*Article submitted by The Sports Column’s Marcus from College Park*
Last week somebody forgot to remind Baltimore that they were invincible at home, especially against a team quarterbacked by Charlie Batch. With an opportunity to wrap up the AFC North at hand, John Harbaugh allowed himself to be out coached again by long-time nemesis, Pittsburgh’s, Mike Tomlin. Baltimore’s offense is in the hands of supposed Quarterback Guru and Washington reject, Cam Cameron. This a year after the Ravens gave the boot to former failed D.C. Head Coach Jim Zorn, who spent last season fouling up Joe Flacco’s head. Not good. Just like a pack of cigarettes, a former coach of the Burgundy and Gold should come with a warning stamped on their board heads; “Hiring this Coach could be Hazardous to your Teams Health.”
Meanwhile, Washington surprised and beat the NY Giants in a Monday Night Matchup for the first time since 1985, when Lawrence Taylor ended Joey Theismann’s NFL career with a gruesome compound leg fracture. The win against the Giants was so monumental in the eyes of budding Poet Laureate Dan Snyder, he was heard throughout the locker room reciting his favorite sonnet, “I hate those mother ****ers”. One wonders if the diminutive Dan harbors similar sentiments for the club just up Route 95, that has dominated the local football landscape since 2000 when Baltimore brought the Vince Lombardi Trophy home? Ravens Owner Steve Bisciotti and Head Coach Harbaugh have made no secret that they believe Washington’s fans are in play and they want to bring them into the Ravens flock.
The Big Boys fighting over fan loyalty, butts in the seats and big bucks in their pockets. Is that great or what!
So what happens this week when Baltimore glides the 30 Miles down 95 South to Landover, Md? Here’s the facts.
Washington is riding a three game winning streak and a confidence that’s been absent since the Gibbs Glory years. RG3 and his offense are scoring with the big play and are able to pound the ground with fellow rookie Alfred Morris. D.C. has also seemingly solved its kicking woes with Kai Forbath punching three pointers consistently.
Courtesy: Baltimore Sun
That’s the good news. Despite the defenses success against New York, they’re still one of the league’s worst at stopping the big play. The other Griffin, Cornerback Cedric, was suspended this week for stimulant use, further weakening a woeful secondary. Washington’s coaching staff still lacks the polish and ability to adapt during the game which has D.C.’s fans still tearing at their hair.
Despite not having lost back to back games since 2009, the Ravens enter Sunday’s game as underdog. Fifteen times in a row Baltimore has won after a loss. The Ravens have plenty of weapons on offense but to the increasing dismay of fans, Baltimore’s offense lacks consistency and vision. The running game with Ray Rice is often times forgotten, which has team mates, media and fans crying “Foul!” Torrey Smith is a game breaker, when and if he gets the ball. There are times when the Raven’s offensive brain trust is just plain brain dead. The Raven defense long considered its signature feature is breaking down as it ages. Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed are all suffering the slings and arrows of injuries and time and it shows in the form of a defense that’s been ripped by the run week after week.
Taking it all into account, today’s game should be filled with big plays, costly turnovers, questionable coaching, penalties and plenty of points. If you’re faint of heart, don’t watch, it’ll go down to the wire. If you’re going to the game remember, Marquess of Queensberry Rules apply in the stands, defend yourself at all times. The fans of the two clubs hate each other and who knows even Dan Snyder, who’s proven he likes to drop the “F Bomb,” might get into a hair pulling, scratching, slapping, girl fight with a Baltimore backer after Ed Reed takes an interception back for his eighth career touchdown to win it for Baltimore.
