Saturday, December 12, 2009

Ravens Report-Week 14 2009

Last Monday Night, the Ravens lost to the Packers, 27-14. For the Ravens, this loss basically means they have to win out if they want to make the playoffs. The two teams combined for 310 penalty yards, tied for second most in NFL history. The Ravens made a lot of mistakes throughout the game, and if they could avoided some of them, they could have won this game. The Packers scored first on a 28-yard field goal by Mason Crosby. They then took a 10-0 lead on a 2-yard pass from QB Aaron Rodgers to TE Jermichael Finley. The score was 17-0 at halftime after an 8-yard pass from Rodgers to WR Donald Driver. But the Ravens started hot in the third quarter. They got on the board with a 12-yard pass from QB Joe Flacco to WR Kelley Washington. After a Packers turnover, Ravens RB Willis McGahee ran for a 1-yard touchdown to make it 17-14 at the end of the third quarter. After McGahee's run, he did the Lambeau Leap into a few Ravens fans behind the end zone. The Packers scored on their next drive, a 19-yard pass from Rodgers to Finley. With a second and goal on their next drive, Flacco was picked off on a horrible throw, to seal a Packers win. The Packers would score again, a 32-yard Mason Crosby field goal.
Player of the Game: Packers TE Jermichael Finley-7 catches, 79 yards, two touchdowns

Next week, the Ravens come home to face the 2-10 Detroit Lions. For the Ravens right now, every game is a must-win. Struggling Ravens QB Joe Flacco will look to get back on track against the last-ranked Lions pass defense. The Ravens defense is also struggling, and they will try to catch a break this week against an unorganized Lions offense. Lions QB Matthew Stafford is injured and will not be playing. He will be replaced by veteran QB Daunte Culpepper. I have the Ravens improving to 7-6 with a 31-13 win over the Lions.
Suggestion: What happened to Cam Cameron's fun play-calling? Last year, he was full of exciting surprises. Just because we are in a must-win situation, doesn't mean you can't take any risks.

Key Matchups for Ravens vs. Lions
Ravens RB Ray Rice vs. Lions LB Larry Foote Edge: Rice
Ravens C Matt Birk vs. Lions DT Grady Jackson Edge: Birk
Ravens CB Dominique Foxworth vs. Lions WR Calvin Johnson Edge: Johnson
Ravens LB Ray Lewis vs. Lions RB Kevin Smith Edge: Lewis

Injury Report
Ravens
Player-Injury-Status
WR Mark Clayton-Knee-DBT
G David Hale-Head-DBT
S Ed Reed-Groin/Foot-DBT
TE L.J. Smith-Ankle-DBT
T Jared Gaither-Foot-QST
LB Jarret Johnson-Neck-QST
DT Brandon McKinney-Back-QST
LB Terrell Suggs-Knee-QST
K Billy Cundiff-Head-PRB
QB Joe Flacco-Knee/Hip-PRB

Lions
Player-Injury-Status
TE Casey FitzSimmons-Concussion-OUT
DT Andre Fluellen-Groin-DBT
QB Matthew Stafford-Shoulder-DBT
DT Joe Cohen-Knee-QST
T Daniel Loper-Back-QST
S Louis Delmas-Ankle-PRB
WR Eric Fowler-Knee-PRB
P Nick Haris-Knee-PRB
DT Grady Jackson-Knee-PRB
CB Will James-Neck-PRB
S Kalvin Pearson-Hamstring-PRB
LB Ernie Sims-Hamstring-PRB
DE Dewayne White-Toe-PRB

AFC North Standings
Team W L
Bengals 9 3
Ravens 6 6
Steelers 6 7
Browns 2 11

AFC North Outlook: It is most likely right now that the Bengals will win the division. The Steelers loss Thursday night basically eliminates them from the playoffs. The Ravens need to win the rest of their games to have a chance to make the playoffs.

That's it for this week's version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week!

1 comment:

steev said...

It was great to see you on TV, live from Lambeau Field during last Monday's Packers game. First on radio, then the next week on TV. I guess now you have to talk to Oher about your film career.