Strike or ball?

This is a terrible call! Comment me and tell me what you think. Is it a ball or a strike.

Chasing history

Yesterday, Chris Davis became the 4th player in Major League history to hit four home runs in the first 4 games of the season. Today, Davis has a chance to make history: Be the first player ever to hit 1 home run in the first 5 games of the season. Chris went 2-4. Jones was 3-5 with a double, and single, and 2 RBIs.

#1. Jones, Davis deliver hits in Orioles' big win.
#2. Orioles fans list their favorite Earl Weaver moments.
#3. Orioles honor Earl Weaver during home opener.
#4. Jones' RBI double scores Markakis.
#5. Jones' single ties the game.
#6. MUST C CLASSIC: DAVIS STAYS RED-HOT WITH GRAND SLAM!!!

he scene was picturesque, a threatening forecast that morphed into a sunny 60-degree afternoon allowing the sellout crowd of 46,653 at Camden Yards a perfect backdrop Friday to welcome the Orioles home to start the 2013 season against the Twins.
Following a touching tribute to late manager Earl Weaver and thunderous applause as the team's three American League Gold Glove Award winners were honored in a pregame ceremony, red-hot first baseman Chris Davis went out and made history.
With the score tied in the eighth, Davis blasted Tyler Robertson's first-pitch 86-mph fastball for a grand slam that marked his fourth homer in as many games.
"You put him in the Grand Canyon, he'll hit it out," cleanup hitter Adam Jones said of Davis, whose blast paved the way for the Orioles' 9-5 victory.
Davis joins Willie Mays, Mark McGwire and Nelson Cruz as the only big leaguers to homer in the first four games of a season. With five RBIs on Friday, Davis now has 16 this season, the most through a team's first four games since RBIs became an official stat in 1920.
"I'm more excited about the three wins," Davis said of an Orioles club that is 3-1 in its first four games. "There's a lot of good things going on in here. We started that in Spring Training. It was relaxed, we are having fun, but taking care of our business. A lot of guys stepped up and showed what they are capable of doing, and we carried that into the season so far."
No one has carried over that success at the same rate as Davis. He is also the first Oriole to hit a home run in each the team's first four games and is now two games shy of the club record for consecutive games with an RBI.
"It's extremely impressive to watch how he handles balls, especially breaking balls on the outside part of the plate," starter Jake Arrieta said of Davis, who drove the ball to the opposite field for his second career grand slam.
"I watched the replay a few times of that home run he hit. If you watch his head and his eyes, it's like his eyes light up on a ball that's a pitchers' pitch. It's not easy, [a] lefty-lefty slider like that to hit the ball the other way."
"You all know I'm usually one of those guys who can probably think back and take it [into context]," said manager Buck Showalter, who admitted Davis' hot streak is probably not comparable to anything he's seen. "I'm glad he's on our side." "That's our style, late innings," Jones said with a grin. "That's the way we play. We keep it close and somebody at the end is going to have to get a big hit. And today, it was CD."
Brittany Ghiroli, MLB.com

Some news on Brian Roberts: Brian will not be playing for 3-4 weeks with a ruptured tendon behind his right knee.
Let's go CD! Let's go O's!

Bounce back!

After losing to the Rays Wednesday, the O's beat the Rays Thursday. Chris Davis was 2-3 with a bomb, a double and 4 RBIs. Hardy had a homer and 2 RBIs.

#1. Davis adds third homer of the year in O's victory
#2. Roberts appears to injure leg while sliding
#3. Machado starts nice double play to end inning.
#4. Davis gives Orioles lead with double.
#5. Hardy extends lead with two-run-homer
#6. Davis open scoring with two run shot.

Know what one of the most impossible things on the Orioles is? Replace Brian Roberts. The only man who can do that is Robert Andino, and the O's traded him to the Seattle Mariners in the offseason! Can either Alexi Casilla or Ryan Flaherty take over the spot? The Orioles kickoff a home opener today against the Minnesota Twins! GO ORIOLES!

BUCKle up!

It's time to BUCKle up! What a game. A.J 10 (Adam Jones) went 3-5 with 2 doubles, Wieters went 2-3 with a homer and two doubles, and Chris Davis went 1-4 with a homer.

#1. A trio of O's provide win over Rays.
#2. Riemold makes a nice catch in the first.
#3. Jones' two run double pulls the O's ahead.
#4. Davis blows it open with three-run hoer.
#5. Wieters clubs a two-run shot in the first.

The Orioles said throughout Spring Training they weren't concerned with outside expectations, projections or what national pundits thought of their incredible 2012 season. There was no need for manager Buck Showalter's crew to come out and make public statements or quote those who chalked up last year as a fluke for motivational fodder. In fact, there was no need for talking at all.
Instead, the Orioles -- proudly wearing T-shirts reading "To be continued" all Spring Training -- went out and proved it on Tuesday, rallying for a five-run seventh inning and using some solid pitching to make a strong season-opening statement with a 7-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Opening Day victory, in front of an announced sellout crowd of 34,078 at Tropicana Field, gave the Orioles their 10th win in the last 13 season openers.
"We know what's going on in the clubhouse," said Orioles starter Jason Hammel, who fired six strong innings to pick up the win. "For all the things that happened outside the clubhouse, we come out; we barely changed the team this year. Same lineup, except for a couple of guys.
"It's something we're proud of. We're going to continue to play hard. It was [No.] 1 of 162. We'll come back tomorrow and continue to do it. We're just having fun, and really, we have our own expectations."
While much was made this winter about the Orioles' decision not to acquire a true middle-of-the-order bat, the trio of Matt Wieters, Adam Jones and Chris Davis -- a group the organization hoped would continue to get better -- looked plenty potent, combining to go 6-for-12 with three doubles, two homers and all seven RBIs.
"We feel that in-house, we have the same ability to do what we did last year," said Davis, whose three-run homer capped a barrage of two-out runs off Rays reliever Jake McGee. "We have the same group of guys. We have the experience that we didn't have last year. We're very confident with the group that we have, not to mention the fact that we have good chemistry here. That goes a long way in this game."
Using the pass-the-baton approach that Showalter endorses, Davis watched from the on-deck circle as Rays manager Joe Maddon issued an intentional walk to Wieters, who had already doubled and hit a two-run homer off Tampa Bay ace David Price.
"You never want to be the guy [behind] the guy getting walks," said Jones, who got the seventh-inning scoring started by sending an 0-2 pitch into left-center-field field for a go-ahead two-run double. "It's like saying, 'All right; we think you're an easier out than this guy.' So you take it upon yourself to go out and get a big knock. And [Davis] went out there, first pitch, and tomahawked a 98-mph fastball at his neck. That's C.D."
Brittany Ghiroli, MLB.com news.

Now, let's take number two away from the Rays! Let's go Chen! Let's go O's!

2013 Baseball season Opening Day

Today the Orioles face off against the Tampa Bay Rays for the season opener.
Gonna  be a good season! GO ORIOLES!

"Get back to the diamond. Get back to the diamond.
Everything I do bores me, from November to February. The only way my soul gets healed is on the Diamond on the field. Try to throw strikes 1,2,3, you can't get the ball past me! It's a wooden sword I wield on the diamond on the field. All winter long I am only sad a gray, till opening day. Root for the Mets, love the Tigers cheer for the Rays, and think of how amazing you'll feel!

So get set, a baguette's my pre-game meal. It's beautiful, the diamond on the field! My home runs won't be appealed. It's beautiful, the diamond on the field. Get back to the diamond. Get back to the diamond. It's beautiful the diamond on the field!"
It's time to go to work.
Adam  Jones and Miguel Cabrera. A remix of Rhianna's "Diamonds".

http://mlbfancave.mlb.com/fancave/video.jsp?content_id=25618491&topic_id=19224580&fbid=7FXhDzJu0bV#fbid=UYhWzQi8STM

SUPER BOWL CHAMPS!!!

THE BALTIMORE RAVENS ARE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS! JOE FLACCO IS MVP (Though I think he should have given it to Ray Lewis)!!!

#1. Ravens vs. 49ers highlights
#2. Harbaugh brothers meet after the game
#3. Ravens playing smart with safety.
#4. Super Bowl XLVII power outage.
#5. John Harbaguh frustrated with power outage
#6. Flacco hits Jones for amazing TD
#7. Ravens receive Lombardi Trophy.
#8. Ray Lewis ends career as a champion.

Call it The Countdown.

The Ravens’ backs were against the wall. First-and-goal from the 7-yard line. This was the game.

As Baltimore’s defense made each tackle, the players shouted to each other, counting down the number of stops they needed.

Two-yard run – three more to go. Incomplete pass – two more. Incomplete pass – one more. Fourth down incompletion – Super Bowl champions.

After seeing a 22-point, third-quarter lead disappear in the blink of an eye. After enduring a power outage and delay that axed the Ravens’ momentum. After a season full of trials.

After a season full of trials, the Ravens overcome once again to beat the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31, in Super Bowl XLVII and claim the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy.

The Ravens made a goal-line stand. And that made them World Champions.

“Backs against the wall,” linebacker Ray Lewis said after sitting down at his post-game locker one last time. “Backs against the wall.”

The Ravens’ season was defined by adversity. So how could the Super Bowl be any different?

“It’s never pretty. It’s never perfect. But that’s us,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said to the Superdome crowd from the winner’s podium.

The Ravens stormed out to a 15-point lead at halftime. Then they seemed to break the game open when Jacoby Jones returned the second half’s opening kickoff 109 yards for a touchdown. Baltimore had San Francisco right where it wanted it.

And with that, the lights went out – literally and figuratively.

Power was lost and Superdome lights went out, suspending play for 35 minutes. When play resumed, it was almost instantly a different game.

All of the Ravens’ momentum was gone. Their boisterous crowd was quieted. The momentum shifted.

The 49ers scored 17 points within a span of just four minutes, 14 seconds. In hardly any time at all, Baltimore’s lead was cut to just five points. A Colin Kaepernick touchdown with 9:57 remaining left Baltimore ahead by just two.

“It was nothing new for us,” outside linebacker Terrell Suggs said. “We’ve [been] in those types of battles. We just stayed together. We had to win four plays.”

Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe stuffed running back LaMichael James for just 2 yards on first down. Then a pass intended for wide receiver Michael Crabtree was thrown out of reach. Crabtree caught the next pass, but had the ball busted out of his hands by cornerback Jimmy Smith.

On fourth down, Smith knew they were going to come at him again.

“I figured it would either be a slant or a fade. I saw Kaepernick tap the back of his head so I figured it would be a back-shoulder fade.”

Smith muscled up against Crabtree and the pass was too far out of reach. There was still 1:46 left to burn, but after some runs and a smart purposeful safety, the Ravens left the 49ers only one final free punt to return with four seconds.

And once Baltimore secured the tackle, they all experienced the confetti Lewis had long talked about. They danced around the field and made snow angels lying on the field.

“For us to stand up like that, it is just a testament of what we’ve been through and how much trust we had all year in each other,” Lewis said.

The 17-year linebacker sat with his children surrounding him at his locker afterwards. He had just played his final game and done something few athletes can ever claim. He went out on top.

“We get to ride off into the sunset, babies,” Lewis said.

While Baltimore’s defense made the final game-winning stop, the Ravens put up 34 points against one of the league’s best defenses.

Quarterback Joe Flacco, long questioned as to whether he belongs among the NFL “elite,” hoisted the Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl MVP.

Flacco was on fire throughout the night and finished completing 22-of-33 passes for 287 yards and three touchdowns, good for a 124.2 quarterback rating.

“He’s got guts of a burglar,” Harbaugh said.

“People should shut up about Joe,” said wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who logged six receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. “I’m so sick of people saying Joe’s not an elite quarterback. For all the critics who say he’s not, ask them how many rings they have.”

As the Ravens walked into locker room following their post-game celebration, they party was somewhat more muted than one might expect.

They savored it. They laughed with each other. They finally exhaled.

The Ravens, one time losers of four of their last five games, went on a crazy postseason run. They took out Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts. They slayed Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. They toppled Tom Brady and the Patriots.

In Super Bowl XLVII, they overcame the other brother, Jim Harbaugh, and his talented, resilient team.

Safety Ed Reed was the final player out of the Ravens locker room. And the veteran could only take it in with a cigar hanging out of his mouth.

“Mission complete,” he said.
Baltimore Ravens.com news, by Ryan Mink

When the lights went out, my dad thought that Beyonce (who did the halftime show) used up so much electricity with the lights that they went out. Man, that was annoying. Never play the 49ers when they are the home team. Because, last year, it was Monday night, the 9ers are playing the Steelers, and moments before kickoff, there's a flash of blue light from outside the stadium, and boom! Lights go out. Lets get another championship next year! GOOO RAVENS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Prank call

John Harbaugh prank calls his parents

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000130535/John-Harbaugh-prank-calls-his-family.

AFC CHAMPS!!!!!

THE BALTIMORE RAVENS ARE AFC CHAMPIONS!!! ON TO THE SUPER BOWL TO BEAT JIM HARBAUGH (John Harbaugh's brother) AND THE 49ERS!!!

#1. Ravens vs. Patriots
#2. Ravens to the Super Bowl
#3. Steven Ridley fumbles after big hit
#4. Sibling rivalry to play out in New Orleans
#5. Tucker confident he'd made the kick
#6. AFC Championship trophy presentation.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) - Joe Flacco outdueled Tom Brady, throwing three touchdown passes in the second half and leading the Baltimore Ravens to their first Super Bowl in 12 years with a 28-13 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday for the AFC championship.

The win sets up the first Super Bowl coached by brothers, Baltimore's John Harbaugh and San Francisco's Jim. The 49ers won the NFC title earlier Sunday 28-24 at Atlanta.

The 49ers have been listed as 5-point favorites.

Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis' final season will conclude in two weeks in New Orleans; he was the MVP of the 2001 game, the Ravens' only Super Bowl win.

Flacco had two touchdown passes to Anquan Boldin and one to Dennis Pitta as the Ravens outscored the Patriots 21-0 in the second half. Baltimore's defense made Brady look ordinary and stymied the league's top offense. Brady was 67-0 at home when leading at halftime.

Flacco's three touchdown passes came in just over 10 minutes in the second half. He connected with Bolden for two TDs in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter - a 3-yarder and an 11-yarder - after hitting Pitta with a 5-yard strike with 6:14 left in the third.

The Ravens (13-6) gained just 130 yards in the first half before Flacco guided them on scoring drives of 87 and 63 yards.

New England (13-5) suffered three injuries in the first half. Cornerback Aqib Talib hurt his thigh and defensive tackle Kyle Love injured his knee. The return of both starters was questionable. Backup safety Patrick Chung was helped off the field after one play.

The Patriots played without tight end Rob Gronkowski, who broke his left arm a week earlier in their 41-28 divisional win over the Houston Texans.

Stephen Gostkowski had given the Patriots a 3-0 lead with a 31-yard field goal with 6:21 left in the first quarter. But the Ravens went ahead on Ray Rice's 2-yard touchdown run with 9:28 to go in the second.

Wes Welker then scored with just over 4 minutes remaining in the half on a 1-yard pass from Brady and the Patriots increased their lead on Gostkowski's 25-yard field goal on the final play before intermission.

New England outgained Baltimore 214 yards to 130 in the half. Brady completed 14 of 24 passes for 139 yards, while Flacco went 6 for 12 for 81 yards. Neither team committed a turnover.

The scoring pass to Bolden ended a drive on which Flacco completed five of six passes, the longest a 23-yarder to Torrey Smith.

The touchdown by Pitta capped the Ravens' best drive of the game, covering 87 yards in 10 plays. It started with a 15-yard defensive pass interference penalty. Then, Flacco completed six of his other nine passes on the series. Three of them went for first downs - 22 yards to Pitta, 15 to Rice and 12 to Bolden that gave the Ravens a first-and-goal at the Patriots 10-yard line.

Flacco then connected with Pitta for a 5-yard pass and finished the drive with another 5-yarder to Pitta, who easily beat single coverage by safety Steve Gregory.

The Patriots began the scoring on Gostkowski's kick, ending a 13-play, 67-yard drive during which Brady completed five of seven passes for 55 yards.

Rice's touchdown ended a 13-play, 90-yard drive that lasted 5:51. Flacco threw completions for first downs of 17 yards to Pitta, 11 yards to Rice, 8 yards to Bernard Pierce and 25 yards to Smith. With a first down at the Patriots 15-yard line, Rice ran for 8 and 5 yards, giving the Ravens a first down at the 2.

After Flacco threw an incompletion out of bounds, Rice took a handoff, ran to the left and scored easily.

Welker's touchdown came 4:18 before intermission and capped an 11-play, 79-yard drive. He scored on a pass to the right as cornerbacks Corey Graham and Chykie Brown appeared to get crossed up on their assignments.

On the first play of the series, Baltimore's Dannell Ellerbe was penalized 15 yards for a blow to the head. Then a 24-yard completion from Brady to Welker gave the Patriots a first down at the Ravens 16-yard line.

Both teams punted on their first possession before the Patriots began their scoring drive at their 21-yard line after a 50-yard punt by Sam Koch.

The Patriots began the series with Brady's 8-yard completion to Brandon Lloyd. The pair teamed up for three completions, gaining 37 yards, on the drive.

The Ravens punted on their first three possessions in the first quarter. The Patriots punted on three of their four series, forcing Baltimore to start deep in its territory.
Associated press, Baltimore Ravens news.

You can tell by, watching video #6, there were a lot of Ravens fans at Foxborough. And when Cary Williams had that interception in the endzone, the stadium exploded in cheers. Now can the Ravens beat the 49ers?

Team USA baseball roster revealed

Adam Jones found out who his teammates would be for team USA. I will give the names to you.

Manager
Joe Torre, former Los Angeles Dodgers manager.

Coaches
Gerald Perry, former hitting coach of the Oakland Athletics
Greg Maddux, former pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Dale Murphy, former outfielder for the Colorado Rockies
Willie Randolph, former third base coach for the Baltimore Orioles
Larry Bowa, former Los Angeles Dodgers manager
Marcel Lachemann, former pitching coach for the Colorado Rockies.

Pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt of the San Fransisco Giants.
Heath Bell of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mitchell Boggs of the St.Louis Cardinals.
Steve Cisheck of the Miami Marlins.
Tim Collins of the Kansas City Royals
R.A Dicky of the New York Mets
Luke Gregerson of the San Diego Padres
Derek Holland of the Texas Rangers
Craig Kimbrel of the Atlanta Braves
Kris Medlin of the Atlanta Braves
Glen Perkins of the Minnesota Twins
Chris Perez of the Cleveland Indians
Vinnie Pestano of the Cleveland Indians
Ryan Volgelsong of the San Fransisco Giants

Catchers
Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins
J.P Arencibia of the Toronto BlueJays
Johnathan Lucroy of the Milwaukee Brewers

Infielders
Mark Texaria of the New York Yankees
Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds
Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies
David Wright of the New York Mets
Ben Zobrist of the Tampa Bay Rays
Willie Bloomquist of the Arizona Diamond Backs

Outfielders
Ryan Braun of the Milwaukee Brewers
ADAM JONES OF THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Giancarlo Stanto of the Miami Marlins
Shane Victorino of the Boston Red Sox

That's the roster!

Great #4.

Friends, I have bad news, The Baltimore Orioles' greatest manager ever, #4, Earl Weaver died this morning =(. He was on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, and had a sudden heart attack. Here is a link to Orioles.com: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130119&content_id=41036310&vkey=news_bal&c_id=bal. I heard it when my dad, brother, and I were heading into the O's Fanfest (that's another story), and the guys behind us were talking and I heard one of them say: "Earl Weaver died this morning." I turned around and said "What did you say?" The guy said he was watching ESPN this morning and it came on.
R.I.P, Earl, we'll miss you.

Lakers lose!

The Heat beat the Lakers 99-90. Here are the highlights.

#1. Heat vs. Lakers
#2. Heat starting hot
#3. Steal and slam
#4. Wade finds James

L.B.J had his highest points in the season last night, 39, he also had 8 assists, and Chris Bosh had 6 steals. Yesterday was Dwayne Wade's birthday, and celebrated it by beating the Lakers! Now, let's go back home and rest until Wednesday! GO HEATLES!!!!!!

20,000 points!

LeBron James (28) became the youngest NBA player reach 20,000 points! Here are the highlights.

#1. Heat vs Warriors
#2. LeBron's milestone assist record
#3. James finishes strong
#4. Wade to James
#5. Jackson congratulates James
#6. 20k club's youngest member

LBJ had 25 points, and 10 assists, Udonis Haslam had 10 rebounds, And D. Wade had 5 steals.

LeBron James became the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 points, and his Miami Heat cruised to a 92-75 victory against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
James finished with 25 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds before being shut down early to conserve energy as the Heat wrap up their six-game, nine-day road trip Thursday in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
Dwyane Wade had 15 points, eight boards, six assists and five steals for Miami, which looked vastly improved compared to the performances in disappointing losses in Indiana, Portland and Utah on this trip. Geoff Lepper, NBA.com news.

We have a Heated rivalry coming up tonight Heat vs. Lakers. The Lakers may have the best line-up in the NBA, but in truth, their terrible. Let's Gobeat-Kobe. GOOO HEATLES!!!!

Starting 5 for tonight's game.


Los Angeles Lakers.                                                                          MIAMI HEAT
PG: Steve Nash #10                                                                          PG: Dwayne Wade #3     
SG: Kobe Bryant #24.                                                                       SG: Mario Chalmers #15
SF: Metta World Peace #15                                                               SF: Lebron James #6
PF: Pau Gasol #16                                                                              PF: Udonis Haslam #40
C: Dwight Howard #12                                                                       C: Chris Bosh #1.

Adam Jones selected to the USA World baseball team

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones was recently selected to the USA World baseball team. Here is a link I found
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20130111&content_id=40931400&vkey=news_bal&c_id=bal.

@SimplyAJ10
Yep it's official. Get to play for #TeamUSA. Couldn't be prouder to play for my country #WBC #StayHungry IM AN AMERICAN (In Toby Kieth voice)- Adam Jones from twitter.

Divisional champs!

The kick is up and it is good! And the magical season of the Baltimore Ravens continues. TAKE THAT, BRONCOS!!!!

#1. Ravens vs. Broncos highlights
#2. Corey Graham picks off Peyton
#3. Justin Tucker 47- yard game winning kick
#4. Divisional can't miss play.
#5. Ray Rice 1- yard TD.


 DENVER -- No matter where his season or his career might end, Joe Flacco will always have The Fling.

And Peyton Manning will always have to live with that throw he made, too.

Flacco's desperation 70-yard touchdown pass to Jacoby Jones with 31 seconds left in regulation saved the game for Baltimore in regulation, and Manning's throw across his body in overtime all but lost it for Denver.

Justin Tucker's game-winning field goal split the uprights with 13:18 remaining in the second overtime, marking the fourth-longest playoff game. Miami's win against San Diego in the 1971 divisional round still ranks as the longest playoff game. On a frostbitten day in the frozen tundra known as Denver, the Ravens got a 47-yard field goal from Justin Tucker 1:42 into the second overtime Saturday to pull off a 38-35 upset over Manning and the Broncos, extending linebacker Ray Lewis' career by at least one game.

Lewis, who led the Ravens with 17 tackles over this nearly 77-minute game, kneeled down to the ground and put his helmet on the rock-solid turf when it was over.

After he thaws out, the Ravens (12-6), 9 1/2-point underdogs for this one, will get ready for a game at either New England or Houston, who meet Sunday for the other spot in the AFC title game.

"Our team is so confident and everything went against us," Lewis said, "but we found a way to come here together and we're leaving together. It's just awesome."

This game, the longest since the Browns beat Cleveland 23-20 in 1987, was an all-timer -- up there with San Diego's 41-38 double-overtime victory over Miami for drama. But Flacco's throw might best be bookended next to one made by Roger Staubuch, who famously coined the term "Hail Mary" after his game-winning toss to Drew Pearson beat Minnesota in the 1975 playoffs.

How else to describe the Flacco throw?

On third-and-3 from his 30 with 41 seconds and no timeouts left, Flacco bought time in the pocket and saw Jones sprinting down the right sideline into double coverage. Defensive back Tony Carter slowed up and let Jones streak by him. Instead of staying step for step with Jones, safety Rahim Moore tried to leap and knock down the ball. Flacco, who throws the high, deep ball as well as anyone, got it over Moore's head and into Jones' hands.

Jones caught it and pranced into the end zone, blowing kisses to the crowd.

The Broncos chose to kneel on the ball to end regulation.

The teams punted three times to start overtime, setting up Denver on its 7-yard line. Manning was moving the Broncos along slowly and steadily. But on second-and-6 from the 38, he rolled to his right, stopped and threw across the field to Brandon Stokley. Graham stepped in front of the receiver for the interception, bookending the pick he made in the first quarter, which he returned 39 yards for a touchdown and a 14-7 lead.

The temperature at kickoff was 13 degrees, and Manning fell to 0-4 lifetime when the temperature is 40 or less. He finished 28 for 43 for 290 yards and accounted for all three Denver turnovers -- the two picks and a lost fumble that set up the touchdown that tied the game at 28 late in the third quarter.

Those mistakes nullified a record-setting day for returner Trindon Holliday, who returned a punt 90 yards for a touchdown and a kickoff 104 yards for another score. Both were playoff records for longest returns, as was the 248 total return yards he had.

All for naught.

This was, more or less, the unthinkable for the Broncos, who came in on an 11-game winning streak and the odds-on favorite, at 3-1, to win the Super Bowl, in Manning's hometown of New Orleans, no less.

Instead, this loss goes down with the most devastating in Denver history. Right there with the 30-27 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Jan. 4, 1997 -- another year when Denver looked like Super Bowl material.

But it's Baltimore and Lewis who are in the AFC title game for the second straight year.
Associated Press, Baltimore Ravens news.

When the game went into overtime, I was kneeling in front of the T.V, my fingers crossed, and my hands clasped together. I was praying the whole time. And when Justin Tucker kicked that field goal, I jumped up from my spot and did the dance LeBron James did, the night the Miami Heat won the NBA Finals. This year, we want the Houston Texans to beat the Patriots, because we don't want another rematch of the AFC Championship last year!  GOOO RAVENS!!!

Last home game

Last week, Ray Lewis annouced his retirement. He played in his last home game this Sunday. Here are the highlights.

#1. Colts vs Ravens highlights.
#2. Wild Card: Ray Lewis highlights
#3. Lewis' last dance.
#4. Wild Card can't miss play
#5. Lewis on the field for last kneeldown
#6. Ray Lewis wired for sound

The Ravens defenders crowded to the front of the pregame introductions to watch their leader, Ray Lewis, dance for the final time at M&T Bank Stadium.

They pushed and shoved each other to get the best view.

After that emotional jolt, they pushed and shoved the Colts around for the next 60 minutes.

Baltimore’s inspired defense didn’t allow Indianapolis to reach the end zone once in Sunday’s wild-card playoff game, leading the Ravens to a 24-9 victory in Lewis’ final home game.
Ryan Mink, Baltimore Ravens news

Ray Lewis’ final drive from the team hotel to M&T Bank Stadium was slower than usual.

Usually the lead-footed Lewis arrives at the stadium precisely two hours early. This time he left early, waved to fans and honked his horn along the way.

It was mostly a quiet ride along the way, Lewis said. According to his passenger, linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, Lewis just kept repeating “Gosh.”

“The attention, the love is so overwhelming,” Ayanbadejo said. “This time, he wanted to embrace it.”

In his last home game after 17 years, Lewis soaked everything up.

Grown men were crying. Chants of “Thank You Ray” rang in the fourth quarter. The stadium was nearly packed just to watch Lewis warm up, and it exploded with excitement when he came out of the tunnel and performed his signature pregame dance.

But in usual Lewis fashion, he gave back too.

The linebacker trotted onto the field for the Ravens’ final offensive – yes, offensive – snap and danced once again near midfield for all to cherish.

That wasn’t enough.

After being mobbed at midfield, Lewis noticed how full the stadium was, how thousands of fans were still there cheering and savoring every last moment of the legend’s career. So Lewis starting trotting around the stadium, saying goodbye to the home fans one last time with one giant loop.

Lewis called the lap one of his “greatest moments.”

“I knew how it started, but I never knew how it was going to end here in Baltimore,” Lewis said. “For it to go the way it went today, I wouldn’t change anything.”

Lewis arrived at M&T Bank Stadium at 10:25 a.m. and was greeted by a couple hundred fans all shouting for him as they watched him walk from his car to his palace a final time.

Lewis went straight to the locker room to be with his teammates, but few bothered him this time, letting the linebacker soak in the moment.

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That didn’t stop Lewis from his usual tradition of blessing every single one of his teammates with a dip of holy water and a bump on the top of the head.

Lewis came out of the stairwell and onto the field looking like a man possessed. He worked himself up, breathing hard in and out as he paced up and down the Indianapolis Colts’ sideline.

Then Lewis gathered his teammates around to deliver his staple speech. He didn’t lift his head up this time though, didn’t look his players in the eyes.

“He didn’t want anybody to see the tears in his eyes,” Ayanbadejo said. “He had his head buried.”

Lewis then jogged to the end zone where he hugged and kissed every one of his family members. His father, Elbert Ray Jackson, was stoic until that point, but he couldn’t keep his lower lip from quivering.

Lewis said he’s retiring to be with his sons, to give them a life that his father never gave him. But on this day, everything seemed to come full circle. Lewis said there was no greater moment than seeing his family waiting for him in the end zone.

“It’s the ending of a legacy and the beginning of another,” said Jackson, who approved of his son’s retirement. “It’s time for us old men to sit down and pass the torch.”

“For 17 years, I’ve been watching my dad up there,” Ray Lewis III said, pointing to the video boards. “To see him hang it up, it’s bittersweet. But he’ll be in my life, be at games more, be involved more. I like that part.”

Lewis’ pregame introduction rocked M&T Bank Stadium.

His teammates fought for position, trying to get as close as they could. Those not suited up whipped out their cameras to record the historic event. Running back Ray Rice was crying.

“I was just emotionally distraught, and it was a lot going on in my head today,” Rice said. “It was sort of like ‘Save the Last Dance.’”

Lewis opened the game at his usual position and didn’t miss a single defensive snap. He didn’t play a perfect game, as an easy interception bounced off his mitts in the first half, but Lewis led his team with 13 tackles and inspired them with his return.

He once knifed through the Indianapolis Colts offensive line to make a tackle in the backfield, and tracked down running back Vick Ballard on the edge to prevent a touchdown in the second half.

But it was less about what Lewis did on the field Sunday and more about what he’s done on it for the past 17 years.

“It was incredible, man,” cornerback Cary Williams said. “We just witnessed some of the greatest fans honoring one of the greatest players of all time. … When he came out for introductions, they showed him all the love you can show someone.”

As the clock wound down on the Ravens’ 24-9 victory, fans chanted their thanks for Lewis. He clasped his hands together and beat his chest to thank them.

Then the coaches urged Lewis to get onto the field one more time. Lewis put on his helmet, trotted onto the field and lined up behind quarterback Joe Flacco, deep in the backfield. Wide receiver Jacoby Jones dared him to dance at midfield.

One last time in this stadium – and perhaps ever – he shuffled to the right, shuffled to the left, threw open his arms and kicked his leg out with a passionate scream.

“It was really a big congratulations to our fans more than anything,” Lewis said.

“Today was about me giving everything that I had, showing people that no matter the circumstances that you may be going through, just push through it."
Ryan Mink, Baltimore Ravens news.

Let's make Payton Pey. Whoops. GO RAVENS!!!