St. Louis Will Be Ravens "Sacrificial Rams"

Had the Baltimore Ravens did to the Tennessee Titans last week what they did to the Pittsburgh Steelers the previous week, no one would be looking at this game at the St. Louis Rams with much of a concern. The Ravens would be 2-0 and close to the top of the NFL Power Rankings and perhaps even looking ahead to a prime time match-up with the New York Jets in Baltimore next Sunday night.

Unfortunately, the Titans as well as our Ravens did not cooperate with that expected scenario and thus, many Ravens fans are praying that there is not another letdown like there was last week. If that were to happen, then it would be the Steelers game that would be considered the "fluke," not the Titans game.

Therein lies the issue, and it is my firm belief that last week was that annual bump on the road that has frustrated Ravens fans over the years, especially the years that the expectations for success are so high. This is one of those years and many people including pretty much every Ravens fan, expected the team to go into the Jets game with a 3-0 record.

Now it will just have to be a 2-1 record, as there is nothing to be done about the Titans game which will be in the distant rear view mirror after Baltimore return to their former self with a huge road win at St. Louis today. The winless Rams have had problems with both the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants in their two losses and now facing a tough and angry Ravens team is a sad way to force the Rams to start the 2011 season.

Expect the ravens to establish the running game and then go over the top when needed to punish the Rams secondary when they sneak up and try to stack the box. Look for at least one of the Ravens rookie wide receivers, Torrey Smith or Tandon Doss, to step out with a big game. If any team is just what the doctor ordered for the Ravens to take their frustrations out on, this one is tailor-made for them.

Just like the Steelers did to the Seattle Seahawks, the Rams will be a sacrificial lamb for the Ravens as Baltimore rolls to an easy victory and dominates all phases of the game.

Ravens: 30-13