No surprises against the Raiders last week.  We ran the ball down their throats and controlled the clock.  Lamar throw two tipped ball interceptions.  We started a backup on the Offensive line.  Defense gave up an opening drive touchdown, definitely no surprise there, we always seem to do that.   We held the Raiders to only sixty seven yards rushing.  Okay, so we beat up on a lousy Raiders team, does that really mean much?  You beat your sweet ass it does!  We are a completely different team with Lamar at the helm of the offense.   Gus Edwards ran for one hundred plus yards for the second week in a row. I would like to declare I am official hopping on the Gus Bus.  We scored points in each of the four quarters.  This offense just has a different aura about it and it is not going unnoticed around the league.  We are showing up on some of the national sports shows- even Vegas has us favored on the road against the Falcons.  This is getting exciting!

The big Ravens news of the day is Joe Flacco had a light practice today.  But Lamar is the probable starter for Sunday.

The Ravens take the Lamar show on the road to Atlanta this week.  With the competition stepping up several notches this week, the Ravens will need to pack their “A” game to play against the Matt Ryan led Falcons. The Falcons have a much better offense than our recent couple of games but their defense is the weak link, they can’t stop the run.  Okay say it with me,  “AAAAAL ABOARD THE GUS BUS”.  With Lamar at QB the Falcons defense can’t stack the box to stop the run they will need to put a spy on Lamar and dedicate two ends to try and contain him.  So we control the clock to keep Matt Ryan off the field it’s a very simple game.

I’m fired up!  I can’t wait to see this game.

GO RAVENS!!!

Thursday 8:00

Cowboys over Saints 13-10
Rooting for the home team and to keep the NFC East playoff race interesting.

Sunday

1:00

RAVENS over Falcons
I still remember the last time we played the Falcons.  The game was in Atlanta on a Thursday night, three years ago.  I was in a Ocean City bar with a bunch of old friends from grade school on our annual reunion trip.  The whole bar was jacked up and excited to watch the Ravens beat the Falcons on National TV only to have Matt Ryan ruin the night with a last minute score to win the game by one point.  Despite the Ravens losing  we had a spectacular weekend and the golf was great.  I have a Ocean City golf story to tell, if you want to hear it just ask me the next time you see me and I would be happy to tell you.

Back to the present and the game at hand.  The last two weeks we have played the worst and second worst defenses in the league.  So I am happy to tell you the Falcons defense isn’t much better they are ranked 28th .  Lamar and company should have no problem doing what they did the last two weeks, run the ball down their throats and spread the field with long passes.  For the defense it’s another story.  The Falcons have the potential to put up big numbers.  As much as Matt Ryan gets praised that he is having an MVP year he is all show and no go.  The Falcons tend to rack up big yards between the twenties but can’t do what’s most important, score points and they won’t score points on our number one defense.  Look for the Ravens offense to control the ball and our defense to shut down Matt Ryan.   A little revenge for that Thursday night in Ocean City.

GO RAVENS!!!     

Texans over Browns
The home team Texans are going to rip the Browns apart in all aspects of the game.  And a side note, Baker Mayfield is a jerk.   The way he treated Hue Jackson was not very classy, but what can you expect from a guy who, while in college, was a huge jerk.

Broncos over Bengals
Bengals QB Andy Dalton is injured and out for the rest of the season. They have no chance without him.

Buccaneers over Panthers
Both NFC teams, rooting for the home team

Bears over Giants
Put a fork in the Giants because they are done.

Bills over Dolphins
The Dolphins are only one game behind the Ravens.

Jaguars over the Colts
The Colts have the same record as the Ravens.

Rams over the Lions
Rooting for the NFC Lions to get a high pick in the draft.

Packers over Cardinals
The Cardinals have beaten the Packers in the last three meetings of these teams.  But not this year-the Packers at 4-6-1 are playing for their playoff lives.

4:00

Raiders over Chiefs
This will never and I say never happen but we just don’t want the AFC Raiders to get a high draft pick.

Jets over Titans
Again it’s all about the draft for AFC teams and the Titans are only one game behind the Ravens.

Seahawks over 49ers
Both NFC teams and the 49ers could be on the clock hoping to keep the number one draft pick in the NFC.

Vikings over Patriots
Enough said.

Sunday Night 8:00

Chargers over Steelers
With the Steelers losing last week we still have a chance to win our division.

Monday Night 8:00

Redskins over Eagles
Even though we have been rooting for the Eagles this season I am picking the Redskins in memory of a true Redskin fan and avid reader of The view from 151 who passed away this week.  I am sure the view of the field from heaven is much better than section 151 and the beer much colder.  I want to raise a glass to my cousin Brian.

Enjoy the games with the ones you love.  Life is too short not to watch football.

And that’s just the melancholy View from 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

Tis the season to be rooting for the Ravens!