Going on the road to beat Washington last week was just the medicine the Ravens needed to heal our wounds from our loss to the Chiefs.

While last week’s win was not as dominant as I would have liked, a win is still a win. Washington’s defense leads the league in sacks and we had to shift our offensive line around. Orlando Brown Jr shifted from right tackle to left tackle replacing an injured Ronnie Stanley. Also guards Tyre Phillips and Bradley Bozeman shared snaps with Ben Powers and Ben Bredeson, and I don’t know why. I am a little concerned about the health of our O-line going forward. Why are we making the changes even though no one is showing up on the injury report? The Ravens offensive production is down and a banged up O-line may be the reason for it. I sure hope not.

Playing Washington who is one of the worst scoring teams in the NFL always makes your defense look good. While playing Washington was not much of a test, we needed the win to keep pace with the 3-1 Browns and 1-2-1 Bengals who both won last week. The Steelers did not play because their game against the Titans was reschedule to week 7 due to the COVID problem in Tennessee.

On to the Bengals who come to Baltimore this week. There is a problem with having weaker teams in your division, teams like the Bengals get high draft picks and sometimes they make good ones. The Bengals picked QB Joe Burrows with the number one pick in this years draft and I hate to say Joe many be a thorn in the side of the Ravens for many years to come. So far Burrows has looked like a number one pick who plays with confidence. The Ravens have a history of terrorizing rookie quarterbacks but Burrows doesn’t play like a rookie he only has thrown two interceptions in four games. We can’t look past the Bengals we need to win to keep pace with the Browns and Steelers.

Sorry for the unscheduled bye last week. It’s a shame when work gets in the way of a good time.

Remember my picks are for who we want to win to help the Ravens not who we think will win. So don’t bet the beer money on my picks.

GO RAVENS!!!

Thursday Night 8:00

3-1 Bears over 3-1 Buccaneers
Rooting against Tom Brady. Just because Brady is in the NFC now doesn’t mean we stop ragging on him. Both teams are NFC, this could be a good game. So sit back and enjoy the game knowing it really doesn’t matter who wins.

Sunday 1:00

3-1 RAVENS over 1-2-1 Bengals
I do look at the other teams stats each week to see how we match up against them. This week the stats told me the Bengals are an average team with a strange and funny statistic that their offense scores an average 24.75 points a game and their defense gives up an average 24.75 points a game. No wonder they have a tie in their record. I am looking forward to seeing QB Joe Burrows run for his life against our defense. By the way the Ravens are one of the best scoring offenses scoring an average of 31 points a game and only giving up 18 points a game. I can see RGIII under center in the fourth quarter with Lamar resting on the bench.

GO RAVENS!!!

1-2-1 Eagles over 3-0 Steelers
The Steelers are coming off an unscheduled bye week playing at home facing a one win Eagles team that has a tie against the Bengals and their only win was against Washington. The stats aren’t in our favor with this game, but there is always hope.

1-3 Washington over 3-1 Rams
With all the craziness in Washington these days this would be just one more crazy thing to happen.

3-0 Titans over 4-0 Bills
What… The Bills are 4-0?

2-2 Cardinals over 0-4 Jets
One more lose for the Jets nothing strange about that.

2-2 Raiders over 4-0 Chiefs
And we’re back to crazy.

0-4 Texans over 1-3 Jaguars
The Texans fired their head coach this week. There are a lot of winless teams this year, who is going to be next?

2-2 Panthers over 0-4 Falcons
We still like rooting against Matt Ryan.

Sunday 4:00

2-2 49ers over 1-3 Dolphins
NFC over AFC

1-3 Cowboys over 0-4 Giants
Could the Giants head coach be the next to get fired?

3-1 Colts over 3-1 Browns
I will never be over the Colts leaving Baltimore but, we are rooting for them this week.

1-3 Broncos over 2-2 Patriots
Old habits are hard to break.

Sunday Night 8:00
4-0 Seahawks over 1-3 Vikings
Both NFC teams rooting for the home team. (not that it matters this year)

Monday Night 8:00

2-2 Saints over Chargers 1-3
NFC over AFC
This could be a game to stay up for.

Scheduled bye week for Packers and Lions

Enjoy the games to escape all the craziness.

GO RAVENS!!!

And that’s just The (virtual) view From 151.

The pressure is on the Ravens to win tonight. The other three teams in our division the AFC North did not lose yesterday. I say did not lose because the Bengals tied the Eagles 23-23, while the Steelers and Browns both won. Leaving the Steelers 3-0 and Browns 2-1. If we lose tonight that would put us one game behind the Steelers and even with the Browns and I hate the thought of being even with the Browns.

So yes, this is a must win for the Ravens tonight at M&T stadium.

I wish we could be there to help. The last two games against the Chiefs have been in Kansas City. This was going to be our turn to get loud and disrupt Patrick Mahomes and the KC offense. It does make a difference playing in front of your home crowd, but the Chiefs did have to travel and Mahomes has never played in M&T. So maybe we get a little advantage.

The true advantage we have is our defense. Mahomes has yet to face such a dominating defense like the Ravens defense. So far this season KC has faced two of the worst run stopping defenses in The Chargers and Texans with Houston being the worst defense this season. While the Ravens are one of the best run stopping defenses in the NFL. That puts pressure on Mahomes to throw the ball into one of the leagues best secondaries. Adding to the pressure will be the lack of possession time the Chiefs will have since the Ravens offense will be burning up the clock.

The last two games against the Chiefs we have lost by three points and five points. This game will also be close but tonight the Ravens will win.

Enjoy the game

That’s just The (virtual) View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

We are spoiled by how well the offense performs early in games. When was the last time the Ravens went three and out and had to punt ending their first possession of a game? I can’t remember, but last week Lamar and the offense did just that, looking stiff early in the first quarter. After warming up in the first quarter the offense took control of the game passing to nine different receivers with no drops and grinding it out on the ground. When you have nine reliable receivers and a running game like we do, the opponents defense doesn’t have a chance. The Ravens defense is ranked first for points allowed holding the Texans to 16 points and had two turnovers. One bad note CB Tavon Young injured his knee and will be out the remainder of the season.

The NFL spotlights will be shining on Baltimore Monday night when Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs come to M&T bank Stadium. The marquis is not large enough to hold all the headliners in this game. Head coaches John Harbaugh vs Andy Reid, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense vs Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense, the Ravens number one ranked defense vs the Chiefs defense ranked sixteenth…… What? Wait a minute the Chiefs defense doesn’t belong on this marquis especially not next to the Ravens defense. This is going to be the difference in the game. Our defense will not stop Mahomes but will slow him down and keep him off the field. After all the Chiefs needed overtime to beat the Chargers. The Ravens offense will be ready to go out of the chute controlling the clock by running the ball down the Chiefs throat. The Chiefs weak spot is against the run and we will capitalize on it.

I can’t believe we have to wait until Monday night to see our Ravens beat up on the Chiefs.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember, don’t bet on my picks-they are who we want to win to help the Ravens, not who we think will win. So save your money to buy a celebration feast on Monday night.

Thursday night 8:00

0-2 Dolphins over 1-1 Jaguars
The over under for this game is forty-eight, so take the over neither team has a defense, so the score could be big in this one.

Sunday 1:00

You’re going to need three TVs going since the Steelers, Browns, and Bengals all play at 1:00

0-2 Texans over 2-0 Steelers
For the third week in a row the Steelers get to play a winless team. But this week’s outcome will be different. The Texans are winless only because they have played the Ravens and Chiefs. The other two games were against bad teams. Ben looks old and won’t win this week.

0-2 Eagles over 0-2 Bengals
One of these teams will get their first win.

1-1 Washington over 1-1 Browns
Washington earned their win over the Eagles. The Browns win came against the Bengals, I’m not impressed.

1-1 49ers over 0-2 Giants
We are only in week 3, can you start saying that a team is on the clock. (Giants)

2-0 Raiders over 1-1 Patriots
I just can bring myself to root for the Patriots.

0-2 Vikings over the 2-0 Titans
I don’t want to talk about it.

2-0 Rams over 2-0 Bills
What? The bills are 2-0?

2-0 Bears over 0-2 Falcons
What? The Bears are 2-0?

Sunday 4:00

0-2 Panthers over 1-1 Chargers
NFC over AFC

0-2 Jets over 1-1 Colts
It’s only week 3 and yes we can say the Jets are on the clock.

1-1 Cowboys over 2-0 Seahawks
After we watch the Steelers, Browns, and Bengals lose, tune this one in it could be a great game.

1-1 Buccaneers over 0-2 Broncos
I know… I know… how can we root for Tom Brady? When it’s NFC vs AFC that how. Just hold your nose and take one for the team.

2-0 Cardinals over 0-2 Lions
The Lions are going to be 0-3, rooting for the home team.

Sunday night 8:00

2-0 Packers over 1-1 Saints
Drew Brees looks old and slow, Green Bay won’t have any problem winning this one. So now that we know who’s going to win, go to bed early and get a good nights sleep, so we are fresh and ready to go for Monday Night Football.

Monday night 8:00

2-0 RAVENS over 2-0 Chiefs
This is our year to beat the Chiefs. We have gone into Kansas City the last two seasons and lost by a combined total of eight points. The games have been so close, they came down to Patrick Mahomes making one or two plays that you just had to wonder “How the hell did he do that?” Well this year it’s in our house and it’s going to be Lamar making those couple of plays that you will say “How the hell did he do that?” I need to be honest and say the Chiefs offense did not look sharp last week. While last week we got off to a slow start, we dominated most of the game on offense, defense and special teams. By the way, we may have true kick returners this season with rookies Devin Duvernay and James Proche. The Ravens defense is going to be the difference in the game with a couple of turnovers and maybe one returned for a touchdown. We will scale and conquer this mountain to plant the Ravens flag flying high!

GO RAVENS!!!

Enjoy the games with fond thoughts of a Hall of Famer Gail Sayers who passed this week at age 77. RIP Gail.

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

GO RAVENS!!!

The Ravens opened the season by beating up on a unprepared, ineffective, lame, and just all around bad Browns team 38-6 last week. As much as we want to say the Browns are just that bad, I think the Ravens are just that good and had plenty to do with how lousy the Browns played Sunday. It only took Cleveland’s first possession to pick right up were they left off last year with Baker Mayfield throwing an interception that was tipped by Calais Campbell and caught by Marlon Humphreys. Then, on their second possession during a fake punt attempt the punter fumbled the ball that was recovered by L J Fort. By the way in between those Browns possessions the Ravens easily marched forty nine yards down the field and scored the first of five Ravens touchdowns in the game. You know the Ravens are having a great day when RGIII replaces Lamar so his arm doesn’t fall off from throwing so may touchdowns.

This week we have a road game against the 0-1 Houston Texans who played well against but didn’t beat the Chiefs and their second best QB in the league, to open the season on Thursday night. So this means they are rested coming off a mini bye week to play the Ravens best QB in the league. But if you think about it the Texans had 6 months rest and could,’t beat Mahomes, a couple of extra days rest wouldn’t help them against Lamar and the number one ranked Ravens defense. Don’t forget the Ravens play at 4:25.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember my picks are who we want to win to help to the Ravens not who we think will win. So keep your money socially distant from my picks.

Thursday night 8:00

1-1 Browns 35, 0-2 Bengals 30
Thanks for all the positive feedback for last week’s Thursday night pick from all those who won big.

Sunday 1:00

0-1 Broncos over 1-0 Steelers
I just wanted to throw-up listening to the the Monday Night announcers praise how great Roethlisberger looked when he couldn’t run any faster than my grandmother.

1-0 Jaguars over 1-0 Titans
Still not over it so I don’t want to talk about it.

0-1 Panthers over 0-1 Buccaneers
Tom Brady lost last week to his new division rival New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees. Tom’s not in the abysmal AFC East division any more. Now Tom has to play against good teams.

0-1 Eagles over 1-0 Rams
The Eagles gave up nine sacks to that Washington team last week. I can’t wait for the Ravens to play them.

0-1 49ers over 0-1 Jets
Did I see Joe Flacco on the Jets bench? Way to go Joe you got a job close to home during the pandemic.

0-1 Dolphins over 1-0 Bills
It’s all about helping the Ravens

0-1 Vikings over 0-1 Colts
NFC over AFC

1-0 Packers over 0-1 Lions
Both NFC teams rooting for the home team.

0-1 Cowboys over 0-1 Falcons
Rooting for the Cowboys and against Matt Ryan.

1-0 Bears over 0-1 Giants.
Because the Giants didn’t beat the Steelers last week.

Sunday 4:00

1-0 Ravens over 0-1 Texans
The Ravens injury report was a little scary earlier this week with Ronnie Stanley and Jimmy Smith on it but also had them both as practicing on Thursday. It’s way to early to start getting those nagging injuries that linger all season. The Offensive line did a great job protecting Lamar and keeping Browns Myles Garrett off the stat sheet. The O-line can do the same against the Texans defense and a aging JJ Watts. We should have a good day running the ball against the Texans defense that gave up 166 rushing yards to the pass happy Chiefs. This game won’t be close, but don’t look for Lamar on the bench resting his arm Sunday, in a week two Ravens win.

GO RAVENS!!!

1-0 Washington over 1-0 Cardinals
Just think about how much money we could have won on picking Washington to win last week. But lightening doesn’t strike twice in the same place so keep your money in the wallet this week.

1-0 Chargers over 1-0 Chiefs
The Chargers are 1-0 after barely beating the Bengals last week. But it’s the Chiefs we are rooting against since they are the team we will be battling for the number one seed at the end of the year. We play the Chiefs next week.

Sunday 8:00

1-0 Seahawks over 1-0 Patriots
Both QBs Russell Wilson and Cam Newton had great games last week. This could be a good game to watch after the Ravens beat the Texans.

Monday 8:00

1-0 Saints over 1-0 Raiders
NFC over AFC, and not a bad game to watch. At least it’s not the Steelers playing on Monday night.

Fire up the grill and enjoy the games at home, safe and sound.

And that’s just The (virtual) View from 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

I’ve only had 8 months (246 days if your counting because I sure have been) to get this written and I still can’t get it done on time! What is wrong with me? Well I guess part of it is I was not sure we would have football this year and I couldn’t bring myself to think about life without it.

It’s been a long strange road since our last meeting. We’ve had many new issues to ponder. Things have happened that nobody saw coming. With all that’s gone on since we faced off with the Titans (I don’t want to talk about it) I truly didn’t think we would have NFL football this season, but here we are IT’S GAME TIME! Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, men, and women of the NFL we get to sit back and enjoy a few hours of Ravens football this week against the Browns. A diversion from the real world is exactly what we need and I think the Ravens are ready to give it to us in a big way.

So let’s get this party started!

The Ravens have survived training camp with no serious injuries and no real surprises. We only have eleven new players three free agents, one trade brought in, and seven 2020 draft picks. So this means our sixteen year streak of having a undrafted free agent rookie make the 53 man roster is broken. Not having preseason games didn’t allow that player who may have stood out to catch the eyes of the coaches. But the Ravens do have several rookies on the practice squad thanks to the new rule of adding six more players for a total of sixteen. The new rule also allows up to two practice squad players to be moved up to the fifty three man roster each week to play. So pay attention who may come and go from the roster each week.

Just as a side note, another very important rule change to be aware of, is the yardage numbers have been moved 3 feet closer to the center of the field. This is what the rules committee spent their time on during the off season instead of bring back the pass interference review rule. They just couldn’t get anything done because nobody knew how to work their computer microphones during the Zoom meetings.

Excited does not describe how I feel about this 2020 Ravens team. We were good last year and we are even better this year with just a few key changes. We had trouble stopping the Titans run game in the playoffs (I don’t want to talk about it) so we went out and got defensive ends Calais Campbell in a trade with Jacksonville for a 2021 fifth round draft pick and Derek Wolfe in free-agency. We get CB Tavon Young back after missing last year with a neck injury. WR Hollywood Brown added 20 pounds of muscles. And that’s about it. Little change is a good thing especially after this crazy offseason with no OTAs, no mini camps, and no preseason games having very little change in the rooster and the coaching staff means we can pick up were we left off from last year’s regular season ( I don’t want to talk about the playoffs) with a twelve game winning streak.

GO RAVENS!!!

We open the season at home against the Cleveland Brown the last team to beat us in the regular season (and you know what to fill in here). The Ravens new look defensive line will be tested Sunday by the Browns Running Backs Nick Chudd and Kareen Hunt two dynamic runners who the Browns are depending on to ease the pressure off of Baker Mayfield. If the Browns can run the ball against the Ravens (never happen) it could open up the passing game with wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr and Jarvis Landry who could test our secondary that saw Pro Bowler Earl Thomas get cut just three weeks ago.

When it comes to the Ravens offense I am going to cut and paste a sentence that I have used for the last four seasons “The only questions we have on offense are the O line and wide receivers.” Year after year we start the season with questions about the offensive line and wide receivers and year after year they do fine. And we have reigning MVP Lamar Jackson enough said.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember my picks are who we want to win to help the Ravens not who we think will win. So don’t bet your face mask money on my picks.

Thursday Night 8:00

Chiefs over Texans 34-20
You can take this pick to the bank so bet the mortgage on this one.
This was a great preview of our next two opponents. The Texans are still not quit there yet and the Chiefs are still there as good as ever.

Sunday 1:00

RAVENS Over Browns
After all the hype about the Browns last year we have not herd much from or about Cleveland this year. With all the good players the Browns have QB Baker Mayfield is the main piece that needs to play well but he won’t be able to while is running for his life from the Ravens defense. The winning formula for the Ravens offense will be the same as last year, run the ball to set up the pass and do it in spectacular fashion. The Ravens will have no problems starting the season off with a win.

GO RAVENS!!!

Seahawks over Falcons
Still don’t like Matt Ryan.

Jets over Bills
Neither team is very good but if the Jets win this game it maybe the only one all season.

Washington over Eagles
Sorry Eagle fans, the local economy needs a boost, if Washington wins all those federal government workers spend more money.

Dolphins over Patriots
All those New England fans are crying in their Boston lager with the Red Sox in last place and Tom Brady in Tampa.

Packers over Vikings
Go Pack Go!

Jaguars over Colts
The definition of irony is when a team that has the worst stadium attendance in the NFL (Jags) is the only team playing on Sunday allowing fans in the stands.

Lions over Bears
Rooting for the home not that it really matters.

Panthers over Raiders
NFC over AFC

4:00

Chargers over Bengals
After the Ravens beat the Browns, watch this game to see how well the number one draft pick QB Joe Burrow plays.

49ers over Cardinals
Both NFC teams rooting for the home team

Saints over Buccaneers
No matter what team he plays for we will always root against Tom Brady.

Sunday Night 8:00

Cowboys over Rams
Interesting point is this game is scheduled for 8:00 PM but on NFL.com the scheduled game time is not listed due the possible time change depending on the air quality. because of the smoke from the wildfires.

Monday 7:00

Giants over Steelers
Why do have to watch another Steelers prime time game! But the good side is the game starts a 7:10 so I can stay up for at least the first half to see how bad Roethlisberger’s throwing arm looks like.

10:20

Broncos over Titans
(I don’t want to talk about it!)

Enjoy the games with close friends but not to close, remember social distancing six feet apart.

And that’s just The (virtual)View from 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

Note: Graphics department is on vacation. Pictures next week.

The Ravens will play the Tennessee Titans 8:15 Saturday night in Baltimore.

Before the NFL realigned the divisions in 2003 to is current configuration, the Ravens and Titans played in the same division (AFC central). This led to some historic smash mouth rivalry games. You could say it was almost to the level of the present-day Ravens/Steelers rivalry.  The Titans had QB Steve McNair and RB Eddie George, the Ravens had our dominating defense lead by LB Ray Lewis; a combination that resulted in some great games.  On our way to winning the Super Bowl in 2000, we made a stop in Tennessee.  The Ravens were the Wildcard team and the Titans were the No. 1 seed.  We won that game 24-10.  On Saturday, the rolls are reversed: the Titans come to Baltimore as a Wildcard team and the Ravens are the No. 1 seed.  But, one thing will not be reversed: the Ravens will still win.

Let’s go to some more recent history. The Ravens backups beat the Steelers two weeks ago in a very rainy M&T Bank Stadium. I am primarily focusing on this week’s game but I just can’t help myself from relishing in the fact we spanked the Steelers who were still playing for a playoff stop with something like ten of our starters resting on the bench.  This just gives me a warm feeling inside knowing the Steelers are watching the games  on the couch at home.

So, to the present, our Ravens play the Titans in a divisional playoff game with the Ravens as heavy favorites and plenty of story-lines.  Here are a few.

Rust vs Rest
It has been 20 days since Lamar and the starting offense took a snap together. Will they be rusty? No, I say well rested. Just go back to the first game of the season against the Dolphins.  After Lamar rested most of the preseason, he came out just dropping dimes in our receivers hands throughout the entire game until he came out in the fourth quarter because we were up by 40 points.  Lamar just turned twenty three years old and someone that young doesn’t get rusty!

Will Mark Ingram play?
Did you see what Gus Edwards did to the Steelers week 17?  Would I like Mark back healthy? Sure, I would. But, if he can’t go Saturday, I like what we can do with Gus Edwards. Tennessee is average at best tying to stop the run.

Can we stop RB Derrick Henry?
No. Can we stop him? The honest answer is no. After all, let’s be real, he is the NFL’s leading runner this season, but we can slow him down. And the funny part of this is that our defense isn’t the key to slowing him down- it’s our offense.  Lamar and the offense need to get off to a fast start and score a couple touchdowns in the first quarter, making the Titans play from behind and go more to the passing game and keeping the ball out of Henry’s hands.

Can we stop QB Ryan Tannehill?
Yes.  Tannehill and the Titan offense rely on big passing plays and running the ball.  The Titans rely on the long pass plays to score touchdowns because they are one of the worst red zone offenses in the league. Do you know who the best red zone defense is? You guessed it. The Ravens. I like our secondary to cover the Titan receivers and shut-down their passing game.

How will our old friend Titan defensive coordinator Dean Pees try to stop Lamar?
He won’t. The Ravens have too many ways to beat you. Our offense is the first in the history of the 100 year old NFL to average over 200 yards passing and over 200 yards running per game. We have to many weapons on offense to be stopped.

Side note:  The last time Titans DC Dean Pees and the Ravens OC Greg Roman faced each other was when Dean Pees was our DC and Greg Roman was the 49ers OC in New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII in 2012.

Who will win this game?
The Ravens.

Since Week 5 it has been the same story-line: “Can the Ravens beat the formidable team  we are facing that week?” and each time the answer is yes.  Week after week we beat five teams who made the playoffs, and the Titan are next on the list.

GO RAVENS!!!

The playoff edition of the View are our picks of the team I think will win.  So go a head and bet that tax refund money you hope that is coming on my picks.  (just kidding)

Saturday 4:35

49ers over Vikings
I am not just picking the 49ers to win because I don’t like the Vikings. Even though Kirk Cousins got his first playoff win last week and I am happy for him (Saints got hosed again on a non call for offensive pass interference), the 49ers at home will be too much for the Vikings.

Saturday 8:15
RAVENS over Titans
The Titans don’t scare me. We match up very well against them.  Our defense should have no problem stopping the Titan offense.  They like to run the ball, we like to stop the run.  They like big passing plays we like to intercept passes.  We like to run and pass the ball, they can’t stop us.  This is so simple that, if I was a betting man, I would be in Vegas right now betting my tax refund. But, the fact that I am sitting in Catonsville should tell you something.

Am I worried, no… well… maybe a little, but that’s just me-I am always worried.  Did I sleep well last night….not much.

Buckle up your chin strap, both teams like to run the ball so this could be a real snot knocker.

GO RAVENS!!!

Sunday 3:05

Chiefs over Texans
This will set up a Ravens Chiefs Championship game in Baltimore.  But I am not looking past the Titans.

Sunday 6:40
Packer over Seahawks
This will be a close one so I am going with the home team. GO PACK GO!

Enjoy the games, because the playoffs only come around once a year.

And that’s just The View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

 

The Ravens clinched the AFC number one seed by beating the Browns last week.  The game was a physical game between two divisional opponents , every other play someone was limping off the field.  Mark Andrews (ankle), Mark Ingram (calf), Marcus Peters (chest), Earl Thomas (knee), and even Lamar was hobbling around, but thank goodness Lamar is not on this week’s injury report.  Being king of the AFC has its perks: not one of these guys will need to play this week against the Steelers.  The Browns had the predicted helmet throwing and sideline squabbling during the game. So much so that there was more action on the Browns sideline than they had on the field.  Meanwhile, the Ravens quietly dominated the game.  We started a little slow but took over late in the second quarter and I mean very late in the second quarter.  The Browns were leading 6-0 with less than 4 minutes to go in the half.  Lamar and the Ravens quickly threw the ball three or four times and scored a touchdown.  The Brown went three and out, leaving less than two minutes on the clock.  In the past, this type of scenario has been reserved for Tom Brady were you say we left too much time on the clock.  Well, there is a new guy in town and he is Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense. They took the field and before you know it we are scoring another touchdown.  Two touchdowns in less than four minutes, taking the lead 14-6, and we never looked back by winning 31-15. It’s wasn’t the forty points I was hoping we would put up on the Browns but I’m more than happy with the win and clinching the number one seed with the home field advantage.  A nice early Christmas present.

Speaking of Christmas presents, I have a great shopping tip for next year.  If you are like me and do most of the shopping for your spouse on Christmas eve, I found a great alternative to gas station sushi.  Home Depot!  I went into Home Depot Christmas eve to pick up parts for a project I should have completed a month ago, and found the place had no customers, no crowed parking lot, no lines at the register, I practically had the place to myself.  This was what I needed to finish the shopping for my wife Sheila.  Who knew Home Depot sold frying pans!  And if you thought the frying pan surprised Sheila, she really got emotional when she opened up the tape measure.   Sheila just couldn’t get over the gifts I gave her this year.   So if you want to be “That Guy” on Christmas morning, make a mental note of this shopping gem.  You can thank me later.

 

We find ourselves in a unfamiliar situation, playing the Steelers in the last game of the season not worried about the outcome of the game.  Well, not really,  we always want to beat the Steelers, but this year we are not playing for a trip to the playoffs, since we have that wrapped up already.  The Steelers are currently on the outside looking in, holding the seventh seed behind the Titans who are in the last playoff spot.  If the Titans lose and the Steelers win, the Steelers will take the sixth seed and will play in a wildcard game next week.  So, needless to say we want to beat the Steelers and keep them from going to the playoffs.   John Harbaugh has announced that several starters like Lamar Jackson, Marshal Yanda, and Marcus Peters will not dress or play against the Steelers this week.  This presents an interesting situation where we will start RGIII and rookie QB Trace McSorley will dress for the first time and be the back up for RGIII.  What makes this even more interesting is that the Steelers will be starting their third string QB Devlin (Duck) Hodges and practice squad QB Paxton Lynch who will be the back up for Hodges.  Don’t look for a high scoring game, bet the under on this one.

Don’t forget the Ravens and Steelers game has been flexed to 4:25 on Sunday.

GO RAVENS!!!

No Thursday night game this week.

Here are the games with playoff implications. Notice the Browns are not listed.

Sunday

1:00

Dolphins over Patriots
If the Chiefs win and the Patriots lose, the Patriots will have to play next week in a wild card game.  No bye week for Tom Brady.

Chargers over Chiefs
We want the Chiefs and Patriots to both lose, making the Chiefs play in he wild card game with no bye week to rest.  Out of all the AFC playoff teams, the Chiefs are the team I would least like to play.  So let them have an extra game to play.

Packers over Bears
The Packers are playing for the number one seed in the NFC but would need the 49ers to lose to do so.

Saints over Panthers
Saints are playing for the number one seed in the NFC and would need the Packers and 49ers to lose.

4:25

RAVENS over Steelers
The Steelers will be playing all out to grab the last wild card spot but they need the Titans to lose to get it.  I am interested to see how RGIII plays against a good Steeler defense, this will be a chance for him to showcase what he has left for another team that needs a starting quarterback.   We want to beat the Steelers, but we defiantly don’t want any of our guys getting hurt.

GO RAVENS!!!

Eagles over Giants
The Eagles would be NFC east champs with a win.

Titans over Texans
If the Titans win, the Steelers are watching the playoffs from the couch.

Cowboys over Redskins
The Cowboys are in the same position as the Steelers needing a win and an Eagles loss to get the number six seed.

Raiders over Broncos
There is an long shot chance that the Raiders can make the Playoffs but I do not have enough degrees to figure it out.

Sunday night 8:20

49ers vs Seahawks
You pick’em
The 49ers currently hold the NFC number one seed but if they lose they could drop to the number five seed.  If the Seahawks win they jump from the number five seed to the number two seed. There’s a lot riding on this game, so listen to this game on the car radio as we sit in traffic leaving the stadium after the Ravens beat the Steelers.

I gave my cardiologist two weeks off, since we don’t have anything riding on this weeks game and we get the bye next week.  Enjoy the games with thoughts of the Ravens going to the Super Bowl dancing in your head.

Happy New Year everyone!

And that’s just The View From 151

GO RAVENS!!!

 

 

 

 

 

After a mini bye, I almost can’t remember two Thursdays ago when we beat the Jets to become the AFC North Champions. While I definitely remember that we are the AFC North champs, I do have a vague memory of the Jets being a squashed bug on the bottom of the Raven’s boot as we climb to the top of the NFL.  On a cold night in Baltimore, the Ravens did what we were destined to do: squish the by Jets beating them 42-21.

At this time I would like to thank the Cleveland Browns for kicking our butts during week four in Baltimore.  Without this eye-opening loss to the Browns I don’t think we would have made the drastic changes on defense that were necessary to become the historic team that we are.  We have nine new difference-making players on the defensive side that were not even on the team when we played the Browns in week four.  Since then, the two teams have taken drastically different paths. The Ravens to became the AFC North champs and the Browns became a dumpster fire. The Browns aren’t just one of the small dumpster fires you see behind your local convenience store, but one of those big dumpsters after a Browns loss rolling away from Cleveland Municipal Stadium full of Browns jerseys type of dumpster fires.  Football is the ultimate team sport and I emphasize team. The Browns, who were the in the Super Bowl chatter at the start of the season, put together a group of star players and the Ravens, who were slotted to be third or fourth in our division, put together a team.  If the players don’t come together as a team, the result is the Browns. Have you seen the TV commercial of Baker Mayfield sweeping up the stadium after a game?  That could become a reality after the Ravens show the NFL world how to beat a bunch of star players using a team of players who work and play together for the good of each other, the team, and Baltimore.

So, we go to Cleveland this Sunday to stake our claim as the number one team in the AFC.  With the number one seed comes a first round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The possibility of playoff games in Baltimore has this town going purple crazy.  No adult Lamar jerseys to be found, buildings all lit up purple, and the stores crowded with people not just holiday shopping but mainly talking Ravens.  It just seems that the people around Baltimore and throughout Ravens nation have a bigger smile on their faces and even the cashiers at Walmart seem a little happier this year.

GO RAVENS!!!

The NFL gives us an early Christmas present every year with football games on the Saturday before Christmas.  Although this is great, it forces me the choose between shopping for the perfect gift for my wife or being one of those poor slobs out shopping on Christmas Eve only to end up hoping that the gas station sushi I got her doesn’t go bad as it sits under the tree. (She’ll understand, the Ravens are in the playoffs)

Remember don’t bet the eggnog money on my picks.

Saturday 1:00

Texans over Buccaneers
The Texans are the number 4 seed, but they don’t scare me if the Ravens play them.

Saturday 4:30

Bills over Patriots
We beat both of them, no worries.

Saturday 8:15
49ers over Rams
Also beat both teams, are you noticing a trend? Most of the Ravens wins were against playoff contending teams, and that’s a good thing.

Sunday 1:00
RAVENS over Browns

I have a confession to make. For the first time in my Ravens home game watching career, I left the week four game early so I could beat the traffic leaving the stadium.  This is not something I’m proud of, but maybe the coaches saw me leave and it contributed to the reasons the Ravens made the changes on defense. (So you can thank me later)

IT’S REDEMPTION TIME!  The starting Ravens players are hoping for a bye next week.  By beating the Browns we wrap up (Christmas metaphor) the number one seed, leaving nothing to play for next week against the Steelers, so our starters can rest up for the playoffs.  I could go on and on about the X’s and O’s of this game and how the Ravens will win, but the real story this week is the drama on the Browns sideline. I can’t wait to see the squabbling that goes on around the Browns bench during the game.  The best part is we will be watching from home on TV and you know how the producers love to catch that player yelling at the coaches.  I also can’t wait to see the look on Baker Mayfield’s face when they hand him a broom.

GO RAVENS!!!

Bengals over Dolphins
As I say we don’t want the better draft picks in the AFC we definitely don’t want them in our own division.

Jets over Steelers
Even though the Steelers lost last week they are still the number six seed, but a loss this week could knock them out of the playoffs.

Redskins over Giants
There are no smiles in Redskin land.

Colts over Panthers
Keeping the good draft pick in the NFC.

Jaguars over Falcons
Same as above, and we still don’t like Matt Ryan.

Titans over Saints
A Titans win could knock the Steelers out of the six seed.

4:00

Raiders over Chargers
Thanks to the Chargers for beating us in the playoffs last year and motivating Lamar to work harder.

Broncos over Lions
Another draft pick game.

Seahawks over Cardinals
Another draft pick game.

Cowboys vs Eagles
You pick’em
Both teams are 7-7, and looking to win the NFC East.  This is the game to watch after the Ravens beat the Brown.

8:00

Bears over Chiefs
The Chiefs are the only playoff team we have lost to.  Watch this game to scout the Chiefs we may see them in the playoffs.

Monday 8:00

Packers over Vikings
Both teams are playing to win the NFC North and we just don’t like the Vikings.

Enjoy the games with no guilt that you should be out shopping.  Gas station presents aren’t that bad. Besides, the Ravens are in the playoffs!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all!

And that’s just The View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

 

 

 

 

The Ravens Clinched a spot in the 2019 playoffs by beating the Bills in Buffalo last week.  But, with the season we are having just making the playoffs is not good enough.  The Ravens are currently sitting on top of the AFC with the number one seed position and we want to keep it that way.  Home field advantage throughout the playoffs is what we want.  So, there’s lots more work to be done and it starts with beating the Jets on Thursday night in Baltimore.

Here’s what could happen this week.  The Ravens beat the Jets we win the AFC North championship.  If the Chiefs and Patriots lose we clinch the number one seed and the coveted home field advantage.

We need to look forward but looking back at last week the Ravens handled another top five defense on the road.  The game wasn’t flashy and not much on the highlight reel but a win is a win, making it nine in a row.

It’s a short week and we need to move on to the Jets who we play on Thursday night.  You can tell it’s late in the season, players are getting nicked up, and the injury report is getting longer.  Lamar Jackson makes the list for the first time along with, Mark Andrews,  Ronnie Stanley, Mark Ingram on the offensive side and Earl Thomas, Brandon Williams on defense.  You might say no big deal since we are playing the Jets maybe some of these guys can sit out and rest.  I say no way! With all that’s on the line this week, let’s wrap this puppy up and then we can rest players.  Do I think we can beat the Jets without some of our starters? No doubt, but we need to make sure to send a statement to the rest of the league that the Ravens are who we know we are.  The best team in the NFL!

GO RAVENS!!!

Thursday Night

RAVENS over Jets
We can’t look past this Jets team -they have been playing better the last few weeks.  The Ravens need to dominate this game against a weaker opponent.  I want this to be a game where Lamar is sitting out the fourth quarter and the defense is scoring points.  So much can happen tonight, Lamar can break Micheal Vick’s  quarterback single season rushing record and we can clinch the division.  The weather forecast is for the temperature to be in the twenties and I need a lot of action to keep me warm.

GO RAVENS!!!

Sunday 1:00

Bengals over Patriots
Maybe Christmas can come early this year.

Buccaneers over Lions
Both NFC teams with nothing to play for.

Texans vs Titans
The winner of this game will be in first place of the AFC South.

Broncos over Chiefs
Another early Christmas present.

Dolphins over Giants
Keeping the good draft picks in the NFC.

Eagles over Redskins
The Redskins need the draft pick.

Panthers over Seahawks
Both NFC teams rooting for the home team.

Packers over Bears
The Packers are playing to win their division.

4:00

Chargers over Vikings
Just don’t like the Vikings.

Jaguars over Raiders
Both teams with nothing to play for.

Cardinals over Browns
The Browns are just one big raging dumpster fire.

Cowboys over Rams
Somebody has to win the NFC East.

49ers over Falcons
Still don’t like the Falcons.

Sunday Night 8:00

Bills over Steelers
Another home loss for the Steeler would be sweet along with knocking them out of the wildcard spot.

Monday Night

Colts over Saints

Enjoy the game and stay warm.

And that’s just The View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

 

 

 

12/6/19

Thanks to the Texans who beat the Patriots last Sunday night, the Ravens are now the #1 seed in the AFC.  This means we would have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.  One other thing that made us the number one seed, we beat the NFC #2 seed San Francisco 49ers in a sloppy slug fest at M&T Sunday.  The weather wasn’t pretty, the game wasn’t pretty but, the outcome was beautiful.

What do I always say, we will take an ugly win over a pretty lose any day.  But looks can be deceiving, last weeks win was beauty, highlighted by the Ravens late fourth quarter drive to win the game.  With six minutes and twenty eight seconds to go in the game, the score all knotted up at seventeen, Lamar and the offense take the rain soaked field on their own thirty five yard line.  The Ravens run it ten times, throw it five times, including a successful fourth and one try, moving the ball to the 49ers thirty five yard line to set up Justin Tucker with a game winning field goal with no time left on the clock.  I can’t remember the last time the Ravens ended a game like this.  It truly was a thing of beauty.

We go to Buffalo this week to play the well rested Bills coming off a mini bye since they played on Thanksgiving day beating the Cowboys.  So, no big deal,  the Ravens go on the road to play another top five defense, and what does this mean? Just that Lamar plays even better than he did the week before.  Sure Buffalo is no slouch. They have a very good secondary but, they give up a ton of yards on the ground. What do the Ravens do best in the league?  That’s right- run the ball averaging a league leading 210 yard per game.  We have the number one scoring offense while the Bills defense is the third ranked defense in points allowed, they just don’t give up many points.  But the Bills have not faced the likes of Lamar and the Ravens.  Look for the Ravens to run the ball all day long and possibly not even throw the ball more than ten times.   This will be another grind it out, ball control win for the Ravens.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember, don’t bet the Christmas fund on my picks, they are who we want to win not who we think will win.  Unless of course, your betting on the Ravens.

Thursday Night 8:00

Bears 31 Cowboys 24
This is the lock of the week.  Go ahead and bet the Christmas fund on this one.

Sunday 1:00

RAVENS over Bills
Josh Allen, the Bills quarterback, likes to run the ball and is a Lamar Jackson wannabe.  Allen is a straight line runner who will run straight into the arms of the Ravens run stopping defense.   The weather forecast is chilly but dry making the field a fast track for Lamar.  This week’s game plan is for RGIII to be on the field by the fourth quarter, so Lamar can rest since we have a short week playing next week on Thursday night.

GO RAVENS!!!

Bengals over Browns
The Bengals got their first win last week and are looking to start a win streak.  And the Cleveland dumpster fire continues to burn out of control.

Panthers over Falcons
The Panthers fired their head coach this week lets see if it makes a difference.

Colts over Buccaneers
We want the better draft picks in the NFC not the AFC.

Dolphins over Jets
We play the Jets this Thursday night and we want them starting to make their beach reservations for the off season.

49ers vs Saints
Record this game you will want to watch it after the Ravens beat the Bills.

Vikings over Lions
It’s all about keeping the draft picks in the NFC.

Broncos over Texans
The Texans are too close to the Ravens.

Packers over Redskins
The Redskins desperately need a good draft pick.

4:00

Cardinals over Steelers
The Steelers currently hold the number six seed and would be in the wildcard playoffs.  We don’t want the Steelers in the playoffs.

Chargers vs Jaguars
Both AFC teams at 4-8, you pick’em.

Titans over Raiders
If the Titans win and the Steelers lose the Titans knock out the Steelers and take the number six seed.

Chiefs over Patriots
Just because.

Sunday Night 8:00

Seahawks over Rams
Both NFC teams.

Monday Night 8:00

Eagles over Giants
Eli  Manning will start for the Giants.  The NFC Eastern division winner could have a losing record, so the 5-7 Eagles still have a chance to win the division.

Enjoy the games.  Just a word of caution, if the leftover Thanksgiving turkey is starting to turn green don’t put it on your halftime sandwich.

And for good measure Dave in Scotland (@Scottish Ravens) will be wearing his lucky 7-0, Ray Lewis jersey while watching the game with the UK Ravens in Manchester England rooting for the Baltimore Ravens. This Ravens love is worldwide!

And that’s just The View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!