Favre, Vikings soar, then they hang on

Flacco helps Ravens erase 17-point deficit with 10 minutes to play

MINNEAPOLIS -- As Steve Hauschka's potential game-winning kick sailed wide left, nearly all of the Baltimore 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 Cincinnati. Then, Sunday before a deafening 63,689 at the Metrodome, it was their special teams that flopped.

Hauschka missed his first chance to win a game since replacing Matt Stover this year, hooking the 44-yarder a couple 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. 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 yards rushing, the first time the Ravens have allowed 100-yard rushers in consecutive weeks since 2005.

The secondary continues to struggle. Fabian Washington was benched. Frank Walker was called for two critical pass interference penalties in the fourth quarter.

Failing to win close games has become a nagging problem for the Ravens. Under Coach John Harbaugh, they are 2-6 (including playoffs) in games decided by six points or less.

"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 a heart of a lion. That's what they are. That doesn't make it okay not to finish the game. That doesn't make it okay to play the way we played in some stretches. But it's the key element. We can stand on that foundation."

Down 27-10 with 10 minutes left in the game, the Ravens' offense stormed back with Ray Rice's big plays and Joe Flacco's courage.

Staring down pressure in the pocket all game, Flacco hit a leaping Mark Clayton for a 32-yard touchdown, which came against backup cornerback Karl Paymah (starter Antoine Winfield was injured in the second quarter).

After a short pass to Rice turned into a 63-yard gain, Flacco hit Derrick Mason with a quick pass that turned into a 12-yard touchdown. And Rice's 33-yard dash -- which featured him high-stepping into the end zone -- gave the Ravens their first lead at 31-30 with 3 minutes 37 seconds left in the game.

The Ravens' adulation was short-lived because of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre (278 yards passing and three touchdowns) and wide receiver Sidney Rice (six catches for 176 yards).

Two plays after Rice's go-ahead touchdown, Favre completed a 58-yard pass to Rice, setting up a Ryan Longwell 31-yard field goal that gave the lead back to Minnesota at 33-31.