An old Wiseman told me, (in a bar in New Orleans so consider the source) “always look forward and prepare for the future because you can’t trip over the past but you can trip over the stone in front of you if your not looking for it”. This week that stone in front of us is Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers, we definitely don’t want to trip over them. While Ben may be as old and slow as a stone the Steelers are still our AFC norths biggest rival and you can never look past them. As bad as the Steelers looked last week against the Bengals they still can put the fear of God in any NFL team that faces them. Not to mention this game is in Pittsburgh and we all know how nasty those Steeler fans can be.

Again the Ravens injury report this week was as long as the novel War and Peace listing every player who may have a hangnail while the Steelers only list players who have lost a limb in the last week. Looks like LB T.J. Watt is off the COVID list and will play against the Ravens. Even with Watt in the lineup the Steelers are one of the worst run defenses in the League. Lamar, lace up those running shoes-this could be your record breaking eleventh 100 yard rushing game. It would be sweet to do that in front of all those Steeler fans.

By the way did I mention the Ravens currently hold the number one seed in the AFC. That’s pretty sweet too. It’s been an ugly road to this spot, but the old Wiseman also told me, “it doesn’t matter what the bar looks like as long as the beer’s cold”

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember don’t bet the leftover turkey (plus it’s a little moldy by now) on my picks since they are who we want to win not who we think will win.

Thursday 8:00

8-4 Cowboys 27 over 5-7 Saints 17
The Cowboys are getting separation from the rest of the NFC east.

Sunday 1:00

6-5 Chargers over 7-4 Bengals
We are only 1/2 game ahead of the Bengals.

2-9 Texans over 6-6 Colts
You know how I feel about the Colts.

0-10 Lions over 5-6 Vikings
This could be the Lion’s only chance to get a win this season.

4-7 Giants over 5-7 Dolphins
I still can’t believe we lost to the Dolphins.

5-6 Falcons over 8-3 Buccaneers
Just because. And the Tom Brady thing.

5-7 Eagles over 3-8 Jets
This time of year we start looking at the draft status of each team and root for a AFC team win so they have a later draft pick. But this week we are rooting for our Eagle fan friends. Next week we can’t do this. Remember it’s strictly football not friendship.

9-2 Cardinals over 4-7 Bears
Want to keep the early draft picks in the NFC.

Sunday 4:00

8-3 (best record in the AFC) RAVENS over 5-5-1 Steelers
No matter what wise men say, you just can’t gauge this game without looking at the past. The notable matchups of Linebackers Ray Lewis vs Joey Porter, Safeties Ed Reed vs Troy Polamalu, running backs Ray Rice vs Rashard Mendenhall, Quarterbacks Joe Flacco vs Ben Roethlisberger (I know, I know this is a stretch, but we did win a Super Bowl with Joe). The History of the rivalry goes way back to the first game the Ravens beat the Steelers in Memorial Stadium December of 96 our first season. I say we need to look back because this may be the last time Ben gets his butt kicked by the Ravens. Ben’s career truly could begin and end playing the Ravens. In M&T Bank Stadium when he came off the bench to play in his first NFL regular season game September 19, 2002 to Tomorrow December 5, 2021. If Ben doesn’t play well and the Steelers lose he may get benched and never see the field again, or at least never play the Ravens again.

The Ravens may not look like it but, they are ready for the Steelers. Both teams are not playing their best games but the Ravens are playing better them the Steelers. Look for Lamar to have a great bounce back game. T.J. Watt can’t contain Lamar by himself, so he doesn’t scare me. The Ravens defense gets healthy this week (I think) and will blitz Ben into retirement.

GO RAVENS!!!

5-6 Washington over 6-5 Raiders
A Washington win will keep them in the race.

2-9 Jaguars over 7-4 Rams
We don’t want the early draft picks in the AFC.

6-5 49ers over 3-8 Seahawks
The Seahawks may need the early draft pick to get a QB since Russel Wilson probably won’t be with them next year.

Sunday 8:00

6-6 Broncos over 6-5 Chiefs
We hold the tie breaker over both of these teams but the Chiefs may be the team we need it for.

Monday 8:00

7-4 Bills over 8-4 Patriots
Both teams are close to us but the Patriots are closer.

Enjoy the games knowing there are no leaves to rake since the wind earlier this week blow them all into your neighbor’s yard.

And that’s just The View from 151.

GO RAVENS!!!