The Ravens will host the defending Super Bowl champion on Sunday for their last home game of 2012.
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Currently on a three-game losing streak (their first since October of 2008), the Ravens need to be clicking on all cylinders this Sunday. They cannot afford to rely on other teams losing or other teams making mistakes to benefit them. As it is, they’ve been more than fortunate in that respect.
It can be a good or a bad thing that the Giants are very similar to the Broncos. It’s good because the Ravens just saw a similar team and are a little more knowledgeable as to what they should expect. It’s bad because that team (the Broncos) are really good.
Both the Broncos and the Giants are led by Super Bowl MVPs at quarterback and head coaches who’ve coached in multiple Super Bowls. Both teams feature a fierce, well-rounded pass rush. Both teams have big, fast, dynamic wide receivers. Both teams have strong kickers who excel in cold weather.
The Ravens need to win to win their division and for momentum heading into the playoffs. Here are three keys that could help them get a victory on Sunday.
1.) Stay on schedule
If you’ve heard coach-speak in the NFL, you may have heard the phrase “staying on schedule.” That refers to the down-and-distance of your offensive series. A reason the Ravens’ offense has struggled is because of penalties and plays that result in negative yardage.
To stay on schedule, they ought to do everything they can to focus on and executing one play at a time. If they do this, their offense will likely yield more points and will keep the opposing offense off the field.
Through 14 games, only twice has Baltimore had more time of possession than their opponent. That needs to change.
2.) Communicate
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Between the Ravens’ offensive line and secondary, there have been too many missed assignments and blown coverages in their last three games. There is too much talent among the players and coaches for this to happen.
Eli Manning and the Giants offense and Jason Pierre-Paul and the Giants defense are too talented and too savvy to not capitalize on those mistakes. Baltimore will get a tough test against a Super Bowl caliber team who will be playing in their second straight road game for the second week in a row.
Make them make the mistakes.
3.) Make this a playoff game
They Ravens would be well-served to not rely on other teams losing for them to enhance their playoff position. Their playoff berth came about, ultimately, because the Steelers lost in Dallas last week.
With one win, the Ravens will win their second-straight AFC North championship and will guarantee themselves at least one home playoff game.
They ought to have a sense of urgency, forget their atypical December shortcomings, and do whatever it takes to play their best possible game of football.
