive play resulted in a 60-yard pass interference penalty that put the Ravens at the Browns’ 4-yard line.

Three plays later, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco hit tight end Ed Dickson for a 5-yard touchdown and an eventual 7-0 lead. Just 5 minutes and 48 seconds into the game, the Ravens had a big defensive play and a lead.

Shayne Graham made a 48-yard field goal about nine minutes later to give the Ravens a 10-0 lead. The Ravens signed Graham earlier in the week because Billy Cundiff has an injured calf.

Graham added a 43-yard field goal with 5:54 remaining in the third quarter.

“I thought (his performance) was good, especially on the field goals and the extra points,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He did a nice job of knocking it between the poles. It’s not easy to do that, coming into a new operation.”

The Ravens scored again slightly more than six minutes into the second quarter on a 42-yard touchdown reception by Ray Rice that gave them a 17-0 lead.

“I saw man coverage from the get go,” he said. “I said, ‘If I get a step on him, I got him.’ There is only one negative in that play, and that is if the safety plays it. So, it’s either the ball is on you fast or it’s a home run.”

After Graham’s field goal made the score 20-0, the Browns began their comeback. Their first points came on an 84-yard return punt for a touchdown by Josh Cribbs with 3:07 remaining in the third quarter.The punt return for a touchdown was the second allowed by the Ravens this season, tying a franchise record. The other came Oct. 30 by the Cardinals’ Patrick Peterson.

“We wanted to pin the ball over on the left sideline and we didn’t,” Harbaugh said. “We kicked (Cribbs) a ball that we don’t kick very often, and I think when you give a returner like that an opportunity like that in space, in those kinds of conditions, he made us pay for it.

“It was not good coverage, it was not a good punt, and we have to do better than that. That’s really what got them back in the game.”

Wallace hit tight end Evan Moore for a 6-yard touchdown with 8:30 left in the fourth quarter, bringing the score to 20-14. Needing a touchdown to take the lead, the Browns received the ball at their 27-yard line less than two minutes later.

The Browns drove to their 45-yard line, but couldn’t convert a fourth-and-5 pass by Wallace.

Baltimore needed one “Oh my gosh” play to ice the game. Facing fourth-and-2 with 1:57 left, the Ravens were able to draw an encroachment penalty against Browns defensive lineman Phil Taylor as the play clock ticked toward zero.

So, was there a play called?

“Come on, you guys can figure it out,” Flacco said. “The play clock was at two seconds, and we hadn’t snapped the ball yet. It works sometimes, I guess. We got them. John (Harbaugh) was like, ‘There’s no way they jump.’”

Flacco kneeled on the next three plays to end the game and lead the Ravens into their regular-season finale against the Bengals. All four of their losses have come on the road.

“Big game next week,” Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis said. “It’s no secret. It’s up to us to go out and finish what we’re trying to finish.”

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Browns left tackle Joe Thomas can’t think of anyone he’d rather spend Christmas Eve with than Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs.

Suggs always gives Thomas his best battles of the season, and Thomas considers him one of the best — if not the best — outside linebacker in the NFL.

“We’ve got to make sure it’s not the Terrell Suggs show,” Thomas said. “He’s going to make his tackles, he’s going to get a sack every now and then, but you’ve got to do whatever you can, whether it’s doubles, chips, run-action, play-action, you’ve got to make it a tough day — otherwise he’s going to make it tough on you.”

In the first meeting Dec. 4, a 24-10 Ravens win, Suggs had four tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a pass broken up.

“I think we did a pretty decent job, but he’s a guy that you don’t really shut out in a game,” said Thomas, a four-time Pro Bowler. “You just try to minimize his impact because he’s such a good player that he’s going to get his plays. You’ve just got to make sure that he doesn’t take over the game. That’s kind of the key with him.”

Suggs has 13 sacks this season, tied for fifth in the NFL and tied for third in Ravens history. It tops his previous career high of 12 in 2003. His 13 career sacks against the Browns in 17 games are his second most against any team. His seven forced fumbles against Cleveland are his tops against any team.

“He’s right up at the top of the class, there’s no question,” Thomas said. “He’s such a disruptive force — run and pass. . . . That’s why he fits so well with the Ravens because they like those guys that are kind of the jack of all trades.”

– Mary Kay Cabot

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When the Cleveland Browns take on the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday, December 24, 2011, they will be doing it with Seneca Wallace at quarterback. There is a good chance he will play the role of QB in the final game against the Pittsburgh Steelers the following week as well.

Colt McCoy is still out because of the concussion he sustained due to the head on collision courtesy of James Harrison. He is still having recurring symptoms from this injury and until he is fully recovered from this injury, it is simply not safe for him – or the other players – for him to be out on the field. McCoy will not travel with the Browns either. He will stay home and rest and focus on recovering.

Since Wallace is going to be taking over the role of quarterback for the remainder of the season, he has to start acting like a starting quarterback. According to his teammates. He is falling into the role well.

“I think he’s more vocal in the locker room and on the field,” said Joe Thomas, a left tackle for the Browns. “When you’re the starter, you’re the coach on the field, not only calling plays but getting everybody lined up correctly, making sure the formation’s are correct, the personnel is right. You’re kind of the designated rah-rah guy. When things are going south, you’re the guy that needs to stand up and get everybody in a positive direction.”

Wallace has acknowledged that he is just the backup quarterback and that he is afraid to overstep his boundaries. However, he needs to lose this mentality as it could hold him back. He is not the backup at this moment. He is the starter for the remainder of the season and he needs to think like a starter. He has played in nine NFL seasons and has earned his time on the field.

In the Arizona game, Wallace showed that he has what it takes to make plays. He definitely gave the Browns some new energy. The only thing the Browns need to work on right now is keeping that energy throughout the entire game because that energy definitely faded by the end of the third quarter. If Wallace can keep throwing good passes and keep his men energized, the Browns just might have a chance to defeat the Ravens.

R. Elizabeth C. Kitchen is a lifelong Browns fan who grew up in a household of Browns’ fans. She was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and still lives there. Regardless of the trials and tribulations the Browns have been through, she remains loyal, albeit honest about her home team. Follow Rose on Twitter @Rose_Kitchen

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Anquan Boldin will miss the final two National Football League
regular-season games after surgery to repair a slight tear in
his knee cartilage, coach John Harbaugh said.

“He will be back for the playoffs, whichever round we have
to play in,” Harbaugh said yesterday after Boldin’s procedure.
“It will be a little tighter if we have to play in the first
round.”

The Ravens (10-4) have clinched a playoff spot and are tied
with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the American Football
Conference North division heading into this weekend’s games. If
they finish the season with the second-best record in the AFC,
they will get a first-round playoff bye.

Boldin, the team’s leading wide receiver with 887 yards on
57 catches, will be replaced by rookie Torrey Smith and veteran
Lee Evans for the Ravens’ games against Cleveland and
Cincinnati. They will be the first games Boldin has missed in
two years with the team.

“We’ve got two tight ends that are really good, so we’re
going to go out there and still attack and do everything we know
how to do,” quarterback Joe Flacco said. “Obviously, we’re
going to miss Anquan, but it’s an opportunity for him to get
better and hopefully he’ll come back strong.”

To contact the reporter on this story:
Nancy Kercheval in Washington at
nkercheval@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Michael Sillup at
msillup@bloomberg.net

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BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Ravens fans are hoping for a win this Christmas Eve. But what does the holiday mean for the coaches and players?

Jessica Kartalija finds the Christmas spirit is alive and well.

This holiday season, the Ravens say playing in the NFL is a gift in itself.

“Too many guys can’t be a NFL player, so you’ve got to feel blessed,” Pernell McPhee, defensive lineman.

The team says Christmas is time spent with their biggest fans.

“It’s a very important time to spend with family and friends and to give back, most importantly to people who are less fortunate,” said Michael Oher.

“It’s about family, you get gifts, and you really want people to show expression of love for everybody,” said Chris Carr.

“Christmas to me means the celebration of the birth of our lord and savior, Jesus Christ.  That’s what it means. No greater celebration than that,” said Coach John Harbaugh.

Memories of Christmas past are kicking in for punter Sam Koch.

“We used to—on Christmas Eve–go to my grandma’s, and it was a way to get the family together and see each other,” said Koch said.

“When I think of Christmas, I think of a time to be around family, and relax and yeah, think about how fortunate we are and try and help other people out there who might not be in the same situation we are,” said Joe Flacco.

For Matt Birk, his kids are the center of attention.

“Now, with six young kids at home, there’s nothing like Christmas morning,” Birk said.

Ravens rookie Torrey Smith is looking forward to starting a new holiday tradition.

“It’s a time to realize how thankful you are for everything from family, to football to life in general.  I’m excited, and it’s the first time I’m on my own and my family is coming to Baltimore to celebrate it with me,” Smith said.

Every player we spoke with expressed their appreciation of being in the NFL, saying it’s their responsibility to help others less fortunate.

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