MINNEAPOLIS -- As Steve Hauschka's potential game-winning kick sailed wide left, nearly all the Ravens on the sideline dropped their heads in unison, feeling another last-minute punch in the gut in a season that continues to veer off course.
The Ravens' frenetic 33-31 loss to the undefeated Minnesota Vikings marked their third straight defeat - and their third straight decided in the final 30 seconds of a game.
Their offense failed on the last drive in New England. Their defense fell apart in its last series against the Cincinnati Bengals. Then, Sunday, before a deafening 63,689 at the Metrodome, their special teams flopped.
Hauschka missed his first chance to win a game since replacing Matt Stover - who made 14 game-winning kicks in 19 NFL seasons - hooking the 44-yarder a couple of yards left of the upright to ruin one of the great comebacks in team history.
"It's definitely one I want back," Hauschka said. "I felt like I had a decent swing on it. Then, I looked up and there it was going left. It's a very humbling experience. You have to move on from it and make the next one.
"It's tough for me," he added. "I feel like I let them down. But there's a lot of plays in the game, and that's something I have to live with."
While Hauschka accepted the blame, this devastating defeat can easily be placed on a crumbling defense.
The run defense continues to miss tackles. Adrian Peterson overpowered and outran the front seven for 143 rushing yards, the first time the Ravens have allowed 100-yard rushers in consecutive weeks since 2005.
The secondary continues to struggle. Fabian Washington was benched ("I agree with them," he later said). Frank Walker was called for two critical pass-interference penalties in the fourth quarter.
"This game I take the punishment and put it on my back," Walker said. "I'm definitely sick and tired of" close games.
Failing to win close games has become a nagging problem for the Ravens. Under coach John Harbaugh, they are 2-6 (including the playoffs) in games decided by six points or fewer.
The Ravens now slide into their bye with a 3-3 record and trail the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals by one game in the AFC North.
"I couldn't be more proud of our team," Harbaugh said. "There are many things that we can and have to get better at. But the essential element is in place - our guys have the heart of a lion. That's what they are. That doesn't make it OK not to finish the game. That doesn't make it OK to play the way we played in some stretches. But it's the key element. We can stand on that foundation."
