Ravens Look To Sweep Browns: Gametime Open Thread
by Rexx on Nov 2, 2008 10:04 AM EST
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PrintWow, I'm finding out that not only do the Browns fans think I'm a homer, but now also an Orioles' fan (there are any?) thinks so as well. He says on the Browns site that all Ravens fans aren't like me, as I use my blog to predict the Ravens will beat everybody and try to start fights. I thanked him for throwing me under the bus and said he probably thinks the O's are only one good player away from competing, just like the Rays, huh?
Anyway, this is a blog on the Baltimore Ravens and certainly not on the Orioles. For that , feel free to check out Camden Chat, which has great thoughts and comments and a heck of a strong, loyal following as well. If you visit Baltimore Beatdown, be advised that I am absolutely a homer and hope that the Ravens win every game. The ones I think we'll win are the ones I will predict we will, and vice versa. Go back to this summer's predictions of our entire schedule. I predicted a 9-7 season, which is not looking too outlandish at this point. Of course, today will mark the halfway point and with the entire NFC East coming up in the second half, it sure would help to finish the first half with a victory and a 5-3 record.
And that's exactly what you're going to see in the paragraphs below. Earlier this summer, I predicted a split in the season series with the Browns, with the Ravens taking their home game and losing the road one, 27-17 in Cleveland. The Baltimore Sunpapers' Jamison Hensley predicts a 27-13 Browns victory, but I can't condone that. So far, I've predicted Ravens losses in all three of their road games (homer, huh?), but got burned as the Ravens ran over and around an overmatched Dolphins team that has beaten the likes of New England, San Diego and Buffalo. They have had it tough on the road, losing in Pittsburgh on MNF and in Indy against a team that we have rarely matched up well against. While I still don't view us a Road Warriors, I see us being able to compete with most teams, be it at home or on the road. For many reasons, I just don't see today's opponent, Cleveland, in the same way that I see the tougher teams that have beaten us so far. The Browns have indeed won three of four and should have a ton of confidence with revenge on their minds as we enter today's contest. But their season, while improving, has still been viewed as disappointing, while the Ravens have been seen as making huge strides from last year's embarassing 5-11 season. A win today and the Ravens will have won as many games in the first half of 2008 as they did the entire 2007 season.
It all starts up front, in the trenches, on both sides of the ball. I've heard a ton a comments about the play of our secondary, how Derek Anderson needs to hit his targets, how important Special Teams are, etc. Those are all important issues, but none more so than what happens along the line of scrimmage. Just like the first game, I said if we pressure DA, then our CB's will manage just fine, as DA will have to release the ball early or look for shorter, less risky patterns. If that happens, sooner than later we will jump a pattern and it's off to the house. That's exactly what happened in that first game. Conversely, if his very good offensive line performs like they did last year or have at times in their three victories this season, then he might just pick us apart as easily as Peyton Manning did a few weeks ago. Braylon Edwards is a top ten receiver in the league, as is Kellen Winslow in ranking tight ends (the best TE? no.). Dante Stallworth has never regained his reputation since he was paired with Joe Horn in New Orleans, although he is a solid possession receiver. They have options out of the backfield, but you might have noticed that up to now I have not mentioned Jamal Lewis. It's not for any resentment reasons, as he was a pleasure to watch up until the last year or so in a Baltimore uniform. It's just that the Ravens haven't allowed a 100 yard rusher in now something like 26 games, and is not going to end today. Therefore, there is no reason to continue to discuss the opponents running attack, as there will not be one- again. A final word on our defensive game plan. The rush needs to be there as I said, and the coverage from the safeties, namely Ed Reed, needs to be quicker to help out our depleted secondary, now manned by our 3rd and 4th stringers, much less our nickel and dime backs literally coming off of our Practice Squad.
Offensively, I am much more confident in this offense's ability to move the football than I have in a long time. While I realize that the teams we've beaten all have losing records, they have beaten some good teams and that should count for something. However, while this is certainly not going to be the same Browns team we crushed in week three, this is also not the same boring Ravens offense they saw back then as well. QB Joe Flacko has gone "wacko" the past couple of weeks. While he's not exactly rolling up the stats, he's not turning the ball over either, a Ravens QB rarity. Combined with a brutal rushing game, the passing attack has been efficient and solid, even if vanilla compared to the Browns. The "Suggs" package (I hate that name), has opened up doors with the possibilities it offers Troy Smith as a triple threat, and creates havoc for defenses to figure out. The entire team has had seven games to mesh their chemistry and the leader of the offense is unquestionably the rookie from Delaware taking snaps under center. The NFL's most recent Rookie-of-the-Week has shown that he is poised and confident, while not cocky, and ready to start in the NFL. If he continues to play smart and not turn the ball over, then he will put us in the position to win the game with our ball control offense.
Combined with our stifling defense, I am reversing the prediction of a Ravens loss back in the summer and going with a small upset on the road, as the Browns are a 1.5 point favorite when I last checked the lines. I don't see the complete reversal to my earlier prediction of a Browns 27-17 victory, because not only do I not see us scoring 27 points, I don't see the Browns scoring 17 either.
Ravens: 16-13 (Call me a homer!)
NOTE: Post your comments here throughout the game. However, to reiterate what the Game Thread post on the Browns' site says, same goes for Cleveland fans.
NOTE: Any Ravens fans who come over with the sole intention of slamming the Browns, its fans, or the city will be banned from the site. Even if you're a Baltimore fan who "thinks" you need to retaliate to something a Browns' fan says, this is our day to discuss the game. Likewise, any pure bragging topics following the game will result in the same consequences.
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Great start!
Solid defense. Offense looking comfortable. Flacco just made great throw to Clayton, who laid out for a super TD catch! I thought Clayton should have had the earlier catch in the end zone. This sure makes up for that. A fast start will go a long way in a tough game in a tough environment. Excellent!
Rexx
That sure lasted long!
Just what I feared. Cribbs is a great returner and we missed a couple of chances to tackle him. Now we let them right back in the game when we might have had them down.
Rexx
End of 1st Qtr.
Ravens driving effectively mixing runs and key passes. Clayton looking great, welcome back Mark! Keep the same gameplan and limit mistakes and we’ll continue to look good.
Rexx
I can't stand
punting from inside their 40. That’s two missed scoring chances and when we punt into the end zone, I cringe. We’re dominating the game but Cleveland’s one score from taking the lead. Need to move it better.
Rexx
Tie Game
See, we’ve pretty much dominated the game up until now. One long drive and we’re actually lucky that the Browns aren’t winning. We need to make better use of our times inside their 40 yard line if we want to win this. We can’t squander (good word, eh?) those opportunities.
Rexx
it's okay
we keep bouncing back and Cleveland not going for it on 3rd (with that momentum) and very short was a life saver.
we answer!
and keep moving the ball…good signs. but they have figured out the value of passing slightly beyond the reach of our LB’s.
FG gives us the lead
But Heap has to get open and Flacco needs to hit him on those 3rd and goal plays.
We should be up by more than just three. Not a bad half, though.
Rexx
Ehhhh
We are looking pretty decent, moving the ball well on offense, disagreed with a few of the calls by Cam, but ill take a lead getting the ball back at half. Our passing defense is not looking to strong. Where has Ray been in the middle of the field? they are completing passes all over the middle 10-15 yards out. I am still afraid that they are going to be passing on us a lot in the 2nd half and it might work. Just need to play smart, stay aggressive, and lets get a td on this coming drive after half.
Very frustrating...
…to let them get down field for a tying FG. Never should have happened and we should have tried a couple of those earlier in the game when we punted with the ball inside their 40. Gives Cleveland the momentum going into the half.
30 minutes left to get it done.
Rexx
again..
riding the D by punting within the 40..unnecessary pressure on the D…our D never plays well between the 20’s anyways so you may as well go for it..this prtecting stover crap is killing us.
momentum Browns..
very important to establish the run…with FLACCO on the field! Troy Smith just causing confusion and mediocre play today.
stover pulls a McCallister
and doesn’t use arms on missed tackle of Cribbs. pussy. is age getting in the way?
Horrible punt..
…horrible tackling (I counted FIVE missed tackles), and then sissy coverage on TD pass. C’mon Walker, grow some stones and get physical to keep the ball away from him!
See what happens when you don’t take advantage of the opportunities when they’re given to you!? Now we need to play from behind.
Three plays have made the difference in this game. We can’t keep giving up the big plays and expect to win.
Rexx
anderson will get 300+ on us.
Cant get to him, cant cover the WR’s, here we come #26 in the power rankings
Now it's gonna be tough
to dig ourselves out of this hole. We can’t cover them and they know it. They’re much better prepared than I would have thought. We can’t get a pass rush so our horrible CB’s are getting toasted. Just as I thought and said in this posting. No pass rush = toast.
Our Special Teams have looked abysmal on both sides, the coverage and return sides.
Ouch!
Rexx
We get one back...
…but need a defensive stop for a change. Can’t expect to win a shootout. What about a turnover as a novel idea? Where are you, Ed Reed, when we need you.
PS- Todd Heap is invisible, except when he false starts. The team has no confidence in him, nor does he in himself.
Rexx
End of 3rd Qtr.
We’re right back in it if we can take it in for seven. Still, a TO would come in handy for this defense, as they can move it at will, if they keep throwing downfield instead of insisting on giving it to Jamal.
Rexx
I can only imagine...
…what’s being said on their Game Thread. I beg of everyone to stay off it and leave them alone to play by themselves. They obviously don’t play well with others.
Rexx
I went and looked a their thread
And i thought we had no life sitting here doing this, they have over 200 comments already, we need to pick it up boys.
gfhsdghjdsagjkdsjhg
fjkasfhjadsghjdsahkjgherunkjnjknvjar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaa
That's what I'm talking about!
Why in the world would they cover Mason one on one w/ no safety help!?
Rexx
Wow, thanks Braylon
Perfect pass, see how far behind Ed Reed was? Could have been a killler. Perhaps that is the spark that we need.
Rexx
WHY DON"T WE THROUGH THE RED FLAG!!!
he had a first down!!!! We stopped them earlier with their TD…NO RED FLAGS>>THIS IS GETTING STUPID!!
Rice is now out of my doghouse
He had a tendency to fumble but is now my favorite Raven of all time!
Let’s get it in!
Rexx
Not a good sequence.
First and goal now we have to settle for 3 pts and way too much time left! Poor playcalling. Should have been McClain three times up the middle or off tackle.
Rexx
Stay off the Browns' site
Let them stew in their own juices and don’t give them anything to vent their frustrations on.
Rexx
Is it ok...
If i say some really mean things, you ban me, and make a new account? It can be our little secret
Flacco, Rice, Mason
Flacco – over 200 yardspassing
Rice – over 150 rushing
Mason – over 130 receiving
Great offensive showing against what had been a stingy Browns defense the past few weeks. Defense stepped up in the mid 3rd through the end of the game. Was real worried earlier in the 2nd half, but if we ride this out and go to 5-3, that is huge.
Just got to force myself to root for the Redskins tomorrow night.
Rexx
DO NOT POST ANYTHING!!!
Post anything you want on this site, but please don’t feed into their hatred. Thank you in advance, for your anticipated cooperation!!!
Rexx
Great Open Thread, guys
Well over 100 comments, thanks for checking in and keeping me company. Well worht the efforts, huh!?
Rexx
section117
i was at the legion playing bingo someone needs to keepan eye on the 50 and over woman….
na just kidding i was at the bar have a few $2 bud light bottles. i do have a life and don’t always sit in front of a computer haha..
well it was a great game i know my man raven had probably wacthed the game 3 times by now to complain about something…..
also raven looks like i won’t want any tickets until the playoff game but i know some that will take them for now
sorry..the Ravens are winning now so the stock has gone up…i’m trading my tickets for X-mas presents : ) Got to trade while goings good..it’s a tough market. i’ll secure some pre-season 2009 for ya.
$2 bud lights? i guess you could afford 2.5 beers before Martini the bartender kicked you out George Bailey style. Did you fill your pockets w/ bar nuts and coasters.
sec117
did they turn the heat up at the legion so you wouldn’t get your little hands and feet cold? i know how anything below 70% keeps you indoors..that’s okay, i think you can still scream from your plastic bingo chair to mess up opposing 3rd and short situations…might even force them into a time out 117.
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