Black (and Purple) Friday

What a game! Ray who? Monday night, Forsett showed the world in primetime why he is our savior at running back this season. Patiently attacking the Saints porous D for 182 yards and 2 TDs. Securing a three way tie for second (or last if you want to be a jerk about it) in the division. Leaving us all to wonder what we want as Ravens fans at a discount price the rest of this season to get us to the top and possibly win the division.

We saw a lot of positives in Monday night's game (besides Forsett styling on them and Steve Smith inciting a riot) that we would like to see continue.

So without further adieu, in no particular order, here is what we fans desire this black (and purple) Friday from our team.

JUSTIN FORSETT, DO YOUR THING PLAYA!

When I wrote a post a few weeks ago regarding Forsett as the greatest pickup we had this offseason it was met with conflicting arguments for Steve Smith Sr. Well those folks can suck it because clearly I was right. Forsett is approaching the 1,000 yard mark while Smith Sr.(until Monday night) has been M.I.A. for a month. He is the head of the sixth ranked rushing attack in the NFL. A hell of an improvement from that God awful rushing attack we had last year. The gift I want is a 1,400 yard season. That means Forsett averages about 100 yards a game which would make seven in a row. That is some kind of dominant streak!

GIMME 28 TDS JOE!

You are so close buddy. That is just two a game! Brees does that in his bad games! Come on! In all seriousness Joe Cool is at 18 on the season with only 8 interceptions. 28 would be a career high for Flacco and would mean, along with the above request, that our offense is clicking on all cylinders. Flacco is still without his biggest security blanket in Dennis Pitta but has found new members to spread the ball to. Steve Smith Sr., Kyle Jusczyzk and Owen Daniels. The third down play in Monday night's game where he faked out their linebackers as if he was going to run and then dropped a dime to Steve Smith, awesome. More of that and none of this...

1,300 YARDS FROM STEVE SMITH!

At the beginning of the season when he started on a tear I thought he would blow away the Ravens record for receiving yards. It is only a mere 1,201 yards set back in our inaugural season in 1996 by Michael Jackson (sha-mon). A season that also saw Derrick Alexander eclipse the 1,000 yard mark. How awesome would that be for Smith and Smith Receivers at Law to do that. I mean it is not completely out of reach. Torrey would have to average 100 yards a game with Steve nearly doing the same to break the receiving record. Steve needs about 77 yards a game to just break the record. Personally, I want him to just blow it out of the water. We play weak secondaries outside of Miami so I'm saying, there's a chance.

IMPROVE ON THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS

We are currently 14th in the league when it comes to converting on third downs. A whopping 43 percent. The issue I think we have all seen is our inability to pick up the short yardage downs to achieve the first. Going for it on third and fourth and one and not getting it is unacceptable. The stat I kept hearing over the bye was that we were last in the league in converting third and one. Insane considering the power backs we have at our disposal. Our damn QB is 6'6" for God sake. If he snaps the ball, turns around and sneezes we are going to get it. Harbaugh doesn't like QB sneaks because of the possibility of injury. Well how about you start liking them for the possibility of winning close games. Get it to Juszczyk, I'm sure he can fall forward for a yard. I'm just saying we have these big bodies that can do the job. We have put Ngata out there for pushing people around purposes before so why not get some Refrigerator Perry action going on. Give Ngata the damn ball. Big bodies can get short yardage downs. Hopefully a healthy Kelechi Osemele will help with those types of situations as well.

DENVER "STYLE ON" THE BUNGLES

For those who may be unfamiliar with this term, just straight up embarrass them in their house. I'm talking like 45-10. I'm not opposed to them pitching a shutout. I would consider it an early Christmas present. It's not like Pey Pey and the Broncos won't need the game to stave off the surging Chiefs. If you can call having your winning streak snapped by the Raiders surging that is. My thoughts are these, remember when the Pats smashed Cincy? I would just like them to crush them at the end of the season and then eliminated from playoff contention by the Steelers the following week. Sounds like a plan to me. Even if that does put the Steelers in the playoffs. I know this has nothing to do with Thanksgiving and Black Friday but hey, we would get the reward by Christmas so I call technicality here.

There you have it folks. Just a few things I would like to happen to benefit the Ravens this purple and black Friday. I'm sticking to my prediction of them winning the division but all of the above factors are more than likely going to happen for them to succeed in the end of the season and on into the playoffs. This is shopping I can enjoy without getting a black eye! Be safe if you are shopping out there this Black Friday. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Around the North

image courtesy of  www.thesidelinereport.com

Man, what the hell are we all going to do this week? No Ravens to watch, maybe a fantasy team is your liking. Personally I enjoy contemplating how in the world we can make it out of this division and into the playoffs. The only division where every team is above .500! More than likely stuck in front my TV hopefully laughing at one of our division foes going down in a barrel of flames.

Before I do all that, I figure why not go around the division and figure out just how teams got there and if they stand a chance of staying there (cough cough CLEVELAND cough cough). We are going to travel from first to worst in the division.

The Browns shocked not only the Bengals last Thursday but everyone in the division(perhaps the world), claiming sole possession of first place for the first time in 18 years. September 24, 1995 was the last time they were a first place team. You know, the season right before they became the Ravens! The team is currently 6-3 while wearing the division crown.

How they got here: The three headed monster they have in their backfield of Ben Tate (3.3 YPC), Isiah Crowell(4.6 YPC) and Terrance West(3.7 YPC). No one can honestly tell who is going to be the dominant back out of the bunch most weeks (recently it has been the rookie West) but they all produce. West leads the pack with 396 rushing yards, Tate has 342 and Crowell comes in last with 296. The trio has a total of 12 TDs! Which is more than their QB has (10). That production has only eased the passing game for Hoyer who just keeps on winning. He isn't lighting up the stat sheet, as mentioned, but he sure is doing it in the win column. A defense that bends (20th in total defense) but doesn't break (sixth in points allowed) has helped.

A look at the schedule: Man, who thought at the beginning of the year that the division could come down to us and the Browns in that last game? If you said, "me!," you are totally full of it. The Browns will be taking their talents on the road four out of their last seven games including Atlanta (much better at home, let's face it even the Jags beat the Browns when they were the home team) and coming to Baltimore. Any team with a rushing attack is going to give them problems, they rank 28th in the league against the run. Most of these teams at home will try to gain the lead and build that lead with the run (see Jacksonville). Their toughest opponent will be visiting them on December 7th when the Colts come to town. I could see them only getting out of this stretch with two wins but if they can go 4-3 they might take the division.

Important future knowledge: Josh Gordon, arguably the league's best WR will be back in week 12. We are talking about a guy who led the league in receiving last season only playing in 14 games. Their missing passing attack will shine when Gordon returns.

Prediction: 9-7, tied for second in the division

This team was the toast of the league during the first month of the season. Sure they swept us but they have looked piss poor in a decent amount of their games this season. Dalton is proving that when the pressure is on he can't close the deal. In Thursday's contest Dalton had more interceptions (3) than his passer rating (2.0), insane! However the team still remains in second place (stupid tie, no one likes getting ties, not even for Christmas!) at 5-3-1.

How they got here: We have already discussed the disaster on Thursday that ended their 15 game winning streak at home. Started off going 3-0 and being a Super Bowl favorite. Then the massacre in New England happened. The following week was the now infamous tie. Which leads me to ask, how do you tie the Panthers at home? They stink! The biggest news out of that game was A.J. Green's injured toe. Green missed when they were shutout against the Colts and their victory at home against the Ravens. Now they are dealing with Gio Bernard missing time giving the rookie Jeremy Hill some time as the lead back. 50/50 so far. Two weeks ago he was great, against a poor rush defense in Cleveland he was awful. However they were down the entire game so that had a little something to do with it. The team is in the middle of the pack offensively and among the bottom dwellers in a couple defensive categories. Mostly due to Dalton's ineptitude to succeed, he is having his worst season after being overpaid back in August. Doesn't scream, "division winner."

A look at the schedule: It's not looking much better for the Bengals as they prepare for a pissed off New Orleans team who just lost a heartbreaker to the 49ers. The Saints rarely lose at home and I don't anticipate them starting a losing streak. Five of the seven games remaining are on the road for the Bengals. A team that has managed just 40 points in three games on the road. 13-14 points is not going to win this Sunday and it might not even beat Arian Foster and the Texans the following week. They still have four games in the division and more than likely will split the two they have with the Steelers. It's just what division opponents do. However I fully expect them to succumb to the season sweep at the hands of the Browns. They will be a different team with Gordon back for their next meeting and it doesn't help to be in Cleveland's domain. I see them tanking the rest of the season due to their lulls on the road.  Let us not forget that Pey Pey is coming to town with his Bronco buddies on December 22nd. So even though they have two games at home, they will be lucky to be a resident of splitsville and go 1-1.

Important future knowledge: Giovani Bernard is due to return soon which will bolster this lackluster offense who hasn't been 100% since week 4. When Green returned to the lineup he tagged out Bernard who has missed the past two games.

Prediction: 7-8-1, last in the division

Oh boy, time for some home cookin'! We ho hummed our way through the Ray Rice scandal to start the year, going 2-1. While we were dismantling the NFC South (who hasn't really) we started getting some praise. Then Roethlisberger happpened. Nevertheless we are still within striking distance of the division leading Browns even though we are tied for last place with the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 6-4 record.

How they got here: Getting swept by the Bengals is honestly what has us at the bottom of the barrel of the division. Splitting with the Steelers and losing to Indy were things we knew could/would happen before the season began. What we didn't know was the resurgence of Steve Smith Sr. or Justin Forsett. Forsett has only gone on to lead the league in yards per carry, something the Ravens were 32nd (yeah sports fans, that was last place in the league) last season. Currently we are the eighth ranked rushing team in the NFL. Mostly due to Forsett. Sure Smith Sr. has slowed down these past few weeks but he is still nearly 400 yards ahead of our second place receiver. While the offense is a little ahead of the middle of the pack the defense. Ranking third in points allowed, something this team has been known for some time now. We all know about Suggs, Ngata and the rest of our veterans but the leading tackler for this team is the rookie C.J. Mosley. Definitely the front runner for defensive rookie of the year, he currently has 90 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 2 interceptions. Our biggest issue has been our pass defense and Jimmy Smith's season ending foot injury/surgery is not helping that. Last week against the Titans we looked okay after that first drive. However, that was the Titans.

A look at the schedule: Coming off the bye week we are off to the Big Breesy for a Monday night date with the Saints. We have won there before but with a much better pass defense. Honestly we are done with the meaty part of our schedule. Among our division, our remaining opponents have the worst winning percentage. We have three at home (San Diego, Jacksonville and Cleveland) and three on the road (New Orleans, Miami and Houston). All very winnable games but we all know the parity of the NFL where any team can pull one out that maybe they shouldn't. Hear me out, we already saw what happened to San Diego coming across country, a beatdown in Miami. Jacksonville is scrappy but should not scare us at home. The division may come down to the Cleveland game. They are going to be the best team that we play the rest of the season. They again will be a different team with a totally different game plan with Gordon in the lineup. However, by then we hope, the secondary will have pulled together. Our biggest challenge on the road comes against the Dolphins in week 13. Hear me out! The Fins are quietly one of the best defensive teams in the league, ahead of us in many of the stats. They are fourth in the league in total defense including being the second ranked team in pass defense. We also will be battling it out with them with the thoughts of a playoff spot being out there. The winning team would have a leg up in the wild card and possibly catch up to their division leader. Let's face it, the Dolphins are a wild card or bust team. They won't catch the Pats.

Important future knowledge: Flacco could turn out to have his best season this year. The only decent defense he will face is Miami. He is only two TDs behind last year's total with far less interceptions. A mere eight away from his career high. We can only hope that the money we spent after his Super Bowl MVP is finally going to show through in his regular season numbers.

Prediction: 11-5, first place in the division

We save the worst for last! Okay okay, tie for worst. The Steelers have been very inconsistent this season and are either the best team on the planet or worse than the Jets...and Bucs. I mean it is hard to consider this team a contender when they do what they do against less than mediocre opponents. No way they should have lost to either of those teams but somehow they found a way to play worse than them. When they lost to Tampa they were still trying to find their offense. They find their offense but lose it against a decent Jets defense. Antonio Brown actually is human and did something wrong(a lost fumble).

How they got here: Horrible losses to the Bucs and Jets that in my honest opinion should have been wins which would catapult them into first place in this division. You have to play to your schedule and the Steelers have not beaten all of the opponents that they should have. On the bright side, this season has been Le'Veon Bell's coming out party. He has been a beast out of the backfield totaling 1,213 yards from scrimmage. Just not sniffing the end zone. Big Ben has been up and down this season, most recently he had the peak of 12 TDs in two games (tying an NFL record). However against the Jets he was back to the Ben Raven fans love, throwing red zone interceptions. The defense has come around since the beginning of the season but is still old and lacking when it comes to pass defense. They are a middle of the pack defense with tremendous upside on the offense, if they are clicking watch the scoreboard go. Also let's not forget the coming out party of Martavis Bryant. He has played in 4 games this season and has 6 TDs. I wish the Ravens could draft a receiver like that.

A look at the schedule: How in the world the Titans got a Monday night home game I have not a clue. However, you got to know that Tomlin is going to be asking his men to step up and show up against another low quality team. Who knows? Maybe they will. Considering their piss poor record against such an opponent I doubt it. They are one of the few teams that have not had their bye week, which will happen next week. This team, like us, can benefit from a late bye. It could help push them into the playoffs. They still play the Bengals twice, if they sweep that could be the division for them. At the very least a wild card. Not that they don't travel well but just where they have to travel makes me believe they won't win another road game this year. Is it possible they can win in Atlanta and Tennessee (cue Arrested Development)? Sure! Have they proven that they will win? Not so much. Their home games are New Orleans (terrible on the road), Kansas City(these Chiefs ain't royal) and finishing out the year against Cincy. Odds are that either this game or the Ravens/Browns game will be moved into primetime. The division could be on the line in either game.

Important future knowledge: The defense will get a boost when Ike Taylor returns from his broken forearm. He wasn't the shutdown corner he used to be but he is clearly their best option. I already mentioned the emergence of Martavis Bryant. He is what this team has been missing since Plaxico Burress left.

Prediction: 9-7, tied for second in the division

Yeah, I know it seems like a homer pick to take the Ravens but in reality they should end the season that way. The back end of their schedule is much easier than their division opponents so why not. 10-6 could win this division but 11-5 just sounds better. We could have two division champs in our town for the first time in my life. That would be awesome!

Dismember the Titans

So last week was a big bowl of suck with a side of garbage. We had to eat it just like Steeler fans had to do back in week 2 when we drubbed them by 20. Luckily for us, a familiar face is about to walk into M&T Bank stadium this Sunday. A former rival of ours and honestly it couldn't have happened at a better time for the hapless Tennessee Titans to come to town.

Before anyone says it, no I am not looking past them nor do I think anyone on the Ravens will be doing that either. Just look at the facts behind this Titan team. They are 2-6 with only the Jags behind them in the AFC South. Tied for a league worst 15 TDs and in the bottom tier of all offensive categories. That puts them at 29th in the league in scoring at a whopping 17.1 points per game. Not to say that their defense is much better, allowing nearly 135 yards a game rushing (good for 28th in the league) along with 241 yards passing (getting them the 16th spot). Not to mention their 25.2 points allowed per game(22nd in the league). There isn't much that is scaring me about this team. There has been a revolving door for QBs with all three on their depth chart getting some time. This week happens to be Mettenberger's turn. No rookie QBs fair well in our house especially on a team with as poor of an offense as the Titans. It isn't like they lack weapons. Delanie Walker, Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter to name a few. However the inconsistencies at the QB position effect not only the passing game but Bishop Sankey, Shonn Greene (yeah remember him?) and the rest of their running game. Let us not forget we can test Michael Oh *whistles*, false start, number 72! Anyway we can see how many times we can get Oher to commit his ever favorite penalty, the false start. The truth is even great offenses get stifled by the Ravens D when they pay us a visit.

Mettenberger has less attempts in his career than Joe Flacco had in the season opener. Yeah yeah I know, just one game but still! Suggs and Dumervil have to be licking their chops to get after this kid. "When you go against a rookie quarterback -- traditionally, usually -- you can make it a hard time for them," said Suggs when questioned about Mettenberger, "but the way the game is played these days, it's pretty much in favor of the quarterback and the offense, so I don't really think that plays into our favor any." Well add that to the news of Jimmy Smith being out for the rest of the season after foot surgery and our piss poor performance last week (seriously six TDs! AND AN NFL RECORD! WHY?!?!?) who knows what can happen. We have two new corners this week and (praise football Jesus) released Chykie Brown and Dominique Franks. Danny Gorrer (former Raven and recently released by the Lions) and practice squad rookie Tramain Jacobs are hoping to right the ship. All they have to do is keep up that horrible passer rating rookie quarterbacks have against us and all will be right in the world. Honestly just don't play like those two and you both will be just fine.

We need this win. We can't go into the bye at 5-5 and sitting in last place. By Sunday we all will know what happened in Thursday's Browns/Bengals game (go Browns and Jeremy Hill, for selfish fantasy purposes!) but anyway you slice it, last feels terrible. 6-4 feels better than .500 besides, that only wins you the NFC South.

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!