A look into the Ravens NFC opponents before the schedule is released.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
Green Bay Packers (Home)
All-time record against
1-3 (1-0 home, 0-3 away)
All-time score against
95-89
Most recent meeting
Week 13, 2009 season (Loss at Green Bay, 27-14)
Prediction
Ravens 24, Packers 34
Aaron Rodgers is the best player in the NFL. He was voted as such by the players and the media last year.
While his offensive line has significant holes after allowing 51 sacks, second-worst in the league, Rodgers’ play compensates accordingly and makes the Packers compete for a Super Bowl every year he plays for them. Whatever part of his game you want to look at, it’s likely excellent.
In what will likely be a primetime game, the Ravens will have to limit Green Bay‘s big plays and create turnovers.
In his past two seasons, Rodgers has thrown 1,054 passes, which includes 84 touchdowns and a mere 14 interceptions.
Minnesota Vikings (Home)
All-time record against
2-2 (2-1 home, 0-1 away)
All-time score against
108-97
Most recent meeting
Week 6, 2009 season (Loss at Minnesota, 33-31)
Prediction
Ravens 24, Vikings 16
To stop Adrian Peterson is to stop the Vikings.
Even though he rushed 348 times, he still averaged 6.0 yards per carry for a season total of 2,097 yards (second highest season total ever).
Baltimore had the 20th-ranked run defense this season. From 2006-11, the Ravens’ run defense never finished the season ranked lower than fifth.
For those Ravens’ fans who remember the last game between these two teams, they remember the heartbreak and shock as Baltimore battled all game to have Steven Hauschka miss a 44-yard field goal as time expired that would’ve won the game for them.
That kick also invalidated great games from Joe Flacco (28-for 43, 65.1 percent passing, 385 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions) and Ray Rice (20 touches, 194 total yards, two touchdowns). There’s no reason why those two can’t have similar performances versus Minnesota in 2013.
Chicago Bears (Away)
All-time record against
2-2 (2-0 home, 0-2 away)
All-time score against
57-47
Most recent meeting
Week 15, 2009 season (Win in Baltimore, 31-7)
Prediction
Ravens 13, Bears 14
As you can see, the Ravens and Bears haven’t played often, but have often played close. As their reputations suggest, they are still among the most physical teams in pro football.
To say the Bears’ offensive struggle to pass block this season is a big understatement. Chicago ranked 25th in sacks allowed and 27th in quarterback hits.
Chicago just missed the playoffs in 2012 after starting the season 7-1. Going 10-6 with all of your losses coming against playoff teams by an average of 11.0 points per game isn’t terrible. But in the NFC North, that won’t cut it.
Baltimore plays in a similarly competitive and physical division, which is why this game should be very close. Both teams have dual-threat running backs, gunslingers for quarterbacks and big-play wide receivers.
The slight edge goes to Chicago since they’re at home, and because the Ravens have yet to show they’re capable of winning at Soldier Field.
Courtesy: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Detroit Lions (Away)
All-time record against
2-1 (2-0 home, 0-1 away)
All-time score against
84-48
Most recent meeting
Week 14, 2009 season (Win in Baltimore, 48-3)
Prediction
Ravens 38, Lions 31
The last time these two teams met, the Ravens blew the Lions’ doors off. The last time these two teams met in Detroit, the Ravens blew a gasket.
On October 9, 2005, the Ravens lost to the Lions, 35-17. Baltimore turned the ball over four times and dropped to 1-3 on the season.
The worst part about that game was the Ravens were penalized 21, yes 21, times for 147 yards, while Detroit was penalized seven times for 46 yards.
28 combined penalties for 193 combined yards. What a mess it was.
Fast forward eight years and the difference is the Ravens have an absolute advantage in coaching, defense and special teams. Baltimore’s coaching staff has repeatedly made the right decision in crucial situations while the Lions’ coaching staff has done the opposite.
It should be an entertaining game to say the least. Let’s just hope the officials let the players play.
