Scary Things About Ravens Steelers

What better way to celebrate Halloween than to discuss some of the scary facts regarding Ravens and Steelers? Maybe you would prefer throwing pumpkins into the streets, teepeeing your neighbors house or maybe running around and getting free butterfingers from strangers. Me, I like thinking all day about how I can tie in Halloween to arguably the greatest rivalry in the NFL.

Jimmy Smith's Injury

This couldn't have possibly happened at a worse time. Smith has come around to being one of the top corners in the NFL. He has been shutting down some of the leagues top talent in recent weeks (Julio Jones and Vincent Jackson to name a few). The crazy thing about this injury is how the news broke. We all knew he was hurt, just not how serious the injury was. Initially, "No way it's lisfranc," to,"it's a lisfranc sprain," followed by, "oh my God I think they had to amputate it and give him a robotic one! He's part cyborg now!" Well maybe not that last one, but the competing reports regarding his injury have been downright ridiculous. Anyway you slice it, he's not playing this week against one of the upstart offenses in the league.

Yes, I hate to admit it, the Steelers offense finally doesn't look like dried cat vomit. With a fan base that recently was calling for their Coach's head, Haley the OC as well, on a pike. They were ready to collect heads like they were baseball cards. Much like the Steelers were doing last week when they demolished the Colts at home. This is the same field that Mike Glennon could win on. Andrew Luck, ran out of his last name. Mostly it was, similar to what the Ravens are going to be dealing with Sunday, losing their top corner and Antonio Brown making them pay. Heavily. Big Ben had a career day amassing six TDs (which totally ruined my wife's fantasy experience this past week. That moment a Steeler fan is like, COME ON BEN! THROW THE PICK!) He could do no wrong last week, making those typical throws on the run that he makes with ease to wide open receivers. They made a stout Colts defense that shut down (and shut out) the Bengals the week before look miserable. If we had a few weeks for Smith(or hell even Asa Jackson) to come back I wouldn't be that concerned. However we have no depth at the corner position which is why we should maybe take another look at Champ Bailey. We can pay him in crab cakes for all I care, he can't be as bad as Franks was last week. Both Smith and Asa Jackson are out so I am surprised that we haven't made a move to at least add depth to the position.

Expect more of the same this week. As far as, Ben taking advantage of a poor matchup. So basically if Webb isn't on Brown, he's getting the ball.

Le'Veon Bell Has Arrived 

Trick or treat, smell his feet, give him something good to eat...because he has the munchies. Anyway, with all this passing offense, don't forget about Le'Veon Bell. He is not just productive running the ball but catching as well. Totaling over 100 yards from scrimmage in each and every game this season. He already has 1,086 yards from scrimmage and averages 5.93 yards per touch. Get him the ball twice and they get a first down. Which the Ravens were just giving away last week. Especially on third down where they had been performing well this season, the Bengals unfortunately converted over 50 percent of their third downs. He has proven to be one of the top running backs in the game today. Even though he may not be lighting up the scoreboard (only crossing the goal line twice this season) he has still turned into being the most consistent back today.

With as tight as a game like this could be you know those third down conversions are going to be crucial to sustain long drives to keep the ball out of Big Ben's grubby, gigantic hands. Who knows, maybe when our boys drive 80 yards we will actually put points on the board instead of running yet another play-action pass that doesn't work.

Tight Games Plus All My Daughter's Halloween Candy....

Just means that everyone should stay away from me on Monday morning. Come hell or high water I will be watching the game in its entirety. Win or lose I'm going to be grumpy and probably not want any of your crap. 

Now that my silliness is out of the way, these games constantly come down to the last seconds. I will never forget the game when the Steelers were up by 10 and we came back with a game winning Torrey Smith touchdown to win the game. My wife, went to sleep victorious until I woke her up upon the game's completion to rub it in her face how awesome the ending was...for me. Imagine being able to actually sleep in the bed that night kiddies! 9 out of the last 13 have been decided by three or four points.

Home field usually matters in this matchup but this late in their careers both quarterbacks are comfortable shutting up the Steeler/Raven faithful. Ben and Joe have both won on the opposing grid iron. Both have swept the other (Joe is the last to do it in 2011) and yes Steeler fan, I know you guys have that trifecta year where you beat us three times. We all know, prime time game, division on the line, its going to be a hard fought game. Whoever has the ball last is probably going to win the game.

This game could make or break the Ravens season. Winning would put us basically 2 games up on the Steelers and keeping pace with the Bengals who could stumble to this Steeler team (hell maybe the Browns next week as well). Losing could move us into Browntown. We don't belong there, that is reserved for classy organizations from Cleveland. Wait, I meant crappy. 

What a Difference a Month Makes

Man, I remember September 22nd like it was 30 days ago. The Orioles were wrapping up their AL East crown, the weather hadn't changed to actually being fall yet and everyone was crowning the Bengals as Super Bowl contenders. Obviously being the class of the AFC North division.

What a difference on October 22nd. Currently it is a cool rainy fall day, chiming in at 50 some degrees. The Orioles were unfortunately swept in the ALCS and the Bengals have fallen off the wagon like a recovering alcoholic. Did all the hype get too real for them?

They were 3-0 and living the high life going into their prime time matchup against the Patriots. Whom had faltered the week prior. Which only meant one thing, Tom Brady coming out party! The Pats stomped them 43-17 making Bengals fans shout, "Just one game, we still own the division! WHO DEY!" Well "dey" played a much improved game the following week, unfortunately nothing screams failure like a tie in the NFL. It's worse than kissing your sister, it is just terrible. They tied a Panthers team(whose defense is just plain terrible this season, a high school team could drive 80 yards on them!), in Cincy, who had just gotten smashed by the Steelers in Carolina and the Ravens at the Big Crab Cake. Their defense looked soft and their best player came out of the game with toe injury that has sidelined him ever since. Maybe that is why they couldn't even muster a point this past week against the stout Colts defense, being completely demolished 27-0.

Not only is their offense struggling but the defense hasn't been as stout as they were at the beginning of the season. They have given up a total of 1,442 yards in the past three weeks. Along with a whopping 107 points. They have currently dropped to number 13 in ESPN's power rankings this week. Two spots ahead of the Steelers and four spots below our Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens have earned that ranking from having a pretty decent month compared to that of the Bengals. In their past four games they are 3-1 with that one being a tough loss to the Colts 20-13. The good news is that our defense has been consistent this season. The Ravens are number one in scoring defense and red zone defense. Sure you might gain a bunch of yards on them, hell you might even get into the red zone. Get your kicker loose, because that is all you are going to get. Yes, I know we have basically been destroying the NFC South but that is what you do. You play your schedule and demolish the weaklings in the way. That is just what they have done. Sacking everyone (except Andrew Luck) and putting up big offensive numbers on some poor defenses.

It helps that the offense has had such good performances out of Joe Flacco, Steve Smith Sr. ,Torrey Smith has shown up and of course Justin Forsett. In their wins this season there was only the game in Cleveland that came down to a last second field goal. Everything else has been one sided. Pittsburgh (20-6), Carolina (38-10), Tampa (48-17) and this week's victim Atlanta (29-7). Their points margin is the highest in the NFL at 12.7. Nearly two touchdowns! Quite impressive.

That being said I hope the Ravens are able to twist the knife into the Bengals to continue their downward spiral. Kicking a team when they are down to take complete control of our division sounds like a win win to me. This is our chance to do it, hopefully they seize the opportunity. It's right there men, now take it!

Who was the Better Acquisition: Steve Smith Sr. OR Justin Forsett

Well folks we are 6 weeks into what has been an interesting season so far not just in Baltimore but all over the league. Before the season started we were looking like a pretty solid team. We had a decent draft class headed by C.J. Mosley who has become a tackling machine in the middle. We also made a few pickups in key areas. We first had to solve a major issue with our team, the line. We picked up Zuttah to solidify the middle of the line. What about those key skill spots? Of course I am talking about the ageless wonder, Steve Smith Sr., and Justin Forsett. Which one was a better pickup?

We never were the same last season without a veteran presence at receiver. Boldin's departure and Pitta's injury took its toll on our passing game. Insert Smith Sr. who not only fulfills the veteran presence, he is also doing what he used to in his prime! He is setting NFL receiving records at the age of 35, no one has been this dominant this late in their career. I can't name a time when we had a receiver with over 100 yards 4 out of 6 games. Through those 6 games he has 35 catches, 573 receiving yards and 4 TDs. Call a nerd or a calculator if you don't want to do the math but he is on pace for over 1,500 yards receiving this season. That would be more than Pitta has in his career! It would easily shatter the team record of 1,201 set by Michael Jackson(not that one, the other one) back in our inaugural season of 1996.

This past weekend allowed for some more records to be broken when Joe Flacco was the fastest QB ever to pass for 5 TD passes, 1 going to Steve Smith Sr and 2 going to Torrey Smith (no relation). For years this has been a run heavy offense that beat you up for 4 quarters on both sides of the ball. Of course this offense has a very good running game. That is all due to Justin Forsett.

Forsett leads the league in yards per carry (6.4) and is fifth in yards (408). Like everyone else this past Sunday he had his best game of the season snagging his first 100 yard game of the year. Forsett followed Kubiak from Houston and thank goodness because where would this offense be without him? It is hard to predict what Taliaferro can/would do if given the chance.We all have seen what would happen to Bernard Pierce. A man I have affectionately called "Mr. Glass" since his rookie season due to his ineptitude to make it through an entire year without getting hurt. He doesn't seem to have the burst or familiarity that Forsett does with this system.

The edge for me goes to Forsett. Giving Ravens fans what we missed so much last season. Wait, you mean if they give it to the back twice he'll have a first down? If Rice/Pierce did that last year on 4 downs we would have a turnover on downs. Forsett has been this running game's savior during the Rice saga and Pierce's injury/fumble issues. Many fans saw this possibly happening because of Forsett's success in Houston and Seattle. Also his familiarity with Kubiak and his blocking/rushing scheme (which is similar to what we used last year with backs that didn't work) has helped. His patience waiting for holes to open up has helped him blow up big runs (tied for the league lead with 6 runs of 20+ runs) which in turn helps Smith Sr. get open for a big play action pass.

It's great to have arguments with fans about a topic like this. Who would have thought Smith or Forsett would be having the seasons they are having? Forsett has turned a running game around that was absolutely miserable last year. Smith Sr. somehow looks like he is 26 again. Whatever it is, I just hope they keep dominating the way they have so far, it means more wins for the Ravens if they do.

This Win Should Only Cost One Buc

What a time to be a Baltimore sports fan! Ravens season is in full swing and the O's are heading to the ALCS for the first time in 17 years. Luckily for the Ravens the O's stamped their ticket mere hours after they dropped a close game (that they had no right winning). It was fortunate for them but it has everyone wondering, could they possibly blow another game on the road to a poor team?

The Ravens are below .500 away from the big crabcake under Harbaugh and we have definitely thrown some stinkers out there. I'm sure everyone remembers that crap fest we had back in Jacksonville in primetime a few years back. Yeah, we lost to the Jaguars. Not a group of the animal (which would be acceptable), the team. That being said, now we have another division bottom dweller we need to visit who, as of late, has been playing tough against decent opponents.

The Bucs beat the Steelers at home and then traveled to the big easy only to blow a late lead to their Lord Breesus Christ. So it's easy to dismiss them and their 1-4 record(just a reminder for my Steeler loving spouse, that 1 win, was YOUR team). However since Mike Glennon has taken over they are a different team offensively. Vincent Jackson, who was invisible in the beginning of the season, has come alive since Glennon has taken over. Not to mention how well Bobby Rainey has played spelling Doug Martin, or completely taking over for him due to his immense injury issues. Did they get smashed in their Thursday night game at Atlanta? Oh yeah they did. Who hasn't this season? Every game on Thursday has been completely one sided. With only the Giants proving a road team can put on the beat down.

Back to Glennon who has put together some decent, not all be it world beating, numbers. His QBR has stayed in the low 70's, he has thrown for multiple TDs in the past 2 games (that is like winning the Super Bowl to a Bucs fan these days), and averaged about 250 yards per game. He had ice in his veins in Pittsburgh on that final drive reminding their fans more of classic Roethlisberger, who could only muster a 3 and out on their final drive before Glennon's winning drive. There may have been a different result last week but that game should not have been that close in New Orleans. Maybe the Saints aren't who we thought they were and Tampa let them off the hook. It's still a late loss to Drew Brees who is one of the most clutch QBs in the league especially at home. I think the bigger issues for the Bucs may be on the other side of the ball.

Where Lovie Smith is still stuck on the prehistoric Tampa 2 defense. I don't think it will take Joe Flacco long to start picking that team with those poor corners apart. We just have to hold up against their strong front 7 long enough for Joe to pick apart the league's 30th ranked pass defense. Especially with our line looking as poor and depleted as they did last week. In addition to that, has anyone looked at our injury report? If a guy is on the offensive line he is on there this week. At least that is how it feels to me. I think Torrey Smith has a big turnaround game this week. He needs to redeem himself for what many critics have been trashing him for from last week. Show you have hands Torrey, show you can be a dynamic receiver. That is all you have to do.

This is a turnaround game for the Ravens. They are playing a bad team after a rough week that will hopefully push them to becoming a 4-2 team and back in the hunt for the division crown. Cincy losing the way they did and now having to deal without having A.J. Green for whatever amount of time that is helps the Ravens immensely. Add that to the fact that having a win over a common opponent from your division is very helpful to our playoff chances. A win this week can push them in the right direction for Atlanta at home next week. Then off to Cincy to hopefully split the season series with the Bengals.

All in all it is going to be a great sports weekend in Baltimore. While the Ravens are on the road, Baltimore's faithful will enjoy watching their O's at Camden Yards Friday and Saturday. All eyes will be on their TV sets to watch the Ravens hopefully dominate Tampa on Sunday. Let's go bad birds of Baltimore!

O-Mazing Experience

When J.J. Hardy slid across home plate Friday I assisted with thousands of others in blowing the roof (if there was one) off of Camden Yards. The eruption from the crowd was deafening, headache inducing and by far the loudest cheers I have ever heard at Oriole Park. As I reflected today about the game, the epic moment (that still gives me chills when I watch the video) I just couldn't stop thinking about all the things I wanted to say about it.

Let us start from the beginning. Many things had to fall into place for me to even be able to head to said game. For years I have been going to games with my girlfriend/now wife to the point that she actually gives a damn about the Orioles. Thank goodness as she felt the need to go ahead and put down a hefty deposit for tickets next season(with zero push from me, "We have a chance to go to the World Series, don't we?") just for the opportunity to go to Postseason games at a reasonable price. I like to take credit for turning a football girl, although she is a Steeler fan, into someone who was able to lose her mind as much as me Friday. Has she endured as much of the sucking as me and many other Oriole fans? No. She did endure the Oriole season where we won zero games on Sunday (2006?) while we had the 13 game package, all of them being Sundays.

Along with needing a supportive wife I needed a somewhat supportive job to let me go. I mean a 12 o'clock start, on short notice, was not helpful to that. While the answer I got wasn't an all supportive yes, it had things tied to it. Luckily I only got a list of a few things that I had to do (seriously the situation made me feel like I am a brain surgeon of Lowe's, "we don't have anyone that can do it, shorthanded..." I tuned out after I lost hope of even going.) Needless to say I was able to go in WAY early to bang out what I had to do to even be able to go.

Able to go, not able to find parking. Holy crap, when I say we had to park a mile away I may not be kidding. Driving around for a half an hour scouring the area for parking. We parked at a garage for only $9 all the way in front of Lexington Market. We walked up like many other O's fans during the player introductions (I heard the CrUUUUUUUUUUUUUUz chant) along with the national anthem. I managed to get in the, "O!" All be it from the entrance gate before my bag of snacks could be checked. We got to our seats literally seconds before the first pitch.

Unlike the last playoff game we went to there weren't many opposing fans to deal with. I guess the trek from Detroit is a little far. We did manage to get a few 10 rows back from us who felt the need to slowly chant, "Tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiger baaaaaaaaaaseball" after anything good they did. Single, strike, homerun, get an out but not after your bullpen blew open the game! Boom roasted! Anyway I digress. Suck it annoying Tiger fan! Okay seriously, I'm done.

The game started off with Chen getting through the first allowing only one hit. Verlander came up and preceded to get us 1-2-3. It really seemed like it was going to be a pitchers matchup through the first 3 innings. Chen looked great, made an unbelievable play in the third snagging a line drive to end the inning. Verlander had no hit us through 2 2/3 innings. Before Markakis eked a homerun to the right field wall. Then came the 4th. I got to hear that Tiger fan a bunch that inning. Hunter single, Cabrera single, V.Martinez double and then J.D. Martinez hit a 3 run bomb. Just when you thought that was enough Castallenos hits another bomb to make it 5-2. The crowd was starting to lose trust in Chen and so was Buck. He left him in until Rajai Davis slapped a single into left. The crowd clapped for Chen but mainly just to support our guy. In came our future in Kevin Gausman.

In all honesty I wasn't surprised to see Chen get rocked the way he did. The Tigers have owned left handed pitching this season.

What followed after the 5 run inning for the Tigers felt like an eternity for me. Sure, we put up a run in the bottom of the inning. Verlander was cruising after that. The game seemed to lose its muster. Gausman was in control for much of his relief appearance. The 5th inning gave us that outstanding double play started by Ryan Flaherty and enabled by Miguel Cabrera's inability to hit a treadmill. Everything was still coming up Tigers. If we got runners, Verlander got out of it. Gausman was also mowing down the boys from Motown until the 8th when he was touched up for a run. All in all I couldn't have been happier with Gausman in his relief appearance. He threw strikes and got out of jams in his first playoff pressure game. Gausman walked off to booming applause and support while Buck waved in Brad Brach. Who I believe should start coming out to altered entrance music from "The Rock."

If ya smelllllllllllllllllll, what Brad Brach is cooking! Brad Brach says, Brad Brach says, Brad Brach says, Brad Brach says know your damn role! Sorry sidetracked.

I'm losing focus because I'm getting excited. I know what happens next in this tale. I'm ruining the ending to the movie like one of my annoying relatives. With one exception, everyone in Baltimore knows what happens next.

Verlander had been removed for Anibal Sanchez, who appeared to be the only reliable guy out of their pen thus far. He had gone untouchable for 2 innings before Ausmus felt that he had reached his pitch limit. So in the 8th he decided to intelligently, at least to Oriole fans who erupted when he jogged out, bring in Joba Chamberlain. We all started cheering as if we had already won the game. Ausmus was Old Mother Hubbard and only Joba was in the cupboard. Needless to say, Joba was a good sport about it, tipping his cap to the ecstatic O's fans. Started off okay by getting a ground out by De Aza. It was all downhill from there. He hit Jones, Cruz singled and was followed by Pearce who drove Jones in on yet another single. Things were heating up. Joba was removed for yet another reliable Tiger from the bullpen, Joakim Soria. The events that followed will go down as arguably the greatest moment in Orioles postseason history.

Soria walked J.J. Hardy on 5 pitches. The Yard was rocking, we needed something big to happen. Down 2 with the bases loaded and 1 out, the time was now. Flaherty was pulled for former Tiger postseason hero Delmon Young (yeah did anyone remember he was the 2011 ALCS MVP for them? Good me neither.). Young stepped in to much of our joy. Even my daughter, who seemed bored during the middle innings of the game, was on her feet(on her chair) doing the "Seven Nation Army" chant. With my arm around her and my Orioles postseason towel waving in the air we waited for the pitch. BAM! Young drove the ball into the left field corner for what we all knew could be a game winning double. My voice was going, everyone in my section (every section) started going nuts watching Cruz rumble across the plate, followed by Pearce and here comes Hardy. He hook slides to the back end of home, HE'S SAFE!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! HOLY CRAP! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I high fived Caylie (my daughter), my wife and 7 others around me who could not believe what we just saw. No way did that just happen! 

"I love you Tigers bullpen! You are my second choice for MVP of this game behind Delmon Young!," I shouted. 

It didn't matter what happened the rest of the inning we had the lead. Kelly Johnson sacrificed Young over to third on a fly ball to center. Schoop popped out. Here comes Zach Britton, attempting to get his first postseason save. Britton was throwing bowling balls out there. His fastball with that sinking movement has owned a lot of the league this season. The bottom of Detroit's order was their last hope. They had no chance. Herman Perez came in for Avila, ground out to Pearce. One down. The place was starting to go even more nuts, if that was possible. Romine their starting shortstop, struck out. I channeled my inner Rosie O'Donnell from A League of Their Own. "Come on Britton, ONE MORE! JUST ONE MORE!" When Suarez came in off the bench and grounded to Hardy we all knew he got that last out. Pearce squeezed it and we all went crazy. High fives and screams a plenty. I was looking for those annoying Tigers fans who must have left when Soria came in. 

I will never forget that moment. Sharing it with my family adds even more meaning to it. Sure hanging with my buddies would also have been awesome, I am hoping Caylie remembers that moment as much as I will. I sure won't ever let her forget it. 

Up for Debate: Has Luck Passed Flacco?

Seems like a valid question. Sure Luck is still a newborn baby in this league (his beard is deceiving) compared to Flacco (who thank the Gods hasn't tried to grow that handle bar 'stache back) but without either player their teams would be in for a world of hurt. However when it comes to national attention Luck seems to get a whole lot more support for MVP talks. Yes I know it is early but these are the same people who make Super Bowl picks before training camp.

Luck is merely entering his third year in the league. Flacco, his seventh. When comparing their first two seasons Luck is superior to Flacco. Except for that whole, winning in the playoffs thing. Was Flacco the reason we won during his rookie campaign? No way! Our defense carried us all the way to AFC Championship game. Although thanks to research I get to remember 2008 as the year we got swept by the Steelers. Excuse me while I sarcastically shout "Yay!" Was Flacco the reason Luck lost in the playoffs? Sprinkle in two TDs, a 125.6 passer rating and our defense trying to help Ray Lew 52 ride off into the sunset in style. You bet your sweet crabcake he was! Anyway, Luck has better numbers across the board in the regular season. Luck has had 23 TDs in each of his last two seasons. While Flacco had a mere 14 in his rookie season and followed that up with 21 the following year. However this was when the Steelers defense was still elite/young/gave a crap (unlike now as it seems) while Luck faced cupcakes like the Jags and Titans twice. So while some might say "numbers don't lie" others might retort with,"competition does."

As far as their opponents go this season Flacco has faced better defensive squads than Luck. Unless you consider the Jags or Titans and their "not too shabby" tagline as elite. If that is the case, have another and don't drink and drive. Luck has passed for nearly 800 yards in the past two weeks against those goons. Flacco hasn't looked too bad in the past few weeks himself. This after both had rough outings against tough opponents in week one. Both accounted for a lot of yardage but we all know of Flacco's time management issues against Cincy as well as Luck's ability to start a game/season flat against Denver. Both are dealing with separate issues in their respective offenses. Whether its Trent Richardson being a waste of time/carries or Dennis Pitta's hip injury, both are significant to what their teams can do in the passing game. Overall I would say on numbers alone Luck would take the title in this one. I would argue with any and every Colts fan that their division is garbage. Let me see how Luck does against a formidable Bengal defense. The biggest effect on the two has got to be the personnel on offense.

This season's shining star has been the offensive line's performance in Baltimore. Flacco has only been sacked three times in four games (second in the league to Andy Dalton) and it has helped the run game improve to seventh in the league. This with our third and fourth options at the position! Steve Smith Sr. has been doing laps in the fountain of youth as he is off to the greatest start of his career. He has the potential to not only set career bests but to break NFL records for a receiver 35 or older. We all thought he would boost the offense, we had no idea how much. While on the flip side we have some crafty veteran receivers in Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton. In all honesty I would take Hilton over Torrey Smith. He has just been a better overall receiver in his career thus far. He has the numbers to back it up and was even explosive on special teams his rookie season.

Where we will dominate is at the line. Indy is lacking a pass rush with no Robert Mathis who will still be serving a suspension which leads me to believe Flacco should have a relatively clean jersey for yet another week. Also on the defensive side I have the Suggernaut all over the Colts backfield with their inexperienced line which gives up about two sacks a game. Luck surprisingly does have the ability to scramble (similar to Flacco honestly, let's remember he was our best rush threat last season...unfortunately). Those scrambles usually lead to first downs and sustained drives. While the Colts may be first in total offense, I have to give Flacco and the rest of our offensive personnel. Based nearly on running backs alone. How did Trent Richardson go from first round gem to trade trash? Justin Forsett meanwhile is leading the league in average yards per carry while Lorenzo Taliaferro has played the role as the closer in the past two games. Rumbling over tired opponents who couldn't keep up with Forsett only to get trucked by Taliaferro. Where they effect the passing game is mainly on play action since neither is heavily used out of the backfield the way Ray Rice used to. Only getting about 3 or 4 balls thrown their way. Well Forsett's way, Taliaferro hasn't made a reception as of yet. 

The interesting thing about Andrew Luck is he has yet to beat Joe Flacco however he was able to beat Peyton Manning his first try. This will be their second meeting, while not in the playoffs will be just as important on potential seeding in this year's postseason. Without Luck the Colts would be lucky to finish with six wins. The same could be said for the Ravens. Especially in their tough division. Both are very clutch when it comes down to tight situations and want the ball for that final drive to win the game. Until Luck proves himself in the postseason he stays behind Flacco. He may not be flashy but that unibrowed Jersey boy knows how to win! Two top 10 offenses going at it this Sunday, hopefully the Ravens will come out victorious.