Saturday, November 6, 2010

Ravens Report-Week 9 2010

In their last game, the Ravens barely defeated the Bills in overtime, 37-34. This game got way too close, as the win-less Bills really gave the Ravens a run for their money. The Ravens scored first when Billy Cundiff hit a 41-yard field goal. The Bills took got on the board next, when Ryan Fitzpatrick threw a 33-yard pass to veteran Lee Evans, and the score went to 10-3 after a Rian Lindell field goal. Fitzpatrick went long again, this time 33 yards to Steve Johnson to make it a two possession game. The Ravens responded though, when Flacco threw a 26-yarder to Todd Heap. But the lead didn't last very long, as Fitzpatrick found Evans again for a 20-yard touchdown. The Ravens made it 24-20 at the half after a 48-yard Cundiff field goal, and another Flacco-Heap hookup. The Ravens finally decided to show up in the third quarter, opening up with a flea flicker in which Flacco threw a 34-yard touchdown to Anquan Boldin. Willis McGahee made it a 10 point lead with a 2-yard run to finish up the third quarter. But the Bills were not done yet, as Evans caught his third touchdown of the game, this time a 17-yarder. Later in the fourth, Rian Lindell tied the game up with a 50-yard field goal, later sending the game into overtime. In overtime, the Bills forced a three and out and the Ravens punted away. The Bills were ready to drive down the field and complete the upset. But Ray Lewis had a different idea, after Fitzpatrick completed to Shawn Nelson, Lewis lifted Nelson into the air, then striped and recovered the ball, giving the Ravens possession. After a Bills penalty set the Ravens up for a field goal, Cundiff hit a 38-yarder to give the Ravens the win. As scary and sad this close win was, we have to give some credit to the Bills. They are now the only win-less team in the NFL, but they play their asses off. At this point, most win-less teams will just give up and die, but the Bills won't give up. They won't make the playoffs, but they are a great example of never give up.
Co-Players of the Game: K Billy Cundiff-3/3 on field goal attempts, game-winning field goal LB Ray Lewis-14 tackles, forced fumble and fumble recovery to set up game-winning field goal.
Next Sunday, the Ravens will host the 4-3 Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins are an undefeated 4-0 on the road this season. The Fins could be in trouble this week though, because the Ravens are one of the best home teams in the league. They are also coming off a well-rested bye week, and would like to prove a point following a way too close home win over the win-less Bills. After missing the first half of the season, new Ravens WR Donte Stallworth is expected to play Sunday. If the Ravens win this game, they will be 3-1 against the AFC East, providing some key tie-breakers if needed come the playoff stretch in just a few weeks. The Dolphins have some play-makers on offense, and may use the wildcat with RBs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. QB Chad Henne loves new WR Brandon Marshall, who the Ravens were close to acquiring this off-season. Marshall leads the team in receptions and receiving yards, but has only caught one touchdown. The Fins defense is shaky and has been off and on all year. If the Ravens can figure out and exploit the holes in that defense, Flacco and the Ravens offense has a chance of scoring a lot of points. In another close game, I have the Ravens winning, 24-19.

Key Matchups for Dolphins at Ravens
Ravens LB Terrell Suggs vs. Dolphins LT Jake Long Edge: Suggs
Ravens CB Fabian Washington vs. Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall Edge: Marshall
Ravens T Marshal Yanda vs. Dolphins LB Karlos Dansby Edge: Dansby
Ravens WR Anquan Boldin vs. Dolphins CB Jason Allen Edge: Boldin

Injury Report
Ravens
Player-Injury-Status
S Tom Zbikowski-Foot-OUT
WR Donte Stallworth-Foot-PRB
TE Dennis Pitta-Head-PRB
Dolphins
Player-Injury-Status
S Yeremiah Bell-Toe-QST
RB Patrick Cobbs-Hamstring-QST
LB Channing Crowder-Thumb-PRB

AFC North Standings
Team W L GB
Ravens 5 2 --
Steelers 5 2 --
Browns 2 5 3
Bengals 2 5 3
Well, that's it for this week's version of my Ravens Report, see ya next week and Go Ravens!

1 comment:

steev said...

That sure was a sad outing against the Bills. Most depressing for me was watching Flacco follow up perhaps his sharpest (tho losing) effort against the Pats with a return to flat-footed, off balance, indecision. But, the weather was outstanding in the stands (I attended the game with a very dear friend) and we did win. And a great bonus was watching Ray Lewis (who's what, sixty-eight years old now) basically win it for us (what did you blog: "14 tackles, forced fumble and fumble recovery to set up game-winning field goal". Amazing.) As for today, the biggest issue throughout the game will likely be the continuingly disappointing and costly play of Fabian Washington.