IT’S STEELER WEEK!
Or should I say Steeler weekend due to my tardiness for getting this out.  Before I start on how we are going to beat up on the Steelers I need to reflect on last weeks win over the Broncos.

After spotting the Broncs 14 points in the first quarter our defense pitched a shutout for the remainder of the game.  They did this without starters CB Jimmy Smith, LB C J Mosley, and DT Michael Pierce.  The young guys are stepping up with the help of Eric Weddle calling the plays.  Stepping in for injured C J Mosley Rookie LB Kenny Young has done a great job leading the team in tackles last week.  Brandon Williams and the D-line held the Broncos leading rusher to only 53 yards and forced 6 consecutive three and outs.  Most importantly we did not back off the pressure late in the game not allowing Denver to score in the second half.  I wish I could say the same about the our offense after scoring 20 points in the first half not to mention an illegally blocked field goal attempt that would have added 3 more points we only scored seven in the third quarter and zero in the fourth.  The explanation was we were working on the run game.  My feeling is stomp them while you have them down.  We were passing all over them and they could not stop it.  We have receivers who can catch the ball.  You can look at the receptions we are making this year and say to yourself, “That one is dropped last year”.   In the first three games we have seen defenses stack seven or eight guys in the box to stop the run and they have but they can’t stop the pass.  SOOOO, throw the ball where they’re not and keep going unit Joe and the passing game gets the respect they deserve and wait for the box to open up allowing us to run the ball.   We also witnessed history last week our Ravens have a red zone touchdown percentage of 100% with 12 touchdowns in twelve trips to the red zone, this has never been done before in NFL history.  All in all another great Ravens win.

Speaking of winning if you didn’t already know we play the Steelers on prime time Sunday night  in the evil empire of Pittsburgh. (I forsee another groggy Monday morning)  Vegas has the Steelers favored by three points. This could not have been an easy spread to post.  Ben Roethlisberger and the  Steelers have been one of the NFL’s most inconsistent teams this year with a record of 1-1-1 and in last place of our division the AFC North.  Man I love saying that!  Nothing has changed, season after season you just can’t trust a word of what is said about the Steelers or what comes out of their locker room.  One thing I have heard that you can trust is the reason Le’Veon Bell is holding out and has not reported to Pittsburgh is he just dosen’t want to play against the Ravens #1 ranked defense.  Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense is ranked 3rd but they have not faced a defense ranked higher than 24th.  Ben is shaking in his boots knowing what our defense can do to him including a roughing the passer penalty or two. (I won’t have a problem with that) He knows all the young and new Ravens players aren’t true Ravens until they go into Pittsburgh and make a name for themselves.

This week is a must win for the Ravens we can’t lose two divisional games.  I am excited about our chances with our defense and much improved offense.  We can walk onto Heinz field and show the nation we are the biggest, baddest kid on the block.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember,  my picks are for the teams who can help the Ravens and not who we think will win.  So don’t beat the nacho money on my picks.

Many thanks to Dennis Pitta #88 for showing up at the Jimmy’s Famous Seafood Tailgate.

Thursday Night 8:00

Rams 38 over Vikings 31
You can take this one to the bank it’s my lock of the week!  Also, this is what we wanted.

Sunday 1:00

Jets over Jaguars
Jets will win on the road with their Rookie QB Sam Darnold.

Dolphins over Patriots
This is a tough pick since the Dolphins are 3-0 and the Patriots are 1-2.  Okay it’s not that hard to root against Tom Brady but we just can’t count them out this early in the season.

Eagles over Titans
We are Eagle fans this year for beating the Patriots in the Super Bowl.  The Titans need to be knocked down a peg or two as they are playing well this year.

Texans over Colts
Texans are 0-3 and need help, playing the Colts could be that help.

Packers over Bills
Aaron Rodgers is giving it the old college try playing with his injured knee, but the Packers are just not the same without him healthy.  This week could be the game to rest Rodgers against a lousy Bills team.  Can Clay Mathews make it 4 for 4 with another roughing the passer penalty?

Cowboys over Lions
Rooting for the home team. Cowboys Dak Presott and Ezekiel Elliot, who were the talk of the town last year, have definitely hit the sophomore slump.

Bears over Buccaneers
Rooting for the home team.  The Bucs are the true yin and yang team this season with their offense ranked 1st and their defense 31st.  Tough to win like that but they are 2-1.

Falcons over Bengals
We are best friends with Matt Ryan this week.

4:00

Cardinals over Seahawks
Cardinals looking for their first win but both teams are struggling this season so this could be ugly.

Raiders over Browns
Raiders also looking for their first win which is the only reason to watch this game.  Well,  if you think about it there is no reason to waste your time watching this game.

Giants over Saints
Rooting for the home team.  The Saints are a points scoring machine but their defense stinks so look for Eli Manning to have a big day.

49ers over Chargers
Both teams are 1-2 but we are rooting for the NFC over the AFC team.

8:00

RAVENS over Steelers
Where do I begin?  With the Steelers who are on a three game winning streak against the Ravens since that disastrous loss on Christmas night or how we have had the lead late in all three games and couldn’t keep the Steelers from scoring.  NOT this year we have weapons.  We have receivers who can hold on to the ball. We have a secondary who can cover the Steelers wide receivers including Antonio Brown.  We have Justin Tucker who is the only kicker in the league never to have missed a field goal in Heinz field. We have the number one defense in the NFL.  We have C J Mosley and Micheal Peirce back in the line up to make our number one defense even better.  Did I mention the Steelers defense is ranked 29th?  Look at this, how can we lose! I know this is a road game in Pittsburgh, but I’m serious -look at this-how can we lose?  This won’t be easy but, Trustin Tucker will be difference in this game.  He will remain perfect in Heinz Field.  Take my advice, no strenuous activity on Sunday leading up to the game because your going to need all your strength watching this game.

GO RAVENS!!!

Monday 8:00

Broncos over Chiefs
The Chiefs are 3-0 and we hold the tie breaker with the Broncos since we beat them last week.

Orioles note:
By the time the Ravens take the field Sunday night we may have seen the last time Buck Showalter and Adam Jones will wear a Orioles uniform.  I tip my hat farewell to two men who have done so much for Baltimore and to wish them well in the future.  Thanks for all you have done for us.

Enjoy the games and remember to pace yourself.

And that’s just The View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!