Sunday, December 28, 2008

Ravens Report-End of Regular Season 2008

Ravens Report
Last Saturday night, the Ravens defeated the Dallas Cowboys in Dallas, 33-24. This was the last game ever at Texas Stadium, the home of the Cowboys. The Cowboys got on the board first when RB Tashard Choice ran for a 2-yard touchdown. Then the Ravens got on the board on a 26-yard field goal by K Matt Stover. In the second quarter, Stover made it a 7-6 game when he hit a 29-yard field goal. The Ravens took a 9-7 lead into halftime on a 37-yard field goal by Stover. Then the Ravens took a 16-7 lead on a 13-yard touchdown pass from QB Joe Flacco to WR Derrick Mason. Next, Cowboys K Nick Folk hit a 35-yard field goal to make the score 16-10. After that, Matt Stover hit a 35-yard field goal to make the score 19-10. Next, Cowboys QB Tony Romo found WR Terrell Owens for a 7-yard touchdown. Then, Ravens RB Willis McGahee exploded for a 77-yard touchdown run to give the Ravens a 26-17 lead. But the Cowboys then made it a one possession game again on a 21-yard pass from Romo to TE Jason Witten. But then the Ravens put the game away when FB Le’Ron McClain ran for an 82-yard touchdown.
Other Game Notes: In the third quarter, the Ravens faked a field goal, and P Sam Koch ran for 9 yards and the first down. Ravens S Ed Reed had two interceptions. Le’Ron McClain’s 82-yard touchdown run was the longest run in the history of Texas Stadium.
Players of the Game: Ravens RBs Le’Ron McClain and Willis McGahee- Combined for 30 rushing attempts, 247 rushing yards, 4 catches, 25 receiving yards

Next Sunday, the 10-5 Ravens face the 5-10 Jacksonville Jaguars at home in the final regular season game for the Ravens. If the Ravens win, they clinch a playoff spot. The Ravens will also clinch a playoff spot if the Patriots lose their 1:00 PM game in Buffalo against the Bills. The Jags are no longer in the playoff race. When the NFL had two divisions, these two teams were big rivals, so this is a matchup of old rivals. Jaguars Head Coach Jack Del Rio used to be a coach with the Ravens. The Jaguars have one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL, and Jags QB David Garrard has been sacked 41 times, so the Jags will have a tough time against the 2nd ranked defense in the NFL. But the Jaguars have one of the best RBs in the NFL, Maurice Jones-Drew. Jones-Drew is a threat to be the first runner to surpass the 100 yard mark in a game against the Ravens in 33 games. In an exciting game, I have the Ravens winning, 31-13, and clinching a playoff spot.
Suggestion: The Ravens defense must shut down Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew, forcing the Jaguars to pass in order to move the ball. The Ravens then must get past the struggling Jaguars offensive line, so they can put pressure on David Garrard and force him to make bad passes.
Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Jaguars
Ravens QB Joe Flacco vs. Jaguars LB Mike Peterson Edge: Flacco
Ravens C Jason Brown vs. Jaguars DT John Henderson Edge: Henderson
Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Jaguars CB Drayton Florence Edge: Mason
Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew Edge: Jones-Drew
Ravens LB Terrell Suggs vs. Jaguars QB David Garrard Edge: Suggs
Ravens CB Samari Rolle vs. Jaguars WR Reggie Williams Edge: Rolle
Injury Report
Ravens
Player Injury Status
LB Antwan Barnes Chest OUT
WR Marcus Maxwell Hip OUT
T Willie Anderson Foot QST
WR Derrick Mason Shoulder/Neck QST
S Ed Reed Thigh QST
RB Ray Rice Calf QST
CB Samari Rolle Ankle QST
T Adam Terry Knee QST
CB Fabian Washington Toe QST
WR/KR Yamon Figurs Head PRB
DE Trevor Pryce Illness PRB
Jaguars
Player Injury Status
RB Maurice Jones-Drew Knee PRB
Well, that’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, let’s go kick the Jags’s butts and clinch a playoff berth!

Saturday, December 20, 2008

Ravens Report- Week 16 2008

Ravens Report
Last Sunday, the Ravens lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 13-9. With this win, the Steelers clinch the AFC North. After a scoreless first quarter, the Ravens took a 3-0 lead on a 26-yard field goal from K Matt Stover. Then the Steelers tied the game at three on a 31-yard field goal by Jeff Reed. The Ravens took a 6-3 lead into halftime after a 28-yard field goal from Stover. Stover made it a 9-3 lead on a 28-yard field goal later in the third quarter. Then the Steelers tied the game at six on a 30-yard field goal from Reed. Then, the Steelers started a drive that would either win or lose the game for them. On a third down at the Ravens 4 yard line, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger found WR Santonio Holmes in the end zone for a 4-yard gain that would bring up fourth down and short. The call was reviewed, and called a touchdown. The Ravens drove down the field, but Ravens QB Joe Flacco was intercepted to end the game.
Player of the Game: Steelers WR Hines Ward- 8 catches, 107 yards
Next Saturday night, the Ravens face the 9-5 Dallas Cowboys in the last game ever at Texas Stadium in Dallas. If the Ravens win this game, they clinch a spot in the playoffs. On offense, the Cowboys are led by QB Tony Romo, WR Terrell Owens, and TE Jason Witten. The Cowboys offense is averaging 349 yards per game, which is 8th in the NFL. They will have a tough test on Saturday, as they face the Ravens defense, which only allows 257 yards per game. On defense, they are led by LB DeMarcus Ware (who leads the NFL in sacks with 19), LB Greg Ellis, and CB Adam Jones. The Ravens offense is averaging 23.2 points per game, and the Cowboys defense gives up an average of 20.6 points per game. In a physical game, I predict the Cowboys winning, 31-27.
Suggestion: The Ravens defense must shut down the connection between Romo, Witten, and Owens. Romo and Owens have the ability for a long pass, and if they are unable to complete that pass, the Ravens could take the advantage. Witten is a red zone threat, so expect there to be lots of coverage on him.
Key Matchups for Ravens at Cowboys
Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Cowboys CB Terrence Newman Edge: Mason
Ravens LT Jared Gaither vs. Cowboys LB DeMarcus Ware Edge: Ware
Ravens RB Le’Ron McClain vs. Cowboys LB Zach Thomas Edge: McClain
Ravens CB Fabian Washington vs. Cowboys WR Terrell Owens Edge: Owens
Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Cowboys RB Tashard Choice Edge: Lewis
Ravens LB Jarret Johnson vs. Cowboys TE Jason Witten Edge: Witten
Injury Report
Ravens
Player Injury Status
WR Marcus Maxwell Hip OUT
S Ed Reed Thigh QST
RB Ray Rice Calf QST
CB Samari Rolle Ankle QST
CB Fabian Washington Thigh QST
T Willie Anderson Ankle PRB
T Jared Gaither Illness PRB
P Sam Koch Knee PRB
WR Derrick Mason Shoulder PRB
K Matt Stover Ankle PRB
LB Terrell Suggs Thigh PRB
T Adam Terry Knee PRB
Cowboys
Player Injury Status
LB Bobby Carpenter Knee/Calf OUT
G Montrae Holland Ankle OUT
CB Alan Ball Ankle DBT
RB Marion Barber Toe QST
WR Miles Austin Knee PRB
S Tra Battle Hamstring PRB
S Keith Davis Knee/Neck PRB
S Ken Hamlin Finger PRB
CB Adam Jones Neck PRB
QB Tony Romo Back PRB
WR Isaiah Stanback Shoulder PRB
WR Roy Williams Foot PRB
TE Jason Witten Ankle PRB
Well, that’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week, let’s go kick the Cowboy’s butts!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Ravens Report-Week 15 2008

Ravens Report
Last Sunday, the Ravens defeated the Washington Redskins, 24-10, on Sunday Night Football. The Ravens got on the board first when FB Le’Ron McClain ran for an 8-yard touchdown. Then, the Ravens took a 14-0 lead into halftime when S Ed Reed returned a fumble 22 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. Next, Ravens K Matt Stover hit a 32-yard field goal to make the score 17-0. The Redskins got on the board next when K Shaun Suisham hit a 43-yard field goal. The Redskins made it a 17-10 Ravens lead when QB Jason Campbell found WR Antwan Randle El for a 5-yard touchdown. The Ravens then sealed the victory when QB Joe Flacco found WR Derrick Mason in the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown.
Other Game Notes: Ravens S Ed Reed had two interceptions.
Player of the Game: Ravens S Ed Reed-3 tackles, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a fumble recovery for a touchdown
Next week, the Ravens take on division rival Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) at M@T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. This is a matchup of two of the best defenses in the NFL. These two teams met back in Week 4 on Monday Night Football. The Steelers won on a game-winning 46-yard field goal in overtime by Steelers K Jeff Reed. The Steelers have not won a game in Baltimore since October 27, 2002. This game could come down to the team that makes the least mistakes. This will be a defensive battle, but I have the Ravens taking away a 23-20 victory.
Suggestion: The Ravens need to blitz, blitz, blitz. If they put enough pressure on Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, they will force him to make mistakes. If the Ravens play well enough on defense, they can come away with a win.
Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Steelers
Ravens C Jason Brown vs. Steelers DT Casey Hampton Edge: Hampton
Ravens QB Joe Flacco vs. Steelers LB James Harrison Edge: Harrison
Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Steelers CB Deshea Townsend Edge: Mason
Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger Edge: Lewis
Ravens CB Samari Rolle vs. Steelers WR Hines Ward Edge: Ward
Ravens RE Trevor Pryce vs. Steelers RT Willie Colon Edge: Pryce
Injury Report
Ravens
Player Injury Status
WR Marcus Maxwell Hip DBT
RB Ray Rice Calf DBT
WR Mark Clayton Knee PRB
WR Yamon Figurs Knee PRB
T Jared Gaither Shoulder PRB
G David Hale Ankle PRB
S Jim Leonhard Illness PRB
WR Derrick Mason Shoulder PRB
S Ed Reed Thigh PRB
CB Samari Rolle Thigh PRB
K Matt Stover Ankle PRB

Steelers
Player Injury Status
DE Brett Keisel Knee OUT
T Marvel Smith Back OUT
RB Carey Davis Calf QST
LB James Harrison Knee PRB
S Troy Palamalu Calf PRB

AFC North Standings
Team W L T
Steelers 10 3 0
Ravens 9 4 0
Browns 4 9 0
Bengals 1 11 1
AFC North Outlook: The Ravens and Steelers would be tied for the division lead if they win. If the Steelers win, they clinch the division. The Browns face the Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday Night Football. The Bengals play the Redskins at home.
Well, that’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week, let’s go kick the Steelers’s butts!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Ravens Report- Week 14 2008

Last week, the Ravens defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 34-3, to improve their record to 8-4. The Ravens got on the board first when K Matt Stover hit a 27-yard field goal. The Ravens took a 6-0 lead when Stover hit a 21-yard field goal. Next, Ravens QB Joe Flacco found TE Todd Heap in the back of the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown score. Bengals K Shayne Graham hit a 21-yard field goal, and the Ravens went into halftime with a 13-3 lead. Then, the Ravens perfectly executed a reverse in which WR Mark Clayton threw to WR Derrick Mason wide open in the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown. To make the score 27-3, Joe Flacco threw to Mark Clayton, who made a beautiful one-handed catch and then ran into the end zone for a 70-yard touchdown. The last score of the game was on a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown by SS Jim Leonhard.
Other Game Notes: The Ravens defense forced the Bengals to punt 11 times and only get 6 first downs. This is the first time since 2002 that the Ravens won both games against the Bengals.
Player of the Game: Ravens WR Mark Clayton- 5 catches, 164 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 32 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown.
Next Sunday night, the Ravens take on the 7-5 Washington Redskins in Baltimore on Sunday Night Football. All three matchups between these two teams have ended up being decided by a touchdown or less. Redskins DE Jason Taylor had two sacks in the last time he faced the Ravens, that was last year when Taylor was a Dolphin. The Redskins rushing offense is lead by RB Clinton Portis, and ranks 6th in the NFL. But, Portis has struggled in the past few weeks, and it won’t get any easier facing the Ravens rush defense, which is ranked 3rd in the NFL. The Redskins defense will face a tough test Sunday, as they face the 10th highest scoring offense in the NFL. Plus, the three-headed running attack of Le’Ron McClain, Ray Rice, and Willis McGahee. In a tough and physical game, I predict a 31-21 Ravens victory.
Suggestion: The Ravens need to keep momentum throughout the game to force the Redskins to make mistakes.
Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Redskins
Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Redskins CB Shawn Springs Edge: Mason
Ravens LT Jared Gaither vs. Redskins DE Jason Taylor Edge: Taylor
Ravens RB Le’Ron McClain vs. Redskins LB London Fletcher Edge: McClain
Ravens CB Samari Rolle vs. Redskins WR Antwan Randle El Edge: Randle El
Ravens DT Haloti Ngata vs. Redskins C Casey Rabach Edge: Ngata
Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Redskins RB Clinton Portis Edge: Lewis
Injury Report
Ravens
Player Injury Status
DL Lamar Divens Shoulder DBT
G David Hale Ankle DBT
T Jared Gaither Shoulder QST
WR Derrick Mason Shoulder QST
S Ed Reed Thigh QST
CB Samari Rolle Thigh QST
LB Nick Greisen Back PRB
WR Marcus Maxwell Hip PRB
RB Willis McGahee Illness PRB
LB Bart Scott Shoulder PRB
CB Fabian Washington Shoulder PRB
Redskins
Player Injury Status
LB Marcus Washington Ankle OUT
DE Andre Carter Foot QST
LB London Fletcher Foot QST
DT Kendrick Golston Ankle QST
DT Cornelius Griffin Shoulder/Abdomen QST
RB Clinton Portis Knee/Back QST
CB Shawn Springs Calf QST
LB Alfred Fincher Non-Injury Related PRB
S LaRon Landry Calf PRB
G Pete Kendall Knee PRB
T Chris Samuels Knee PRB
CB Fred Smoot Non-Injury Related PRB
G Randy Thomas Neck PRB
AFC North Standings
Team W L T
Steelers 9 3 0
Ravens 8 4 0
Browns 4 8 0
Bengals 1 10 1
AFC North Outlook: The Ravens are in the same position as last week. The Steelers host the Cowboys. The Browns head to Tennessee to play the Titans. The Bengals visit the Colts in Indianapolis.
Well, that’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week, let’s go kick the Redskins’s butts!