Saturday, January 10, 2009

Ravens Report-Divisonal Playoffs

Ravens Report
Last week, the Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins, 27-9. This is the first playoff win for the Ravens since 2002. The Dolphins got on the board first, when K Dan Carpenter hit a 19-yard field goal. Then, Ravens K Matt Stover tied the game at 3 on a 23-yard field goal. Then the Ravens took the lead for good when S Ed Reed intercepted Dolphins QB Chad Pennington and ran 64 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. The Ravens had a 13-3 lead at halftime after a 31-yard field goal from Stover. Next, Ravens RB Le’Ron McClain ran for an 8-yard touchdown to make the score 20-3. Then, the Dolphins got back on the board on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Pennington to RB Ronnie Brown (the extra point was blocked). To put the ice on the cake, Ravens QB Joe Flacco ran for a five yard touchdown.
Other Game Notes: Ravens S Ed Reed had two interceptions, making his total 11 on the season. The Ravens forced 5 turnovers, which turned into 14 points, while only turning the ball over once.
Player of the Game: Ravens S Ed Reed- 1 tackle, two interceptions, 1 interception for a touchdown
Next Saturday, the Ravens will face the 13-3 Tennessee Titans in Tennessee. The Titans beat the Ravens, 13-10, in Baltimore, back in Week 5. The Titans are the top seed in the AFC. This is a matchup of two of the best defenses in the NFL. The Titans defense ranks 2nd in the NFL in points per game, and the Ravens are 2nd in the NFL in yards per game. Titans QB Kerry Collins was the quarterback for the New York Giants when the Ravens beat the Giants in the Super Bowl, so expect Collins to want some revenge. The Titans will be playing without Pro Bowl C Kevin Mawae, which is big for the Ravens defense. History could be on the Ravens side. Back in the Ravens Super Bowl year, the 6th seeded Ravens beat the 1st seeded Titans, in Tennessee. In a great defensive battle, I have the Titans winning, 23-17.
Suggestion: The Ravens defense needs to stop the Titans rushing attack. Rookie Chris Johnson and LenDale White combine for 137.4 rushing yards a game. If the Ravens defense can’t stop White and Johnson, it will be a long day for the Ravens.
Key Matchups for Ravens at Titans
Ravens C Jason Brown vs. Titans DT Albert Haynesworth Edge: Haynesworth
Ravens WR Derrick Mason vs. Titans CB Cortland Finnegan Edge: Mason
Ravens RB Le’Ron McClain vs. Titans LB Keith Bullock Edge: Bullock
Ravens LB Terrell Suggs vs. Titans TE Bo Scaife Edge: Suggs
Ravens CB Samari Rolle vs. Titans WR Justin Gage Edge: Gage
Ravens DT Trevor Pryce vs. Titans RG Jake Scott Edge: Pryce
Injury Report
Ravens
Player Injury Status
LB Antwan Barnes Chest OUT
DT Justin Bannan Foot QST
TE Todd Heap Back QST
LB Jarret Johnson Calf QST
WR Derrick Mason Shoulder QST
S Ed Reed Knee/Illness QST
CB Samari Rolle Thigh QST
K Matt Stover Right Ankle QST
CB Fabian Washington Neck QST
Titans
Player Injury Status
DE David Ball Back OUT
C Kevin Mawae Elbow OUT
S Tuff Harris Calf QST
CB Nick Harper Groin PRB
DT Albert Haynesworth Knee PRB
TE Bo Scaife Illness PRB
LB David Thornton Hip PRB
DE Kyle Vanden Bosh Groin PRB
Well, that’s it for this week’s version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week, let’s go kick the Titans’s butts!

1 comment:

steev said...

What can I say? I am just so freakin' happy. A beautiful, decisive win. No question who the best team was, and no question but that Ed Reed should replace Sheila Dixon as mayor of Baltimore. You know I do hope we play the Giants in the Superbowl 'cause Mannings' weak-arm throwing style, loping the ball in high, slow arcs, is just an invitation to Reed to jump in.