The Eagles did us no favors last week by not playing their starting QB Carson Wentz.  The Ravens defense has yet to face a starting QB this preseason.  What can we determine from facing backups, only that we can  beat teams that start a backup QB.  We will not face a good starting QB until week three of the regular season, when we face the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes.  Week one we play the Dolphins, who have not decided on who the QB will be and the Cardinals week two who will roll out their rookie QB number one pick in the draft Kyle Murray.   Murray is shorter than I am he’s going to get killed.  So, we will need to be patient and enjoy the ride our defense will take us on.

Week four of the preseason has always been the bubble player show case.  The Ravens have way to many open positions to fill and unfortunately we are looking at bubble players to fill them.

The only unit on the Ravens you can say is set is special teams with Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, and Morgan Cox.

OFFENSE:
O-Line, we still don’t have a left guard.  Six possible candidates, Bozemen, Powers, and Hurst will make the 53 man rooster but as for Senat, Eluemunor, and Mekari one or two of them may not. **News Flash** Eluemunor was just traded to the Patriots so strike him off the list of candidates.**

Wide receivers, Floyd, Roberts, and Scott will be playing Thursday probably for one open spot.

Running Back Kenneth Dixon could be the odd man out.  This group has played very well and with Dixon’s injury problems he may not make the 53.

Tight ends are the strongest group on our offense.  Lamar loves to throw to tight ends and he has some good ones to target.

DEFENSE:
D-Line Williams and Pierce will be the brick wall to stop the run but should they go down, I’m not sure who steps up.  Someone in this group will standout Thursday night and will earn themselves a spot on the 53.

The Secondary has been getting all the press during preseason, but everything changed when Tavon Young injured his neck and will be out for the season.  It’s not a good sign when the Ravens feel the need to sign Fish Smithson to compete for the spot. Fish could be that player that wasn’t on the roster when I said a final 53 player may not be on the team yet.

D-ends and the line backers are a wait and see who makes the 53.

Thursday will be the last chance for the bubble player to stand out and make the cut.

All the speculation will be over by Saturday afternoon when the final cuts are made and we know the 53. So keep your ears open for the announcement.

GO RAVENS!!!

And that’s just The View From 151

Enjoy the game and let no one get hurt.

GO RAVENS!!!

 

Week One against Jacksonville did not show much about where we are as a team but it sure looked good to me.  Even though the Jaguars didn’t use all of their offensive starters the Ravens defense stepped right back into the #1 ranking.  Not only did the Ravens not allow Jacksonville to score one point,  they didn’t cross the 50 yard line into Ravens territory the entire game!  Lamar had more playing time than expected, and it looked like he needed the extra reps.  Lamar stuck to the game plain by handing the ball off to the running backs and throwing short passes to mostly the tight ends.  Lamar’s passes were accurate but still look like a wobbly duck trying to fly away from a bunch of eastern shore hunters.  Last week’s stand outs were Safety 32 Deshon Elliott who looked like a beast but will have a tough time making the 53 man rooster and Wide Receiver 14 Sean Modster, you just got to love a little guy who goes across the middle with no fear. The coaches are not going to show the good stuff until the regular season but last week was a good start.

Preseason Week 2:  Packer vs RAVENS

The real test will be this week against the Green Bay Packers who will play their starters including Aaron Rodgers.  Look for more of the Ravens starters to play but don’t look for our first round pick WR Marquise Brown who was not had a full practice, the trainers have not let him go full speed since his foot surgery.   This week our focus should be on the Ravens offensive line,  mainly at left guard.  We don’t know who will be the starter at left guard and the weird part is, that player may not be on the team right now.  The Raven are $13 million under the salary cap and could trade for or pick up a cut player from another team.  I don’t think we can execute a run first offense with the line we have now.  The Packer offense will be a better test for our defense.  Last week against the Jaguars we were a little bit blitz happy, I don’t think we can do that against Aaron Rodgers.  The Ravens will play a basic defensive package with our starters, but if it can shut-down the Packers, that will be a good thing.

So, keep an eye out for #32 (formerly Eric Weddle very sad) and #14 let’s see if they can keep up the strong performance.  They are both fighting to make the team.

Enjoy the game and hope no one get hurt!

GO RAVENS!!!

And that’s just The View From 151

GO RAVENS!!!

 

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!
It’s hot! It’s sticky! It’s training camp WITH meaningless preseason games!  So I’m not sure what makes this such a wonderful time, but football is back!  We can stop speculating and pontificating about the up coming season because it’s here.  The Ravens are on the field in real life and that’s what makes this such a wonderful time.

This season is not unlike the last several seasons with so many questions.  I don’t think my computer has enough memory to list them all but here’s a few.

Has Lamar’s passing game improved?
Will first round pick WR Hollywood Brown buck the trend of the Ravens not being able to select a good wide receiver in the first round?
Skura will be the first center to start back to back seasons for the Ravens in the last five years.  Will this make a difference with the offensive line?
The defense lost key players: Weddle, Mosley, Smith, and Suggs.  Will the replacements   fill the void and step up to make this a number one defense again this season?  You know in Baltimore we love our defense.
Will the Ravens “run first” offense prove to the NFL that it’s capable of winning playoff games?
And the list goes on and on, but that’s what makes this time of year great.  The unknown, the excitement of a new season and what it will bring.  I can’t wait the see this Ravens team on the field!

GO RAVENS!

PRESEASON WEEK 1

Thursday 8/8/19 7:30 at M&T Bank Stadium

RAVENS vs Jaguars
I’m have flashbacks to the game in London against the Jaguars.  But what can we really find out in the first preseason game?  Not much about the starters but look for that one guy to make a statement, to standout and make himself noticed by the coaches.   If the starters play it will only be for one or two set of downs.  Don’t look for first-round pick WR Hollywood Brown to play he was just cleared to practice last week  but look for third-round pick WR Miles Bodkin to get plenty of playing time.  Miles has been the talk of training camp.  The Defensive starters may be on the field longer just so the coaches can see how the squad is coming together.

What’s happening in the AFC North with the Brown, Bengals, and the Steelers?

The Cleveland Browns are making all the headlines.  The combination of QB Baker Mayfield and WR Odel Beckham Junior has everyone talking.  But, if you filter out the loud noise you can  listen to the whispers coming out of the Browns camp there may already be a power struggle going on between Mayfield and Beckham.  I am sitting back and waiting for the ugly fireworks to begin.  New head coach Freddie Kitchens could lose the locker room very early in the season and that would be a good thing.

The Cincinnati Bengals are the Cincinnati Bengals, the only real change was at head coach with Zac Taylor replacing Mervin Louis.  Not much coming out of Bengals camp.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are eerily quiet and that scares me.  No Bell or Brown drama, no big free agent signings,  not much talk about the Steelers and that may not be a good thing.  It has me worried.  So, we will keep an eye on them during the preseason and see how they are developing.

We will keep our friends close and our enemies  closer, as we will check back with the AFC North as the preseason moves on.

I would like to say a fond farewell to Joe Flacco who was traded to the Broncos.  I wish him luck but not too much since he is still in the AFC with the Ravens.

FOOTBALL IS BACK!

Enjoy the games hoping no one gets hurt.

And that’s just the View From 151

GO RAVENS!

 

 

January 4, 2019

Man, I am getting too old for this stuff.  Another heart exploding end to the game with the season and a playoff appearance in the balance. The Steelers had just beaten the Bengals but didn’t leave the field so they could watch end of the Ravens game on the stadium Jumbotron.  We lose and the Steelers are the AFC north Champs.  The Ravens are leading by two points in the last minutes of the game.  Lamar and the offense are on the field and can’t get a first down.  NOOOOOOOO, not again!  All we needed to do is get a first down and run the clock out to win the game.  So after the Ravens three and out we punt the ball back to the Browns and rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield, who doesn’t look like a rookie when he throws two long toe tapping diving passes setting the Browns up just out of field goal range.  Mayfield has a first down and three shots to set up the game winning field goal.  First down, second down, third down passes fall to the dirt incomplete, leaving the Browns with 4th and 10 still just out of field goal range to win the game.  The fans at M&T were crazy-ear-ringing loud.  On fourth down Mayfield takes the snap, fades back, and releases the ball looking for a first down within field goal range to win the game.  CJ Mosley fades into coverage after faking to rush the quarterback, Mayfield throws the ball directly into the hands of Mosley for a interception.  That place went wild, our defense has done something we couldn’t do in the past two years, stop the other team to win the game.  The game ends with Lamar taking a knee in victory formation.  We have won the game!  I was exhausted and didn’t know if I had the strength to walk back to the car.  All I wanted to do is lay down in the stadium and just soak in what has just happened.  The Ravens are the AFC North Champs and heading to the Playoffs!  Oh, and by the way, the Steelers are out of the playoffs and will be watching the Ravens this week from their couches.  Life is good!

This week is a rematch with Philip Rivers and the Chargers, but it’s in Baltimore this time.  With several story lines about the game, I don’t know where to start.

Lamar is the youngest quarterback ever to start a playoff game he will turn twenty two on Monday January 7th which is also my birthday.  So here’s to both Lamar and me having a happy birthday.

The Chargers are the first team to play the Lamar led  Ravens a second time.  Does this give the Chargers an advantage?  Not as far as I’m concerned.  I say no matter how many times a team has played us the Ravens are going to do what we do best, run the ball, control the clock, and play number one ranked defense and the Chargers won’t be able to do anything about it.

Can Lamar the rookie quarterback win a playoff game?  Just look at the game he plays and listen to the interviews he gives this guy is excited to be in this position and ready to play.   He’s talking about sweet potato pie and tasting victory.  Remember Lamar  doesn’t play by himself  he has a team around him who has been playing the best football we have seen since the 2012 season and you know where we ended up that year.

The Chargers are traveling to the East Coast.  If you look at the win/loss record of teams traveling from  West Coast to East Coast,  it all depends on what teams are playing.  It comes down to the good teams beat the bad teams most of the time and it doesn’t matter who travels where.   So what happens when both teams are good?  I give it to the home team.  M&T Bank stadium will be rocking on Sunday at 1:00.  There truly is a home field advantage in football.

Phillip Rivers has not played well in the last two games, is he playing hurt?  After playing the Ravens two weeks ago I wouldn’t doubt Rivers is playing hurt with the number times we hit him.  Also Rivers is thirty seven years old and has played fifteen seasons. He can’t scramble around the way he use to, he is taking more hits now.  So is he playing hurt?  He could be.

I could go on and on about this game but the bottom line is the Ravens are a better team and will win on Sunday.

GO RAVENS!!!

It’s been to long since I scouted playoff games because I only do it when the Ravens are playing.  I don’t preview the playoffs like I do the regular season.  In the playoffs anything can happen and any team could win or lose.  So, my playoffs game picks are still who we want to win but, they very well could win to help the Ravens.  So the holidays have passed and the New Year has begun. If you have any money left to wager on the games you have my blessing.

Saturday 4:35

Colts at Texans AFC Wildcard
The Colts are coming into this game hot, winning their last four games including beating the Texans in week fourteen.
MY PICK: Colts over Texans

Saturday 8:15

Seahawks at Cowboys NFC Wildcard
Both teams have played well down the stretch but also can be inconsistent.  So, it could come down to home field advantage.
MY PICK: Cowboys over Seahawks

Sunday 1:00

Chargers at Ravens AFC Wildcard
In a rematch what can change?  It’s all the same players although the Chargers may have a tight end playing this week that has not played all season and you know what tight ends can do against us.  This game will be won and or lost by how the coaches game plan.  During a game we look for halftime adjustments, well just think of the last two weeks as a very long halftime.  While the Charges head coach Anthony Lynn has the Chargers playing very well with a 12-4 record my money is on the Ravens coaching staff.  John Harbaugh, Marty Mornhinweg, Don “Wink” Martindale, and Jerry Rosburg have done a tremendous job this season.  Going into our bye, week 10 we were 4-5 and had no clue Joe was hurt and Lamar would need to take over and take over he did going 6-1 to finish the season.  You don’t do that without great coaches.  I don’t know what this game will bring but I do know the Ravens will be ready to play and beat the Chargers.
MY PICK: Ravens over Chargers

GO RAVENS!!!

Sunday 4:40
Eagles at Bears NFC Wildcard
We have been rooting for the Eagles all season in thanks for the beat-down they put on the Patriots in the Super Bowl.  It’s been a tough season for the Eagles and they find themselves in familiar territory with QB Carson Wentz out for the season and QB Nick Foles starting in the playoffs.  The Bears third ranked defense in Chicago will be to much for the Eagles and the Eagles championship reign will end.  Thanks Eagles.
MY PICK: Bears over Eagles

Enjoy the games with a bandwagoner who has just jumped on the Ravens wagon,  knowing deep down we have been on the wagon all season.

Thinking of our dedicated readers Mary Ellen and Marian.

Lets hope Lamar has a happy birthday and his candles will be in a sweet potato pie.

And that’s just The View from 151

GO RAVENS!!!

 

 

 

 

WOW! What a win last Saturday against the Chargers.  All around team victory, offense, defense, and special teams.  The Ravens made mistakes but we did not let that get in the way of our 22-10 win.  We fumbled the ball early in the third quarter giving the Chargers a short field and allowing them to score a go ahead touchdown.  Lamar answered with a beautiful pass to Mark Andrews for a touchdown to take back the lead.  Any time the Chargers seemed to be gaining momentum the Ravens would snatch it right back.  We dominated this game.  Baltimore is getting hot at the right time going into the last game of the regular season and beyond.  A medical note, I had my cardiologist on speed dial ready to go, even after Tavon young’s scoop and score putting us up by twelve points my heart just couldn’t take the pressure.  I was exhausted after that game.  And then we had to go through it again watching the Saints beat the Steelers- it was way too close for me.

No let down in pressure this week against the Browns, another win and we are in game.  I’m flashing backs to the last two years when we have had our guts ripped out ( what doctor should I have on speed dial to fix that) late in the game.  Although I anticipate no doctor will be needed, we are a much stronger and a well balanced team this season.  Cleveland’s quarterback Baker Mayfield is getting headlines even this week against the Ravens defense.  The Browns rookie QB will be dazed and confused trying to read our defense, with blitzes comes from all directions he will have no where to throw, no where to run and no where to hide.  The head lines read the Browns have won 5 of their last six games.  This is true but who have the Browns beaten, Cincinnati twice, Denver, Carolina, and Atlanta none of them have a defense. The only team they have played with a decent  defense is Houston and the Browns lost that game.  The Browns don’t scare me at all (well  maybe a little bit only because of the last two years) the way we are playing now we should have no problems beating Cleveland this Sunday at M&T.

GO RAVENS!!!

AFC playoff seeding scenario for the Ravens:

Currently the Raven hold the number four seed with the potential of jumping as high as the number two seed.  Now getting the number two seed is highly unlikely but if the Ravens win, the New England team loses, the Texans lose, and the Colts vs Titans game doesn’t end in a tie. (Remember I said the New England team is dead to me for not beating the Steelers last week.  I will no longer say the name of the team for the remainder of the season and possibly longer.)  We could be the number three seed if we win, the Texans lose and the Colts-Titans don’t end in a tie.  We could be the number four seed (our current position) if we win and the Steelers win, or if we lose and the Steelers lose, or if we tie and the Steelers tie.  How ever there is a scenario where the Ravens could be the number 6 seed but I don’t have the time to go through all that.  The bottom line is the Ravens need to win Sunday to get in the playoffs,  if we lose we are out.

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember don’t bet the New Years eve champagne money on my picks. They are who we want to win to help the Ravens, not who we think will win.

All the games are on Sunday.

Sunday 1:00

Bills over Dolphins
Both teams are out of the playoffs just playing for a draft pick.

Falcons over Buccaneers
Playing for a draft pick.

Cowboys over Giants
Cowboys are locked in the NFC number four seed.

Saints over Panthers
Saints are the NFC number one seed.

Jets over the team from New England
Rooting for the New England team to lose , to help the Ravens get a higher seed, and we don’t want the Jets with a high draft pick.  Keep an eye on this game before the Ravens play at 4:25.

Jaguars over Texans
Rooting for the Texans to lose, to help the Ravens get a higher seed.  Also keep an eye on this game before the Ravens play at 4:25.

Packers over Lions
Will Aaron Rodgers play or will they sit him?  Both teams are out of the playoffs just playing for pride and a draft pick.

4:25

RAVENS over Browns
Some writers are declaring that Baker Mayfield is the second coming of Johnny Unitas.  I say Mayfield isn’t qualified to carry Johnny’s jockstrap and our defense will prove it on Sunday.   This game is not even going to be close.  Cleveland will try to run the ball to set up the pass and nobody runs the ball on the Ravens leaving Mayfield throwing the ball into a Ravens secondary that is the best in the league.  Lamar and company will have no problem just doing what he does best, with our run first, control the clock offense.  Cleveland’s defense is ranked 27th against the run, and that’s just what the Gus bus will do run the ball right down the Browns throat.  Mayfield will spend most of the game on the bench watching the Lamar show.

GO RAVENS!!!

Eagles over Redskins
The Redskins are playing for a draft pick and the Eagles are playing for a playoff spot.

Broncos over Chargers
Rooting against the Chargers,  for a higher seed for the Ravens.
Score board watch this game while the Ravens are beating the Browns.

Raiders over Chiefs
The Chiefs are playing for the AFC number one seed, the Raiders are playing for a draft pick.

Rams over 49er
The Rams are playing to keep the NFC number two spot and the 49ers a draft pick.

Bengals over Steelers
I would like to thank the New Orleans Saints for delivering that huge lump of coal to the Steelers fans last week.  That game last week almost killed me but it was a beautiful thing to watch.  Thanks Saints!

Seahawks over Cardinals
Seahawks playing for the NFC number five seed and the Cardinals are on the clock.

8:20

Titans over Colts
Setting aside my disdain for the Colts I think I would rather play the Titans than the Colts in a Wildcard game if that is how the seeds end up.

Enjoy the games with someone who has medical training just in case you pass out during the Ravens game, they can revive you before the game ends.

Happy New Years everyone and Mary Ellen HO HO HO

And that’s just The View From 151

GO RAVENS!!!

 

 

 

 

No Thursday night game this week, so am I ahead of schedule for getting this published.  Well, this was my opening line when I started writing two days ago.  Flash forward to the present you are now reading the late edition or should I say a very late edition of the View from 151.  And yet again the late edition is bringing you breaking news, the Ravens announced last night that John Harbaugh will be back next year and they are working on a contract extension.  I am glad to see John will be back but many will disagree.  I think having the head coach issue behind us means the team can focus on this season, beating the LA Chargers and getting to the playoffs.

We got one game closer to the playoff last week when we beat the Buccaneers at a rainy M&T Bank Stadium.  The Ravens used the  same winning formula with Lamar under center run the ball, dominate the time of possession and keep Jameis Winston off the field.  It wasn’t pretty including another Lamar –  Gus exchange fumble which needs to be cleaned up, but you know what I say I will take an ugly win over a pretty loss any day.

The Lamar show goes on the road to Los Angeles to face what will be it’s toughest challenge to date.  The Chargers are the most balanced team we will play all season, with Phillip Rivers at QB and the 8th ranked defense, the best defense Lamar has faced so far.   But the game plan doesn’t change this week with a run first clock burning approach. We just need to execute better because the Chargers defense is so much better.  This may be the most challenging test for the Lamar show. It also is the most important game he has played with it’s playoff implications.  This game is the perfect definition of a “must win game” and I refuse to discuss implications if we lose since we aren’t going to lose.  A win in LA will keep us in control of our playoff destiny.   I would love to say if we win we’re in but we would still need to win next week.  So only positive thoughts and the Ravens will win!

GO RAVENS!!!

Saturday

4:30

Redskins over Titans
I have no clue what quarterback the Redskins will dust off and drag out on the field but it would do us a great big favor if they beat the Titans to knock them a game behind the Ravens.

8:00

RAVENS over Chargers
Lamar in his first prime time game with the playoffs and the  entire season on the line.  No pressure Lamar, no pressure.  The Ravens run game has gone from being the 27th ranked to the 2nd ranked since Lamar has taken over.  The Ravens have returned to the run first offense, hard hitting defense, smash mouth football team that I love.  And we will go in LA and shove the ball right down the throats of the California pretty boy Chargers.  The Gus bus will have a great day running the ball, Lamar won’t turn the ball over and will have his best day passing the ball.  The Defense will have Phillip Rivers running for his life.  Look for the Ravens to win the turn over battle and Justin Tucker to kick the game winning field goal.  The only thing on my Christmas list is for a Ravens win in LA.  Come on Santa I’m counting on you.

GO RAVENS!!!   

Sunday

1:00

Cowboys over Buccaneers
The Cowboys let us down last week losing to the Colts 23-0.

Lions over Vikings
Both NFC teams and just don’t like the Vikings

Bills over Patriots
The Patriots couldn’t beat the Steelers last week, so they are dead to me! Here’s hoping the Bills lay an embarrassing beat down loss on the Patriots in New England sending their fans home with a big lump of Christmas coal.  I pronounce, from this day forward I refuse to mention the name of the team in New England since they are not worthy of me acknowledging them.

Giants over Colts
We need the Colts to lose.  There is a possibility of the Ravens not making the playoffs even if we win our remaining games.  I can’t go into the math since my fifth grade teacher Mrs. Friend didn’t teach that high level math.

Jaguars over Dolphins
This would knock the Dolphins out of the playoffs.

Panthers over Falcons
Even though Joe is riding the pine with the Ravens we still can’t root for Matt Ryan.  It’s the principle of the thing.

Bengals over Browns
We want the Browns out of the playoff hunt when we play them at M&T next week.  And I am growing real dislike for Baker Mayfield.  John Harbaugh still has a job with the Ravens. This could be Marvin Louis’s last season as head coach for the Bengals.

Jets over Packers
We usually root for the Packers but it’s all about how it helps the Ravens.

Texans over Eagles
The Texans losing is one of the calculations that would lead to the Ravens missing the playoffs even if we win out.  Sorry Eagles.

4:00

Rams over Cardinals
We want that first draft pick in the NFC

Bears over 49ers
Another draft pick game.

Saints over Steelers
This is killing me the fact we are 1/2 game behind the Steelers.  In football there isn’t suppose to be 1/2 games my brain is hurting.  Saints, I am warning you now if you lose this game you will be dead to me too!

Sunday Night 8:00

Seahawks over Chiefs
NFC over AFC

Monday 8:00

Raiders over Broncos
The nice part about this game is, it means nothing in the playoff picture.  So go about your Christmas Eve festivities and don’t even think twice about the meaningless game.

Enjoy the games with family and friends knowing there’s only basketball on Christmas day so you won’t get in trouble for wanting to watch a game during dinner.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone!

And that’s just The View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That was a great game last Sunday in Kansas City.  Two young quarterbacks playing their hearts out, but only one could win and it wasn’t Lamar.  Patrick Mahomes threw a sidearm fifty yard pass on fourth and nine that you just had to shake your head and say how in the hell did he complete that pass. All I can say is the kid is good.  The Chiefs got the best of us last week but we will get them when we meet up in the playoffs.

The Baltimore Ravens announced the backup quarterback for this week will be Joe Flacco.  Joe has been the starter in every regular season and playoff game he has every played, it wouldn’t be easy for him to suite up and stand on the side line.  We will witness the end of an era Sunday.  Thanks Joe-it’s been a fun ride.

So the season moves on and Lamar Jackson will be under center to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Stadium Sunday.  The Buc’s 5-8 record does not reflect how good a team they are.  Tampa Bay is one of those teams were the Defense can give up 40 points one week and only give up 10 points the next, the offense is the same way.  So the stats are hard to use as a prediction of how Tampa Bay will play on Sunday.  What we do know is that Jameis Winston who was benched for a couple of weeks earlier in the season has stepped back into the starting roll and has played much better.  Sometime it just take a swift slap to the side of the head to straighten somebody up.  But Winston is no Patrick Mahomes and it took Mahomes everything he had to beat the Ravens defense last week.  The two areas where the Buccaneers are consistent, they throw the ball a lot and the turn the ball over a lot, this plays right in to the Ravens defensive strengths. We love to blitz and go after the ball.  It’s going to be a long afternoon for Winston.  Tampa’s defense can’t stop the run so nothing will change for the Ravens offense.  Look for Gus Edwards and Ken Dixon to get plenty of calls to run the ball.  The Ravens bounce back from the loss in KC with a big win over Tampa.

GO RAVENS!!!

 

Online Christmas shopping is a wonderful thing because you would have time for shopping at the Mall this week there’s NFL football on Saturday now!  There’s also online sports betting so remember don’t wager on my picks they are who we want to win not who we think will win.

Thursday night 8:00

Charger 29 Chiefs 28
I understand this was another slug feast for the Chiefs,  I fell asleep at halftime when the Chiefs were cruising with a 14-21 lead.

Saturday

4:30

Jets over Texans
I think Houston’s practice squad gives the Texans a harder test than what the Jets will on Saturday.

8:00

Browns over Broncos
The Broncos are only one game behind the Ravens.  I can’t believe the Browns with a 5-7-1 record are still in the payoff picture in week 15.

Sunday

1:00

RAVENS over Buccaneers
So the pressure on Lamar got jacked up a little bit more when the Ravens announced he would be the starting quarterback ahead of Joe Flacco who will be watching from the sideline as a backup for the fist time.  I’m anxious to see how Lamar handles the added pressure of being the full time starter.  Even though the offensive line is still shuffling players around they have looked much better with Lamar as QB and not allowing the defenses to stack the box which has opened up the Ravens run game.  The Buccaneers defense will look to shut down the Ravens run game but they wouldn’t look for Edwards and Dixon to have good games.  The weather may be an issue Sunday, we could be playing with a wet ball and with Lamar’s ball security not the best, so I hope as Marty Mornhinweg calls the plays to Lamar helmet Marty ends with three words each time   ” PROTECT THE BALL”.   The Defense will have fun blitzing Winston all day long.  It’s going to be another ball control run out the clock win for the Ravens.

GO RAVENS!!!

Packers over Bears
The Packer’s playoff hopes are hanging on by a thread, if they lose Sunday the thread will break.

Bills over Lions
It’s all about the draft and keeping the early picks in the NFC.

Falcons over Cardinals
Another draft pick game

Raiders over Bengals
This would completely knock the Bengals out of the playoffs.

Giants over Titans
The Titans have the same record as the Ravens.

Viking over Dolphins
Dolphins are another teams with the same record as the Ravens.

Redskins over Jaguars
The Redskins still have a glimmer of Playoff hope.

Cowboys over Colts
The Colts are the third team with the same record as the Ravens.

4:00

Seahawks over 49ers
It’s all about the draft.

Patriots over Steelers
Don’t go anywhere  after the Ravens beat the Bucs,  you will want to stick around to watch the Patriots beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh.  The Patriots lost last week and they don’t lose two weeks in a row, so lets hope this holds true.  We would be in first place in the AFC North with a Ravens win and a Steelers loss.  Go Pats Go!

Sunday Night 8:00

Eagles over Rams
The Eagles are another team hanging on the playoff hopes.

Monday Night 8:00

Saints over Panthers
Hoping to keep the early draft picks in the NFC.

Enjoy the games knowing you have plenty of Christmas stuff to do but there’s NFL football on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.  Life doesn’t get any better than this!

Shout out to Mary Ellen who will be rocking the purple at M and T Bank Stadium Sunday.

And that’s just The View From 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

 

The Ravens took the Lamar Show on the road to Atlanta last week. While it wasn’t pretty offensively, the defense looked like a super model.  We couldn’t have asked for a better performance from our defense, shutting-down Julio Jones and Matt Ryan holding the entire Falcons offense to a measly one hundred and thirty one total yards. On the other hand, Lamar played almost rookie-like.  I say that because he played like a rookie by fumbling, which allowed Atlanta to scoop and score a touchdown, and running right back on the field and fumbling again during an exchanger between he and RB Gus Edwards to end a drive…. Wait a minute. That’s not how it’s supposed to happen! Lamar should have marched right down the field and scored a Ravens touchdown.  Not only did Lamar not score a touchdown after he fumbled the exchange, but he fumbled again later in the game luckily only losing the one scoop and score fumble.  So let me go back to my “almost”, I say almost because Lamar did not get shaken up by his mistakes. He played solidly and lead the offense on four more drives which lead to Tucker field goals. Meanwhile, he was watching our Ravens defensive scoop and score just like a good Ravens quarterback should do.  Bottom line Lamar didn’t get rattled by his mistakes, he didn’t throw an interception, and the Ravens come away with a great road win.

It’s week 14, three quarters of the season is over, and the real teams are rising to the top and that top includes the Ravens.  After a three game losing streak we now have a three game winning streak.  Three weeks ago we were talking about how can we make the playoffs as a wildcard team. If the season were to end today, we would be in as the sixth seed wildcard team.  Three weeks later, being a  wildcard team is not enough, we want to be the AFC North division champions! We are only one game behind the Steelers for our division lead, with the Bengals and Browns eating our dust.  The Ravens can win our division and get that coveted home playoff game.

This week, another tough road test and it’s all about the math:

#1 Ravens Defense + #1 Chiefs Offense = A Ravens Win

Vegas had the Ravens as more than a seven point underdog against QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.  The old football rule of thumb is that great defense and a running game travel well and that’s just what we have going on the road to the infamous Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.   Patrick Mahomes has been hogging the highlight reels with a passing game that puts up a lot of points, and I mean a lot of points.  But what the highlight reels don’t show is the running game the Chiefs had that added to the time of  possession keeping their opponent’s offense off the field. OK, I have to confess that I really have geeked out about this game by diving into the stats deeper, where no man has gone before, because I needed to prove to myself that the Ravens can win this game. The Chiefs offense is going to be without their best running back Kereem Hunt (cut by the Chiefs and suspended by the NFL) and their best wide receiver Sammy Watkins (foot injury).  The math is:

No Chiefs Running Back + Ravens Run Defense = A Ravens Win

No Chiefs Star Receiver + Ravens Pass Defense = A Ravens Win

So the headlines are all about the #1 defense vs the #1 offense, and how the Ravens defense will control the Chiefs offense, I say that’s not were this game is going to be won.  We need to look at the Ravens offense against the Chiefs defense, this is were the Ravens are going to win the game.  More math (stay with me):

Ravens running game + the Chiefs run defense (one of the worst in the league) = time of possession, keeping Patrick Mahomes off the field

Patrick Mahomes Off the Field = A Ravens win

I could go on about how the stats favor the Ravens but I will spare you my geeking out. Total the numbers, the Ravens are going to win this game!

GO RAVENS!!!

Remember, my picks are who we want to win not who we think will win (accept the Ravens) so don’t bet on my pick save your money for a nice glass of eggnog may I suggest spiking it.

Thursday Night 8:00

Jaguars 9 Titans 30
We wanted the Jags to win.  How can the Jags be so bad this year after their good record and how bad they beat us last year?

Sunday
1:00

RAVENS over Chiefs
Tighten up your chin strap, this could be a wild ride.  I don’t think you will need your calculator to add up the score on this one, since the Ravens defense will control the Chiefs high scoring offense and Lamar, who has been announced as the starter (see there is a good thin\g about getting the blog out late, up to the minute news), and Ravens offense will control the clock with the running game.

GO RAVENS!!!

Jets over Bills
Both teams are fighting or losing for the better draft pick.

Redskins over Giants
Two Redskins quarterbacks have broken their legs and are out for the rest of the seasons.  So they dusted of Mark Sanchez and will start him on Sunday.  Good luck with that.

Saints over Buccaneers
The Ravens play the Bucs next week and we want them completely out of the payoff picture playing for nothing but a paycheck.

Dolphins over Patriots
So I am getting greedy now.  Not only do I want the Ravens to be division champs but I want them to be a higher seed than the Patriots.

Colts over Texans
Remember, my picks are based on the Ravens winning every week.  So mathematically (all about the math this week) we still have a chance to be the number one seed of the AFC with a first round bye and home field advantage.  I don’t think that’s to much to ask for, since it is Christmas time.

Packers over Falcons
Who would have though that both of these teams would only have four wins come week fourteen.  Packers fired their head coach this week.

Panthers over Browns
One more Browns loss and you can put a fork in them.

4:00

Broncos over 49ers
It’s all about keeping the first draft pick in the NFC and with only two wins the 49ers are on the clock.

Bengals over Chargers
The greed is getting stronger.  As much as I want the Bengals lose, we can pass the Chargers in the playoff rankings.

Cardinals over Lions
Both NFC teams playing for a better draft pick rooting for the home team.

Raiders over Steelers
We want the Steelers to lose, combine this with a Ravens win and we take over first place of the AFC North.  Plus we don’t want the Raiders to have the first pick in the draft.

Eagles over Cowboys
Both teams playing for first place in the NFC East.  If both the Eagles and Redskins win this would make a three way tie between the Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins all having a 7-5 record.

Sunday Night 8:00

Bears over Rams
The Bears have the #1 defense in the NFC and the Ramshave the #1 offense in the NFC.  Rooting for the #1 defense.

Monday Night 8:00

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

I would like to thank Mrs. Friend, my fifth grade math teacher, for making the above calculations possible.

Keep fighting Mary Ellen, we are all rooting for you!

And that’s just The View from 151.

Class dismissed.

GO RAVENS!!!

 

 

 

No surprises against the Raiders last week.  We ran the ball down their throats and controlled the clock.  Lamar throw two tipped ball interceptions.  We started a backup on the Offensive line.  Defense gave up an opening drive touchdown, definitely no surprise there, we always seem to do that.   We held the Raiders to only sixty seven yards rushing.  Okay, so we beat up on a lousy Raiders team, does that really mean much?  You beat your sweet ass it does!  We are a completely different team with Lamar at the helm of the offense.   Gus Edwards ran for one hundred plus yards for the second week in a row. I would like to declare I am official hopping on the Gus Bus.  We scored points in each of the four quarters.  This offense just has a different aura about it and it is not going unnoticed around the league.  We are showing up on some of the national sports shows- even Vegas has us favored on the road against the Falcons.  This is getting exciting!

The big Ravens news of the day is Joe Flacco had a light practice today.  But Lamar is the probable starter for Sunday.

The Ravens take the Lamar show on the road to Atlanta this week.  With the competition stepping up several notches this week, the Ravens will need to pack their “A” game to play against the Matt Ryan led Falcons. The Falcons have a much better offense than our recent couple of games but their defense is the weak link, they can’t stop the run.  Okay say it with me,  “AAAAAL ABOARD THE GUS BUS”.  With Lamar at QB the Falcons defense can’t stack the box to stop the run they will need to put a spy on Lamar and dedicate two ends to try and contain him.  So we control the clock to keep Matt Ryan off the field it’s a very simple game.

I’m fired up!  I can’t wait to see this game.

GO RAVENS!!!

Thursday 8:00

Cowboys over Saints 13-10
Rooting for the home team and to keep the NFC East playoff race interesting.

Sunday

1:00

RAVENS over Falcons
I still remember the last time we played the Falcons.  The game was in Atlanta on a Thursday night, three years ago.  I was in a Ocean City bar with a bunch of old friends from grade school on our annual reunion trip.  The whole bar was jacked up and excited to watch the Ravens beat the Falcons on National TV only to have Matt Ryan ruin the night with a last minute score to win the game by one point.  Despite the Ravens losing  we had a spectacular weekend and the golf was great.  I have a Ocean City golf story to tell, if you want to hear it just ask me the next time you see me and I would be happy to tell you.

Back to the present and the game at hand.  The last two weeks we have played the worst and second worst defenses in the league.  So I am happy to tell you the Falcons defense isn’t much better they are ranked 28th .  Lamar and company should have no problem doing what they did the last two weeks, run the ball down their throats and spread the field with long passes.  For the defense it’s another story.  The Falcons have the potential to put up big numbers.  As much as Matt Ryan gets praised that he is having an MVP year he is all show and no go.  The Falcons tend to rack up big yards between the twenties but can’t do what’s most important, score points and they won’t score points on our number one defense.  Look for the Ravens offense to control the ball and our defense to shut down Matt Ryan.   A little revenge for that Thursday night in Ocean City.

GO RAVENS!!!     

Texans over Browns
The home team Texans are going to rip the Browns apart in all aspects of the game.  And a side note, Baker Mayfield is a jerk.   The way he treated Hue Jackson was not very classy, but what can you expect from a guy who, while in college, was a huge jerk.

Broncos over Bengals
Bengals QB Andy Dalton is injured and out for the rest of the season. They have no chance without him.

Buccaneers over Panthers
Both NFC teams, rooting for the home team

Bears over Giants
Put a fork in the Giants because they are done.

Bills over Dolphins
The Dolphins are only one game behind the Ravens.

Jaguars over the Colts
The Colts have the same record as the Ravens.

Rams over the Lions
Rooting for the NFC Lions to get a high pick in the draft.

Packers over Cardinals
The Cardinals have beaten the Packers in the last three meetings of these teams.  But not this year-the Packers at 4-6-1 are playing for their playoff lives.

4:00

Raiders over Chiefs
This will never and I say never happen but we just don’t want the AFC Raiders to get a high draft pick.

Jets over Titans
Again it’s all about the draft for AFC teams and the Titans are only one game behind the Ravens.

Seahawks over 49ers
Both NFC teams and the 49ers could be on the clock hoping to keep the number one draft pick in the NFC.

Vikings over Patriots
Enough said.

Sunday Night 8:00

Chargers over Steelers
With the Steelers losing last week we still have a chance to win our division.

Monday Night 8:00

Redskins over Eagles
Even though we have been rooting for the Eagles this season I am picking the Redskins in memory of a true Redskin fan and avid reader of The view from 151 who passed away this week.  I am sure the view of the field from heaven is much better than section 151 and the beer much colder.  I want to raise a glass to my cousin Brian.

Enjoy the games with the ones you love.  Life is too short not to watch football.

And that’s just the melancholy View from 151.

GO RAVENS!!!

Tis the season to be rooting for the Ravens!

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, what was I thinking that I could get the blog done Thursday morning before hosting 15 guest for Thanksgiving dinner.  So, as you can tell, I did not get this out before yesterday’s  games although no surprises in the outcomes. Bears, Cowboys, and Saints all won, beating weaker opponents.  Speaking of no surprises there were none last week when the Ravens started Lamar Jackson and he ran the ball more than any other Ravens quarterback before him.   What was surprising for the first time all season we had a 100 yard rusher and not only one but two Ravens run for more than 100 yards. Lamar rushed for 117 yards and rookie Gus Edwards ran for 115 yards.  Now, before we get too excited, we need to realize this was against the worst run defense in the NFL.  Lamar had a great game to start his career in the NFL.  Yes, he made some Rookie mistakes but we saw a young player who didn’t get shaken when he found himself playing from behind late in the game, he stay focused and won the game.  Lamar needs to learn to slide and realize just getting the first down is all he needs to do, fighting for a couple of extra years is not worth taking the hard hits he took last week.  Lamar just needs to look at  RGIII’s career to see what happens when a Quarterback takes too many hits.  All in all, last week was a good divisional win.

This week we play the 2-8 Raiders in Baltimore.  Lamar Jackson most likely will play again this week.  So this should be another good game for Lamar to play against a weak Raiders defense.  I am excited to see if Lamar tries to throw the ball more or just keep running.

GO RAVENS!!!

Thursday Games

Bears 23 Lions 16

Redskins 23 Cowboys 31

Falcons 17 Saints 31

Again, no surprises on Thursday, two of the three home teams win in Thursday games.

Sunday  1:00

RAVENS over Raiders
The Raiders head coach John Gruden who makes ten million dollars a season has cut most of the talented players they had leaving a team that is 2-8 just playing for a number one pick in the draft.  That being said we still need to play a dangerous team with nothing to lose.  Joe still has not practiced this week and is listed as doubtful but not ruled out.  Last week I saw Joe Flacco more engaged in the game than I have ever seen him, excitedly interacting with the coaches and Lamar.  Maybe Joe does have a pulse.  The Ravens Defense should have no problem handling the Raiders number 26th ranked Offense.  look for another game dominated by the Ravens.

GO RAVENS!!!

Browns over Bengals
This game will showcase the two worst defenses in the NFL, I’m not saying it is going to be a 51-54 score like the Chiefs and Rams the other night but it could be one of those games where the last team with the ball wins the game.

Buccaneers over 49ers
Both NFC teams rooting for the home team.  So much for what rankings tell you, the Buccaneers have the number one ranked offense but are only 3-7.

Bills over Jaguars
Still can’t forgive the Jaguars for what they did to us in London last season.

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

Jets over Patriots
This would the whipped cream on the pumpkin pie.

Eagles over Giants
Say it with me now, the Giants are on the clock.

4:00

Cardinals over Chargers
NFC over AFC, Not very likely but we can hope can’t we?

Dolphins over Colts
I know I’m suppose to let go, but I just can’t root for the Colts.

Broncos over Steelers
Of course.

Sunday Night 8:00

Packers over Vikings
Hugh divisional game for both teams.  Should be worth staying up for.

Monday Night 8:00

Titans over Texans
The Texans have a better record than we do and we hold the tie breaker with the Titans.

Bye week: Chiefs and Rams

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, enjoy the games with a big leftover turkey sandwich and a cold beer.

And that’s just The View from 151

GO RAVENS!!!