Things look mighty grim here in Baltimore. The Ravens have lost 2 in a row for the first time in 58 games and if not for a 4th and 29 Ray Rice magic trick, the streak would be 3 losses in a row.
The Ravens defense was weak at full strength. Now subtract Ray, Sizzle, Jimmy Smith, McClain, Lardarius Webb, and McPhee. Then let's injure Pollard, Arthur Jones, Ngata, and Bernard Pierce. That is 91% of the starting defense!!! By the way, Peyton Manning is coming to town having won 8 in a row this week.
The offense is slumping. Joe Flacco has been in a rut. The O-line is not opening up holes for Rice and Flacco has been erratic in the pocket as a result. One could say that Michael Oher has single handedly cost the Ravens the past 2 games, allowing an untouched defensive end to strip the ball away from his QB. It could have been 3 games in a row, but Oher fell on the fumble in San Diego.
With all that being said, the Ravens were in position to win both of the past 2 games. The Redskins, to their credit, made back to back to back great plays to come from behind and win in OT. 2 weeks ago, a 38 year old QB led the Steelers from behind late in the game. These 2 losses were by no means blow outs. The Ravens could have won either or both games.
Denver and Payton Manning have won 8 in a row and are on an absolute roll. Looking at this game on paper, the Broncos should roll. Peyton should put up over 400 yards in the Air, 150+ on the ground and the defense should keep Flacco and Rice in check. However, let's look at this from another perspective.
Of the 8 Bronco wins in a row, 1 was against a winning team, Tampa Bay, who by the way is no longer a winning team. In fact at game time, the Broncos have played only 4 winning teams all year. They are 1-3. Reduce that to probable playoff teams and they are 0-3.
The Ravens are still 15-1 their last 16 home games. They are 2-1 against probable playoff teams. Of their 4 losses, only the game against the Texans were they blown out (the week after they lost both Ray Lewis and L.Webb)
The Broncos are 3 point favorites at the Ravens. Over 80% of the public have wagered on the Broncos to win and cover. I don't think I have heard a single Baltimore media personality pick the Ravens to win this week and I am here to tell you they are all wrong.
The Ravens will bring their A+ effort to the game Sunday. 2 BIG reasons. Number 1, this is a MUST win for this team. They have lost 2 in a row, and they need 1 more win to clinch the division. If they do lose a 3rd in a row, their confidence may shatter to the point of non-recovery and risk not winning another game this year. Secondly, and most importantly, the team has received a wake up call. Cam Cameron getting fired sent a monumental jolt through that locker room. It has put the fear of God (or Steve Bushetti in this case), in the remaining coaching staff. (my source tells me Harbaugh was chewed up hard behind closed doors). I believe the attitude of the Ravens management was way too lackadaisical . "Yeah, we know that we are playing like shit, but we are winning, so why change anything. Things just seem to work itself out". Harbaugh and staff now have a crystal clear message that this attitude is unacceptable. Cameron lost his job because he was stubborn, inflexible and stale. My source told me Flacco flat out hated working for Cam. (ever had a job where you hated your boss?? it is miserable going to work). Flacco's body language has gotten progressively more and more depressing every week. After receiving the news, Joe just about did cartwheels in practice. The entire team feels as if a giant weight has been lifted, as if a cancer has been removed. Yes, John Harbaugh's personal buddy and friend Cam, was a MAJOR source of tension and conflict on this team (almost leading to a mutiny a couple weeks ago). Even Ray Rice was elated about the news. Bushetti and Ozzy finally insisted on implementing what Harbaugh was unwilling to do, get rid of Cam.
The Ravens will play harder and more inspired this week then we have seen in a longtime. These guys really want to go out and prove to everyone, that Cam needed to go. The Ravens are one of the hardest teams in the NFL to beat at home. They will be absolutely jacked up emotionally this week. Injuries or not, it will be a VERY tall task to beat this team at home this week. The Broncos have the division wrapped up, and even though they are playing for home field advantage, the Ravens need this game much more.
The Broncos are playing for a bye week. The Ravens are playing for their lives. I will take the desperate team at home where they rarely lose.
Prediction: Ravens 31 Broncos 27
Play: Ravens +3
*** The rest of my NFL picks will be posted by noon Sunday as I look forward to rebounding from my 2nd losing NFL week of the season. There are several plays I really like.***
