October 29, 2017

A 40 to 0 whooping of the Dolphins is well worth the loss of sleep.  When the rest of the country is turning the game off, I was on the edge of chair rooting for a shutout.  Not only did the defense get a shutout but they took over the scoring when Joe got knocked out of the game.    Two interceptions run back for touchdowns! WOW, WHAT A GREAT GAME!

The NFL rule is, as soon as the quarterback starts to slide the play is over.  The photo below clearing shows Joe fully in a slide and Kiko Alonso two steps away with his head up looking at Joe.  Alonso made no attempt to pull up, therefore he should have been ejected from the game.  If Tom Brady were hit like that the Boston Police would have arrested Alonso and escorted him directly to jail.  So, let’s see what the NFL does, Alonso at least should receive a fine and a one game suspension.  Get well soon Joe!

WAY TO GO RAVENS!!!

Photo credit: Kenneth K Lam/Baltimore Sun

Disclaimer: Yes, we have our eyes continually on a playoff berth so all picks below are based on who we want to win, not a prediction of who will win.

GO RAVENS!!!

Thursday Night:

RAVENS trounced the Dolphins 40-0
What a great way to spend the next week knowing we just beat up on the Dolphins.  

Sunday
9:30 AM

Vikings over Browns (London)
I cant think of a better way to spend a rainy day than watching football starting at 9:30 in the morning.  So can we crack the first beer at 9:30 AM?  I’ll let you decide that one.  We are rooting against the Browns because if we actually are watching the Browns play we want them to lose.

Raiders over Bills
Both AFC teams and it’s all about the standings.  We beat the Raiders and the Bills have 4 wins.

Colts over Bengals
Another loss for the Bengals would make them 2 and 5, 2-1/2 games behind the Ravens

Chargers over Patriots
This was a tough game to pick.  If the Charger win they will be tied with us.  If the Patriots win they will be 6-2 two games ahead of us.  But the deciding factor was we just like to see Tom Brady lose.

Saints over Bears
The Saint are on a roll, rooting for the home team.

Falcons over Jets
NFC over AFC, rooting against the Jets

Eagles over 49ers
Both NFC teams, rooting for the home team and the 49ers to have the first pick in the draft.

Buccaneers over Panthers
Rooting for the home team.  The best part of this game could be the post game press conference with Cam Newton- he has had a real bad attitude toward the press lately.

Sunday
4:05
Seahawks over Texans
NFC over AFC,  rooting for the home team and our Seattle fan friends.

4:25pm
Redskins over Cowboys
I have a meeting about a big project we are working on and the person heading the meeting is a huge Redskin fan.  So I want Washington to win so he is in a good mood.

Sunday
8:30pm

Lions over Steelers
We are two games behind the Steelers and we need them to start losing.  I bet Haloti Ngata (IR) wishes he could break Big Ben’s nose one-more-time.

Monday
8:30pm

Broncos over Chiefs
This was another tough pick based on the standings but we are rooting for the home team.

BYES: Cardinals, Packers, Jaguars, LA Rams, Giants, Titans

Go Ravens!!!

Happy Halloween, enjoy the game with your little Weddle wizard!

And that’s just the view from 151

 

October 19, 2017

 

December 8, 2013  Ravens 29, Vikings 26   Five touchdowns in the final 2:09 mins of the game.  The only snow game I have ever been to, it was great!

 

I still can’t believe we lost to the lowly  Bears at home.  You know, it’s just not your day when two Joe Flacco passes bounce off our receivers and into the waiting hands of a Bear defender.  Can we just catch the ball please?!

So last Sunday I am traveling home from Dallas (after a great wedding) get to the airport 5 hours before my flight just to watch the game without interruption on a lousy airport bar TV sitting next to Chicago fans who are giving me grief the whole game.  Only to have the game go into overtime to extend the torture from the Bear fans.  But the bright spot of the day was the Bear fans had leave to catch their flight before the game ended so I averted the humiliation of the Ravens losing to the Bears.   The Bears…we lost to the Bears,  NOOOOOO!

We move on from the unthinkable to the optimism of a new week.  Our Ravens go to Minneapolis to play the Vikings.  The mantra from the coaches this week has been that we are just one offensive play away and that the defense only gave up one big play.  This may be true if that one offensive play meant our receivers would catch the ball and the defense didn’t give up the big play which allowed the other team to run for 50 yards during overtime, setting them up for the game winning field goal.   Brandon Williams has fully practiced this week and should play against the Vikings.  Brandon playing will help our suffering run defense tremendously.  I wish I could say the same about  the offense, but we are still missing key players on the line and in the receiving corps.  So let’s just hope when Joe’s passes bounce off our receivers it goes to another Raven or even to the ground, not the other teams hands.

GO RAVENS!!!

Thursday
8:25pm

Raiders over Chefs
WOW, two good Thursday night games in a row!  The Raiders beat the undefeated Chefs 31-30 and of course I fell asleep on it missing Marshawn Lynch getting thrown out of the game and the thrilling finish.

Sunday
1:00pm

Ravens over Vikings
One play away, we are only one play away, keep telling yourself that and maybe the Ravens will hear us.  We will need the ball to bounce in our hands this week to beat the not-so-bad Vikings. ( it pains me to say that about the Vikings)  The Ravens offensive line is a patchwork of guys who really need to step up against yet again another blitz happy Viking defense.  The Vikings will play backup QB Case Keenum, usually that’s a good thing but this season we have lost two games against a rookie and backup quarterbacks.  If we can stop the run and with Brandon Williams back we should be able to, this will allow Suggs and company to get after and harass Keenum.  Manage the game on offense, control the game on defense, and win the game on special teams!

GO RAVENS!

Browns over Titans
The Browns have not won a game this season and we don’t want them to have another high draft pick.  Even though they don’t know what to do with the high picks, a blind squirrel finds a nut every once and a while.

Buccaneers over Bills
The Bills are 3-2 so we root against the Bills.

Jets vs Dolphins–You pick’em
Two terrible teams with three wins the same as the Ravens. How can that be?  Record this one to scout the Dolphins who we play this Thursday in Baltimore.

Panthers over Bears
I just want the Bears to lose after what they did to us last week.

Packers over Saints
Both NFC teams, Packers lost Aaron Rodgers for the remainder of the season with a broken collar bone.  Does anybody even know who the backup QB for the Packers is?

Colts over Jaguars
It’s all about the AFC standings

Cardinals at Rams (London) you pick’em
Both NFC teams, London may actually get a good game to watch.

Sunday
4:05pm

Cowboys over 49ers
Rooting against the 49ers who are 0-6.  Can you say San Francisco is on the clock?

Sunday
4:25pm

Bengals over Steelers
Those damn Steelers!

Chargers over Broncos
Chargers only have 2 wins.

Seahawks over Giants
The Giants are 1-5 and lost their best two receivers for the season.  Looks like the second pick in the draft.

Sunday
8:30pm

Falcons over Patriots
NFC over AFC, Rooting against the Patriots just because we like to.

Monday
8:30pm

Redskins over Eagles
Stay awake for this one it could be good.

BYES: Lions Texans

Enjoy the games with someone lucky because we are going to need luck this week.

And that’s just the view from 151

GO RAVENS!!!

 

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

And the answer is….YES WE CAN, travel to Oakland and smash the Raiders.  How bout that offensive line, holding the sack happy Raiders defense to zero sacks, Joe barely got touched the whole game.  Ryan Jensen was rated the best center in the NFL last week and in only his fifth game as the starting center.  Alex Collins ran great with no fumbles, Bershad Perriman caught a clutch 3rd down pass for a first down,  Mike Wallace caught three deep passes, add that all up and what do you get a great road win.  Oh yeah, the defense had a super day also, but we have come to expect that.  We just terrorized that poor rookie QB all day long. Beast mode was no beast last week.  GREAT ROAD WIN!

We face another rookie QB this week.  The Bears will start QB Mitchell Trubisky who made his NFL debut last week on Monday Night Football.  The Bears are 1-4 they don’t have a quarterback, their defense is middle of the road at best, they just aren’t very good.  So what does that mean?  It means the Ravens can’t let their guard down and look beyond these guys.  We need to stomp them into the natural grass of M&T Bank Stadium, keep the momentum from last week and don’t let off the gas!  The Ravens have a tendency to let down after a great win.  The winning formula from last week doesn’t change this week.  Just like the Raiders the Bears have a running game that needs to be stopped and a defense that likes to go after the quarterback averaging almost 3 sacks a game.  So John Harbaugh and the coaches just need to copy last week’s game plan and we should be fine.

GO RAVENS!!!

Disclaimer—Remember, don’t bet the farm on my choices this is who we want to win not who we think will win.  It’s all about helping the Ravens go to the playoffs!

Thursday 8:25pm
Eagles over Panthers
For a change this maybe a good Thursday night game to watch,  both teams are 4-1.

Sunday
1:00pm

Ravens over Bears
Trubisky is going to lie awake at night sweating profusely thinking about our Ravens defense.  I almost feel sorry for the kid… no, not really.  Joe and the offense can control the ball like they did last week. Keep up the good work guys!

GO RAVENS!!!

Browns over Texans
I can’t believe I am rooting for the Browns already this season, they are 0-5 and in the race for the number one pick in the draft again.  We don’t want that pick in the AFC- let the NFC Giants 0-5 have it.

Vikings over Packers
We play the Vikings next week in Minnesota and don’t want them all pissed off coming off a loss. Record this game it could be a good game and to scout it for next week.

Saints over Lions
Both NFC teams, rooting for the home team.

Falcons over Dolphins
NFC over AFC, have I ever told you I love Matt Ryan.

 

Jets over Patriots
The Ravens at 3-2 are in good company with the 3-2 Patriots.  What?  Wait a minute the Jets are 3-2 also, maybe I need to rethink this.

Redskins over 49ers
The 49ers are 0-5 and hoping for the number one pick and that’s no problem keeping it in the NFC.  So we are rooting for the Redskins at home.

4:05pm

Buccaneers you pick’em Cardinals
Both NFC teams. The Cardinals have the worst rushing offense in the NFL so they traded the Saints for washed up Adrian Peterson.  I don’t think it’s going to help.

Rams over Jaguars
NFC over AFC,  Last week the Jags were our best Friends for beating the Steelers.  This week they’re just another dirty old AFC team we want to lose.

4:25

Chiefs over Steelers
We are not rooting for the Chiefs at 5-0, we are rooting against the Steelers at 3-2 tied with the Ravens.  I will be watching this one to see if Roethlisberger throws another five interceptions like he did last week.  Against the Chiefs, there’s a good chance he will.

Chargers over Raiders
Rooting for the 1-4 Chargers over the 2-3 Raiders.

8:30pm

Giants over Broncos
NFC over AFC, And we thought we have injury luck- the Giants lost their two best wide receivers for the season last week.  They are falling apart.

Monday

8:30pm

Colts you pick’em Titans
Both AFC teams at 2-3 and we play both teams later this season.

BYE WEEKS: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Dallas, Seattle

So enjoy the games knowing the leaf raking can wait.

And that’s just the view from 151

GO RAVENS!!!

 

 

October 6, 2017

The NFL scheduling Gods gave me a gift this week with a 4:00 pm  start time meaning 3 extra hours to write the View.  But what did it really mean- 3 more hours of depression thinking about last week’s home loss to the Steelers.  Boy, do we miss Marshall Yanda and Brandon Williams, our two best offensive and defensive lineman.   The Ravens have always played as well as our interior lines play.  We could not stop the run last week.  What-did Bell run for over 150 yards or something like that?  I just can’t bring myself to look at the stats from last week.  After the great start the first two weeks, Joe and the offense can’t seem to get going.   I think we have the worst offense in the NFL, again can’t look at the stats because I am afraid of what I may see.

So, Week 5 brings new optimism…..right?  Yes, yes, sure it does.  We only go the Oakland to face the Raiders with the best pass rushing defense on the planet.  Just keep telling yourself WE CAN DO THIS over and over again and our dreams may come true.

The Raiders will be without Derek Carr their starting QB. In his place they will start back up quarterback EJ Manuel, so we get a break there.  Raiders running game with Marshawn Lynch has not been a beast this year.  They are only averaging 86 yards a game.  OK, so I did look that stat up.  I think, NO, I know our defense will control the Raiders offense.  Joe and the offense have a tougher challenge against the Raiders Defense.  But all we need to do is run the ball without fumbling, catch the passes thrown to our receivers, and block the pass rush. It’s a very simple game.  WE CAN DO THIS!

GO RAVENS!!!

Disclaimer—Don’t bet the farm on my choices this is who we want to win not who we think will win.  It’s all about helping the Ravens go to the playoffs!

Go Ravens!

Thursday, Patriots 19, Buccaneers 14
Truth be told for me not to slip into a deeper depression I didn’t want to know if the Patriots won Thursday night, so I didn’t look at the score until this morning.  And maybe work had a little to do with it.  But it’s week 5 and even a Patriots win is not going to get me down!

Sunday

RAVENS over Raiders at 4:00 today

1:00pm
Bills over Bengals
We only have one more win than the Bengals and that’s not good.

Jets over Browns
We only have two more wins than the Browns and that’s even worse.

Jaguars over Steelers
We are one game behind the Steelers and that’s the worst!

Lions over Panthers
Cam Newton got himself in a little hot water with the ladies this week and he will be in more trouble against a good Lions team. Rooting for the home team

49ers over Colts
NFC over AFC The nice thing about the Colts is they keep the Ravens from being the worst team in the NFL.

Dolphins over Titans
I just noticed the Dolphins play in Hard Rock Stadium, when the hell did it get that name.  Man, I got to stop working so much.

Giants over Chargers
NFC over AFC, both teams are winless, maybe this will be a tie.

Eagles over Cardinals
Rooting for the home team Eagles, and for Molly to get her coffee for a buck.

4:05pm
RAVENS over Raiders
The offensive line needs to play better for us to win today.  Look for my guy RB Alex Collins to have a good day with no fumbles.  The Raiders will over pursue on the edges so we can run up the middle and control the game.  Our defense will get after backup QB EJ Manuel and shutdown Marshawn Lynch.  WE CAN DO THIS!

GO RAVENS!!!

Seahawks over Rams
Both NFC teams rooting for the Seahawks and our Seattle friends.

4:25pm
Packers over Cowboys
The Cowboys seem to be effected by the sophomore slumps of second year plays QB Dak Prescott and RB Ezekiel Elliott.

Texans over Chiefs
The Chiefs are the only undefeated team in the NFL and of course they are in the AFC.  So we want the Chiefs to lose.

Monday
8:30pm

Bears over Vikings
We play the Bears in Baltimore next week so scout this one Monday night.

BYE WEEK: Atlanta, Denver, New Orleans, Washington

Enjoy the games over dinner with family.

And that’s just the view from 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

 

The View from 151

9/28/17

MY HEART SANK

This was the View From Section 223 in Wembley Stadium last Sunday.  Let me set the scene.  After months of planning and two days of nothing but Ravens pep rallies in London and a sleepless Saturday night anticipating a win. Sunday was final here.  We take the underground (subway) full of purpled up Ravens fans.  No Jaguars fan to be seen.  Upon arriving at the Wembley station there were ninety thousand NFL football fans of every race, creed and team color swirling around like a tornado.  It was fantastic!  The energy was through the roof.  Everyone in Wembley was a football fan, and for most of them experiencing their first live NFL game.  I could not be prouder of my country and my Ravens.  We make it to our seats. The public announcer requests ninety thousand people to stand and take off their hats and every person does, no matter their nationality.  The US flag is raised and the Star Spangle Banner begins.  What an emotional moment, until I looked down and first saw a few of the Jaguars taking a knee and my first thought the Ravens wouldn’t do that looking at our team standing on the side line.  From my advantage point it appeared the entire team was standing as I scanned the line there they were on the other end taking a knee ten or eleven rookies, veterans and Ray Lewis.  My heart sank, I just could not believe our team from Baltimore, the birth place of the Anthem, would take a knee.

I understand the cause and it needs to be addressed.  Our country is divided on so many issues, we don’t need any more.  In our great country, we all have the right to peacefully express our views and concerns no matter the issue, but there is a time and place.  The football field is not one of them.  Sports gives us the opportunity to come together and enjoy an escape from the world’s troubles.  When Steeler fan and Raven fan can sit together and enjoy a rivalry game, sharing a meal and a beer them shake hands at games end, no matter the outcome, that’s what we want out of our beloved game.

Bottom line please don’t politicize the game.

That is all I will say about this.

RAVENS vs Steelers WEEK 4

IT’S STEELER WEEK!

I apologize for the format of this week’s View but we did not have the budget to bring the IT and graphics departments on the trip.

About last week…

My mother taught me “if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all”. So here’s to you Mom.

The Steelers visit Baltimore this week, they are coming off a loss almost as bad as the Ravens.  Both teams 2-1 with the Ravens technically in first place thanks to our 2-0 divisional record.  The Steelers are beatable but not with the team we had last week.  I am sure the Steelers even on the road will be favored over the Ravens.  What happened in London will not happen again.  The Ravens will bounce back this week with a little home cooking of defense and special teams.  Joe and the offense will miss Marshal Yanda and it showed against a good Jaguars defense.  The Steelers defense is not going to be any easier.   Our O-line gets better this week and the defense will get after Roethlisberger.  The Ravens start a new winning streak.

GO RAVENS!!!

Thursday Night
8:25
Packers over Bears

Both NFC teams, Rooting for the home team Packers,  but we do have to thank the Bears for beating the Steelers last week.

Sunday

9:30 AM
Saints over Dolphins
NFC over AFC another Wembley stadium game is giving horrifying flash backs to last Sunday.

1:00 PM
RAVENS over Steelers

We will need our defense back against the Steelers this week.  What am I saying we will need the whole team back.  I have not a clue where they were last week.  Still look for the second year RB Collins-this guy could be the spark we need.

GO RAVENS!!!

Texans over Titans
It’s all about the AFC rankings.

 

Jaguars over Jets
Jaguars…, Please stop the flash backs!

Panthers over Patriots
Do I need to say anything else?

Lions over Vikings
Both teams are 2-1 so we are rooting against the Vikings.

Falcons over Bills
NFC over AFC- I hate rooting for Matt Ryan but a Ravens fan has gotta do what a Ravens fan gotta do.

Bengals vs Browns
You pick’em- one of the teams is going to get their first win of the season.

Cowboys over Rams
Both NFC teams rooting for the home team.

Eagles over Chargers
NFC over AFC- the Chargers will stay winless.

4:05
Buccaneers over Giants
Both NFC teams-rooting for the home team.

Cardinals over 49ers
The 49ers will stay winless.

4:25
Raiders over Broncos
We will take care of the Raiders when we play them next week.

8:30
Seahawks over Colts
NFC over AFC -the Colts don’t have a chance.

Monday
8:30

Redskins over Chiefs
We really are Redskin fans this week-they need to beat the 3-0 Chiefs.

Enjoy the games, then go out and do something nice for someone.

And that’s just the view from 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

 

 

 

September 21, 2017

ANOTHER GREAT GAME FOR OUR DEFENSE– 5 MORE TURNOVERS!

The Browns didn’t have a chance on Sunday against the best defense in the NFL.  I know…I know it’s only the second game BUT…

10 turnovers in two games.  You don’t get that many takeaways unless you are in position to steal the ball.  The D line is in the other teams backfield half the game.  The corner backs are covering the receivers.  The ends are pressuring and sacking the quarterback which allows the safeties to roam the field.  Bottom line is that our players are where they need to be to make plays. Did they make mistakes? Yes.  Can they improve? Yes.  I am still sticking with the Ravens having the best defense in the NFL.

Did you hear the groan from the Ravens locker room after the game when it was announced Yanda would be out for the rest of the season?  It could be heard in Ocean City, it was so loud.  And poor Joe just sat at his locker thinking who’s the next man up.  The Offensive line is the one area we could not afford to lose anyone. At least  Joe knows he has a security blanket in the Ravens defense.

The Ravens are flying ‘Across the Pond’ to London for a match (as they say in London) with the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday at 9:30 AM Baltimore time so no sleeping in.  One of the nice things about having a dominant defense is, it travels.  So nothing is going to change (speaking of change will the players get paid in British Pounds?) Blake Bortles is going to be harassed by Suggs and company all day long and the offense will run the ball.  Look for the new guy RB Alex Collins #34-he was pretty flashy last week.  You can’t miss him, he’s the one carrying the ball with dreadlocks flying all over the place.  Just remember even though the game may start at 9:30 in the morning and you may be tempted to have mimosas with brunch forget it- this is still football no matter what time of day. Fire up the grill and have a beer.  Ravens win this week, no problem.

GO RAVENS!!!

Disclaimer: Nothing changes because I’m Across the Pond–I pick who I want to win, to favor the Ravens playoff picture, not who I think will win.  Go Ravens!!!

Thursday
8:25pm
49ers over Rams
Both NFC teams- rooting for the home team

Sunday
9:30am

RAVENS over the Jaguars
Can you say 3 and 0?  You will be by 1:00 Sunday.  The Jags have no running game no passing game and no offensive line.  Sounds like 5 more turnovers to me.   It may be 9:30 in the morning but crack a cold one and enjoy the game. Listen for us shouting the “O” on the National Anthem.

GO RAVENS!!!

1:00pm

Colts over Browns
Both teams are 0-2. That doesn’t mean someone is going to win it could end in a tie.  But the Colts are terrible without Andrew Luck so the Browns may actually win this one.

Eagles over Giants
Both NFC teams-rooting for the home team and so Molly gets free coffee.

Jets over Dolphins
Only because the Dolphins have one win and the Jets have none.

Bills over Broncos
The Broncos are 2-0 and need to be knocked down a peg or two.

Saints over Panthers
Both NFC teams, the Saints are 0-2 the Panthers 2-0, rooting for the underdog.

Bears over Steelers
The Bears stink and it would take a miracle for them to win but we can always hope.

Lions over Falcons
What? The Lions are 2-0 Haloti Ngata must be having a good season.

Buccaneers over Vikings
Both NFC teams and we just don’t like the Vikings.

Texans over Patriots
Go figure–Tom Brady has one good game and everybody loves him.

4:05

Seahawks over Titans
NFC over AFC-Rooting for our Seahawk fan friends.

4:25

Packers over Bengals
GO PACK GO!

Chargers over Chiefs
The Chiefs are 2-0 and we don’t like that.

Redskins over Raiders
NFC over AFC. We are Redskin fans this week

Monday
8:30

Cowboys over Cardinals
The Cowboys are coming off a bad loss and looking to redeem themselves.

Enjoy the games with a chap and a cold beer

And that’s just the view from 151

GO RAVENS

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 17, 2017

A great way to start the season, with a shut-out win on the road! 

I apologize for the tardiness of this post.  I just could not bring myself to move past the jubilation of last week’s win to this week’s Oh-my-gosh-it’s-week-two and we have a history of winning big week one and laying an egg on week two.

No surprises on the Ravens game play last week but what surprised me was how bad the Bengals are.  Did the Bengals really look bad, or did the Ravens make them look bad?  I will take the latter.  Starting with the offense, yes, they looked rusty but they controlled the line of scrimmage allowing us to run the ball 9 straight times and the Bengals couldn’t do anything about it.   Joe was Joe, some people say he looked slow but I say Joe always looks that way.  Just slow and steady, get the job done, unemotional Joe.  On the other hand the defense was full of emotion and just smothered the Bengals.  The defense gave up yards but when the Bengals made mistakes we were there to snatch the intersection and grab the fumble.  Seeing the defense swarm around the ball is great to have back.

The Browns have a rookie starting quarterback. Do you think he got much sleep last night with the thought of the Ravens defense chasing him all day?  No week two let down today Ravens win in good old fashion Baltimore football still.

Enjoy the games.

GO RAVENS!!!

Disclaimer: Remember–this is who we want to win, not who is expected to win. GO RAVENS!

Thursday
8:25pm

Texans over Bengals
The Bengals are worse than we thought, losing Thursday night to the lousy Texans 13-9.

Sunday
1:00pm
RAVENS over Browns
The Browns only rushed for 57 yards last week putting all the pressure on their rookie quarterback Deshone Kizer.  Terrell Suggs and the Ravens defense can’t wait to go after the rookie. We had 4 interceptions last week-well, you can double it this week.  The Browns are DOA coming into Baltimore against our ferocious front line.  Joe and the Offense have another game to shake more rust off and let the defense carry the load.
GO RAVENS!!!

Buccaneers over Bears
The Bucs start the season a week late thanks to Irma, but it might as while still be preseason since they are playing the 0-1 Bears.   The Tampa fans will have plenty to cheer about in their home opener.

Vikings over Steelers
You do know the Vikings are my favorite team second only to the Ravens.  Well, maybe just this week against the Steelers.

Saints over Patriots
Isn’t life great!  Dreams do come true, the Patriots are 0-1

Eagle over Chiefs
Last week the Chiefs were our best friends, but this week not so much.  Rooting for the Eagles so Molly can get free coffee at Dunkin Donuts tomorrow if the Eagle win.

Titans over Jaguars 
Keep an eye on this game.  We play the Jags next week in London.  The Jags defense was surprisingly good last week against the Texans.  So scout them today to see if they are for real.

Cardinals over Colts
Both teams lost last week but the Colts looked really bad without Andrew Luck.  Plus it is a NFC over AFC game.

Panthers over Bills
Cam Newton can take care of the Bills

 

4:05pm
Dolphins over Chargers
This is almost a pick’em game, but Miami was the other team washed out by Irma and need something to cheer about

Jets over Raiders
Man,the Jets look bad and have no chance today but we are rooting for the 0-1 Jets over the 1-0 Raiders. Remember, don’t bet on my picks.

4:25pm
Seahawks over 49ers
Rooting for the home team and our Seahawk friends.

Redskins over Rams
Washington lost last week and sales dropped.  So I need to increase sales with a Redskin win.

Cowboys over Broncos
This will be the game to watch after the Ravens beat the Browns.

8:30pm

Packers over Falcons
Sadly Atlanta got hit by Irma last week, but that’s not enough to make me root for Matt Ryan. Go Pack Go!

Monday
8:30pm

Lions at Giants
You Pick’em, this game won’t be worth staying up for, so get some sleep and see the score Tuesday morning.

Enjoy the games with a cold drink and someone you love.

And that’s just the view from 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

NEXT WEEK-LONDON!

 

9/1/17

FOOTBALL IS BACK!! IT’S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN, MY OLD FRIEND!

Week One of the regular NFL Season is finally here. The grind of training camp and the preseason is over and none too soon. The endless drivel of how “great Tom Brady is”  and how the Patriots are the team to beat in 2017 was about to drive me crazy!

So, the regular season is here and it’s good to be plucking the keyboard again talking Ravens football.

Okay, I can’t hold it in anymore–THE DEFENSE LOOKS FANTASTIC! I know…I know….it was only preseason but it was great seeing the D-Line stopping the run and our corners actually covering the receivers. We’ve been stopping the run for years but the pass coverage looks like it will be a huge improvement.  I was geeking out on the defensive numbers and discovered that the Ravens gave up the second fewest points in the preseason.  Do you want to know who gave up the the fewest points?  It was the Browns. Do you want to know who gave up the most points? —-It was the PATRIOTS! Their defense is going to be terrible this year.  They lost a lot of good defensive players. (I was going to add “Since they won the Super Bowl” but I couldn’t bring myself to say it) . The AFC North gave up the fewest points in the NFL–AFC or NFC. The rankings were Browns 1st, Ravens 2nd, Steelers 7th and the Bengals were in the 17th slot. We always knew our division has good defense but it’s kinda scary to think that the Browns defense is getting better.

Have you noticed that I have avoided talking about the Ravens Offense? That’s because no one has any clue what it will be like. Joe didn’t take one snap in preseason. He just started practicing last Saturday.  Joe himself  even said when he gets hit for the first time he doesn’t know if he will get up.  Not exactly the confidence you want to hear out of your starting quarterback.  The offensive line is another huge question, the starting line as a unit did not take one snap together in the preseason or in training camp.  Will they be able to protect our rusty quarterback?  Can they run block as a unit to help our core of running backs missing Kenneth Dixon our best runner?

This is what I love about football every year– the anticipation of how good your team will play.  So I hope I don’t pass out while I’m setting on the edge of the chair holding my breath waiting for Joe to get up after his first hit this week.  We will all find out together if the preseason means anything or if it’s really necessary.  Isn’t this Great!

GO RAVENS!!!

Disclaimer: Gotta say it for our new friends on this blog. I picked the teams that we want to win, who will help the Ravens in the playoff picture, not who I think will win. Do not bet the farm on these picks. Read on!

Thursday night 8:25pm

Chiefs over  Patriots
I just can’t take any more of the media Patriot / Tom Brady love-fest.  If the Patriots lose Week One then there will be no talk of a undefeated season.  Wouldn’t that be fantastic!

Sunday
1:00pm

RAVENS over Bengals
Joe will need to knock the rust off early, the O-line will need to be ready for the Bengals defense who will bring the pressure all day long.  We have good receivers but will Joe have time to use them?  Can we run the ball to help the pass?   Yes, a lot of questions for the offense but not for our defense.  Our Ravens defense is back!  No more losing steam in the fourth quarter and giving up points.  This defense is stacked with great players and will rotate in and out to stay fresh.  Look for the Ravens defense to control this game, the offense to manage this game and Justin Tucker  to will this game.  GO RAVENS!!!

Bills over Jets
Rooting for the home team Bills

Bears over Falcons
Matt Ryan, what a loser.  How did he lose the Super Bowl after being ahead by 25points?

Browns over Steelers
We just can’t root for the Steelers. We will beat the Browns next week.

Lions over Cardinals
Both NFC teams rooting for the home team.

Texans over Jaguars
Rooting for the home team, besides those poor people in Houston need something to cheer about.

Raiders at Titans
You pick’em. Both AFC teams that we play later this season.

Redskins over Eagles
I need my Redskin fan customers nice and happy next week.

4:05pm

Rams over Colts
NFC over AFC, the Colts are a mess and may not have Andrew Luck playing.

4:25pm

Packers over Seahawks
Rooting for the home team.  This will be a good game to watch after the Ravens win in Cincinnati.

49ers over Panthers
Just rooting for the home team.

8:30pm

Cowboys over Giants
Watch this one on Sunday night. The Cowboys could actually be good two years in a row.

Monday
Having two games on Monday night means us poor slobs that have to get up at 4:30 in the morning may be able to stay awake to see the end of the first game.

7:10 pm

Saints over Vikings
Rooting against the home team Vikings just because I don’t like them and we play them week 7.  So I hope I can stay awake to see them lose.

10:20pm

Broncos over Chargers
Rooting for the home team.

NOTE: The Buccaneers at Dolphins game has been moved to Week 11 due to Hurricane Irma. God Bless our friends in Florida.

It’s great to have football back!  So enjoy the games with a friend.

And that’s just the view from 151.

GO RAVENS!!! 

WEEK THREE: LONDON-Can’t wait!

 

The Superbowl is here and I regret to inform you that our Ravens are not playing in it.  Just yesterday the realization set in that the Ravens lost to the Steelers on Christmas day eliminating us from the playoffs.  I guess this is one of those suppressed memories I just could not face.

So Tom Brady and Matt Ryan are in the Superbowl.  What is a Ravens fan to do?  Who do we root for?  My advice to you is go out and find one of the thousands of office pools and bet $100.00 on a block and just root for your numbers to come up and if you win that will ease the pain of missing the Ravens.

This is “SUPERBOWL LI” LI, what the hell is LI?  I know it’s Roman numeral  51 but as for the Superbowl,  LI just doesn’t cut it and it’s way to wimpy.  When it was Superbowl XXX or XXXV ( the first Superbowl the Ravens won)  that sent a strong message.  The NFL has to realize they are completing against CNN and FOX News this year.  With all the Shenanigans going on in the country the NFL needs BUZZ there is no BUZZ about this  game.  A number one Falcons offense against a number one Patriots defense will make for a boring and low scoring game.  With the only reason not to go and get food while the game is playing is so we don’t miss the one trick play Belichick will throw in for the Patriots.  That way, in the office Monday morning,  we can say we saw the play everyone’s talking about and not having to admit you were really in the bathroom.

My advice to the NFL is to really jack up the Halftime show by having Lady Gaga jump out of a airplane with a free fall into the waiting 91 year old arms of Tony Bennett.  Now that’s what I would call an entrance!  This would be followed by a series of announcements that Tony Bennett is the Baby Daddy to Beyonce’s twins, Tom Brady himself is under inflated and will be disqualified from the second half of the game,  and that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Donald Trump are truly switching jobs and that was their  sinister plan all along.  That will start some BUZZ and keep the second half rating up.

But seriously, enjoy the game with family and friends and make tomorrow a politics free zone.  Enjoy the game, food, commercials and present company.  Have a beer with the person you have not been able to talked to since the election.

GO RAVENS!!!

And that’s just the view from 151.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

December 24, 2016

My heart has been on life support after last weeks.  WHY! WHY! WHY! Can’t the Ravens just win a game  with out all the last minute drama.  With five minutes to go we have a ten point lead and the game comes down to a last second defense of an Eagle 2 point conversion attempt to win the game.  The defense was exhausted but they mustered up one last play to stop the Eagles and win the game.  I am not complaining because  you know our mantra, We will take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day.

In the last week I have visited 14 different Santas with my only Christmas wish of BEATING THE STEELERS! I did look kinda silly standing in line with all the other kids but I felt better when I saw another Raven fan standing in line wishing for the same, a win over the Steelers.  You know it’s amazing what you can learn from all those kids in line. Did you know reindeer really can fly and the Steelers really do stink. Although I did get a lot strange looks it was all worth it to support our Ravens.

As if all the Christmas hustle and bustle stress isn’t enough we add Steeler week.  I found it difficult to focus on the game. My mind would wonder, put up the tree, get the perfect gift for Sheila, what can I get for the dog,  NO, NO, NO,- Focus on the game Ray, FOCUS Ray FOCUS!

Who’s playing and who’s not playing, sad to say Jimmy Smith is not playing and I’m sure Roethlisberger  is happy about that.  The key to this week against the Steelers is for the Offensive line to play well and as a cohesive unit.  They have been playing much better with a good showing last week against a good Eagles defense.  But good is going to be enough this week we need to play great!  Last week the Ravens had a defensive game plain of press coverage leaving only Webb or Weddle in the secondary.  We can do the same against Roethlisberger and the Steelers offense.  If we can contain RB LeVeon Bell and WR Antonio Brown and stop the Steelers on third down we win this must win game.  Oh yeah, did I mention this is a must win game for the Ravens? The pressure mounts.  Ravens Fans will find it hard to sleep tonight as Roethlisberger sacks and Ravens touch downs dance in their heads.

GO RAVENS!!!

Disclaimer: You know the drill–Our Christmas wish is to beat the Steelers and anyone in our way to the playoffs. Don’t bet the Christmas bonus on our picks but may our Christmas wishes come true.

Thursday Night

Eagles 24, Giants 19
The Eagles needed the win to stay in the Playoff hunt and Molly needed free coffee to stay awake driving home for Christmas.

Saturday (Isn’t life great! We have NFL football on Saturday)
1pm

Bills over Dolphins
We are one game behind the Dolphins in the playoff standings.  Come on Rex get a win for your old team Ravens.

Jets over Patriots
The Patriots have clinched the AFC East but are still playing for the AFC number one seed.

Jaguars over Titans
The Titans have the same AFC record as we do.

Packers over Vikings
The Packers hate the Viking so much that the Green Bay airport grounds crew did a lousy job clearing snow off the runway were the Vikings plane landing causing the plane to slip off the runway.  Now that’s what I call team dedication!

Browns over Chargers
There are still two games for the Browns to win giving the 49ers the first pick in the draft.

Redskins at Bears
Both NFC teams, the Redskins are still playing for a wildcard spot.

Panthers over Falcons
We don’t want Matt Ryan to make the playoffs

Saturday
4:05pm

Raiders over Colts
Do you remember that snowy night, I do.

Saturday
4:25pm

Saints over Buccaneers
Both NFC teams, rooting for the home team.

Cardinals at Seahawks

Both NFC teams, rooting for the home team Seahawks.

Rams over 49ers
Both NFC teams Rooting for the Rams and the 49ers hopes of that number one draft pick.

Saturday Night
8:25pm

Bengals over Texans
Rooting against the Texans who have the same record as the Ravens.

Sunday
4:30pm

Ravens over Steelers
Christmas day Ravens vs Steelers in Pittsburgh for first place in our division, it doesn’t get any bigger than this.  Enjoy a great Christmas dinner and let the Ravens win be your dessert.  No matter the outcome of the game just remember we are blessed to have a local team to root for.

Sunday
8:30pm

Chiefs over Broncos
We want the Broncos out of the wildcard mix.

Monday
8:30pm

Cowboys over Cowboys
Yes, the Cowboys get another prime time game.

Enjoy the games but hug someone you love knowing that Family is really what matters.

And that’s just The View From 151

Merry Christmas and GO RAVENS!!!