The Ravens may be the most criticized 6-2 team in NFL history. If you listen to the calls that come in on the local sport talk shows, you would think that this is a 2-6 team. Flacco sucks, Cam Cameron is a moron, Rice doesn't get the pill enough, the defense is porous and so on. So, will the true Baltimore Raven team please stand up.
I said at the start of the year that this is a 10-6 team and I still believe that. They will be a playoff team, probably as a wild card. The Ravens have a hellatious schedule the 2nd half. Steelers twice, Giants, at San Diego, Dallas, at Cinn, at Washington and tomorrow at home vs. Oakland.
Do you know what NFL QB has the most career wins vs the Ravens? Not Rothesburger, Brady or Manning. Yep. Carson Palmer. 9-4 record with over 3200 yards. Both are easily #1 in their categories. So, what does this all mean for Sunday's match-up?
It means expect a heavy dose of Air-Palmer at M&T, especially with the absence of McFadden. The Raven pass defense is at the the bottom tier of the league. BUT.....The absence of a run game, even with McFaddon, makes them 1 dimensional. The reason the Ravens have been so poor against the pass is that they have to cheat so much to support the Swiss cheese defensive line on the run. Suggs back for his 3rd week helps a lot. Baltimore can key in on the passing game and not be overly concerned about the ground game. Also, Carson Palmer threw is arm off last week. 62 pass attempts..62!!! Yes he has a strong arm but that has got to take its toll on anyone.
Ravens have averaged 32+ points per game at home. They have won 15 in a row at home. I do not see the Raiders being the team to dethrone this streak, especially under these circumstances. Ravens will not have a pre-Steelers week let down. They all realize the importance of going into Pittsburgh 7-2. Ravens offense will have their way vs Oakland who has given up an average of 27 points on the road.
I look for Ray Rice to have his way and when he does, Flacco is at his best. Maybe not a blow out here, but a solid win and cover.
Ravens -7
Ravens 33 Raiders 20
Record on Ravens games: 8-0
