Posts Tagged ‘Baltimore Ravens’
Monday, 8:00 pm Eastern – ESPN New York quarterback Mark Sanchez gets his first start as the Jets travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens. Sanchez is trying to win the starting quarterback job in his rookie year and is in a battle with Kellen Clemens. Last week Sanchez looked sharp in a 23-20 loss to the Rams. Baltimore is a 3-point favorite with a total of 33 at Bookmaker. Some of the attention on Monday will be focused on New York head coach Rex Ryan who is making his return to Baltimore after spending the last 10 years as the Raven’s defensive coordinator. Ryan took a few players away from his former team as linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard are now with the Jets. New York will probably be missing cornerback Darrelle Revis, guard Alan Faneca, tackle Damien Woody and defensive tackle Sione Pohua in this game. The Ravens didn’t miss Ryan last week as they shutout the Washington Redskins 23-0. The transition from Ryan to Greg Mattison as defensive coordinator has gone great. “This is not Greg’s first time around the block,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “He’s been a defensive coordinator for years, and that’s showing up. I think the players feel it. If we don’t stop people like we want, [then] that’s going to be on us — players, coaches, all of us together. But I think we’ve done a good job in camp and we have a chance to be a really good defense.” Ryan has said that Monday’s game is important. “I want [the Ravens] to know that my guys are playing like Jets and we’re to be taken seriously,” Ryan said. “The fact that I got passed over for the coaching job there … does that mean anything? Maybe it does.” The Baltimore offense also looked good last week as they had 500 yards against the Redskins. Starting quarterback Joe Flacco was very good last week and should get even more time on Monday. His backup is Troy Smith who was solid last week as well. Smith may get a lot of time on Monday since third string quarterback John Beck is hurt. The team did sign Cleo Lemon and Drew Willy but they may not play. The Ravens will are likely to be without wide receiver Mark Clayton and linebacker Terrell Suggs on Monday. The Jets and Ravens have met five times in the NFL betting preseason history with the New York holding a 3-2 edge. The teams last met in 2002 and the Jets pulled out a 16-14 win at Baltimore. Pick: Ravens
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, football, New York Jets, nfl, sports
Before anyone freaks out,this is a prediction on my part but I figure with all the speculation I would throw in my best guess but I have my reasons. Before you beat up for trying to grab headlines, hear me out. The Ravens were one of the first teams that came out and said that they have interest in signing Vick. The fans in Washington wanted him to sign with the Redskins but the Redskins have announced that there is no chance that they sign with Washington. This gives Baltimore a chance to shine and get some fans to pay attention to them. Michael Vick can fit in this safe offense and have time to grow. He will be surrounded by players that have been in trouble before like Ray Lewis, that know how to handle the media and could mentor him. Chris Mortenson reported that he believes that the Ravens are still in the hunt with other teams like the Patriots and the Packers, but feels the Ravens have the edge. After that GM Ozzie Newsome came out and denied they were courting Vick which is another reason I think he ends up in Baltimore. I have to hand it to Michael Vick, at least he is surrounding himself with the right people. Tony Dungy is one of the classiest guys in the league and well respected by front office people in the NFL. It is Dungy’s connection in the NFL that will land him in Baltimore and help him with the transiton back into the league.
Show some respect to McNair Over the holiday weekend Steve McNair and Sahel Kazemi were both found fatally shot. Since then the media has exposed some facts about the two and what may have happened leading up to the events. They talk about a relationship, who bought the gun, and even motive. This information is important for the investigators and how this may have happened but not for the rest of us. There is no need to drag the names of the victims through the mud. This is an unfortunate event for fans, friends and family of Steve McNair. Assuming events of his life and his marriage is not something for us to judge. Steve McNair was not perfect and he had problems in his life, just like we all do. As a fan I knew him as a quarterback and when he was on the field I never once asked myself how his family was or if he was ever arrested. The main reason is because I could appreciate him as a quarterback. The other issues that have come to light is for the family and his friends to go through and not the media and not the thousands of fans that seem to be talking about McNair the person when all they ever cared about before this was McNair the quarterback.
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Jeff fisher, memorial for McNair, Steve McNair, Tenneessee Titans
AFC Championship PreviewÂ
Baltimore Ravens (13-5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (13-4)Â
Sunday, 6:30PM EasternÂ
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Bookmaker.com betting line – Pittsburgh -6, 33.5 O/UÂ
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The Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday in clash of titans type game to determine the AFC Championship. The game highlights an early season pair of re-matches that were very exciting football games. The first meeting was an overtime thriller that Pittsburgh edged out by a field goal in late September. In week 13, Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger led a game winning scoring drive with 43 seconds on the clock to steal a victory away from the Ravens 13-9. However, Baltimore has yet to lose a game since that meeting winning 4 straight and they will look to get a little revenge this time around and earn the opportunity to play in the Super Bowl.Â
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Baltimore has really improved in the late part of the season. The Ravens have won their last 7 of 8 games with their only defeat coming from the Steelers. The game appears to certainly be another defensive grudge match featuring the two best defensive units in the NFL. The Ravens have played exceptional on the defensive side of the ball holding teams to slightly over 10 points per game in their last 7 games. Baltimore has also been playing well on the offensive side of the ball. The Ravens offense has come on strong behind rookie QB Joe Flacco. Flacco threw a ton of interceptions through the first part of the year, but has not thrown a single pick in 5 games. Flacco is beginning to throw the ball with confidence and as result the Ravens offense is becoming more effective. The Ravens ground game has also been solid behind Le’Ron McClain and Willis McGahee. Both running backs will get a number of carries this Sunday and the team that established the ground game the best will likely win this game.Â
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Pittsburgh has the best defense in the NFL. The Steelers potent defense ranks 1st in 3 of 4 major defensive categories and 2nd in the other. Pittsburgh only allowed 202 total yards from Baltimore in their last meeting and they will try to do the same this Sunday. In the last meeting, WR Hines Ward had a big performance from the wide receiver position. Ward caught 107 reception yards in that game and has played very well in the final month of the season. If the Steelers get in a bind and are forced to throw the football, expect Ward to get some opportunities to make a big play. This game will likely be won in the trenches considering these defenses are extremely talented. Baltimore and Pittsburgh have without a doubt the best two defenses in the NFL and it will be interesting to see which offense can make some plays and get the job done.Â
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What to watch for…Â
The ground game will likely tell the story in this battle. Do not expect there to be a large amount of passes as both teams will rely a good bit on their defense. The team that can move the ball on the ground and win the field position will likely win the game. Both offenses have shown effective running games at one point or another this season. Look for these dominant defenses to stand strong, but watch to see which team controls the ball through the running game.Â
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Pick – Ravens get the job done this time, the points are extra. Baltimore +6
Tags: AFC Championship Preview, Baltimore Ravens, football, nfl, Pittsburgh Steelers, sports
NFL Playoff Preview Â
Baltimore Ravens (11-5) at Miami Dolphins (11-5)Â
Sunday, 1:00PM EasternÂ
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Bookmaker.com betting line – Baltimore -3, 37.5 O/UÂ
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A pair of AFC teams with identical regular season records square off Sunday in the first round of the NFL Playoffs. Miami clinched the AFC East with their win over the Jets last week while the Ravens clinched the final wildcard spot with a victory over the Jaguars. The Baltimore Ravens will travel to Florida to battle with the Miami Dolphins for the second time this season. Earlier this season, the Ravens beat the Dolphins in Miami by a final score of 27-13. However, since that lost the Miami Dolphins stormed back to win 4 straight games and 9 of their last 10 becoming one of the hottest AFC teams at seasons end. The Dolphins look to extract a little revenge this time around when they host the Ravens this Sunday.Â
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Miami has been the biggest turn-around team perhaps in NFL history. The Dolphins won only one single game a year ago barely escaping a winless season. This year things are very different as Miami has been striving in their last 10 games and are poised to make a run in the postseason. Dolphins QB Chad Pennington has played a major role in the success this season. Pennington has completed 67% of his passes this season which places him as the most efficient passer in the NFL this season. Pennington has also racked up 3,653 yards this season along with 19 touchdowns. The Dolphins have become a very effective offensive force and they will need another big performance against a stout Baltimore defense. Miami has played solid defense as well down the stretch contributing to their great run. The Dolphins are only allowing 14 points per game in their last 5 match-ups. Both sides of the ball will have to play stellar this Sunday in a colossal first round battle.Â
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Baltimore QB Joe Flacco has had a good year in his rookie campaign. The youngster has thrown for 2,971 yards this season with 14 touchdowns. Flacco has been picked off 12 times this year and the rookie will try to limit his mistakes despite not having any postseason experience. The Baltimore running game has been solid this season behind the legs of running back Le’Ron McClain and Willis McGahee. The two backs have combined for 1500 yards of rushing this season along with 17 touchdowns. The big factor in this game will not be the Baltimore offense, but rather the play of the defense. The Ravens have the 2nd best defense in the NFL behind the lucrative Pittsburgh defense. The Ravens rank in the top 3 in all 4 major defensive categories. Baltimore will wreak havoc on the Miami offense Sunday and they will try to shut down the Dolphins and continue their late season surge.Â
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What to watch for…Â
Turnovers are the category that many people do not preview, but it could be a big factor in Sunday’s game. Both teams have been subject to turnover problems at one point or another this season. Ravens QB Joe Flacco has been really suspect to interception problems and can not afford to give the ball away to the Dolphins. Also, the running game was a big factor in the first match between these two opponents. Willis McGahee led the Ravens to a +100 yard performance while Miami leading rushing had only a mere 27 yards on the ground. Keep an eye on the ground attack.Â
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Pick – Baltimore defense got it done earlier this season and I believe they will again. Take Baltimore -3.
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, football, Miami Dolphins, nfl, sports
NFL Betting Preview  SBG Global Opening Line: Cowboys   - 5 , Total 39  The Dallas Cowboys will look to close out Texas Stadium with a win on Saturday night as they host the Baltimore Ravens in a game televised on the NFL Network. The Cowboys have been in Texas Stadium for 38 years but this will be their last home game unless somehow the #6 seed in the playoffs would make it to the NFC Championship game and play Dallas. Next season the Cowboys are moving into a new stadium in Arlington. Saturday night’s game is critical to both teams Wild Card chances. SBG Global reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Cowboys at Home.  The Cowboys played well last week defeating the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants by a score of 20-8 as quarterback Tony Romo threw for 244 yards and two touchdowns. Romo will need to play well again since Dallas really can’t afford a loss. Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and Atlanta are also in the mix for a Wild Card and the Cowboys must play at Philadelphia next week to end the season.  Dallas will be facing the league’s second ranked defense on Saturday as the Ravens are giving up only 257.5 yards per game. Baltimore shut down Pittsburgh for 55 minutes but the Steelers drove down and scored with 43 second left to win 13-9. “All game they didn’t make plays,” linebacker Ray Lewis said. “One drive they did.” The offense didn’t help the Ravens either as quarterback Joe Flacco had his worst game of the season. “We’ll be fine,” Flacco said. “We’ve got two games left to get some wins and prove that we’re a playoff team, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”  The Ravens have defeated the Cowboys in both of their previous meetings, the last of which was in 2004. Here are the NFL betting stats for Saturday’s game. The Ravens are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games. The Ravens are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall.  The Cowboys are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a home favorite. The Cowboys are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games in December.  SBG Global Current Line: Cowboys  - 4 , Total 39.5  The Over is 4-0-1 in the Ravens last 5 road games. The Over is 8-2-1 in the Ravens last 11 games as a road underdog. The Over is 6-2-1 in the Ravens last 9 games overall. The Under is 4-1 in the Cowboys last 5 games overall.  Pick: Ravens 4 out of 5 units
Baltimore Ravens (9-5) at Dallas Cowboys (9-5)
Saturday, 8:15 pm Eastern – NFL Network
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, football, nfl, sports
NFL Betting PreviewÂ
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) at Baltimore Ravens (9-4)Â
Sunday, 4:15PM Eastern
Written By: Jay HorneÂ
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SBG Global Betting Line – Ravens -2, Total 34.5Â
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The AFC North Division will likely be decided this weekend when the Baltimore Ravens host the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens are one game behind the Steelers in the division and a win would put them back in the division race, however the Steelers just need a win over the Ravens to clinch the division. The early betting public is favoring Pittsburgh ATS according to SBG Global Sports. Â
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Pittsburgh has the 2nd best record in the AFC at a mark of 10-3 fresh off an impressive comeback win last week in the 4th quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. The Steelers defense remains the best in the NFL ranking 1st in every major defensive category. The Steelers offense has been subject to struggling, but when Ben Roethlisberger gets rolling they can be very dangerous. However, they will be battling with the 2nd rated defense in the NFL that is the Baltimore Ravens. Will the Pittsburgh offense continue to struggle or will they be able to keep their impressive season going and clinch the AFC North.Â
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Baltimore enters the game as the slight favorite over the Steelers. The Ravens have won 7 of their past 8 games and are playing very well late in the season. Rookie QB Joe Flacco has had a tremendous first season with the Ravens. After a slow start, the rookie has only thrown 3 interceptions in his last 8 games while finding the end zone 12 times. The Baltimore rushing attack ranks 4th in the NFL with a trio of talented young tailbacks, but they will have a tough time running against the Steelers defense. This game has all the makings to be a big defensive battle and so do the betting lines holding the over/under for the game at only 34.Â
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Betting stats heading into this week’s game show that Baltimore is 7-1 ATS in their past 8 match-ups. Baltimore has also played extremely well at home in M&T Bank Stadium. Pittsburgh has also faired well in their last few contest going 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games. The Steelers also own a 4-1 ATS road record in their previous 5 contests.Â
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SBG Global Current Line- Ravens -2, Total 34.5Â
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The over/under betting line is staggering low heading into the grudge match for the division championship. Both teams’ tendencies to have low scoring games have the betting lines extremely low on the over/under. Despite the strong Baltimore defense, the Ravens have gone on the over total in 6 of their past 8 games. Pittsburgh on the other hand has not really favored one total from the other as they have nearly split this season going 7 for 13 on the over total.Â
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This game has huge implications for both teams. Despite Baltimore’s strong record, a loss would set them back to the 9-5 mark for the season and make the wildcard playoff race even tighter. Pittsburgh would not only rap up the AFC North, but a win over the Ravens would guarantee them a first round bye in the playoffs. Outside of the Tennessee Titans, these are the two best teams in the NFL that play similar style football. The team that comes out of this game on top will likely be in really great shape to make a deep run into the playoffs. Â
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Pick – Baltimore 3 of 5 units
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, football, nfl, Pittsburgh Steelers, sports
Baltimore Ravens (2-0) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1) SBG Global Opening Line: Steelers - 7  , Total 34.5  The lead in the AFC North will be at stake on Monday night when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers come into the game banged up and their health doesn’t figure to improve against a very physical Ravens squad. The Steelers will be without running back Willie Parker in the game while quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is nursing a sore shoulder. Big Ben could be in for a long night against the NFL’s top ranked defense. Monday’s game could be a defensive war since Baltimore is ranked first in yards allowed while Pittsburgh is ranked #2. SBG Global reports that early NFL betting has the public taking Steelers at Home.  The Steelers will be counting heavily on rookie Rashard Mendenhall who gets the start on Monday in place of Parker. “I had a lot of experience in the preseason and early in the season, so I’m just looking forward to going in there,” Mendenhall said. “You have to make sure you have your assignments down and have an idea what they’re going to do so, come game time, you’ve seen it all before.”  The Steelers have been the masters of Monday Night Football at home recently. They have won their last 13 Monday night home games including a 38-7 win against Baltimore last year. Here are more NFL betting stats for Monday’s game. The Ravens are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games in Week 4. The Ravens are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games on grass. The Ravens are 2-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Ravens are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games in September. The Ravens are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 vs. AFC. The Ravens are 5-14 ATS in their last 19 games overall. The Ravens are 6-21 ATS in their last 27 road games. The Ravens are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings between the two teams. SBG Global Current Line: Steelers - 5  , Total 34 The Steelers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games. The Steelers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 vs. the AFC. The Steelers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Monday games. The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings between the two teams.  The Over is 7-1 in the Ravens last 8 games on grass. The Over is 7-1 in the Ravens last 8 Monday games. The Over is 7-1 in the Ravens last 8 vs. the AFC. The Over is 7-2-1 in the Ravens last 10 vs. the AFC North. The Over is 7-2 in the Ravens last 9 games overall. The Under is 9-4-3 in the Ravens last 16 games in September.  The Over is 4-1 in the Steelers last 5 vs. the AFC. The Over is 41-15-2 in the Steelers last 58 home games. The Over is 5-2 in the Steelers last 7 games overall. The Over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings in Pittsburgh between the two teams. The Over is 10-4 in the last 14 meetings overall.  Pick: Ravens 2units out of 5 units
Monday, 8:30 pm Eastern – ESPN
Tags: Baltimore Ravens, football, nfl, NFL Picks, Pittsburgh Steelers, sports
