Ok, I am still fighting a serious Orioles hangover. 5 nail biting, gut wrenching games. At game 1, I got the privilege to catch pneumonia while waiting in a 165 minute rain delay in 51 degree weather. I got to witness the city's 1st home playoff win in 15 years in game 2. So, I thank my home team for our first exciting season since 1997....What a great year for a team expected to lose 100 games!! This still hurts just as bad as the Cundiff to end the Raven's Superbowl hopes last year
BACK TO THE RAVENS:
The blue print has been laid out on how to beat this Ravens team: Run, Run, Run. The defense had no answer on KC's Charles. Just a couple years ago, if someone ran for 100 yards against the Ravens, it would be a major headline. J.Charles ran for over 200 yards!!!!! Only because of horrific fumbles at the worse possible times, did the Ravens win that game.
Let's get real, the Raven's are a goal line fumble, a FG kick the went over the crossbars but a chin hair, and 1 terrible int throw from a rookie QB from being a 1-4 team!!!
The Cowboys, on paper, should bully and pound this Ravens team. BUTthey seem to have the same problem the Ravens have had,.....ONLY WORSE. An offensive coordinator that refuses to run the ball. We in Baltimore have seen more than once, Cam Cameron completely and inexplicably abandon the run at the 1st sign of difficulty. Bill Callahan seems to abandon the run after the 1st quarter, for no obvious reasons.
The recipe is there in black and white. The Ravens cannot stop RB Murray. The Cowboys will have their way on defense. The Ravens Offensive line cannot handle the pressure that will be dished out. The Cowboys corners are big and physical , which means if Flacco has less than 3.5 seconds to get rid of the ball (if he is lucky), his receivers will not be open...please see 2nd half vs Eagles. On paper, this is a Cowboy's day.
Off paper, on the field, the Ravens find a way to win, especially at home. Somehow, someway, the Ravens find a way to win. On the flip side, the Cowboys seem to find a way to lose, somehow, someway. IF the Cowboys stick to the run and GREATLY reduce Romo's opportunities, they WILL WIN. But, something tells me they won't. The Ravens know the run is coming and will throw 8 in the box to start. If Murray isn't averaging 5 yards a carry by the 7:00 mark of Qtr 1, then Callahan will likely, as usual, abandon the run and allow Romo to throw 45-50 times...and that spells trouble.
COWBOY'S, THIS IS YOUR GAME TO LOSE!!
PLAY: COWBOYS +3.5
Score Prediction: Ravens 24 Cowboys 23
