lol They might be able to bounce back against the twins... but what about the undefeated vikings???

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Pete's reply: Ouch. I finally fixed that.

Tel Aviv Weather: Sunny high around 90 today through the end of the week

You're an idiot! The Ravens are 3-2, only winning to the Chargers, the Browns, and the CHIEFS-(who gave them a run for their money)! Yes, the Chargers are a good team, but not a great team... And the game was only a single score game. The Chiefs scored 24 points on the Ravens??? And, you don't think the Vikes can/will put up 35-38? There are people out there that don't believe the Vikes are contenders being 5-0, but only beating teams with a cummulative record of 7-17... The Giants (who I think are highly over-rated) are 5-0, beating teams who have a cummulative record of only 5-19! They haven't played anyone! What makes people believe they are as good as they are? At least the Vikes beat the Pack (who are still a good team) and the 49'rs (who have a great team as well).

My predictions:

Vikes(35) - Ravens(17)

Giants(27) - Saints(31)

Write it on the wall....

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Pete's reply: I may be an idiot, but if the Vikings score 38 points, I'll eat my cat.

The Ravens might just win if they end up getting the Twins... but thats probably the only chance they have.

Peter, proofread your posts at least once before you post an article. It is pretty embarrassing to see you post the Twins instead of the Vikings. It actually is pathetic. You claim to be a professional sports writer, but you cannot even get the right sports teams in your articles. That is bad!

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Pete's reply: Then go somewhere else. I'm not living up to your expectations so I encourage you to find a new blog.

Wow Matt, it's a blog, not an "article." What's actually pathetic is not understanding that with the informality of a blog and the frequency of postings come a few minor mistakes. And yes Matt it is a minor mistake...do you think Schmuck meant the Twins or maybe it just slipped by? Were you confused? Seriously Matt, lighten up.

Um...Gil, I think you're the idiot if you think the Niners have a "great team." They lost to the Falcons by 35 this weekend. A Falcons team that got smoked by the Pats. The Vikes are overrated and the Ravens will prove that this wknd.

Ravens 24
Vikings 20

Yeah Matt because I'm sure you have never made a mistake at your job before. Get a life and stop criticizing people for simple mistakes.

I agree with you Pete. The Ravens haven't been able to use the us against the world mentality so far this year. I think that will help them.

And please pay no attention to the idiots who spend their lives waiting for you to make a tiny mistake so they can feel better about how worthless they are.

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Pete's reply: Thanks. I appreciate the support. But it was a stupid oversight on my part.

Um...Gil, I think you're the idiot if you think the Niners have a "great team." They lost to the Falcons by 35 this weekend. A Falcons team that got smoked by the Pats. The Vikes are overrated and the Ravens will prove that this wknd.

Ravens 24
Vikings 20

Wow, I guess I really am an idiot. I didn't even notice the Twins error. Maybe I was actually concentrating on the theme of the blog rather than a trivial slip of the keyboard. Matt, if you get your jollies proofreading sports blogs maybe you ought to head over to MSNBC. You'll get your fill there.

Pete - I thought you were going into exile anyway? You said you would cost us the game last week by being in attendance and you sure did.

Preston is right. This game is truly a benchmark in Harbaugh's young coaching career. Two games in a row, their game plan didn't work (although they almost won both games anyway). Now it's time for John to take charge and fix what's broke & hide their flaws, because if the Ravens play against the run like they did in the Bengals game, Peterson is likely to rush for 300 yards and Favre won't get a chance to add to his record interception total.

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Pete's reply: Agreed.

The Vikings have a 5-0 record against...wait for it...Detroit, San Franscisco, Green Bay, St. Louis, and Cleveland. Yawn....

Ravens 27
Vikes 20

LOL Pete! I apologize if I got you miffed at my last posting. But I just don't see the Raven's upside, at least so far. They have shown they can play/compete against mediocre talent, but when a team is more motivated (and possibly more talented) the odds are against them. Granted, the loss to NE was unfortunate, and most people who are fans whould have to agree with the officiating being horrible (and thus - assisting to the win for NE), but we have barely won anything that merits 'respect' that more avid and vocal B-more fans 'tend to complain about. Even the national media jumped on the Raven's bandwagon for a week (for the most part).

I love watching our Ravens play and wish that they could win every game, but reasonably speaking...our schedule is NOT forgiving whatsoever. We are playing some nasty team here (Vikings, Broncos, Colts, Steelers, Packers), and then going to Cincy to 'try again' in just a few weeks. I am always cheering for my Ravens, but logically looking at the remaining games ahead of us?...I seriously doubt we can pull out wins in half of them playing the current way we are.

Sure, Flacco had a bad day. Sure, the defense gave up another drive down the field by a intelligent QB. But on a team like this, we can't afford those mistakes every game. I believe that the weaknesses that we have shown thus far, has proven very valuable to the opposition. It is time for the Ravens to stop 'talking' about what needs fixed, and actually show the changes. Maybe it's coaching? Maybe it's our available talent? All I know is, losing to division rivals will cost us later in the season if we want any chance at all at making the playoffs.

...proofing and spell check would be helpful when posting, that goes for me too! LOL!

Take care

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Pete's reply: No problem at all. You gave me an opportunity to put up another post, though I obviously did not proofread it.

Gil and Matt are IDIOTS!!!!!
GO RAVENS !!!!!!!

Pete I totally agree. Reading all the Post's after Sunday's game I thought I mistakenly hit the wapost web site and was listening to Redskins fans.

It's not the end of the world, we lost to two good teams and non of the breaks went our way. Minnesota and father time are due for a let down and I'm betting this week is when it happens. No to mention the NFC SUCKS. Who'd the Vikings beat?
Also, all the Rex Ryan lovers I hoped you watched his ALL WORLD DEFENSE Scheme GET SMOKED last nite. One coach, man doesn't make that much of a difference. Chemistry and Consistency is what makes things work and coach HARBOH and staff bring that to the Ravens.

Take a deep breath and sit back and watch the Ravens get back on track this weekend. Remember the NFC SUCKS.

No way we can beat the Twins, they've packed it up and went home plus they're in a different league and sport all together.

On a brighter note, I guess it's sufficient to say the editor doesn't proof read these blogs?

What all of you are missing is the fact that the defense was missing against the Bengals was 1) NO pass rush! Palmer had all day to throw passes! So where was Ray Lewis?
2) the DB"S had their heads handed to them since they could not cover anyone! 3) there was NO run defense since you allowed Benson to gain 120 yards-so much for the record! so who bears the responsibility for this? The whole team, coaches & players, did you really think this was to be a cake walk after Cincinnati beat the Pittsburgh Cheaters? Pittsburgh is not what it was last year, plain and simple and neither are the Ravens. If Cincinnati had a real long snapper the last drive with the 3 flags would have been a moot point. One touchdown was produced by the offense, what is that about? Cincinnati does have a much improved defense this year and yes they were playing inspired football since the defense coach's wife pass away last week and the defense dedicated the game to her, but if the game was played in Cincinnati you could make a good case that much of the team simply missed the flight. Big problems in Ravens land these days! They are NOT what they used to be! It appears that the wheels are falling off of the bus! I fear that with the rest of the schedule that the Ravens are in for a very long season. No one wants to have other teams in control of of where you are in the playoff's, but you are looking straight down that barrel and the other teams are squeezing the trigger with both hands!

Hi Pat, BalTIMimore,

The only idiots on this blog are the people who can't read and comprehend. I posted the Tel Aviv weather forecast and did not say a word about the Forty Niners, The Ravens, the Vikings, the Twins, or any team for that matter.

.

LMAO - thanks for saying that Gil. I was wondering what in the h3ll your post did to infuriate anyone.

Pete... you should be fired for sending in your blog via T9 Word text while you are out galavanting around town. I think we non-subscribers of The Sun would be better off with a "The Preston Pouts Here" Blog. haha! (Don't worry, I haven't figured out how T9 Word thing works either.)

I am thinking the same thing this week, Favre is overdue for a Trips Pick performance and the Ravens are going to be pissed abuot last week... just as long at they aren't Gently-graze-the-extra-hanging-part-chin-strap-while-trying-to-break-up-a-pass Pissed and cost themselves a 4th down, they should be fine.

The Vikings were one miracle away from losing to the 49ers at home. The Vikings defense gave up 384 yds. through the air to Aaron Rogers and the Rams got a lot of yards on that Vikings defense.

It's gonna be very close and it will probably come down to just a few plays and a few mistakes.

With the Ravens' back against the wall and knowing how good of a team they are........if I had to take a guess, I'd say Ravens.........turnovers will be the Vikings' undoing.

Shamrock,

I agree with you. The Ravens have played one poor game so far and some of the fans are jumping out of windows.

Earlier I was joking with Pete who recently suggested that he should go into exile as he is bad luck for the local teams when he is in town.

Although it should not happen to good teams, I think the Ravens were ambushed by the Bengals. I don't think it will happen again.

I think the whole team learned something sunday, especially the Head Coach.

Gil, I think Tel Aviv weathermen are idiots! :o)

No, I am just kidding, and Gil... I do humbly apologize!

JT is the idiot, and obviously a fan of another NFL team and he doesn't belong on this site.

the ravens will go down again,
they are just not a quality
road team...

every team in the nfl struggles on the road, if you
can win half of your road games
you are a halfway decent team...

the ravens lost key personnel
on d this year, and they have
not addressed their passing
game with another wr.....

favre works his magic again,
vikings 24 - ravens 13.....

im a viking fan and i just came over to read what you all think of your next opponent. it seems reviews are mixed. me personally i think the ravens will give us a run for our money. thats why i had to come over here and see what the people are saying. plus i wanna see how matt birk looks. cant wait for sunday.

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Pete's reply: Thanks for chiming in. Matt has played very well. Everybody likes him here.

The Ravens start winning as soon as they mature into a champion team. They have enough talent on both sides of the ball and on special teams to dominate opponents.

However, defensive penalties have cost us two games so far and will continue to cost us games until the coaching staff takes control of this ball club.

I'd like to say a little about the offensive play calling. When did we become the Greatest Show on Turf? Who does Willis need to blow to get on the field? Why is McClain not smashing the ball into the D Line in the 3rd quarter?

Why is Flacco throwing the ball 50 times a game?

If Harbaugh and Cam continue to coach this team in this manner, I'll be sad to see them go after this season.

It stinks.

On a more positive note, good job on the three solid victories and good luck Sunday in Minnesota!

With a couple minor tweaks, we will roll an equally good football team --- the Vikings!

This could be a defining moment in Harbaugh's tenure as head coach. It certainly will speak volumes as far as this year is concerned.

Then again, maybe Harbaugh's message is getting old.

The Ravens have no chance this to beat the Vikings! I am a huge Ravens fan but I am also very realistic about htere chances this week. There are too many problems with the Ravens right now and thay are catching this team at the worst possible time.The Vikings are a very tough football team and it looks as if the Ravens are highly overated wiht way too many weak spots to be considered a contender by any stretch of the imagination. I think the score will be 35-13. Just your avereage drubbing by a much superior team! plus Favre has always had the Ravens number!

Enough with the critical comments about Peter's typos! There is no editor for the blogs! Peter made a minor friggin' mistake. I hope your on-the-job mistakes aren't exposed to nit-picking idiots like some of you. Jerks!

As for the Ravens, I think Farve will have a field day if our pass rush is a as bad as it has been the last 2 weeks. In addition, no one besides Ed Reed has been playing well in the secondary. Foxworth, in particular, has disappointed me. I see high-scoring game with the Vikings winning, 35-31, on another late TD.

I like the comments calling the Ravens out for not beating quality opponents. Check out the Vikings opponents. Browns, Rams, Packers, 49ers (on a wing and a prayer) and the Lions.

I also agree with Peter's take. The Ravens were not as good as everyone thought a few weeks ago, but they are not as bad as everyone thinks now. They were two plays away from being 5-0 themselves. This does not mean they will win Sunday. But it probably means they will have a shot to win at the end.

If you think anything is a sure thing in the NFL, YOU are the Schmuck.

"called me on the carpet for my prediction that the Ravens will bounce back this weekend against the Minnesota Twins at the Metrodome." The Twins?

Schmuck, you are really a great football mind.

Who is the editor at the Baltimore Sun? Anyone read these articles before they are published.

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Pete's reply: Yeah, you. This is a blog, not an article, so there is no copy editor to correct my mistakes. Most of my readers were able to figure out what I meant, but since you couldn't, I meant Vikings. I dashed out that entry early Monday in my car while waiting to help out at the Carson Scholars charity event, but thanks for your patience.

"Some say it's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt. I disagree"

You hit the nail on the head with your tag line Schmuck.

Do you think the umps are going to blow any calls against the Ravens when they play the Twins this week? Yellow flag: Illegal contact on First Base. Repeat Second Strike.

There are only few sure things. This is one. Rush Limbaugh has about as much a chance of purchasing an NNL team as Art Modell attending a
Ravens [ his former team ] game in Cleveland. Or even flying over the state.

I hope the Vikings smoke the Ratbirds.
But I am a little scared.

Wow, why comment on proof reading if you have nothing of substance to add?

I feel about the same way. There really isn't anything tangible I can base my opinion on. I just believe that this coaching staff and the players are not going to take the past two losses lightly. I believe they will win, but even if they lose, we'll see a MUCH tighter performance going into the bye week. I still have a lot of faith in this team.

Are Demetrius Williams and L.J. Smith still on the team?

No one even talks about them, including the Coaches or the Writers. Did I miss something?

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Pete's reply: Demetrius was out there this week, but he hasn't been a factor lately.

The Ravens will turn things around, the defense needs to come together and the offense needs to find balance.

They are still 3-2, tied for second in the AFC North, last year we started 2-3 and finished 11-5. The Ravens need to go in the Minnesota and knock that Brett Favre on his fickle butt, and head into the bye week.

They need the bye week this year, they need to relax and work hard and focus on the tough road ahead.

Well, if the Orioles can't beat the Twins I sure hope the Ravens can :P

matt, the ravens 1000 the vikings 0, jacko will throw countless touchdowns, favre will be knocked out, the ravens will win the superbowl, jacko will be mvp, hardball coach ot the year!, ya think?

I can`t see them winning against any team with quality QB play. The pass rush doesn`t exist and the corners can`t cover. I never thought I`d say this about a ravens team, but the defense is losing ball games. Farve and the rest of the league have figured that out. 9-7 might be a stretch at this point.

The Vikings will show everyone just how overrated the Ravens are this year.

Hey Pete,
I hope you are right! My concern is the coverage in the secondary. Teams have figured out the Ravens, if we blitz they know we cannot cover man to man and they hit their best receiver.If we do not blitz the qb has all day to find an open man. We are in deep trouble I believe. Just sayin'

Listen people why do we discount the fact that our offensive line was not in tack??? Once everyone is back to their right position and Flacco gets proper protection, we will be fine and beating teams like we did before. Our fans act like the Chargers game was a fluke. It was and is the real ravens so just wait and see we will be better plus we are begining to rotate our younger players in to the mix up front on dee so some mistake will happen STOP PANICKING.

Listen people why do we discount the fact that our offensive line was not in tack??? Once everyone is back to their right position and Flacco gets proper protection, we will be fine and beating teams like we did before. Our fans act like the Chargers game was a fluke. It was and is the real ravens so just wait and see we will be better plus we are begining to rotate our younger players in to the mix up front on dee so some mistake will happen STOP PANICKING.

Hey Viking Lovers...

They haven't exactly played a top caliber schedule to get to 5-0... Cleveland, Detroit, SF, Green Bay and St Louis. Green bay is the only somewhat decent team in the bunch and they beat SF on a lucky tiptoe TD and Frank Gore going down after 1 carry.

APete has done little the past few weeks and Favre is due for a meltdown. Plus, Minnesota plays in the God awful NFC, the league of 8-8 playoff teams!

Stop hating and have a little civic pride. Or continue hating and being miserable with your lives. Whatever, its just football.

sorry the double post.

The Vikings are getting better and better each and every week. Especially on the offensive side of the ball. If the Ravens think they can beat the Vikings by shutting down Adrian Peterson, think again. We know the Ravens secondary will get picked apart by Favre.

Question the Vikings opponents? Everybody wants to sing praises about the Giants. They are the team you should question the strength of schedule. Tampa Bay, Oakland, and Kansas City. Combined 1-15 in those three. 5-5 in Dallas and Washington.

Not really a Ravens fan here at all, but I felt I should comment to get an outsiders perspective. The Ravens have too many holes to beat this gritty and talented Vikings football team. So far, Peterson has been unstoppable, and who says, that with the Ravens problems, they will be able to stop him? And the addition of Favre--legend, who is getting more comfortable with his receivers every week, is no help. If you really think the Ravens have a chance, you as fans are being unrealistic. You should have prayed they would face a weak opponent, but instead you guys got the Vikings. They are not a weak team, on offense they don't really have any holes. Open your eyes, people, this game will not be that competitive.

Since the Ravens' season is over, is there any update on Brad Bergesen?

Roch, I think the Ravens can win, but AI agree with those who say the key is better run defense: Contain Petersen and make Favre beat you. Of course, that's possible too, but nothing wears a defense down more than having the ball run down their gut every play.

I think the hit Lewis put on the Receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson could have a positive carry-over effect on the D, because even though a penalty ensued it was the kind of monster hit that could jump start them. ("If the old guy can still hit like that, so can we!")

I'm a Skins fan and I definitely think Ravens have a good chance of winning this game. I think the Vikings weak early schedule along with the Favre hype has accelerated the expectations of this team. I think they have a good chance of wining their division but they are not going to walk over scheduled teams like the Ravens, Steelers, Cincy or even the Seahawks. They are a playoff team but so are the Ravens if they tighten up the defense and penalties.
Now my Skins...

Looks like the Twins reference was corrected.

How do you make that mistake to begin with?

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Pete's reply: First off, I want everyone to know that Richard here is the sixth different name for the same guy who is harping on this. All those posts have the same email address. Now, my friend, I'm going to answer your question, since I did make the mistake and that makes it a fair question. When I'm writing a quick entry for the blog (and it is a blog), it's possible to have a mind cramp like that for a simple reason. I spent nearly three decades covering baseball and not football, so when I'm writing fast -- or talking on the radio -- I sometimes automatically say or write the baseball nickname after a city because I've done it thousands of times and haven't written or talked as much during my career about the football team in that city. I usually catch those errors, but this time I didn't. If you listen to the radio show, I'll often stutter on Baltimore Ravens because I'm starting to say Orioles instead. Maybe I'm losing it, but I think you're probably expecting a little too much of a blog if you think the Sun is going to hire a staff to copy edit it for me.

Uh, MikeB ... last time Favre faced the Ravens, Boller beat Favre, 48-3. Therefore, your prediction carries no more weight than your actual knowledge.

Vikings will be sent back to reality, and I am praying Favre will be throwing, throwing, throwing. The Raven secondary needs a feel-good game while AAFavreP is running for his life.

31-23, Ravens.

Hahaha Richard Nixon(or any of his other names) is an idiot! What a coward!

I am so glad that you called him out for that, Pete. I hope he feels even more worthless now.