I’ve only had 8 months (246 days if your counting because I sure have been) to get this written and I still can’t get it done on time! What is wrong with me? Well I guess part of it is I was not sure we would have football this year and I couldn’t bring myself to think about life without it.

It’s been a long strange road since our last meeting. We’ve had many new issues to ponder. Things have happened that nobody saw coming. With all that’s gone on since we faced off with the Titans (I don’t want to talk about it) I truly didn’t think we would have NFL football this season, but here we are IT’S GAME TIME! Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, men, and women of the NFL we get to sit back and enjoy a few hours of Ravens football this week against the Browns. A diversion from the real world is exactly what we need and I think the Ravens are ready to give it to us in a big way.

So let’s get this party started!

The Ravens have survived training camp with no serious injuries and no real surprises. We only have eleven new players three free agents, one trade brought in, and seven 2020 draft picks. So this means our sixteen year streak of having a undrafted free agent rookie make the 53 man roster is broken. Not having preseason games didn’t allow that player who may have stood out to catch the eyes of the coaches. But the Ravens do have several rookies on the practice squad thanks to the new rule of adding six more players for a total of sixteen. The new rule also allows up to two practice squad players to be moved up to the fifty three man roster each week to play. So pay attention who may come and go from the roster each week.

Just as a side note, another very important rule change to be aware of, is the yardage numbers have been moved 3 feet closer to the center of the field. This is what the rules committee spent their time on during the off season instead of bring back the pass interference review rule. They just couldn’t get anything done because nobody knew how to work their computer microphones during the Zoom meetings.

Excited does not describe how I feel about this 2020 Ravens team. We were good last year and we are even better this year with just a few key changes. We had trouble stopping the Titans run game in the playoffs (I don’t want to talk about it) so we went out and got defensive ends Calais Campbell in a trade with Jacksonville for a 2021 fifth round draft pick and Derek Wolfe in free-agency. We get CB Tavon Young back after missing last year with a neck injury. WR Hollywood Brown added 20 pounds of muscles. And that’s about it. Little change is a good thing especially after this crazy offseason with no OTAs, no mini camps, and no preseason games having very little change in the rooster and the coaching staff means we can pick up were we left off from last year’s regular season ( I don’t want to talk about the playoffs) with a twelve game winning streak.

GO RAVENS!!!

We open the season at home against the Cleveland Brown the last team to beat us in the regular season (and you know what to fill in here). The Ravens new look defensive line will be tested Sunday by the Browns Running Backs Nick Chudd and Kareen Hunt two dynamic runners who the Browns are depending on to ease the pressure off of Baker Mayfield. If the Browns can run the ball against the Ravens (never happen) it could open up the passing game with wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry who could test our secondary that saw Pro Bowler Earl Thomas get cut just three weeks ago.

When it comes to the Ravens offense I am going to cut and paste a sentence that I have used for the last four seasons “The only questions we have on offense are the O line and wide receivers.” Year after year we start the season with questions about the offensive line and wide receivers and year after year they do fine. And we have reigning MVP Lamar Jackson enough said.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember my picks are who we want to win to help the Ravens not who we think will win. So don’t bet your face mask money on my picks.

Thursday Night 8:00

Chiefs over Texans 34-20
You can take this pick to the bank so bet the mortgage on this one.
This was a great preview of our next two opponents. The Texans are still not quit there yet and the Chiefs are still there as good as ever.

Sunday 1:00

RAVENS Over Browns
After all the hype about the Browns last year we have not herd much from or about Cleveland this year. With all the good players the Browns have QB Baker Mayfield is the main piece that needs to play well but he won’t be able to while is running for his life from the Ravens defense. The winning formula for the Ravens offense will be the same as last year, run the ball to set up the pass and do it in spectacular fashion. The Ravens will have no problems starting the season off with a win.

GO RAVENS!!!

Seahawks over Falcons
Still don’t like Matt Ryan.

Jets over Bills
Neither team is very good but if the Jets win this game it maybe the only one all season.

Washington over Eagles
Sorry Eagle fans, the local economy needs a boost, if Washington wins all those federal government workers spend more money.

Dolphins over Patriots
All those New England fans are crying in their Boston lager with the Red Sox in last place and Tom Brady in Tampa.

Packers over Vikings
Go Pack Go!

Jaguars over Colts
The definition of irony is when a team that has the worst stadium attendance in the NFL (Jags) is the only team playing on Sunday allowing fans in the stands.

Lions over Bears
Rooting for the home not that it really matters.

Panthers over Raiders
NFC over AFC

4:00

Chargers over Bengals
After the Ravens beat the Browns, watch this game to see how well the number one draft pick QB Joe Burrow plays.

49ers over Cardinals
Both NFC teams rooting for the home team

Saints over Buccaneers
No matter what team he plays for we will always root against Tom Brady.

Sunday Night 8:00

Cowboys over Rams
Interesting point is this game is scheduled for 8:00 PM but on NFL.com the scheduled game time is not listed due the possible time change depending on the air quality. because of the smoke from the wildfires.

Monday 7:00

Giants over Steelers
Why do have to watch another Steelers prime time game! But the good side is the game starts a 7:10 so I can stay up for at least the first half to see how bad Roethlisberger’s throwing arm looks like.

10:20

Broncos over Titans
(I don’t want to talk about it!)

Enjoy the games with close friends but not to close, remember social distancing six feet apart.

And that’s just The (virtual)View from 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

Note: Graphics department is on vacation. Pictures next week.