Ravens Report
Last Sunday, the Ravens fell to 6-4 after losing to the New York Giants, 30-10. Giants RB Brandon Jacobs gave the Giants a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run on the Giants first drive. Jacobs ran for another 1-yard touchdown later in the quarter (Giants K Lawrence Tynes missed the extra point).In the second quarter, Giants QB Eli Manning threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to TE Darcy Johnson. Ravens K Matt Stover hit a 38-yard field goal late in the second quarter, and the Giants took a 20-3 lead into halftime. Then, Ravens QB Joe Flacco threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to FB Le’Ron McClain to make the score 20-10. On the Ravens next drive, a pass from Flacco to WR Derrick Mason was tipped into the hands of CB Aaron Ross, who ran 50 yards into the end zone to make the score 27-10. Lawrence Tynes hit a 19-yard field goal late in the game to seal a Giants victory.
Player of the Game: Giants CB Aaron Ross- 6 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 touchdown
Next week, the Ravens take on the 5-4-1 Philadelphia Eagles at home. Last Sunday, the Eagles tied the Cincinnati Bengals 13-13 in the first tie since 2002. These two teams met last on Halloween of 2004 in Philadelphia, the Eagles won, 15-10. Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh spent 10 years as an assistant coach for the Eagles before joining the Ravens. The Eagles defense is known for their ability to blitz, so expect them to take many shots at rookie QB Joe Flacco. The Eagles could be without star RB Brian Westbrook on Sunday, and that would make the Eagles exclusively use their passing game, which is ranked 4th in the NFL. The Ravens pass defense is ranked 8th in the NFL, so the matchup between the Eagles offense and the Ravens defense could decide the winner of this game. One of the focuses for the Ravens defense has to be rookie WR DeSean Jackson, who has a team-high 42 catches for 652 yards and a touchdown. If the Ravens lose this game, their chances for a division title could be gone. This will be an amazingly entertaining game, and I predict a 31-27 Ravens victory.
Suggestion: The Eagles defense has a total of 36 sacks this season, which is second in the NFL to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Eagles will have the advantage on Sunday facing a young Ravens offensive line. The Ravens offensive line will have to perform well and protect Joe Flacco if the Ravens want to win this game.
Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Eagles
Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Eagles CB Asante Samuel Edge: Samuel
Ravens QB Joe Flacco vs. Eagles DE Trent Cole Edge: Cole
Ravens RB Willis McGahee vs. Eagles LB Omar Gaither Edge: McGahee
Ravens CB Samari Rolle vs. Eagles WR Reggie Brown Edge: Brown
Ravens DE Trevor Pryce vs. Eagles RT Jon Runyan Edge: Pryce
Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Eagles TE L.J. Smith Edge: Lewis
Injury Report
Ravens
Player Injury Status
WR Terrance Copper Neck OUT
T Willie Anderson Ankle QST
DT Lamar Divens Shoulder QST
T Jared Gaither Shoulder QST
G David Hale Thigh QST
WR Derrick Mason Shoulder QST
S Ed Reed Neck QST
CB Samari Rolle Shoulder QST
TE Daniel Wilcox Thigh PRB
S Tom Zbikowski Thumb/Thigh PRB
Eagles
Player Injury Status
G Shawn Andrews Back OUT
RB Brian Westbrook Knee/Ankle QST
S Sean Considine Rib PRB
S Brian Dawkins Groin PRB
S Quentin Demps Rib PRB
LS Jon Dorenbos Shoulder PRB
T Jon Runyan Knee PRB
AFC North Standings
Team W L T
Steelers 8 3 0
Ravens 6 4 0
Browns 4 6 0
Bengals 1 9 1
AFC North Outlook: The Steelers defeated the Bengals 27-10 on Thursday Night Football. The Browns face the Texans at home.
That’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week, let’s go kick the Eagles’s butts!
2 comments:
For all the problems, especially on defense, Flacco's progression from rookie to NFL QB was most encouraging: a beautiful, soft touch and strong, beautiful arm, and of course his running yards. We just need to take advantage of his strengths by cutting back on the bomb and developing a devastating slant.
I'll tell you, as concerned as I was about last week's win, that's how pleased I am after this week's loss.
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