Ravens Report-Week 12

Ravens Report

The Ravens lost to the Browns last Sunday, 33-30. This was probably the craziest NFL game this year. The first points of the game were on a 28-yard field goal from Browns K Phil Dawson. After that score, former Ravens RB Jamal Lewis ran in a 1-yard touchdown to make it 10-0. Then, the Ravens got on the board. Ravens LB Ray Lewis ran back a 35-yard interception for a touchdown to make it 10-7. Browns K Phil Dawson hit a field goal to make it 13-7 at the half. Ravens RB Willis McGahee gave the Ravens their first lead since their 22-3 win against the Rams in Week 6 with a 2 yard touchdown run. The Browns then got the lead back with a 1 yard touchdown run from former Ravens QB Derek Anderson. The Browns extended their lead with a 100 yard interception return for a touchdown from FS Brodney Pool to make the score 27-14. The Ravens then got back into the game with two field goals (34 yards and 41 yards) from K Matt Stover to make the score 27-20. Then, the Ravens tied up the game with a 27 yard pass from backup Ravens QB Kyle Boller to WR Devard Darling for Darling’s first career touchdown catch. The Ravens then got back in the lead with a 47-yard field goal from Matt Stover. Then the weird part happened. With three seconds on the clock, Browns K Phil Dawson lined up for a 51-yard field goal attempt. The ball bounced off the left post and then hit the back side of the crossbar and then back onto the field, the refs called the field goal no good. Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick sent the Ravens into the locker room thinking the game was over. Then, the refs huddled and after a long discussion (the play was not allowed to be reviewed) by the refs, they called the field goal good and we went into overtime. In overtime, the Browns started with the ball and Phil Dawson hit a 33-yard field goal to give the Browns the win and the season sweep of the Ravens.

Player of the Game: Ravens RB Willis McGahee, 21 carries, 102 yards and a touchdown.

Next Sunday the Ravens will take on the San Diego Chargers in San Diego. These two teams met last year in Baltimore, the Ravens won 16-13 on a game-winning touchdown pass to TE Todd Heap. The Ravens will be trying to end a four game losing streak. The Chargers are 5-5, only one game better than the Ravens and are tied for their division lead with the Denver Broncos. The Ravens will really take on a handful with one of the best Running Backs in the NFL, Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson is the reigning NFL MVP and only needs 29 yards to reach 10,000 yards for his career. To add to that, the Chargers have one of the best Tight Ends in the NFL, Antonio Gates, who has caught 54 passes for 729 yards and 6 touchdowns so far this year. The Ravens will also have to face an amazing defense, which includes Antonio Cromartie, the league leader in interceptions with six. Cromartie will haunt Ravens QB Kyle Boller, who will be making his 2^nd consecutive start for the injured Steve McNair. Also, Ravens RB Willis McGahee will try for his 6^th consecutive game with a rushing touchdown. The Ravens are struggling horribly right now, which is why I’m picking the Chargers to win, 38-20.

Suggestion: Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick has got to run with RB Willis McGahee more, McGahee is probably the most exciting player on the team right now and Billick has got to realize that.

Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Chargers

Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Chargers RB LaDainian Tomlinson Edge: Tomlinson

Ravens S Ed Reed vs. Chargers QB Phillip Rivers Edge: Reed

Ravens DT Haloti Ngata vs. Chargers RT Shane Olivea Edge: Ngata

Ravens QB Kyle Boller vs. Chargers LB Shawne Merriman Edge: Merriman

Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Chargers CB Quentin Jammer Edge: Mason

Ravens WR Mark Clayton vs. Chargers CB Antonio Cromartie Edge: Cromartie

Injury Report

Ravens

Player- Injury- Status

QB Steve McNair- Left Shoulder- OUT

WR Demetrius Williams- Ankle- OUT

DT Justin Bannan- Ankle- QST

TE Todd Heap- Thigh- DBT

CB Chris McAlister- Knee- QST

S Ed Reed- Back/Neck- PRB

S Gerome Sapp- Thigh- QST

LB Gary Stills- Knee- PRB

TE Daniel Wilcox- Foot- QST

DB Jamaine Winborne- Ankle- PRB

CB Samari Rolle- Illness- PRB

T Jared Gaither- Ankle- QST

T Adam Terry- Ankle- PRB

Chargers

Player- Injury- Status

DE Luis Castillo- Ankle- OUT

DT Jamal Williams- TEAM DECISION

C Nick Hardwick- Foot- QST

PRB-Probable

QST-Questionable

DBT-Doubtful

AFC North Standings

Team- W- L- GB

Steelers- 7- 2- 0.0

Browns- 6- 4- 1.5

Ravens- 4- 6- 3.5

Bengals0 3- 7- 4.5

AFC North Outlook: As I said last week, the Steelers are starting to run away with the division, and if anyone catches them, it’s the Browns. The Steelers play the 0-10 Dolphins on Monday Night Football in Pittsburgh, the Browns play the Texans in Cleveland and the Bengals play the Titans in Cincinnati.

News: Ravens CB Samari Rolle has missed six consecutive games with an undisclosed illness. That illness has finally been released. Rolle has been dealing with epilepsy, an illness that can cause seizures. Rolle has had three seizures since the 2007 season began. As you can see in the Injury Report, Rolle is expected to play Sunday against the Chargers. Rolle is very excited to be playing after thinking he might not ever play again.

That’s all for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, I’m Max Buchdahl, let’s go kick the Chargers butts!