January 4, 2019

Man, I am getting too old for this stuff.  Another heart exploding end to the game with the season and a playoff appearance in the balance. The Steelers had just beaten the Bengals but didn’t leave the field so they could watch end of the Ravens game on the stadium Jumbotron.  We lose and the Steelers are the AFC north Champs.  The Ravens are leading by two points in the last minutes of the game.  Lamar and the offense are on the field and can’t get a first down.  NOOOOOOOO, not again!  All we needed to do is get a first down and run the clock out to win the game.  So after the Ravens three and out we punt the ball back to the Browns and rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, who doesn’t look like a rookie when he throws two long toe tapping diving passes setting the Browns up just out of field goal range.  Mayfield has a first down and three shots to set up the game winning field goal.  First down, second down, third down passes fall to the dirt incomplete, leaving the Browns with 4th and 10 still just out of field goal range to win the game.  The fans at M&T were crazy-ear-ringing loud.  On fourth down Mayfield takes the snap, fades back, and releases the ball looking for a first down within field goal range to win the game.  CJ Mosley fades into coverage after faking to rush the quarterback, Mayfield throws the ball directly into the hands of Mosley for a interception.  That place went wild, our defense has done something we couldn’t do in the past two years, stop the other team to win the game.  The game ends with Lamar taking a knee in victory formation.  We have won the game!  I was exhausted and didn’t know if I had the strength to walk back to the car.  All I wanted to do is lay down in the stadium and just soak in what has just happened.  The Ravens are the AFC North Champs and heading to the Playoffs!  Oh, and by the way, the Steelers are out of the playoffs and will be watching the Ravens this week from their couches.  Life is good!

This week is a rematch with Philip Rivers and the Chargers, but it’s in Baltimore this time.  With several story lines about the game, I don’t know where to start.

Lamar is the youngest quarterback ever to start a playoff game he will turn twenty two on Monday January 7th which is also my birthday.  So here’s to both Lamar and me having a happy birthday.

The Chargers are the first team to play the Lamar led  Ravens a second time.  Does this give the Chargers an advantage?  Not as far as I’m concerned.  I say no matter how many times a team has played us the Ravens are going to do what we do best, run the ball, control the clock, and play number one ranked defense and the Chargers won’t be able to do anything about it.

Can Lamar the rookie quarterback win a playoff game?  Just look at the game he plays and listen to the interviews he gives this guy is excited to be in this position and ready to play.   He’s talking about sweet potato pie and tasting victory.  Remember Lamar  doesn’t play by himself  he has a team around him who has been playing the best football we have seen since the 2012 season and you know where we ended up that year.

The Chargers are traveling to the East Coast.  If you look at the win/loss record of teams traveling from  West Coast to East Coast,  it all depends on what teams are playing.  It comes down to the good teams beat the bad teams most of the time and it doesn’t matter who travels where.   So what happens when both teams are good?  I give it to the home team.  M&T Bank stadium will be rocking on Sunday at 1:00.  There truly is a home field advantage in football.

Phillip Rivers has not played well in the last two games, is he playing hurt?  After playing the Ravens two weeks ago I wouldn’t doubt Rivers is playing hurt with the number times we hit him.  Also Rivers is thirty seven years old and has played fifteen seasons. He can’t scramble around the way he use to, he is taking more hits now.  So is he playing hurt?  He could be.

I could go on and on about this game but the bottom line is the Ravens are a better team and will win on Sunday.

GO RAVENS!!!

It’s been to long since I scouted playoff games because I only do it when the Ravens are playing.  I don’t preview the playoffs like I do the regular season.  In the playoffs anything can happen and any team could win or lose.  So, my playoffs game picks are still who we want to win but, they very well could win to help the Ravens.  So the holidays have passed and the New Year has begun. If you have any money left to wager on the games you have my blessing.

Saturday 4:35

Colts at Texans AFC Wildcard
The Colts are coming into this game hot, winning their last four games including beating the Texans in week fourteen.
MY PICK: Colts over Texans

Saturday 8:15

Seahawks at Cowboys NFC Wildcard
Both teams have played well down the stretch but also can be inconsistent.  So, it could come down to home field advantage.
MY PICK: Cowboys over Seahawks

Sunday 1:00

Chargers at Ravens AFC Wildcard
In a rematch what can change?  It’s all the same players although the Chargers may have a tight end playing this week that has not played all season and you know what tight ends can do against us.  This game will be won and or lost by how the coaches game plan.  During a game we look for halftime adjustments, well just think of the last two weeks as a very long halftime.  While the Charges head coach Anthony Lynn has the Chargers playing very well with a 12-4 record my money is on the Ravens coaching staff.  John Harbaugh, Marty Mornhinweg, Don “Wink” Martindale, and Jerry Rosburg have done a tremendous job this season.  Going into our bye, week 10 we were 4-5 and had no clue Joe was hurt and Lamar would need to take over and take over he did going 6-1 to finish the season.  You don’t do that without great coaches.  I don’t know what this game will bring but I do know the Ravens will be ready to play and beat the Chargers.
MY PICK: Ravens over Chargers

GO RAVENS!!!

Sunday 4:40
Eagles at Bears NFC Wildcard
We have been rooting for the Eagles all season in thanks for the beat-down they put on the Patriots in the Super Bowl.  It’s been a tough season for the Eagles and they find themselves in familiar territory with QB Carson Wentz out for the season and QB Nick Foles starting in the playoffs.  The Bears third ranked defense in Chicago will be to much for the Eagles and the Eagles championship reign will end.  Thanks Eagles.
MY PICK: Bears over Eagles

Enjoy the games with a bandwagoner who has just jumped on the Ravens wagon,  knowing deep down we have been on the wagon all season.

Thinking of our dedicated readers Mary Ellen and Marian.

Lets hope Lamar has a happy birthday and his candles will be in a sweet potato pie.

And that’s just The View from 151

GO RAVENS!!!