WELL, YOU CAN’T SAY YOU WERE SURPRISED LAST WEEK.

As much as we were hoping for a win last week against Seattle, deep down you knew it was a long shot. What we all thought could happen did happen our first blowout lose. Losing by 29 points on top of all the Seahawk fans in our house. It was not easy to sit in our home stadium and hear the huge chant of SEA-HAWKS, SEA-HAWKS. I have not lived through something like that since the early days when the Steelers would come to town. Just think the Steelers come here next week, not looking forward to that, but that is exactly what we must do, look to the future.

Last week was not a pretty picture showing a lot of areas we must improve on. The secondary looked old and slow as the Seahawks receives ran by our defenders catching five touchdown passes. We started a QB that had only been with the team for two weeks. The pass rush was nonexistent giving Russell Wilson way too much time to throw the ball. Our Oline had Jimmy Clausen running for his life and our running backs not running at all. I could not believe when I looked at the game stats that we only ran for 28 yards. I knew it was bad but I didn’t think it was that bad. I could go on and on but I am going to stop there, I am getting too depressed.

So, if you didn’t know it I am sad to inform you the Ravens with a record of 4-9 have been eliminated from the playoff race. Very sad news I know, but just wait till next year. We will get better. Quoting John Harbaugh, “This week we start working for next year”. So, as Ravens fans what do we do? We get excited–excited about the future of our young players. How will they play the next three weeks against some very good teams fighting for a playoff spots? We play the Steelers next week. Did I just call them very good? No way! No matter how good they are, I will never admit it. We could be watching next year’s starters as rookies WR 83 Daniel Brown and WR 81 Kaelin Clay (who has done very well returning kicks this year) get more playing time or even start their first NFL game. We should be excited for and curious about our young players. Santa brought us an early present this week a new Quarterback in Ryan Mallett. I think he will wear number 7. I’m not sure, it’s not listed on the Ravens web site so if you see a guy you don’t recognize throwing the ball it might be Ryan Mallett. With no real match ups to watch against the…. oh yeah, we play the Chiefs this week and they probably will win. So look for the numbers you have not seen on the field before and see how they play because you could be looking at the Ravens future.

Enjoy the game for what it is, just a game and remember the real things in life are what we celebrate this Christmas week. As we gather with family and friends reflect on how blessed we are to be surrounded by the people who love us. And for living in a town with an NFL team.
GO Ravens!!!

WEEK FIFTEEN RUNDOWN: Remember this is what we want to happen to help the Ravens, not necessarily what we think will happen. Don’t bet the farm on my picks

Thursday Night
8:30
Rams beat the Buccaneers 31-23
Or should I say Mustard beat Ketchup. Did you see those uniforms? They were just awful! And just think, someone got paid a lot of money to design the uniforms. I would love to have a job like that where you get paid money to be so wrong.

Saturday Night
8:25
YES! Christmas comes early this year with football on Saturday
Cowboys over Jets
NFC vs. AFC
The Cowboys have the same record as we do 4-9 and still could win their division with three games to go, they are only two games back. The Jets at 8-5 are playing to keep the Wildcard stop they have.

Sunday
1:00
RAVENS over Chiefs
The Chiefs come to M&T with the other AFC Wildcard spot and they will be playing hard to keep it. Can I say I am sort of rooting for the Chiefs because if the Jets and Chiefs both win the Steelers stay one game out of the playoffs? So perhaps, I will not be too sad if we lose knowing we helped keep the Steelers out of the Playoffs. A Ravens win next week against the Steelers would not be too bad either.

Panthers over Giants
So, am I a closet band wagon Cam Newton fan? Maybe I am. Cam has his Panthers undefeated with a 13-0 record on his way to be the NFC MVP. You go, Cam!

Titans over Patriots
The Patriots have won their division and suddenly Tom Brady has an undisclosed illness and may not play this week. I know what that illness is– it’s called Toms not going to come out and play if he can’t have the toys he wants to play with. Since Gronk is not playing, Tom is not going to play either. Or maybe Tom is afraid of getting killed because this Oline is really bad and can’t protect him. So, let the backup QB come in and get killed while Tom rests up for the playoffs.

Redskins over Bills
NFC vs AFC
With the short holiday work week coming up, if the Redskins lose and get knocked out of their division leading spot, no one in DC will show up for work the whole week. I need purchase orders and checks signed to keep my guys busy through the holidays. Go Redskins!

Texans over Colts
Both teams are 6-7 and a loss this week would eliminate either team from the playoffs. Just rooting against the Colts! Sorry, Chuck, maybe your can be our D coordinator next year.

Jaguars over Falcons
The Falcons have been falling apart and at 6-7 are out of the playoffs. Isn’t that a shame?

Bears over Vikings
Both NFC teams
We are rooting against the Vikings, so they stay behind the Packer in the NFC North division.

Packers over Raiders
NFC vs AFC
Packers could win their division with a Packer win and a Vikings loss. GO PACK GO!!

4:05
Seahawks over Browns
Let’s see if Johnny football can score more than six points against Seattle’s defense. We wish a very Merry Christmas to our special intention in Seattle.

4:25
Bengals over 49ers… no 49ers over Bengals… NO, NO, NO, Bengals over 49ers
If the Bengals lose the Steelers could win our division and I just could not live with myself if I rooted against the Bengals.

Chargers over Dolphins
Both teams are out of the playoffs but the Charges at 3-10 have a better draft pick then we do so we want them to win at home. Remember we are looking toward next year.

Broncos over Steelers
Of course!! Looking for a early Christmas present by having the Steelers eliminated from the playoffs.

Sunday Night
8:30
Cardinals vs. Eagles you Pick’em
Both NFC teams looking for a playoff spot. This could be a good game to stay up and watch.

Monday Night
8:30
Saints over Lions
Both NFC teams with nothing to play for but next year. Rooting for the Lions who have a better draft pick than we do.

Enjoy the games and Happy Holidays

GO RAVENS!!!

And that’s just the View from 151