No Thursday night game this week, so am I ahead of schedule for getting this published.  Well, this was my opening line when I started writing two days ago.  Flash forward to the present you are now reading the late edition or should I say a very late edition of the View from 151.  And yet again the late edition is bringing you breaking news, the Ravens announced last night that John Harbaugh will be back next year and they are working on a contract extension.  I am glad to see John will be back but many will disagree.  I think having the head coach issue behind us means the team can focus on this season, beating the LA Chargers and getting to the playoffs.

We got one game closer to the playoff last week when we beat the Buccaneers at a rainy M&T Bank Stadium.  The Ravens used the  same winning formula with Lamar under center run the ball, dominate the time of possession and keep Jameis Winston off the field.  It wasn’t pretty including another Lamar –  Gus exchange fumble which needs to be cleaned up, but you know what I say I will take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day.

The Lamar show goes on the road to Los Angeles to face what will be it’s toughest challenge to date.  The Chargers are the most balanced team we will play all season, with Phillip Rivers at QB and the 8th ranked defense, the best defense Lamar has faced so far.   But the game plan doesn’t change this week with a run first clock burning approach. We just need to execute better because the Chargers defense is so much better.  This may be the most challenging test for the Lamar show. It also is the most important game he has played with it’s playoff implications.  This game is the perfect definition of a “must win game” and I refuse to discuss implications if we lose since we aren’t going to lose.  A win in LA will keep us in control of our playoff destiny.   I would love to say if we win we’re in but we would still need to win next week.  So only positive thoughts and the Ravens will win!

GO RAVENS!!!

Saturday

4:30

Redskins over Titans
I have no clue what quarterback the Redskins will dust off and drag out on the field but it would do us a great big favor if they beat the Titans to knock them a game behind the Ravens.

8:00

RAVENS over Chargers
Lamar in his first prime time game with the playoffs and the  entire season on the line.  No pressure Lamar, no pressure.  The Ravens run game has gone from being the 27th ranked to the 2nd ranked since Lamar has taken over.  The Ravens have returned to the run first offense, hard hitting defense, smash mouth football team that I love.  And we will go in LA and shove the ball right down the throats of the California pretty boy Chargers.  The Gus bus will have a great day running the ball, Lamar won’t turn the ball over and will have his best day passing the ball.  The Defense will have Phillip Rivers running for his life.  Look for the Ravens to win the turn over battle and Justin Tucker to kick the game winning field goal.  The only thing on my Christmas list is for a Ravens win in LA.  Come on Santa I’m counting on you.

GO RAVENS!!!   

Sunday

1:00

Cowboys over Buccaneers
The Cowboys let us down last week losing to the Colts 23-0.

Lions over Vikings
Both NFC teams and just don’t like the Vikings

Bills over Patriots
The Patriots couldn’t beat the Steelers last week, so they are dead to me! Here’s hoping the Bills lay an embarrassing beat down loss on the Patriots in New England sending their fans home with a big lump of Christmas coal.  I pronounce, from this day forward I refuse to mention the name of the team in New England since they are not worthy of me acknowledging them.

Giants over Colts
We need the Colts to lose.  There is a possibility of the Ravens not making the playoffs even if we win our remaining games.  I can’t go into the math since my fifth grade teacher Mrs. Friend didn’t teach that high level math.

Jaguars over Dolphins
This would knock the Dolphins out of the playoffs.

Panthers over Falcons
Even though Joe is riding the pine with the Ravens we still can’t root for Matt Ryan.  It’s the principle of the thing.

Bengals over Browns
We want the Browns out of the playoff hunt when we play them at M&T next week.  And I am growing real dislike for Baker Mayfield.  John Harbaugh still has a job with the Ravens. This could be Marvin Louis’s last season as head coach for the Bengals.

Jets over Packers
We usually root for the Packers but it’s all about how it helps the Ravens.

Texans over Eagles
The Texans losing is one of the calculations that would lead to the Ravens missing the playoffs even if we win out.  Sorry Eagles.

4:00

Rams over Cardinals
We want that first draft pick in the NFC

Bears over 49ers
Another draft pick game.

Saints over Steelers
This is killing me the fact we are 1/2 game behind the Steelers.  In football there isn’t suppose to be 1/2 games my brain is hurting.  Saints, I am warning you now if you lose this game you will be dead to me too!

Sunday Night 8:00

Seahawks over Chiefs
NFC over AFC

Monday 8:00

Raiders over Broncos
The nice part about this game is, it means nothing in the playoff picture.  So go about your Christmas Eve festivities and don’t even think twice about the meaningless game.

Enjoy the games with family and friends knowing there’s only basketball on Christmas day so you won’t get in trouble for wanting to watch a game during dinner.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!

And that’s just The View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!