How the Ravens beat the Bengals
Let’s be honest, an awful lot needs to go right for the Ravens to beat the Bengals on Sunday. Actually, it’s amazing that Baltimore is only a two-point underdog but let’s examine how the game needs to play out if the Ravens are to win.
Obviously, the Ravens must protect quarterback Joe Flacco – and we’re not just talking about the offensive line. The play-calling has to be such that it minimizes Flacco’s reads and vulnerability. Of course, the Ravens will have to force the run, even if Willis McGahee can’t play or is limited. Ray Rice or someone is going to have to account for both a reasonable number yards and just as importantly, time of possession. When faced with third-and-long, the Ravens must resist the temptation to put Flacco in risky situations and be content with safe plays, including runs, and punt the ball. If the Baltimore offense struggles, head coach John Harbaugh has to be patient and play the chess game of field position. It’s not particularly palatable but this is the hand the Ravens have been dealt and the defense has been there before and has made it work. Job One for Flacco is protecting the ball. The next priority is moving the chains with runs and quick passes. Do those things and the issue of scoring points will take care of itself. It may not be a lot of points but whatever it turns out to be, it might be enough.
If there are risks to be taken, it will have to be on defense. And you really can’t minimize exactly how great a risk the Ravens will be taking because the secondary is something of a question mark because of injuries. Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan will have to be at his best with his play-calling and get a little lucky, too. And he certainly needs to avoid getting unlucky (missed tackles, blown assignments). If the Ravens win, you can be sure that there will be a defensive touchdown or an easy offensive score off a turnover.
And finally, the Ravens must win the special teams battle where they should have something of an advantage. Special teams were Harbaugh’s domain for many years as an assistant in Philadelphia so that phase of the Ravens game has probably benefited, especially in terms of personnel.
So, in conclusion: The Ravens have to protect the rookie QB and the rook has to protect the ball. The defense will have to hit a few jackpots when it gambles. Assuming the offense does not surrender field position with turnovers, special teams have to win the real estate battle at minimum and probably even do a little more to help score.
Comments
Bill,
After the heading of your article, the body of your message should have just said, "with a stick."
That my friend is "How the Ravens beat the Bengals."
Posted by: Shawn | September 5, 2008 4:30 PM
Come on Bill. The Ravens need a lot of things to go well to have a chance of beating NE.
They just need to not have a lot of things go wrong to beat the Bungles.
The Ravens have had almost everything go wrong every time they have played them recently, but that had to be Marvin Lewis knowing what Billick was calling, because that is the only offense the Bungle D ever looks good against.
The Ravens should be able to run on them even vs 8 man fronts, and protect the pocket with no premium pass rushers to worry about. They can get it done with 5 man protection plus a little chip shot or two from a TE or back.
The Bengals will have trouble getting anything going on offense unless Rolle or McCallister are out. Even with double saftey deep coverage, they will not find room to run on the front 7, or even 6 in the box if they use a slot WR.
They will also have a much toughr time prtecting Palmer from a simple 4 man rush if it is on 3rd and long with Pryce, Suggs, Nagta and Barnes coming after him. They may be pretty good at the tackle spots, but Pryce and Nagta will push the pocket, keep hands in the throwing lanes and open up the blitzers coming in untouched.
They also have very suspect pass blockers in the backfeild woithout Rudi or Jeremy Johnson to muscle up against our LBs, they will get Palmer blowed up and debacled, right on his reconstructed nose.
Posted by: Jeremiah | September 5, 2008 6:54 PM
I have to agree with everything written. No doubt, a tough day for the Ravens. But there has not been anything mentioned about Special Teams making a difference. It seems as though in a close game this aspect could carry the Ravens to a win. We have a good Special Teams and excellent lineage coaching the team. I think the difference in the game will be this aspect!!
Gerard Seling - Paramedic
Basra, Iraq
-----------------------------------------
Gerard,
Thanks for writing. Be safe friend.
-- Bill
Posted by: Gerard Seling | September 6, 2008 2:21 AM
Couldn't disagree more with the conservative offensive play-calling notion; that is EXACTLY what Marin Lewis' Bungles are hoping for and will not win the game for us. Flacco can make throws no QB has been able to make since, well, maybe never. Let the kid whip it down field on unexpected (first) downs.
Posted by: Macadamia | September 6, 2008 1:28 PM
I agree and I think the Ravens can do al of this and win Win WIN!!!
Posted by: Stevers | September 6, 2008 2:47 PM
did brian billick write this?
Posted by: morgan | September 6, 2008 3:17 PM
"And you really can’t minimize exactly how great a risk the Ravens will be taking because the secondary is something of a question mark because of injuries. " Are you unaware that two of the Ravens secondary are on suspension today? The secondary will be like a sieve today - the Ravens will have to put up significant points to win the game.
Posted by: Rages | September 7, 2008 6:54 AM
that pretty much about sums it up
Posted by: ed from park heights | September 7, 2008 6:55 AM
I agree but, I think the O line is better then you are saying with the sighning of Anderson.
Posted by: tim | September 7, 2008 8:44 AM
the secondary is fine. the two players on suspension dont start or even come in during the nickle or dime formations. I know for a fact that the Ravens will beat Sin-sin-nasty bungles because I just saw the game
Posted by: exCBfan | September 7, 2008 5:36 PM