December 31, 2017

On the last day of the year society dictates we reflect on the year past to better ourselves in the coming year.  I say balderdash we can’t think about the past when your season could end today, today is the only day we can think about.  We win and we are in the playoffs.  Although we could get in if either the Titans or Bills lose.  We don’t want to back into the playoffs– we need to kick the door open and screaming like a Banshee telling the world we are the biggest baddest team on the block.  So no reflection today just living in the moment.

That being said I will not rehash last week only to say we won keeping our playoff hopes alive.

The Bengals come to our block this week with nothing to play for but pride and the possibility this could be Marvin Lewis’s last game as head coach of the team.  We can’t look past the emotion of this game for the Bengals and the talent they have on offense.  QB Andy Dalton and WR A J Green are the Bengals only hope.  So CB Marlon Humphery and the Ravens secondary will need to kick that door open and take charge of this game. Joe and the offense need to play a ball control game by running the ball with RB Alex Collins to keep the Bengals offense off the field and run the clock.  Not only to win the game but to speed the game up so the poor slobs sitting in the upper deck don’t freeze to death.  I am not saying this will rival the Green Bay Ice Bowl but for Baltimore it doesn’t get much colder than what it will be tonight.  So Raven fans try to stay warm and SCREAM LIKE A BANSHEE!

GO RAVENS!!!

JOE COOL

Disclaimer: Remember my pick are for who we want to win not who we think will win.  So start the New Year off right and don’t bet your long johns on my picks– you are going to need them.  Stay warm!

ALL GAMES THIS WEEK ON SUNDAY! All playoff potential games flexed to 4:25pm

1:00pm

Packers at Lions You pick’em
Just a pride game with no playoff hopes

Bears over Vikings
Just because we don’t like the Vikings who have clinked the NFC North

Texans at Colts you pick’em
The loser will be last in the AFC South.

Browns over Steelers
Wouldn’t it be a great way to end the year with the Browns beating the Steelers.  We don’t want the Steelers to have the AFC #1 seed.

Patriots over Jets
The Patriots have won the AFC East and are playing for the AFC #1 seed.

Redskins over Giants
The Redskins are playing for a some what respectable 8-8 season.

Eagles at Cowboys you pick’em
The Eagles have the NFC #1 seed rapped up and will rest players.  The Cowboys are playing for a 8-8 season.

4:25pm

RAVENS over Bengals
We win and we are in the Playoffs as the AFC #5 seed.  This will be one of the coldest games ever played at M&T.  So, as fans, we brave the cold to root for our team knowing some of us may not see 2018.  But that’s just what we do here in Baltimore.  The statistics may show we should win in a blow out, but the Bengals always play us tough and will make it a close game.  The cold will make it difficult to catch the ball, so look for a lot of Alex Collins and Buck Allen tonight.  The Wolf Pack Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, Morgan Cox, and the special teams will be the difference tonight.

GO RAVENS!!!

Jaguars over Titans
The Ravens make the playoffs with a Titans loss

Dolphins over Bills
The Ravens make the playoffs with a Bills loss.

Raiders over Chargers
The Chargers make the playoffs with a Titans or Bills loss.

Seahawks over Cardinals
The Seahawks need to win and get help for a playoff spot.  The Cardinals would love to be the spoiler.

Rams over 49ers
Rams are playing for the NFC #1 seed.

Panthers over Falcons
Matt Ryan and the Falcons will be out of the playoffs with a loss.

Broncos over Chiefs
We want the Chiefs to lose and get the AFC #4 seed so we play them next week in the Wildcard game.

Saints over Buccaneers
With a win the Saint clinch the NFC South,  it would be nice to see Drew Brees back in the playoffs.

Happy New Year everyone!

PS: My New Years resolution is to get this blog posted in a more timely manner, not 15 minutes before kick off.

Stay warm and enjoy the games with someone who keeps your soul warm.

And that’s just The View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!