0 AND 2 IS NOT “THE END OF THE WORLD”

The team stayed in San Jose last week to give us a better chance of winning at least the second game of the West Coast road trip, but that didn’t happen so we are 0-2. Being 0-2 to start the season may not be the end of the world but the next two games are against the Bengals at home this week and the Steelers in Pittsburgh on the following Thursday night. We could be 0-4 and that would be the end of the world.

We need to fix the defense!!!

I watched last week’s Raiders game twice just to try and figure out what went wrong. We scored 33 points and put up almost 500 years on offense and we still lost the game. How did that happen? Well, as good as we looked on offense, we looked that bad on defense. We could not pressure the quarterback, gave up to many running yards on critical third downs, and the secondary missed way too many assignments. The Raiders had not only one receiver with over 100 yards but two, both Crabtree and the rookie Cooper had over 100 yards receiving. Without Suggs in the lineup we could not pressure the quarterback giving him too much time to throw the ball. As a result, our secondary could not cover the Raiders receivers, they had 10 different players catch a pass. We need to fix this FAST!!!

Harbaugh has some options. After Suggs went down we signed OLB Jason Babin to help the pass rush and traded next year’s 7th round draft pick to Miami for cornerback Will Davis to help the secondary. Will they help? Watch and see, look for a shake up on defense.

The Ravens finally play a home game but it’s against the Division leading Bengals and Marvin Lewis who always give us a tough game. The Bengals are 2-0 and we are 0-2 this is a MUST WIN GAME.We can’t go three games down. It all starts with the offensive and defensive lines for both teams. Joe and the offense will face a Bengals Dline that has played very well in their first two games. We may not get a lot of yards but we can run against this team and look for our tightends to have another good day. The Ravens offense will score enough points to win the game but will the defense give up more points? The Bengals have a great Oline allowing RB Bernard to run for 123 yards last week, but we have not given up a 100 yard rusher in 28 straight games. This week will make it 29 straight games we will stop the run. But can we stop Andy Dalton’s passing game with, WR AJ Green deep and TE Tyler Eifert across the middle?  We need to pressure Dalton to give the secondary some help. It didn’t happen last week but it will happen this week with the help of our 12th man. Baltimore GET LOUD!!!!
WEEK THREE RUNDOWN: Remember- this is what we want to happen to help the Ravens not necessarily what we think will happen. So don’t bet the farm on my picks.

Thursday night
8:25

Redskins over Giants
The Redskins had a secret meeting with the Pope while he visited Washington this week to thank God for last week’s win and to pray for their starting quarterback.

Sunday

1:00

RAVENS over Bengals
The Ravens need some home town love and the crowd at M&T will give it to them by getting loud on defense and lift the secondary to a victory. Did I see Todd Heap on the field last week? No, that was Crocket Gillmore. Man, he looked good and we will need another big game from him this week. GET LOUD BALTIMORE!!!!

Raiders over Browns
Our enemy last week, our friend this week. We are rooting for the Raiders to beat the Browns. Johnny Football is baaaaack on the bench, so no excitement in Cleveland on Sunday.

Rams over Steelers
The Steelers are putting up big numbers on offense but they are on the road this week in St Louis. The Rams defense will control this game.

Panthers over Saints
Both NFC teams so we are rooting for the home team. Drew Brees is hurt and Cam Newton is due for a big game at home.

Cowboys over Falcons
Tony Romo broke his collar bone last week and will be out six to eight weeks. Jerry Jones played the Pope this week and anointed their backup quarterback Brandon Weeden, the best QB in football. The Cowboys defense at home will take care of Matt Ryan and the Falcons.

Texans over Buccaneers
The Texans are at home with a 0-2 record while the Bucs have a 1-1 record.

Colts over Titans
Yes, a second week in a row we are rooting for the 0-2 Colts on the road to beat the 1-1 Titans. Andrew Luck has been a turnover machine so far this season with five interceptions and one fumble already this year.

Jaguars over Patriots
The Patriots are 2-0 with fully inflated balls. Man, I hate the Patriots. All they do is win.

Vikings over Chargers
NFC vs AFC. Rooting for the Vikings only because they are a NFC team playing an AFC team.

Eagles over Jets
NFC vs AFC The 0-2 Eagles and the Chip Kelly experiment will need a little divine intervention to beat the 2-0 Jets in New Jersey. The Pope will be in Philadelphia on Sunday (and so will my Daughter Molly). We know what the Eagle fans will be praying for.

4:05
Cardinals over 49ers
Both NFC so teams we are rooting for the home team. The 49ers don’t have Jim Harbaugh for us to root for any more. This should be a good divisional game.  Perhaps you could watch this one after the Ravens Beat the Bengals.

4:25
Dolphins over Bills
Both teams are 1-1 so we are rooting for the home team.

Seahawks over Bears.
Both NFC teams are 0-2 someone will get their first win. Rooting for the Seahawks at home and our special intention in Seattle.

Sunday Night
8:30

Lions over Broncos
NFC vs AFC, we are rooting for the home team Lions. We get to see Haloti Ngata squish Peyton Manning on Prime Time. We sure could use Haloti right now.

Monday Night
8:30

Packers over Chiefs
NFC vs AFC Looking for the Packers to go 3-0 and for Dan and MT who will be at the game. Don’t forget to wave, Dan!

And that’s just the view from 151

GO RAVENS!!!!!

Photo credit: Baltimore Ravens