Key Takeaways from Ravens vs. Cardinals Monday Night Matchup

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was upset following his team's 26-18 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night. 

He had plenty of reasons to be unhappy. 

First, three massive decisions made by the referees went against the Ravens. Second, Baltimore had communication problems during the team's final offensive drive of the contest. Now, the Ravens are 1-6 and staring at a lost season that includes nine more games on the schedule. 

Harbaugh and his Ravens have seen better days. 

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Harbaugh's fight with the officials began during the team's first drive of the game. Baltimore was driving in enemy territory when offensive guard John Urschel reported himself as an eligible receiver before a play. Quarterback Joe Flacco connected with Urschel on a screen pass that landed the Ravens at the 7-yard line of the Cardinals. The play did not stand, however, because Urschel was flagged for illegal formation.

Just one problem:

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He very clearly reported https://t.co/507QRjZoIt

— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) October 27, 2015"

That baffling call not only moved the Ravens back but erased the momentum that the visitors had gained following a defensive stop and what had been a positive offensive drive. The Ravens had to settle for a field goal, potentially losing what could have been three or four additional points.

Harbaugh had a second reason to speak with the referees late in the second quarter. The Ravens were leading 10-7, and the Baltimore defense had just forced a three-and-out. Jeremy Ross fumbled the punt at the Arizona 25-yard line, however, and the Cardinals recovered and ultimately scored a touchdown. 

One can argue that the Cardinals never should have had possession in the first place. To untrained eyes watching the game on high-definition television, it appeared Ross was down before he lost possession of the football:

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Knee is down with possession. You decide. #Ravens #Cardinals pic.twitter.com/WbmoFhYWBU

— Justin Cook (@JustinD2S) October 27, 2015"

One of the weirdest plays of the National Football League season went against the Ravens in the third quarter. They had pulled down Arizona running back Chris Johnson after a short gain, completely stopping him after he had rolled over a Baltimore player without ever touching the ground. The veteran back never heard a whistle and continued down the field to the Baltimore 4-yard line. 

The play stood, and Arizona converted a field goal to go up 20-10. 

Despite all of this, the Ravens still had a chance to tie the game in the final two minutes. Flacco got to work in Baltimore territory following an Arizona punt, and he had the Ravens in striking distance with seconds left on the clock. The one-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player threw an interception in the end zone, though, and the Cardinals held on for the win.

Flacco probably could have used a bit more effort from his wide receiver on the play:

Little did fans at home know that the Ravens were not just battling the Cardinals in the closing minutes of the contest. Per ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley, Baltimore was also facing technological issues: 

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"We lost our phones, so [Flacco] couldn't hear Marc [Trestman], offensive coordinator," Harbaugh said. "I don't know why the phones were going out. They went out on that drive."

Baltimore marched 67 yards in the final two minutes, but Flacco acknowledged it was "too hectic out there." With the phones out, Trestman had to yell to Flacco from the sideline, and it took more time to get the right personnel grouping on the field.

"It was way too much communication going on for the amount of time we had left," Flacco said. "Guys were just confused -- and rightfully so."

Harbaugh said the Ravens were having problems with the communication system throughout the game, "but it got bad on the final drive."

"

Harbaugh was not the only member of the Ravens who was displeased with the referees following the loss to the Cardinals. Wide receiver and future Hall of Famer Steve Smith Sr., who is rarely shy about sharing his opinions, gave the refs a failing grade when speaking with reporters in the locker room:

An adage in sports is that refs don't win games or lose them. That's true to a point. The Ravens were victims of multiple questionable calls that changed the course of Monday's contest. It was yet another odd day in what has been a strange season for a club that won the Super Bowl in 2012. 

At 1-6, the season is essentially a lost cause for the Ravens. Baltimore would probably have to win eight of the team's final nine games to have even a hope of making the playoffs. The Ravens now face a grim reality that the time has already come for the team to begin planning past the following two months and the 2015 campaign. 

Maybe the Ravens will decide to deal Smith to a contender such as the Green Bay Packers or New England Patriots before the upcoming trade deadline. Perhaps Baltimore will unload other veterans and some salary-cap space while preparing for what will hopefully be a bright future. The so-called football gods are clearly not with the Ravens this fall. 

Watch highlights of Monday's game if you have any doubts about that.