Ravens Report-Week 17

Ravens Report

The Ravens lost in Seattle to the Seahawks, 27-6. The Ravens are now 4-11, losing the past nine games in a row. After a scoreless first quarter, the Seahawks got on the board first with a 21-yard pass from QB Matt Hasselback to WR Nate Burleson. To make the score 14-0, Seahawks LB Leroy Hill returned a Mike Anderson fumble 20 yards for a touchdown. Then Hasselbeck found RB Shaun Alexander for a 14-yard touchdown. Seahawks K Josh Brown hit two field goals in the third quarter to make the score 27-0. For the Ravens only points of the night, QB Troy Smith found WR Derrick Mason for a 79-yard touchdown.

Player of the Game: Seahawks QB Matt Hasselback, 18-27 for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

Next Sunday the Ravens close out the season at home against arch rival Pittsburgh Steelers. In the first meeting between these two teams, the Steelers won 38-7. The Steelers lost star RB Willie Parker last week, which means the Steelers are forced to start Najeh Davenport. The Ravens 22^nd ranked pass defense should have lots of trouble against the Steelers, who are third in scoring through the air. The Steelers will be sitting starting QB Ben Roethlisberger (I don’t care if I spelled it wrong). In a total blowout, I have the Steelers winning 45-7.

Suggestion: The Ravens need to establish a running game with Mike Anderson and Musa Smith after the loss of Willis McGahee last week. If they can’t get the running game going against the Steelers, the Ravens will have absolutely no chance of winning.

Key Matchups for Steelers vs. Ravens

Ravens LB Bart Scott vs. RB Najeh Davenport Edge: Scott

Ravens CB Corey Ivey vs. WR Heinz Ward Edge: Ward

Ravens S Ed Reed vs. QB Charlie Batch Edge: Reed

Ravens C Mike Flynn vs. Steelers NT Casey Hampton Edge: Hampton

Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Steelers CB Deshea Townsend Edge: Mason

Ravens WR Mark Clayton vs. Steelers CB Ike Taylor Edge: Clayton

Injury Report

Ravens

Player Injury Status

QB Kyle Boller- Head- OUT

TE Todd Heap- Thigh- OUT

RB Willis McGahee- Chest- OUT

S Gerome Sapp- Thigh- OUT

TE Quinn Sypniewski- Head- OUT

WR Demetrius Williams- Ankle- OUT

TE Daniel Wilcox- Thigh- OUT

RB Mike Anderson- Thigh- QST

WR Mark Clayton- Back- QST

LB Ray Lewis- Back- QST

LB Edgar Jones- Foot- PRB

T Jonathan Ogden- Thigh- PRB

Steelers

Player Injury Status

LB Clint Kriewaldt- Neck- OUT

T Marvel Smith- Back- OUT

S Troy Polamalu- Knee- DBT

QB Ben Roethlisberger- Ankle- QST

CB Allen Rossum- Hamstring- QST

LB Andre Frazier- Groin- PRB

WR Willie Reid- Shoulder- PRB

Team- W L GB

Steelers- 11- 5- Clinched Division

Browns- 9- 6- 1.0

Bengals- 6- 9- 4.5

Ravens- 4- 11- 6.5

AFC North Outlook: The Steelers have clinched the division title. The Bengals play the Dolphins in Miami and the Browns play the 49ers in Cleveland.

That’s week version of my Raven’s report. Let’s go kick the Steelers’ butts!

Ravens Report-Week 16

Ravens Report

The Ravens lost to the now 1-13 Miami Dolphins, 22-16 in overtime. Ravens K Matt Stover hit two field goals early in the game to make the score 6-0. To get the Dolphins on the board, K Jay Feely hit a 23-yard field goal. Then Ravens QB Kyle “Butterfingers” Boller threw a 17-yard pass to WR Derrick Mason to make the score 13-3. For the only points of the third quarter, Dolphins RB Samkon Gado ran for a 7-yard touchdown. Jay Feely hit two field goals to give the Dolphins a 16-13 lead with 1:56 left in regulation. Then, Matt Stover hit an 18-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. In overtime, Dolphins QB Cleo Lemon found WR Greg Camarillo for a 64-yard touchdown to give the Dolphins their first win of the season.

Player of the Game: Dolphins QB Cleo Lemon, 23-39 for 315 yards and a touchdown

Next Sunday the Ravens head to Seattle to face the 9-5 Seahawks. Ravens rookie QB Troy Smith will make his first career start. Seattle’s explosive offense includes QB Matt Hasselbeck, RB Shaun Alexander, and WR’s Bobby Engram and Deion Branch. Their defense includes LB Lofa Tatupu, DE Patrick Kerney, and CB Marcus Trufant. The Ravens’ success on offense depends on RB Willis McGahee. I have the Ravens losing to the Seahawks 38-10.

Suggestion: With Troy Smith starting, head coach Brian Billick has to make sure that Smith doesn’t lose his confidence if the Ravens lose to the Seahawks.

Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Seahawks

Ravens CB Corey Ivy vs. Seahawks WR Bobby Engram Edge: Engram

Ravens LB Bart Scott vs. Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander Edge: Alexander

Ravens S Ed Reed vs. Seahawks QB Matt Hasselback Edge: Hasselback

Ravens LG Jason Brown vs. Seahawks DE Patrick Kerney Edge: Kerney

Ravens RB Willis McGahee vs. Seahawks LB Lofa Tatupu Edge: McGahee

Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant Edge: Mason

Injury Report

Ravens

Player- Injury- Status

QB Kyle Boller- Head- OUT

CB Samari Rolle- Shoulder- OUT (IR)

WR Demetrius Williams- Ankle- OUT

TE Todd Heap- Thigh- DBT

TE Daniel Wilcox- Thigh- DBT

LB Ray Lewis- Hand/Back- QST

LB Gary Stills- Knee- QST

LB Terrell Suggs- Thigh- QST

C Mike Flynn- Foot- PRB

FB Le’Ron McClain- Back- PRB

S Gerome Sapp- Thigh- PRB

T Adam Terry- Ankle- PRB

Seahawks

Player- Injury- Status

DT Rocky Bernard- Groin- QST

WR D.J. Hackett- Ankle- QST

CB Josh Wilson- Quad- QST

RB Shaun Alexander- Wrist- PRB

S Mike Green- Knee- PRB

T Walter Jones- Shoulder- PRB

AFC North Standings

Team W L GB

Steelers- 10- 5- 0.0

Browns- 9- 5- 1.5

Bengals- 5- 9- 4.5

Ravens- 4- 10- 5.5

AFC North Outlook: The Ravens and Bengals have both been eliminated from playoff contention. If the Browns lose, the Steelers win the division. The Steelers beat the Rams on Thursday Night Football and the Browns play the Bengals in Cincinnati.

That’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see you next week, let’s go kick the Seahawks butts!

Ravens Report-Week 15

Ravens Report

The Ravens lost to the Colts on Sunday Night Football, 44-20. The Colts got on the board first with a 34-yard touchdown pass from QB Peyton Manning to WR Reggie Wayne. Then, the Colts got back on the board with a one-yard touchdown run from RB Joseph Addai. To make the score 21-0, Peyton Manning threw a 19-yard pass to Addai. Then the punt from Ravens Punter Sam Koch was blocked by Michael Coe and went back into the end zone for a safety to make the score 23-0 at the end of one quarter. Joseph Addai then got his 3^rd touchdown of the night on an 11-yard touchdown run. Then, on the kickoff, Ravens KR Yamon Figurs returned the kick 94 yards back for a touchdown to get the Ravens on the board. Then, late in the second quarter, Manning threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to rookie WR Anthony Gonzalez. For the only points in the third quarter, Manning found Gonzalez again, this time a 40-yard touchdown pass. The Ravens then got back on the board with a 4-yard touchdown pass from QB Kyle “Butterfingers” Boller (the two-point conversion failed). After that Ravens drive, they brought in rookie QB Troy Smith. For the last points of the game, Smith ran for a 6-yard touchdown.

Player of the Game: WR Anthony Gonzalez, 6 catches for 134 yards and 2 TD’s (40 and 57 yards).

Next Sunday, the Ravens head to Miami to face the 0-13 Miami Dolphins. In this game, the Ravens are trying to snap a 7 game losing streak. The Dolphins have the worst rush defense in the NFL, therefore, Ravens RB Willis McGahee should have a monster game. Due to a solid pass defense, the Dolphins should take advantage of Ravens QB Kyle “Butterfingers” Boller, who threw 3 interceptions against the Colts last week. The Ravens defensive line, lead by Kelly Gregg, should feast on a horrible Dolphins offensive line, who have allowed 10 sacks in the past 3 games. Dolphins QB Cleo Lemon will replace rookie QB John Beck. I am predicting the Ravens to win, 20-7.

Suggestion: Ravens Head Coach Brian Billick should start QB Troy Smith to try and increase his self-esteem and get the team their first win since Week 6 against the Rams.

Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Dolphins

Ravens CB Corey Ivy vs. Dolphins WR Ted Ginn, Jr. Edge: Ivy

Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Dolphins RB Samkon Gado Edge: Lewis

Ravens S Ed Reed vs. Dolphins QB Cleo Lemon Edge: Reed

Ravens LT Jonathan Ogden vs. Dolphins DE Jason Taylor Edge: Taylor

Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Dolphins CB Michael Lehan Edge: Mason

Ravens RB Willis McGahee vs. Dolphins LB Joey Porter Edge: McGahee

Injury Report

Ravens

Player Injury Status

WR Demetrius Williams Ankle OUT

TE Todd Heap Thigh QST

CB Samari Rolle Shoulder DBT

DT Justin Bannan Knee QST

DT Haloti Ngata Knee QST

S Gerome Sapp Thigh DBT

C Mike Flynn Foot PRB

DT Kelly Gregg Thigh PRB

RB Willis McGahee Foot PRB

T Jonathan Ogden Thigh PRB

S Ed Reed Hip PRB

T Adam Terry Ankle PRB

TE Daniel Wilcox Toe/Ankle QST

LB Ray Lewis Back QST

LB Terrell Suggs Illness QST

Dolphins

Player Injury Status

RB Jesse Chatman Ankle QST

RB Patrick Cobbs Hip QST

LB Channing Crowder Foot/Knee OUT

DT Vonnie Holliday Ankle PRB

CB Michael Lehan Groin PRB

DE Matt Roth Groin QST

WR Marty Booker Knee PRB

DT Keith Traylor Personal

T Vernon Carey Back PRB

LB Joey Porter Shoulder PRB

AFC North Standings

Team W L GB

Steelers 9 4 0.0

Browns 8 5 1.0

Bengals 5 8 4.0

Ravens 4 9 5.0

AFC North Outlook: The Ravens and Bengals have both been eliminated from Playoff contention. The 49ers beat the Bengals on Saturday Night Football. The Browns play the Bills in Cleveland and the Steelers play the Jaguars in Pittsburgh.

That’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, I’m Max Buchdahl, see you next week and let’s go kick the Dolphins’ butts!

Ravens Report-Week 14

The Ravens lost to the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football, 27-24. The first points of the game were on a 21-yard field goal from Pats K Stephen Gostkowski. The Ravens then got the lead on a 4-yard touchdown pass from QB Kyle Boller to WR Derrick Mason. After a field goal from Ravens K Matt Stover, Pats FB Heath Evans ran for a 1-yard touchdown to tie the game up at halftime. The Ravens then got the lead back on a 17-yard run by from RB Willis McGahee. The Pats then tied it up at 17 on a 4-yard pass from QB Tom Brady to WR Randy Moss. The Ravens then got the lead back with a 1-yard touchdown pass from Boller to backup TE Daniel Wilcox to make the score 24-17. The Pats then made it a 4 point game on a 38-yard field goal. Then the game got interesting. On a fourth and one that would have ended the game, Tom Brady tried to run for a first down but was stopped. As the Ravens started to celebrate, they found out that Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan had called a timeout just before the snap. This gave the Patriots another chance to get a first down and try to take the lead. The second time around, the Ravens were not able to stop them. The Patriots got a first down. Later on in the drive, there was another fourth down and a chance for the Ravens to finally end the game and give the Pats their first loss of the season. The pass was incomplete, but the referee called a holding penalty and the Pats got another first down. Ravens LB Bart Scott was so angry, he threw the flag into the stands. This resulted in a 15 yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Then Tom Brady found WR Jabar Gaffney in the back of the endzone to give the Pats the lead, 27-24. Due to all the penalties, Pats K Stephen Gostkowski kicked the Ravens 35 yard line and the ball went out of the endzone. With just a few seconds left on the clock, Kyle Boller chucked up a Hail Mary pass toward the endzone, which was caught by WR Mark Clayton. Unfortunately, he was tacked at the 2 yard line to end the game.

Next Sunday night, the Ravens face the 10-2 Indianapolis Colts. In last year’s divisional playoffs, the Colts beat the Ravens 15-6 in Baltimore. The Ravens fans will be especially loud due to the fact that former Colts owner Bob Irsay moved the then Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis in 1984. The Colts are led by star QB Peyton Manning. The other offensive threats for the Colts include RB Joseph Addai, WR Reggie Wayne and TE Dallas Clark. On the Defensive side of the ball, the Colts are led by S Bob Sanders. After the Ravens close loss to the Pats last week, the Ravens and their fans are very hyped about Sunday night’s game in Baltimore. Even though the fans are hyped, I predict the Colts winning, 34-21.

Suggestion: The Ravens need to play with the same intensity as they did last Monday night to have any chance at beating the Colts. If they have any emotional letdown, the Colts will take advantage.

Key Matchups for Colts vs. Ravens

Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Colts RB Joseph Addai Edge: Addai

Ravens S Ed Reed vs. Colts QB Peyton Manning Edge: Manning

Ravens CB Samari Rolle vs. Colts WR Reggie Wayne Edge: Wayne

Ravens QB Kyle Boller vs. Colts S Bob Sanders Edge: Sanders

Ravens LT Jonathan Ogden vs. Colts LE Robert Mathis Edge: Ogden

Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Colts CB Kelvin Hayden Edge: Mason

Injury Report

Ravens

Player- Injury- Status

DT Justin Bannan- Knee- OUT

CB Chris McAlister- Knee- QST

WR Demetrius Williams- Ankle- OUT

FB Justin Green- Thigh- PRB

TE Todd Heap- Thigh- QST

CB Samari Rolle- Shoulder- QST

S Gerome Sapp- Thigh- QST

RB Cory Ross- Head- PRB

LB Bart Scott- Hand- PRB

LB Gary Stills- Knee- PRB

TE Daniel Wilcox- Hip- PRB

FB La’Ron McClain- Illness- PRB

Colts

Player- Injury- Status

LB Gary Brackett- Hip- QST

DT Raheem Brock- Rib- OUT

T Ryan Diem- Knee- QST

T Charlie Johnson- TEAM DECISION

RB Kenton Keith- Illness- PRB

DE Robert Mathis- TEAM DECISION

WR Marvin Harrison- Knee- QST

DB Tim Jennings- TEAM DECISION

DB Bob Sanders- TEAM DECISION

AFC North Standings

Team- W- L- GB

Steelers- 9- 3- 0.0

Browns- 7- 5- 2.0

Ravens- 4- 8- 5.0

Bengals- 4- 8- 5.0

AFC North Outlook: The Bengals and Ravens have both been eliminated from Division contention. The Browns play the 3-9 Jets in New York. The Steelers play the 12-0 Patriots in New England and the Bengals play the 3-9 Rams in Cincinnati.

That’s it for this week’s of my Ravens Report. See you next week, let’s go kick the Colts’ butts!

Ravens Report-Week 13

Ravens Report

The Ravens lost to the Chargers, 32-14 to make their record 4-7. After a field goal from Chargers K Nate Kaeding, Ravens RB Willis McGahee ran in a 1-yard touchdown to give the Ravens the lead. Then, Chargers QB Phillip Rivers threw a 35-yard touchdown to TE Antonio Gates to give the Chargers the lead back, but the snap for the extra point was mishandled by the holder, so now the score is 9-7. After Kaeding hit another field goal, Phillip Rivers found WR Chris Chambers in the back of the end zone to make the score, 19-7. Kaeding then hit another field goal. After that, TE Antonio Gates then caught his second touchdown of the game, this one 25 yards to make it 29-7. Ravens QB Kyle Boller then threw a 13-yard touchdown to FB La’Ron McClain to make the score 29-14, this was McClain’s first career touchdown. Nate Kaeding put the last points on the board a 41-yard field goal to make the final score, 32-14.

Player of the Game: Chargers TE Antonio Gates, 6 catches, 105 yards, 2 touchdowns (25 yards and 35 yards).

Next week the Ravens play the best team in the NFL, the New England Patriots. This game is in Baltimore on Monday Night Football. Ravens fans are awaiting the return of LB Adalius Thomas, who spent 7 years with the Ravens and had a breakout year last year before signing on with the Pats. The Pats are an undefeated 11-0 so far this year and have already won their division. Ravens RB Willis McGahee has had a rushing TD in 6 straight games now. That streak will have to continue because McGahee is the one explosive player on the Ravens offense, very close to WR Derrick Mason. The Pats defense should eat up on Ravens backup QB Kyle “Butterfingers” Boller. They have 31 sacks this year, that’s second in the AFC. The Pats offense is lead by QB Tom Brady, who has thrown for 39 touchdowns and only four interceptions this season. The reason he’s so good, he’s got guys like WR Randy Moss and WR Wes Welker, who have a combined 23 touchdown catches. The Ravens will not have a chance in this game, I’m picking the Pats to win, 45-17.

Suggestion: The Ravens need to throw to more Wide Receivers. It seems like they only pass to Derrick Mason, they have to get guys like Devard Darling and Mark Clayton in the game, too.

Key Matchups for Patriots vs. Ravens

Ravens S Ed Reed vs. Patriots QB Tom Brady Edge: Brady

Ravens CB Samari Rolle vs. Patriots WR Randy Moss Edge: Moss

Ravens CB Corey Ivy vs. Patriots WR Wes Welker Edge: Welker

Ravens QB Kyle Boller vs. Patriots LB Tedy Bruschi Edge: Bruschi

Ravens RB Willis McGahee vs. Patriots LB Adalius Thomas Edge: McGahee

Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Patriots CB Asante Samuel Edge: Samuel

Injury Report

Ravens

Player- Injury- Status

QB Steve McNair- Left Shoulder- OUT

WR Demetrius Williams- Ankle- OUT

T Jared Gaither- Illness- PRB

DT Justin Bannan- Ankle- PRB

TE Todd Heap- Thigh- QST

OLB Jarret Johnson- Thumb- PRB

CB Chris McAlister- Knee- QST

RB Willis McGahee- Ankle- PRB

OLB Gary Stills- Knee- PRB

TE Daniel Wilcox- Foot- PRB

S Gerome Sapp- Thigh- QST

Patriots

Player- Injury- Status

LB Rosevelt Colvin- Unknown- OUT

RB Kevin Faulk- Thigh- Unknown

QB Tom Brady- Right Shoulder- PRB

CB Randall Gay- Back- Unknown

G Stephen Neal- Shoulder- Unknown

WR Wes Welker- TEAM DECISION

S Eugene Wilson- Groin- Unknown

AFC North Standings

Team- W- L- GB

Steelers 8- 3- 0.0

Browns 7- 4- 1.0

Ravens 4- 7- 4.0

Bengals 4- 7- 4.0

AFC North Outlook: The Browns keep inching in on the Steelers and are only one game back. As for the Ravens, they have almost no chance at coming back. The Steelers play the Bengals in Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football and the Browns play the Cardinals in Arizona.

That’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, let’s go kick New England’s butts!