As we all gladly say goodbye or even good riddance to 2020 and welcome a new year 2021 that brings hope of a better time, there is still a lot of hard work to be done. We cannot let our guard down and need to keep our eye on the prize. This week the Ravens go to Cincinnati to face a Bengals team that has nothing to play for but pride. The Ravens have been a victim of this pride before. In 2017 I sat in section 151 on New Years Eve night during the coldest game ever played at M&T Bank Stadium with the Ravens in the same “win and in” situation. With only forty four seconds to go in the game, Ravens up by three points, the ball on the Ravens forty nine yard line, fourth and twelve to go, Andy Dalton throws a pass to Tyler Boyd catching the ball directly in front of me for a game winning touchdown. The Ravens were on their couches watching the playoffs instead of playing in them. That is not going to happen this season. Andy Dalton doesn’t play for the Bengals any more but, Tyler Boyd still does, so our work is not done.

We needed help last week to have a chance of getting in the playoffs after not getting any help the week before. I waited all day for the last game on Saturday, eager to see Las Vegas beat Miami who we needed to lose to get our spot in the wildcard hunt. I stayed up way past my bedtime to see the Raiders go ahead with twenty seconds in the game. Even I, Mr. Sixty Minutes, started to think if we win on Sunday we have a spot in the wildcard games. But wait, not so fast, only the Raiders could give up a thirty five yard completion that everyone on this green earth knew the Dolphins were going to try and add on a roughing the passer personal foul fifteen yards setting up, in the Raiders case, a game losing field goal. Miami winning didn’t help us, so on to the Sunday games where we need the Browns or Colts to lose. Remember we needed to swallow our pride and root for the Steelers and pray for a Christmas miracle hoping the Jets can beat the Browns. Well, I chalk it up to clean living both the Colts and Browns lost. So we win and we are in and we did last week easily beating the Giants. I do have to confess it truly took me several long showers to wash the Steeler stink off me.

The scene is set for another week seventeen showdown with the Bengals for the Ravens to get into the playoffs. Throughout NFL history, there are stories of the team who may been counted out during the season only to get hot and go on to win the Super Bowl. Can I say the Ravens are that hot team? Lamar and the Ravens offense are playing better than they have all season and our defense may be as healthy as they have been since the beginning of the year. I’m just saying.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember don’t bet the money you saved not going out New Year’s Eve on my picks because they are who we want to win to help the Ravens not who we think will win.

All the games are on Sunday

Sunday 1:00

(10-5) Ravens over (4-10-1) Bengals
Remove QB Andy Dalton and insert second string QB Brandon Allen, who we don’t know much about, but he did win last week in Houston. The Ravens run game is back in peak form with a number one ranking facing the twenty fifth ranked Bengals run stopping defense. On paper we should have no problem beating the Bengals, but we all know better them to look past them.

GO RAVENS!!!

(12-3) Steelers over (10-5) Browns
If the Ravens win we don’t care above the outcome of this game. I just think it would be hilarious if the Browns don’t make the playoffs after being up two games over the Ravens. Last week I was watching the local Browns TV broadcast and all they were doing was showing pictures of the last season the Browns were in the playoffs (2002) assuming they were going to beat the Jets. No shower necessary since we are not officially rooting for the Steelers.

(12-3) Bills over (10-5) Dolphins
Just hedging our bet by rooting against the Dolphins.

(10-5) Buccaneers over (4-11) Falcons
Keeping the high draft picks in the NFC.

(5-10) Giants over (6-9) Cowboys
I just want to see if it’s truly possible to have a (6-10) team in the playoffs with a home game.

(2-13) Jets over (6-9) Patriots
Thank you Jets for beating the Browns last week.

(6-9) Vikings over (5-10) Lions
All about the draft picks.

Sunday 4:00

(11-4) Seahawks over (6-9) 49ers
Draft picks.

(9-6) Rams over (8-9) Cardinals
Draft picks.

(1-14) Jaguars over (10-5) Colts
More bet hedging.

(10-5) Titans over (4-11) Texans
We want the Titans to win the AFC East.

(5-10) Broncos over (7-8) Raiders
Another draft pick choice.

(6-9) Chargers over (14-1) Chiefs
The Chiefs have clinched the AFC number one seed.

(12-3) Packers over (8-7) Bears
With a win the Packers will clinch the NFC number one seed.
GO PACK GO!

(11-4) Saints over (5-10) Panthers
Draft pick game.

Sunday 8:00

(4-10-1) Eagles over (6-9) Washington
If both the Cowboys and Washington lose Washington wins the NFC East and will have a home playoff game with a (6-10) record.

Enjoy the games knowing the new year brings hope of being back in stadiums and ball parks with fans of all kinds, excluding Steeler fans of course.

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

GO RAVENS!!!