Since it’s Titan’s game day I won’t say a word about last Sunday Night’s devastating loss to New England.

I have to confess with the added worry, stress and changing restrictions of COVID I needed to look at the schedule to verify where the game was this week. So the Ravens face the Titans “in Baltimore” this week with a injury ridden line up. I don’t know if it is flashbacks or COVID induced hallucinations from last year’s playoff game, I keep seeing Derrick Henry running all over our Ravens defense. Both Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams will most likely miss today’s game cranking up the level of difficulty of stopping Henry and the Titans 5th ranked running game.

I have heard of Baseball pitchers getting the “yips” while not being able to throw a pitch across the plate, but I have never heard of a NFL center getting the yips and not being able to deliver a straight shot-gun snap. Well it happened to Matt Skura the last two weeks so he has been benched and Patrick Mekari will start at center this week. Mekari started several games last year when Skura was injured and play well enough to win every game Patrick started but one, the playoff game against the Titans.

More and more Ravens are either out with season ending injuries, including Nick Boyle who went down early last week with a knee or on the injury report list as doubtful. Nick will be replaced by a to be determined practice team player.

“Next man up” is the mantra of the week.

No matter who lines up today the game will be played and I will be watching from my couch with my fingers, arms, toes, and legs crossed no one else gets hurt and we win the game.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember save your Thanksgiving turkey money and don’t bet on my picks. They are who we want to win not who we think will win.

Thursday night 8:00

(7-3) Seahawks 28 (6-4) Cardinals 21
I have started a petition to start the night games at 6PM EST. Life is just too tough these days to stay up until midnight to see the end of the game.

Sunday 1:00

(6-3) RAVENS over (6-3) Titans
You will need to update your Ravens team rooster again, so you can look up the jersey numbers to identify the players on the field this week. Thank goodness number 8 Lamar will be on the field this week . The Ravens offense will be a work in progress with another rearranged O-line. Keep an eye on how Lamar sets up whether under center or in the shot-gun. Eighty percent of the snaps Lamar likes run the play from the shot-gun but with Mekari starting Lamar may need to be under center more often.

I know it seems like ages ago but, do you remember the second quarter of the Colts game (actually just two weeks ago) when the Ravens came out after the half and ran a very effective hurry up offense. Look for this again since the Titans may be able to dominate the time of possession by running the ball with Derrick Henry. We won’t have the luxury of executing our run first offense. Mark Andrews and Marquise Brown will need to step up and fight for this win.

Even though Ronnie Stanley, Tyre Phillips, and Nick Boyle are all out with injuries, we still have Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews, and most of the offensive skill players starting today. This will be the difference in the game today.

GO RAVENS!!!

(1-8) Jaguars over (9-0) Steelers
Enough said.

(2-7) Washington over (2-6-1) Bengals
Washington fans desperately need something to be thankful for.

(3-5-1) Eagles over (6-3) Browns
It’s just downright embarrassing having the same record as the Browns.

(7-3) Saints over (3-6) Falcons
Drew Brees was put on IR this week with what was described as multiple upper body injuries including broken ribs and a collapsed lung. It’s hell getting old.

(2-7) Texans over (4-5) Patriots
I don’t want to talk about it.

Sunday 4:00

(0-9) Jets vs (2-7) Chargers
You pick’em, this game does not follow any of my rules for how it will help the Ravens. Also Jets fans are skipping Thanksgiving this year since they have nothing to be thankful for.

(3-6) Broncos over (6-3) Dolphins
Dolphins are in the Wildcard hunt.

(2-7) Cowboys over (4-5) Vikings
The Cowboys at 2-7 are technically only one game out of leading the NFC East.

(7-3) Packers over (6-3) Colts
We are back rooting for the Pack.

Sunday Night 8:00

(8-1) Chiefs over (6-3) Raiders
While I have not given up hope that we could pass the Chiefs in the AFC standings, it’s more likely we will be competing against the Raiders for a Wildcard spot.

Monday Night 8:00

(6-3) Rams over (7-3) Buccaneers
Rooting against Tom Brady.

Bye week: 49ers, Bears, Bills, Giants

Enjoy the games being thankful we are not Browns fans.

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

GO RAVENS!!!