The Dallas Cowboys were just what the doctor ordered to give the Ravens a booster shot of momentum to jump start their push for the playoffs. The Cowboys came into Baltimore as the worst run-stopping team in the NFL and it showed with the Ravens putting up almost three hundred yards rushing. It didn’t hurt that Mark Ingram and JK Dobbins were both back from COVID protocol. Gus Edwards had a one hundred and one yard game with Lamar adding a thirty seven yard touchdown run on a fourth and one play in the first quarter to set the tone of the game. While Lamar was not as sharp throwing the ball, he did connect with Marquise Brown in the corner of the end zone with a beautifully thrown pass that was indefensible by the Cowboy CB. This is what drives me a little bit crazy with Lamar: he can throw with pin point accuracy at times and other times badly overthrow our receivers or, even worse, throw the ball right into the dirt. The Ravens Defense had Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell back in the lineup but they both looked slow with an nonexistent pass rush giving Andy Dalton way to much time to throw the ball. Also, we were helped by the Cowboys kicker missing three field goal attempts, I hear the Ravens will be writing his game check this week.

We are back on our original schedule going to Cleveland for Monday night football. I have been holding my breath this week hoping there would not be any more positive COVID tests on the Ravens, especially after what happened with Dez Bryant getting pulled off the field Tuesday night.

Another must win game, if we want to make the playoffs, against the Browns who are playing their best football they have ever played. The Browns beat the Titans last week which is something we couldn’t do three weeks ago. Both the Ravens and Browns are run first teams, ranked first and second in the league. The Ravens must stop the Browns run game. With Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell not practicing this week but not listed on the injury report, it won’t be easy if they are not playing at full strength. If we can stop the Browns running game that puts pressure on Baker Mayfield who needs the run to set up the passing game. Lamar and the Ravens offense will need an “A” passing game since the Browns defense is healthy and is a top ten run stopping defense. But the match up to watch is our stable of healthy runners Ingram, Dobbins, Edwards, Hill and I even include Lamar in this group, against the Browns defense. The surprise of the week could be the play of our offensive line that may have the same formation of players for the second week in a row. It’s going to be another AFC North slug-fest that the Ravens will win.

Notes on the wildcard playoff picture, who is in front of the Ravens, and what we need to happen.

The four teams ahead of the Ravens (Browns, Colts, Dolphins, and Raiders) all won last week so no help there.

This week:

First and foremost the Ravens must beat the Browns. They are two games ahead of us, but with a win on Monday we would hold the head to head tie breaker.

The Chiefs need to beat the Dolphins (like that wasn’t going to happen anyway). The Chiefs are going to win the AFC West and won’t be in the wildcard picture.

The Colts and Raiders play this week and are both in the wildcard hunt making it interesting to call this game. The Raiders are the eight seed (Ravens are the ninth seed) one game out of the playoffs, the Colts are the seventh seed but the Ravens beat them in week eight so we hold the head to head tie breaker. So we are rooting for the Raiders and against the Colts. Plus one more thing to hurt your brain we don’t want the Colts to win the AFC South because that would make the Titans a wildcard team and they hold the tie breaker against the Ravens.

If the Ravens, Chiefs, and Raiders win this week the Ravens will be in the seventh and last seed. I think.

GO RAVENS!!!

Don’t bet your chance to get the COVID-19 Vaccine on my picks since they are who we want to win not who we think will win.

Thursday Night 8:00

(9-4) Rams 24 (6-7) Patriots 3
When was the last time New England had a losing record this late in the season? And that’s a good thing!

Sunday 1:00

(2-9-1) Bengals over (3-9) Cowboys
Dallas needs the better draft pick.

(6-6) Vikings over (7-5) Buccaneers
Both NFC teams

(6-6) Cardinals over (5-7) Giants
I became a Washington fan when they beat the Steelers last week.

(11-1) Chiefs over (8-4) Dolphins
See above

(8-4) Titans over (1-11) Jaguars
We need the Titans to win the AFC South

(4-8) Texans over (5-7) Bears
It’s about the draft picks

(4-8) Broncos over (4-8) Panthers
We want Denver in good shape to beat the Raiders in week 17.

Sunday 4:00

(0-12) Jets over (8-4) Seahawks
The Jets aren’t officially on the clock but it won’t be long.

(7-5) Raiders over (8-4) Colts
This is the game we are most interested in.

(5-7) Washington over (5-7) 49ers
Thanks Washington!

(10-2) Saints over (3-8-1) Eagles
Rooting for Washington to win the NFC East over the Eagles.

(3-9) Chargers over (4-8) Falcons

(9-3) Packers over (5-7) Lions

(9-3) Bills over (11-1) Steelers
As I have been saying all season the Steelers are not as good as their record. Thanks again Washington!

Monday Night 8:00

(7-5) Ravens over (9-3) Browns
The Ravens playoff run began last week with a win over the Cowboys. Now it’s time to squish the Browns like a bug on the stepping stone to the playoffs.

GO RAVENS!!!

Enjoy the games knowing this time next year we will be tailgating with friends and going to the games thanks to the vaccine.

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

GO RAVENS!!!