Hollywood could not have written a better script. The Primetime Monday night game against the Browns had everything you want in a blockbuster movie. This game had it all, excitement, drama, struggles, pain, and most importantly a Ravens win. We can also add improvisation, as much as the coaches want to script the game beginning to end, Lamar just can’t be restrained within the confines of a script. Lamar was looking like the MVP of last season rushing for 124 yards and 2 touchdowns, throwing 11 for 17 with 1 passing touchdown. I don’t think the script had Lamar running for almost as many yards as he threw for. The climax of the movie was when Lamar was in the locker room getting an IV for cramps or for our conspiracy theorist visiting the little boys room, the Ravens backup QB Trace McSorley goes down writhing in pain with a knee injury. The whole football world was wondering who the hell will replace Trace? When suddenly Lamar burst out of the locker room and onto the field (of course wearing a superman cape) only to throw a what seemed for a thousand yard touchdown on a fourth and five play. It brought a tear to my eye, please pass the tissues. It was a beautiful thing to watch!

Oh, I almost forgot Justin Tucker’s 55 yard field goal to win the game. Justin is up for the supporting roll Oscar.

Even with a spectacular win over the Browns we are still on the outside looking into the playoffs. We did move up one spot to the eight seed thanks to the Colts beating the Raiders. The Ravens need help and here is the wildcard playoff picture.

The teams holding the three wildcard playoff spots are (9-4) Browns fifth seed, (9-4) Colts sixth seed, (8-5) Dolphins seventh seed. The Ravens need help to get a spot, one or more of these teams need to lose. At the very least we need the Dolphins to lose so the Ravens can take over the seventh spot. Of course this assumes the Ravens beat the Jaguars this week.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember don’t bet the eggnog money on my picks since they are who we want to win not who we think will win.

Thursday 8:00

(5-9) Chargers 30 over (7-7) Raiders 27

Saturday, yes Saturday NFL football! What a great excuse to your spouse explaining why all their gifts came from a gas station. You didn’t have time-there was Saturday football. They will understand.

Saturday 4:30

(10-3) Bills over (5-8) Broncos
We want the Bills to win the AFC East

Saturday 8:15

(10-3) Packers over (4-9) Panthers
GO PACK GO!

Sunday 1:00

(8-5) Ravens over (1-12) Jaguars
My mother taught me if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all. So I won’t say anything about the Jaguars and that they have the worst defense in the NFL and that their offense is the fifth worst. But, I can say nice things about the Ravens and how we may set a new record for team rushing yards in a single game. Currently the record of 423 rushing yards is held by the Giants in a game against the Baltimore Colts back in 1950. Maybe Baltimore can be on the other side of this record. I think the Ravens defense may have ended up on the cutting room floor of the movie last week, but they will be headlining on the marquee this week with four or five sacks.

GO RAVENS!!!

(6-7) Patriots over (8-5) Dolphins
With a Ravens win and a Dolphins loss, we take the seventh wildcard playoff spot.

(4-9) Texans over (9-4) Colts
If we win and the Colts and Dolphins lose we will be the sixth seed.

(4-9) Cowboys over (5-8) 49ers
This will keep Christmas wishes alive in Dallas and the Cowboys in the hunt to win the NFC East.

(6-7) Washington over (9-4) Seahawks
Washington is in first place of the NFC East

(6-7) Bears over (6-7) Vikings
Rooting against the Vikings

(4-9) Falcons over (8-5) Buccaneers
Rooting against Tom Brady

(9-4) Titans over (5-8) Lions
We want the Titans to win the AFC East over the Colts.

Sunday 4:00

(4-8-1) Eagles over (7-6) Cardinals
For our Eagle fan friends.

(0-13) Jets over (9-4) Rams
This years Christmas miracle.

(12-1) Chiefs over (10-3) Saints
The Chiefs currently hold the AFC one seed that comes with a bye week, we don’t want the Steelers to have that spot.

Sunday 8:00

(5-8) Giants over (9-4) Browns
If the Ravens win, Browns, Colts and Dolphins lose the Ravens will take the fifth seed.

Monday 8:00

(2-10-1) Bengals over (11-2) Steelers
Enough said!

Enjoy the games knowing the gas station is always a great fallback for Christmas shopping.

RIP Lorenzo Taliaferro

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

GO RAVENS!!!