Ravens are coming off a 4th quarter collapse and losing to a QB that is a card carrying member of the AARP (American Association for Retired People). This week, the Purple Birds are facing one of the most dynamic young QB's the NFL has ever seen. Oh, this guy, RG3, has his team on a 3 game winning streak.
The offense for the Skins is clicking. Their running game is amongst the best (5.7 yard/carry at home) in the league despite an offensive line that seems mediocre at best.. This is bad news for the Ravens who are near the bottom of the league against the run and struggles at times against the air attack. This Ravens defense had no chance of stopping the Steelers in the 4th quarter last week. You saw Pittsburgh methodically move the ball down field, and there was nothing that could be done about it. This week, let's take Suggs back out of the line-up and Ellerbie is also hurt. The Ravens LB crew will be thin to say the least.
Offensively, Flacco is Jekyll or Hyde. He either looks special or he looks "special". This week, the Skins defense should prove VERY favorable to Joe and the Ravens offense. They put little pressure on the QB and the Skins secondary is horrible. The Skins are decent against the run but I look for a huge day offensively for the Ravens.
Both teams have averaged on the short end of stick in time of possession most of the season.
This may be a road game for the Ravens, but it will have a home town feels as Fed Ex field is only 20 miles from M&T stadium. I do not expect the usually 'road drag" that plagues Baltimore in non-divisional road games.
Here is what I feel pretty strong about. 1) The Ravens will score points and rack up big yards. Flacco will have a big day. 2) The skins will run the ball down the Ravens throats and then exploit the pass when the Ravens have to put 8 up front to stop them. The light rain forecast will actually aid the offenses as it will hinder the reactions of the defenses on a soft Fed Ex grass field.
The Ravens had a secret weapon in practice this week. 3rd string QB Dennis Dixon, the former Steeler. The same Dennis Dixon who ran the triple option at Oregon in college. Dixon ran the practice squad offense against the Ravens defensive starters. It gave the defense invaluable practice against the type of option that RG3 runs. This is something most NFL teams simply are unable to simulate in practice.
The game could come down to who makes the big play, turnovers, special teams and penalties. I believe this game comes down to the team with the biggest heart and the most gas in the tank. The Skins have just played 3 consecutive division games and won all 3, including this past Monday night's come from behind win. I know this is the cross town rival, but there has to be a bit of a letdown for the Skins this week. The way to beat the Skins is to out score them. The Ravens can do just that.
Here is the one stat that I simply cannot go against. The Ravens are 15-0 in their last 15 games after a loss! That is an amazing streak. That tells the tale of the coaching and the heart of this team and I am willing to put my Ravens streak on the line with The Ravens Streak.
Prediction: Baltimore 31 Washington 24
Play: Baltimore +2.5
Record in Ravens Plays: 12-0 **GOING FOR LUCKY 13 IN A ROW***
Side/Prop Bets (not counting in record/ very small plays)
- Game Total OVER 47.5
- Flacco OVER passing Yards
- Ravens Team Total Over 22.5
- Washington OVER rushing Yards
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