Coffee Companion (10/1): your daily Ravens fix

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he’ll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too.

RUNNING IT BACK

The special teams unit has been close to special through four games. … The Ravens are in first place in the AFC North at the quarter pole, but there is still plenty for them to improve. … John Harbaugh said that Terrell Suggs will be back this season. … Ed Reed was fined for his illegal hit against the New England Patriots. … Billy Cundiff missed three field goals Sunday but he kicked the game-winner for the Washington Redskins.

RAVENS STUFF, BUT NOT FROM US

John Eisenberg said the Ravens overcame a losing blueprint in Thursday night’s win over the Cleveland Browns. … Teammates have helped Torrey Smith get through his personal tragedy. … Jamison Hensley defended Joe Flacco’s winning record as quarterback. … Flacco didn’t throw to his favorite target, tight end Dennis Pitta, often in the win over the Browns.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

The Kansas City Star thinks the Kansas City Chiefs need to fire everybody after a turnover-filled loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. … The fans are becoming angry and frustrated, too. … Coach Romeo Crennel has no idea what’s going on with his team. … It might be time for QB Matt Cassel to get the hook.

SHAMELESS PLUG(S) OF THE DAY

In case you missed it, I wore a bright-colored shirt for Friday’s installment of Right Back @ You, my weekly video mailbag.

AWAY FROM THE GRIDIRON

After sweeping the rival Boston Red Sox on Sunday, the Orioles clinched their first postseason appearance since 1997. … Jim Johnson got his 50th save, making him just the 10th player ever to reach that milestone. … Adam Jones was named the Most Valuable Oriole for a second straight year. … The team charter had to make an emergency landing Sunday night after smoke came out of an oven in the kitchen of the airplane, but everyone is fine.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Are you pulling for Billy Cundiff to have success elsewhere?