data-mm-id=”_rrj40u4qu”>En route to clinching the first overall seed in the AFC, with one week left in the season, the Baltimore Ravens experienced a scare when Mark Ingram went down with a non-contact injury. After an MRI today, it was revealed Ingram suffered a calf strain. While the hope is he will return for the playoffs, the news comes with major negative ramifications. So much so, the Super Bowl now hinges on Ingram's calf. Even if Ingram is ready for the Ravens' first playoff game, playing at the level he has been is just as realistic as re-injuring the calf. Calf strains have a history of lingering, and if Ingram is not at full strength, Baltimore cannot be the favorites to come out of the AFC.Ingram's impact on this team exceeds his 1,018 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns. The threat of Ingram is one of the primary reasons the option-based offense with soon-to-be MVP Lamar Jackson is so effective. Jackson and the Ravens' coaching staff deserve immense credit for the quarterback's year-over-year leap, but the signing of Ingram must be factored into that equation. Questioning Jackson at this point sounds absurd; however, it's not. Jackson has never faced pressure like he is about to next month, and it's unclear if he can sit back and throw Baltimore to the promised land absent of a dangerous running game behind him.Jackson's joyful postgame reaction to learning Ingram eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards shows it all. Ingram has been Jackson's biggest supporter, his rock, his MVP hype man. Ingram's presence isn't only felt on the field, as Jackson describes, the fellow Heisman Trophy winner as the “heart of the team."Before Ingram's injury, the Ravens were the best team in the NFL and the safest Super Bowl bet. But even before, it was by inches.After a season stuffed with injuries, the Kansas City Chiefs are getting healthy and are back to last year's frightening form. In fact, they are better suited for a playoff run this year given the team's defensive momentum. Over the past four weeks, the Chiefs' defense is allowing an average of only 7.75 points per game. That goes along with the one quarterback that is more terrifying than Jackson, Patrick Mahomes. As explosive as the Ravens' offense is, pound-for-pound, the the Chiefs' is better. And while some sports fans have already set their schedules for for a Chiefs-Patriots showdown in the Divisional Round, a Chiefs-Ravens matchup remains a real possibility, as Kansas City could still fall to the fourth seed (Chiefs lose to Chargers, Texans beat Titans). Having to beat the Chiefs or Patriots with a hobbled Ingram is already worrisome but if they have to beat both, it turns into daunting and no longer probable. New England did just show they will have to again be dealt with this past weekend in an impressive win over the Bills.With a fully healthy team, the Ravens also matched up well with the potential NFC Super Bowl opponents. But with such a tight margin, any limitation like Ingram's injury could be the difference and skew it the other way.After Ingram went down, his backups, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, performed well. But that was against the Browns, with no pressure, in a game that was already won. It's inconvenience for the Ravens to expect either to give them 70 percent of what Ingram has this season.The results of non-contact injuries can be far worse than a calf strain, but Ravens' fans should caution their sighs of relief this afternoon. It was good news, but, at the same time, possibly season-damaging news.
Related Posts
Claudio Ranieri is delighted to have the race for the Premier League title in Leicester City s own hands and continues to feel relaxed ahead of their game at home to Southampton on Sunday.
In an astonishing season, table-topping Leicester sit five points clear of nearest rivals Tottenham with seven matches to play.
They have failed to defeat Southampton in their last eight top-flight matches, though, with Ronald Koeman s men still having plenty to play for as they sit seventh and in pursuit of a European spot after victories over Stoke City and Liverpool.
The reverse fixture in October saw Leicester come from two goals down to dramatically draw 2-2 thanks to a Jamie Vardy double and Ranieri insisted there is less pressure on his team now than in the early s…
Manchester United s faltering pursuit of runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City hit another bump in the road on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw by Southampton.
United welcomed Southampton to Old Trafford having failed to pick up a win from their previous two top-flight fixtures, drawing 2-2 at Leicester City before labouring to the same result at home to Burnley on Boxing Day.
The hosts lost Romelu Lukaku to a head injury after only eight minutes and, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic omitted from the squad by Jose Mourinho, introduced Marcus Rashford to lead the line.
But United failed to cause goalkeeper Alex McCarthy – in for the dropped Fraser Forster – any real problems, although they did have a goal disallowed late on after an offside Paul P…
Alessandro Nesta could make his debut for Indian Super League leaders Chennaiyin when they face Kerala Blasters on Sunday.
The 38-year-old last played for MLS side Montreal Impact in October 2013, but came out of retirement on Friday to link up with Marco Materazzi s men, who head the table by two points following their 3-0 defeat to NorthEast United on Thursday.
Much of the focus in Kochi will be on 2006 World Cup winner Nesta, however, home side Kerala will be keen to upstage the veteran by bouncing back from their 3-0 loss at Goa on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper and manager David James has faith that the Blasters can cause Chennaiyin difficulties.
Chennai are a very good team. It is going to be a tough test tomorrow and to think that it will be an easy gam…
Alexis Sanchez is set to leave Arsenal in the coming days. But unlike many believed during the past few weeks, it seems he won t arrive to Manchester City. Instead, all signs point to Manchester United signing the Chilean star.
The Red Devils sneaked into the race to acquire Alexis during the past week, and the deal is reportedly close to be completed. Manchester United first offered £20M + Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and took advantage of the fact that City seemingly dropped out of the race. United agreed to personal terms with both the player and the agent, and Sanchez was not part of Arsenal s loss to Bournemouth this Sunday. Even Arsene Wenger said a decision on the Chile winger will be made in the next 48 hours .
As such, it is worth start thinking what could the former …
Mathieu Valbuena admits that France are ambitious going into Euro 2012 and feel they can cause an upset at the tournament.
Laurent Blanc hopes to lead Les Bleus to a more successful tournament than their failure in the 2010 World Cup, and the Olympique de Marseille man has talked up his side s chances.
We want to rebuild the image of the France team, the attacker said.
We knew the World Cup was going to stick with us for quite some time.
We will show great things at the Euros. We are ambitious. There is quality in this group. Many things have changed.
Everybody is concentrating, focused on this objective to have a great tournament. We are not favourites, some nations are more advanced than us, but we are capable of causing an upset.
…
Here is a list of players that might set the Premier League alight this season. There are many more, but here are ten to keep your eye on. They are listed in club alphabetical order only;
Ashley Young – Aston Villa
Many people raised a quizzical eyebrow when Aston Villa parted with £9 million to prize Ashley Young away from Watford. I’m a Watford fan and I was one of them! I knew he was good, but £9 million seemed to be way over the odds.
Well, disbelievers like me were beginning to be proved wrong last season when his powerful and direct running together with superb delivery from set pieces saw him gain rave reviews and international recognition.
I expect him to go from strength to strength this season and bec…
We´re still in a backward society – Fred hits out after allegedly being racially abused and struck b
Fred hit out at the backward society we live in after the Manchester United midfielder was allegedly racially abused and struck by a lighter in his team s 2-1 derby win over Manchester City.
A City supporter appeared to make racial gestures in the direction of Fred and team-mate Jesse Lingard in Saturday s Premier League showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
The incident happened when Fred went to take a corner in the second half, with a series of objects also being hurled towards the Brazil international.
City released a statement to say they are working closely with Greater Manchester Police and have vowed to ban for life any supporter found guilty of racism.
Former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Fred confirmed he was hit by one missile and is eager for the mat…
Antonio Conte has stressed there will be no second chances for Inter when they take on Barcelona in a crucial Champions League clash on Tuesday.
Inter welcome Barca to San Siro sitting second in Group F, level on seven points with Borussia Dortmund, who face Slavia Prague.
The Nerazzurri who hold a two-point lead over Juventus at the top of Serie A must at least match Dortmund s result to ensure their place in the knockout stages.
While Conte is not thinking too far ahead in regard to how far his team can go in the competition, he emphasised Inter must grasp their final opportunity to progress.
This is a very important game for me and the club. Our qualification hopes are on the line. It is a very big moment in our season, Conte told a news conference.
Chile full-back Mauricio Isla is eager to remain at Juventus and secure a starting place in Antonio Conte s XI.
The 26-year-old, who can also play in midfield, is currently in action at the FIFA World Cup and has helped his country to victories over Australia and Spain.
Despite being a regular in Jorge Sampaoli s side, Isla has struggled to merit a regular berth at the Juventus Stadium since arriving from Udinese in 2012 and made just 18 Serie A outings last term
However, Isla is hopeful he can become an important figure for the Scudetto holders.
I am working hard for both Chile and Juventus, for me it is all good, he said.
Will I stay at Juventus? I know that all the fans support me.
I have learned from many players at Juventus and c…
Marseille have completed the signing of winger Romain Alessandrini from Ligue 1 rivals Rennes.
The details of the contract have not been released by Marseille, but the 25-year-old is reported to have signed a four-year deal at the Stade Velodrome.
Born in Marseille, the move sees Alessandrini return to his home town and he becomes the club s first major signing since Marcelo Bielsa was announced as their new coach in May.
Alessandrini joined Rennes in 2012 from Clermont Foot and consistently caught the eye with his strong performances at the Stade de Route de Lorient.
His form in in Brittany in 2012-13 earned him a call-up to the France squad for their February 2013 friendly with Germany, although he was an unused substitute for the game.
Alessan…