The first goal at the beginning of the season was to find a way to win the AFC North, guaranteeing the Ravens at least one home playoff game. "That is right there for the taking. Everything the players have worked so hard for is right there. I don't see any of us moving off that focus," the head coach added.

Smith Sr. threw his helmet at Wednesday's practice. Twice. It made news. He wasn't feeling right, and he didn't like something that happened, it was reported. "We're a little messed up," Terrell Suggs said after that practice. "It's December football. We're all a little itchy, yet we are moving forward. Monday was an emotional loss. We really wanted that one. We were in the division lead. We controlled our own fate. Now we have to win out. We're just a little edgy, but it's good to be a little edgy in December."

Indeed, it is good to be edgy. Agitated. Angry. Wrong-side-of-the-bed nasty.

(And, hey media, don't assume that Steve threw his helmet, as some of you reported, because he thought Joe Flacco overthrew him. Could have been that; I didn't ask him. Maybe it was, as one of our trainers told me, because Steve didn't feel right and was angry he didn't have his usual burst to the ball. And, that's OK, Steve. We need that burst on Sunday between 1 and 4 p.m. and not necessarily on Thursday at 11 a.m.)

We will bring a ton of energy into the Eagles matchup. I believe you will see the best we can offer. M&T Bank Stadium will be a fun place to be on Sunday.

Observations And Thoughts

Some things to chew on before Sunday's big game:

We need the fans to be great in this final regular-season home game. You guys are terrific, but it is December football. ... We were reminded Monday night how much a home crowd can help a team. Part of our slowness in getting off plays in the fourth quarter, when we were two scores behind, was due to our offensive line having difficulty hearing the play and making the blocking calls. You've heard Harbs and some of the players urging for lots of noise this Sunday, not only on third down, but on first and second down, too. Let's make it hard on the Eagles.

Two of our coaches both used the same term after the loss Monday night: "Unbelievable." They were describing Tom Brady. He was terrific against us. The Patriots do a lot of things right, and they are very well prepared, but Brady is the magic. His recognition of how we would defend on every play and his still lightning release of the ball – well, I think we are looking at the best quarterback of all time. Sorry, Johnny U disciples. (We still hope we get another crack at Brady this season.)

And, when you criticize Flacco or other quarterbacks around the league, understand that it is the hardest position to play in all of sports. Nothing compares. Not a hockey goalie, not a baseball catcher or pitcher, not a point guard – NOTHING! Look at the quarterbacks – some of whom are clearly producing Hall of Fame careers – around the NFL just last weekend.

Ben Roethlisberger:The Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-20 over the Buffalo Bills, but Big Ben threw no touchdown passes and three interceptions Philip Rivers: His San Diego Chargers dropped a 28-26 decision at Carolina when he threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles Russell Wilson: The Seattle Seahawks got walloped at Green Bay, 38-10, as Wilson threw for 240 yards on 39 attempts – with FIVE interceptions. Yikes! Drew Brees: New Orleans lost 16-11 to the Tampa Bay Bucs as Brees was held without a touchdown pass for the second straight game, and he was picked off three times

Want more? Look up how Carson Palmer and Marcus Mariota performed last Sunday.