I will make my second NFL play this week (first one was Pitt over Balt).
TN +7 -127
I do not think the Ravens should favored by a TD over any decent team right now. Sure, there is some motivation after losing to them in the playoffs last year, but this team as some serious issues. I think we are also seeing a little over reaction to TN's loss last week.
On offense, they have a unit that can not pass the ball. Teams know this and defenses have adjusted against them. They know their WRs can not get open so they load up against the run. Matt Skura, their center, has been terrible. Not only with snap mistakes but he is getting pushed all over the field. They made a serious mistake trading Hayden Hurst in the offseason which took away their 3 TE sets that were very successful last year. Now, Boyle, their highly paid and very popular blocking TE, is out for the rest of the season, which is a bigger deal than most think. All of this limits this offense no matter who they are playing.
On defense, they still have issues stopping the run. The Titans ran all over them last year and the Ravens reacted by drafting two inside LBs, Queen and Harrison. I can guarantee that TN watched the NWE game and witnessed these two LBs getting pushed all over the field. They were making tackles 8-10 yards down the field. They have trouble shedding blocks and the interior lineman are not keeping the OL off of them. I expect TN to be able to run the ball all over them again which also opens up the passing game, which is precisely why they lost last year.
I also firmly believe coaching matters and the Sunday night game certainly proved that belief. You saw a team with less talent have a great game plan and beat the better team that was not prepared to play. The Ravens coaches have made a series of errors that have hampered this team. Greg Roman, the OC, has done a terrible, terrible job this year. You can only place so much blame on the WRs and OL. At some point, the coordinators need to adjust to the talent they have and Baltimore does not do this. They have turned an MVP QB into a run of the mill player on a below average offense. Harbaugh lets his coordinators do what they want but he needs to step in and force some changes to be made.
This team makes costly mistakes and lacks leadership and focus. Everyone keeps waiting for Jackson and this team to wake up and play to their potential, but they have not done that yet at all this year. Is it possible they wake up this week? Sure, but until they do, my money continues to be against them and I will gladly take a TD.
TN +7 -127
I do not think the Ravens should favored by a TD over any decent team right now. Sure, there is some motivation after losing to them in the playoffs last year, but this team as some serious issues. I think we are also seeing a little over reaction to TN's loss last week.
On offense, they have a unit that can not pass the ball. Teams know this and defenses have adjusted against them. They know their WRs can not get open so they load up against the run. Matt Skura, their center, has been terrible. Not only with snap mistakes but he is getting pushed all over the field. They made a serious mistake trading Hayden Hurst in the offseason which took away their 3 TE sets that were very successful last year. Now, Boyle, their highly paid and very popular blocking TE, is out for the rest of the season, which is a bigger deal than most think. All of this limits this offense no matter who they are playing.
On defense, they still have issues stopping the run. The Titans ran all over them last year and the Ravens reacted by drafting two inside LBs, Queen and Harrison. I can guarantee that TN watched the NWE game and witnessed these two LBs getting pushed all over the field. They were making tackles 8-10 yards down the field. They have trouble shedding blocks and the interior lineman are not keeping the OL off of them. I expect TN to be able to run the ball all over them again which also opens up the passing game, which is precisely why they lost last year.
I also firmly believe coaching matters and the Sunday night game certainly proved that belief. You saw a team with less talent have a great game plan and beat the better team that was not prepared to play. The Ravens coaches have made a series of errors that have hampered this team. Greg Roman, the OC, has done a terrible, terrible job this year. You can only place so much blame on the WRs and OL. At some point, the coordinators need to adjust to the talent they have and Baltimore does not do this. They have turned an MVP QB into a run of the mill player on a below average offense. Harbaugh lets his coordinators do what they want but he needs to step in and force some changes to be made.
This team makes costly mistakes and lacks leadership and focus. Everyone keeps waiting for Jackson and this team to wake up and play to their potential, but they have not done that yet at all this year. Is it possible they wake up this week? Sure, but until they do, my money continues to be against them and I will gladly take a TD.
