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BALTIMORE -- Any excitement over the Baltimore Ravens' thrilling come-from-behind victory over the St. Louis Rams on Sunday was tempered by season-ending injuries to both quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Justin Forsett. A sack and forced fumble by Baltimore linebacker Courtney Upshaw set up a 47-yard, game-winning field goal by Justin Tucker as time expired to give the Ravens a 16-13 victory over the Rams on Sunday.
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The win, however, came at a huge cost.
Flacco could have torn both his ACL and MCL in his knee, which might jeopardize the start of next season. Forsett has a broken arm and his long-term prognosis is uncertain.
In a season where little has gone their way, this is perhaps the biggest blow Baltimore (3-7) could have suffered.
"It's tough," Flacco said. "I don't think it's totally set in yet, but it's the nature of the game, man. Stuff like this happens. You just have to stand tall and get through it."
Upshaw hit Rams quarterback Case Keenum from the blind side, and the ball was recovered by defensive end Lawrence Guy at the Saint Louis 41. Baltimore kept the ball on the ground until the attempt by Tucker, who had just missed a 51-yard attempt on the previous drive.
Flacco overcame a pair of costly interceptions, orchestrating three fourth-quarter scoring drives. He was 27 of 44 for 299 yards and a touchdown. Backup Matt Schaub will start Monday night against the Cleveland Browns.
Forsett suffered a broken right arm when he got slammed to the turf by Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald late in the first quarter.
"Probably one of the hardest (losses) that I've been around since I have been here," said Rams coach Jeff Fisher, whose team fell to 4-6.
What we learned about the Ravens:
1. Season-ending injuries to both Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Justin Forsett just added further misery to the season. Flacco could have a torn ACL and MCL, which will also jeopardize his off-season workouts and he might not even be ready for the start of next season. Forsett has a broken arm and his long-term prognosis is uncertain. In a season where little has gone the Ravens' way, this is perhaps the biggest blow Baltimore could have suffered. "Obviously, it's tremendously disappointing for those guys," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We'll be fine as a football team. We'll bounce back. That's what you do." Flacco has not missed a game over his eight-year career. Backup quarterback Matt Schaub, who has not played a snap this season, will take over as the starting quarterback. At 3-7, the Ravens were eventually going to have to set their sights on 2016. Now, even winning next season could be a challenge. "It's tough," Flacco said. "I don't think it's totally set in yet, but it's the nature of the game, man. Stuff like this happens. You just have to stand tall and get through it."
2. The Ravens simply have been too undisciplined on defense this season. The Ravens managed the 16-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams despite committing 10 penalties for 137 yards. A 49-yard pass interference penalty by Baltimore cornerback Jimmy Smith set up the Rams' first touchdown. Then, in the second quarter, the Ravens appeared to force a crucial punt, but linebacker Elvis Dumervil was called for roughing the passer to extend the drive. Special teams also was sloppy, with Terrence Brooks earning a 15-yard personal foul penalty for hitting punt returner Tavon Austin when he was already out of bounds. This would have been an area where coach John Harbaugh would have been pressed for answers this week. But with the injuries mounting, he will simply have to focus on fielding a competitive team heading into a Monday night game with the Browns next week.
3. Baltimore offensive coordinator Marc Trestman is determined to get the running game going after the running-backs unit has had limited carries this season. The Rams entered the game allowing 109.4 yards per game on the ground and Baltimore needed to take advantage. Starter Justin Forsett set the tone early with a couple of runs for first downs in the opening quarter before suffering a season-ending broken right arm when he got slammed to the ground by Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald for a 5-yard loss. Rookie Buck Allen will now take over as the primary back. Allen has shown he can be effective. He finished with 67 yards on 22 carries. "Buck Allen, he played like a pro," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "He played like a top-caliber NFL running back." With Forsett out, Terrance West, who was picked up after getting cut by the Titans, will likely get some opportunities. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk could also be asked to take on a bigger role.
Etc.:
--QB Joe Flacco is out for the year with a knee injury. Flacco could have a torn ACL and MCL, which will also jeopardize the start of next season. Flacco overcame a pair of costly interceptions, orchestrating three fourth-quarter scoring drives. Flacco was 27 of 44 for 299 yards and a touchdown in his final game in 2015. Flacco said he will wait for the swelling to go down before he undergoes surgery. "We haven't taken any pictures yet," Flacco said.
--RB Justin Forsett suffered a broken right arm Sunday against the St. Louis Rams and is out for the year. Forsett was injured when he got slammed to the ground by Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald for a 5-yard loss late in the first quarter. Forsett left the field in an air cast.
--LG Kelechi Osemele (knee) was inactive after missing practice earlier in the week, ending a streak of 20 consecutive starts. Ryan Jensen got his first career start in his place against the Rams. Jensen had a critical tripping penalty in the first quarter that nullified a first down and the Ravens were eventually forced to punt.
--OT Eugene Monroe left the game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury and did not return. James Hurst took over for him. Monroe has battled injuries throughout the season. His status for the Monday night game in Cleveland is uncertain.
--C John Urschel, a second-year lineman, made his first career start at the position in place of Jeremy Zuttah, who was placed on the IR this week with a torn pectoral muscle. "It felt good starting out and I got into a groove," Urschel said. "I kept that groove going the rest of the game."
--FS Terrence Brooks was active for first time since Oct. 11. Brooks has battled a hand injury. Last year, Brooks' season ended in Week 11 with a knee injury.
--RB Terrance West was promoted from the Ravens practice squad Wednesday but was inactive against the Rams. West, who played at nearby Towson University, was selected last year by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the NFL Draft. He was then traded to the Tennessee Titans at the end of this year's training camp for a seventh round pick. He was cut by the Titans last week after appearing in two games. With the season-ending injury to Justin Forsett, West could be activated to play against his former team, the Browns, on Monday night.
--DE Brent Urban (biceps) was not activated against the St. Louis Rams. Urban was moved to the 53-man roster from injured reserve -- designated to return last week. However, the Ravens decided Urban needs more practice time to get acclimated after missing so much time.
--WR Chris Givens was looking to make an impression going against his former team. Givens, who was acquired by the Ravens in Oct. 3 for a seventh-round pick, led the Rams with 698 yards receiving in 2012. He had two catches for 25 yards.
--WR Jeremy Butler was active for the second straight game for the Ravens. Butler caught four passes for 45 yards.
--OLB Elvis Dumervil had a careless penalty for the second straight game. In the second quarter, the Ravens appeared to force a crucial punt, but Dumervil was called for roughing the passer to extend the drive. He had just three tackles.
