The Ravens went into Cincinnati and scored a huge win over Joe Burrow and the Bengals last week. We checked off the first divisional road win of the three divisional road games we have on the schedule in the first five weeks, Browns and Steelers are weeks 4 and 5. Can I say the Ravens are sitting on top in first place of the AFC East this early in the season? Yes I can when they just beat a division rival on the road!

I need to be honest going into last Sunday I didn’t feel good about our offensive line with Patrick Mekari at left tackle in for the injured Ronnie Stanley and Sam Mustipher at center in for the injured Tyler Linderbaum. How well would they protect Lamar? No problem, they did a great job pass and run blocking, giving Lamar time to look downfield and play one of the best games of his career Sunday. Having a potentially great receiver corp doesn’t hurt either. It was exciting to see our receivers catch the long balls to stretch the Bengal’s defense. Flowers’ 52-yard catch between two defenders in the third quarter was a thing of beauty.

Did our defense look that good or did Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense look that bad? I think we are that good. Burrow doesn’t run the ball and we held them to just 66 yards rushing as a team and 282 yards total. Against the Bengals on the road, I say that’s a good days work.

At the Bank this week, we face the Colts who have a rookie Lamar like quarterback. The Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson as of Thursday is in concussion protocol and has not practiced this week. I wish I could say the Ravens defense will have another rookie QB to chew on but if Richardson can’t go we have backup Gardner Minshew to sack who has been in the league for 5 seasons. I think has played for what seams like ten different teams. So we don’t know who we will play against on Sunday but, whoever it is, it’s going to be a massacre.

Defensively the Colts are not very good. They have a secondary that gives up a ton of passing yards. Look for Lamar and the receiving corp to have a great day. The Ravens offensive line will be tested against the Colts only pass rusher: three-time All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard, but one man does not make a team. I think we can keep him in check.

GO RAVENS!!!

I pick games with an eye on how the results will help the Ravens get to the playoffs. Such as rooting against the other teams in our division: Steelers (of course), Bengals, and Browns. Picking a NFC team over an AFC team. Wanting a team to lose with a better record than the Ravens, or just because we don’t like them (Colts). Some or even several of my picks each week are long shots but we just root for how it helps the Ravens. Any given Sunday!

Remember, my picks are who we want to win not who we think will win, so don’t bet the rent money on my picks.

Thursday night 8:20

(2-0) 49ers over (1-1) Giants
I am not listening to any of the hype around the Giants. They just aren’t that good and the 49ers will prove it Thursday night.

Sunday 1:00

(2-0) RAVENS over (1-1)
Not knowing who the Colts starting QB will be makes it a little harder to game plan for. Especially since the two quarterbacks are so different. Richardson is, like I said, Lamar-like and will run the ball, and Minshew is a stay in the pocket kinda guy who may go crazy on you and run the ball. We just don’t know what we will get. The Colts have only scored four touchdowns this season and three of them were Richardson running the ball. The Colt’s leading rusher only has 88 total yards this season. Looking at the Raven’s injury report, a surprise on the list was Justice Hill who was a big part of the run game last week. He did not practice Tuesday due to a foot issue. I hope he will play. Last week, the Ravens showed us a very balanced offense, but, with Hill not practicing, the running game may not be as strong and that will put the pressure on Lamar and the passing game. I think Lamar will be just fine.

The weather may be a factor in this game with a forecast of rain and maybe lots of it so don’t forget your galoshes.

GO RAVENS!!!

(1-1) Titans over (1-1) Browns
The Browns looked really bad Monday night against the Steelers. Plus we play the Browns next week and we want them broken.

(1-1) Packers over the (2-0) Saints
The Packers need a win at home.

(0-2) Broncos over (2-0) Dolphins
The Dolphins have the same record as the Ravens.

(0-2) Vikings over (0-2) Chargers
NFC over AFC

(2-0) Commanders over (1-1) Bills
What… The Commanders are 2-0?

Sunday 4:25

(2-0) Cowboys over (0-2) Cardinals
The Cowboys look like the team to beat in the NFC.

(0-2) Bears over (1-1) Chiefs
What… The Chiefs have lost a game? NFC over AFC

Sunday Night 8:20

(1-1) Raiders over (1-1) Steelers
The Steelers on prime time again, something is wrong here. A slight tip of the hat to the Steelers for beating the Browns last week. Maybe that’s why I didn’t get the blog written. I just couldn’t bring myself to actually write that we were rooting for the Steelers to beat the Browns.

Monday Night 7:15

(2-0) Eagles over (2-0) Buccaneers
Rooting for our Eagle fan friends.

Monday 8:15

(1-1) Rams over (0-2) Bengals
What….. The Bengals are 0-2? Now I like that!

Enjoy the games with a friend and a cold beer!

This is just the View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!