September 20, 2018

Suppressed memories that I didn’t want to talk about last week came exploding back in my head as the Bengals piled up a 21-0 lead against our Ravens, who came out just as flat as a team can be both on offense and defense.   Those suppressed memories were from previous seasons when the Ravens have just looked like a team on the way to winning the Super Bowl only to lose the Week Two games in as bad a fashion as a team can.  We just stand there with our mouths hanging open in disbelief of what we just witnessed.   In 2016 we won our first three games only to lose the next four.  In 2017 we win the first two games only to lose five of the next seven.  They say memory suppression is a defense mechanism, well we didn’t have any defense last week.  I could go on about looking on the bright side but there isn’t any.  Bottom line, WE LOST THE GAME!

So in the spirit of suppressing memories let’s forget about last week and move on to the Broncos this Sunday at M&T.

The Broncs are off to a 2-0 start.  The wins have not been pretty but as I always say I’ll take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day.  The Broncos offense did only what they needed to do while letting  their defense carry the load.  Denver’s defensive end Von Miller leads the league in sacks.  This is cause to sound the alarm since our starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley may not play on Sunday.   The Ravens offensive line look overwhelmed by the Bengals pass rush last week.  Bad news, Denver’s defense  is better than the Bengals.  So let’s hope the coaches used the couple extra days to prepare game planning for Von Miller and the Broncos pass rush.  We need to run the ball this week, something we have not done so far this season.  The big question mark starting the season was how well would the O-line perform-not so much week one but they struggled week two.  Again we need to run the ball this week to slow down the Broncs pass rush.  We have the offensive weapons to beat the Broncos but it’s all about the Ravens O-line.  I’m not so concerned about our defense.  Even though the Bengals torched them in the first half we made adjustments in the second half only allowing six points.  The largest adjustment was shifting the defensive play calling from the rookie linebacker Kenny Young to Eric Weddle.  Kenny Young was standing in after C J Mosley went down with an injury early in the first quarter, boy did we miss him.  I like the match up between the Broncos QB Case Keenum and their receivers against our secondary.  Keenum has 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.  Denver likes to run the ball and the Ravens love to stop the run. We have given up the second fewest yards in the NFL.  If C J Mosley doesn’t play, while he definitely will be missed, it wouldn’t be the end of the world.   We are playing at home and I see this as a win.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember,  my picks are who we want to win or lose not who we think will win or lose.  So, don’t crack open the piggy bank to bet on my picks.

Thursday Night, 8:20 PM
Jets over Browns
Not just because we want the Browns to lose, but I don’t want to miss the free beer riots.  If they win Thursday night I will be asleep and won’t get to see the mayhem live.

Sunday, 1:00 PM
RAVENS over Broncos
In weeks one and two the Ravens started out throwing the ball.  I don’t see this happening this week.  Look for a heavy dose of Alex Collins and Buck Allen running up the middle.  This will slow down Denver’s pass rush.   Eric Weddle will need to earn his pay this week,  he will take over the play calling in the absence of C J Mosley.  Keep watch on the inside linebacker position to see who the Ravens start in place of C J Mosley.  We can stop Denver’s running attack and put pressure on Case Keenum and cause him to throw a couple more of those interceptions he is so good at throwing. Denver’s defense is ranked 24th in the league.  As long as we contain Von Miller (which won’t be easy)  and the O-line give Joe time to throw the ball we will be fine.

GO RAVENS!!!

Saints over Falcons
Both NFC teams at 1-1.  Rooting against Matt Ryan.  I just don’t like to see him show up Joe.  They were in the same draft class and the media loves Matt Ryan and rags on Joe.  But who has the ring?

Redskins over Packers
We are picking our Washington friends / customers over our Green Bay friends.  Since our Washington customer help us keep the lights on and we need them to be happy.  The Redskins signed Beshad Perriman this week, that will surly make them better.

Eagles over Colts
NFC over AFC both at 1-1.  The Eagles are playing like they really do have a Super Bowl hangover.

Vikings over Bills
And the Bills are on the clock.  With the Browns with a tie it looks like the Bills will get the first pick in the draft.

Raiders over Dolphins
The Dolphins are 2-0 and the Raiders are 0-2, we are rooting against the Dolphins.

Panthers over Bengals
NFC over AFC and against a team in our division the AFC North.

Giants over Texans
NFC over AFC both teams are 0-2.

49ers over Chiefs
NFC over AFC the Chiefs are 2-0

4:00 PM

Rams over Chargers
NFC over AFC, interesting cross town match up as both teams are in Los Angeles.

Cowboys over Seahawks
Both NFC teams, how the mighty have fallen the Seahawks are 0-2 and look bad.

Cardinals over Bears
Both NFC teams rooting for the home team.  Sometimes we root for the home team since we know what it’s like to be the poor schmoe sitting in the stands who has spent a pocket full of money just to see their team lose.

Sunday Night, 8:00 PM
Lions over Patriots
Wouldn’t this be wonderful!  The lions are terrible and are 0-2.  I would just love to see them beat the Patriots and on prime time TV.  The Lions head coach was the Patriot defensive coordinator last season.

Monday Night, 8:00 PM
Buccaneers over Steelers
The Steelers are winless!  Man I love saying that.  The Steelers look more like Aluminum foil.  I love saying that too.  Their locker room is out of control and full of drama only two weeks into the season.  The Bucs are 2-0 and at home on Monday night. This could be worth staying up for just to see the Steelers lose.

Enjoy the games knowing the Steelers are in last place in the division!

And that’s just The View From 151

GO RAVENS!!!