Last week the Ravens defeated the Miami Dolphins 26-10. The Ravens scored on their first drive of the game, when Flacco completed a screen to Willis McGahee, who weaved his way through the Miami defense for a touchdown. The Dolphins responded though, when Ronnie Brown ran through the Ravens defense for a 12-yard touchdown. The score was 13-10 Ravens at the half after two Billy Cundiff field goals, and then a Dan Carpenter field goal to send it to the half. In the third quarter, Flacco threw his second touchdown of the game, finding Mason in the back of the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown. The Ravens capped the win off with two fourth quarter field goals from Cundiff. This was really a great team win, and it wasn't as close as the score shows.
Player of the Game: Ravens QB Joe Flacco-20/27 266 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns
The Ravens travel to Georgia this week for Thursday Night Football against the 6-2 Atlanta Falcons. This should be a tough game solely because of the short week. The Ravens held a practice the day after their win over the Dolphins. The lack of preparation will be present for both teams, so I don't think one necessarily has much of an advantage over the other. This game also showcases the two highest drafted QBs of the 2008 NFL Draft, #3 overall pick Matt Ryan and #18 overall pick Joe Flacco. This is the first matchup between the two quarterbacks whose history will have them compared for the rest of both their careers. Ryan has not had quite as successful a career as Flacco, Ryan has only been to the playoffs once, losing in his only game. But he has proven himself to be one of the best QBs at home. He has only lost once at home, including a thirteen consecutive home win streak he is currently on. Ryan has plenty of options on offense, including RB Michael Turner and WR Roddy White, who are both having great years. This is bound to be a terrific game between two teams who are near the top of their conferences. It would be a big win for both teams, and some people have called this a Super Bowl preview. I have the Ravens pulling it out on defense, 24-16.
Key Matchups for Ravens at Falcons
Ravens CB Fabian Washington vs. Falcons WR Roddy White Edge: White
Ravens DE Haloti Ngata vs. Falcons LT Sam Baker Edge: Ngata
Ravens WR Anquan Boldin vs. Falcons CB Dunta Robinson Edge: Boldin
Ravens RT Marshal Yanda vs. Falcons DE John Abraham Edge: Abraham
Injury Report
Ravens
Player-Injury-Status
S Tom Zbikowski-Foot-OUT
Falcons
Player-Injury-Status
TE Justin Peelle-Groin-OUT
LB Sean Weatherspoon-Knee-OUT
AFC North Standings
Team W L GB
Ravens 6 2 --
Steelers 6 2 --
Browns 3 5 3
Bengals 2 6 4
That's it for this week's version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week and go Ravens!
1 comment:
I do like your score prediction, and hope you're right. Honestly, I fear the Falcons' home win-streak and their fans commitment to that streak will make this stadium a tough place for the Ravens to work. I see the game coming down to Lewis and Boldin, both of whom seem seriously hungry and up for the win. Go Ravens! (And God Bless Ed Reed.)
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