So I decided to look at the Ravens' 2010 schedule game by game and see what realistically we as fans can expect the team to do. Now I am no expert by any means so I will base my decisions on what I have seen from the team in preseason, opponents' last year record, match up problems and whether the game is played at home or away.
So here goes.
Week 1 At Jets
This to feels like a trap game. The game is on a Monday night in the brand new Jets stadium. You better believe that the Ravens will face a very hostile crowd. Not only that, the Ravens will also face the guy who helped build our unstoppable defense, Rex Ryan. Emotions are going to be very high in this game. My concern is that sometimes when the emotions are really high we see a surge of penalties with the Ravens. The Jets defense is predicted to be top 5 this year, even without Revis in the line up. This is a good first test for Flacco and our revamped offense. I will give a slight edge to the Ravens in this match up, only because I feel that the Jets will primarily focus on the run game and the Ravens have a very strong run defense this year. My score prediction is a low one, Ravens 13 Jets 9.
Week 2 At Bengals
This one scares me as a Ravens fan. The Bengals have made a lot of the right moves this offseason. With the addition of Terrel Owens and the revamping of an already strong defense, the Bengals can win the division again this year. I do not like the matchup of the Bengals' wide receivers against our secondary. Also, Cedric Benson chewed and spit us out last year. I don't think that he will be able to post those numbers against us again but he is still a weapon for them. I predict the Ravens will lose this matchup because it is on the road against a division rival. Bengals 27 Ravens 20.
Week 3 vs Browns
The browns are still a new team after a rebuilding year, this past year. They have some weapons in Joshua Cribbs and Jerome Harrison. By adding Delhomme, they have only strenghtened their QB spot. However, I do not expect the browns to compete at the same level as the Ravens just yet. I think the Ravens win this matchup, Ravens 30 Browns 10.
Week 4 at Steelers
This is the game that I think is a real opportunity for the Ravens. Big Ben will be out because of his suspensions and the Ravens need to capitalize on that. This is not to say that this game will be an easy one. If we remember last year week 12 we played a Steelers team which was without Big Ben. The steelers led by Dixon took us all the way to overtime at M&T Bank Stadium. Their defense is still strong with Polamalu coming back. They have a good running game with Mendenhall in the back field and they still have Hines Ward (ugh). This should be a close game because of the Steelers' defense and the fact that they play at home. Ravens win 24-20.
Week 5 vs Broncos
The broncos are having a tough preseason because of all the injuries that have plagued them. They lost pro bowler Elvis Dumervil and backup Running back Lendale White. I expect the Ravens' strong running game to take over this game. It will be hard for them to pass against Champ Bailey to I think that the Ravens will utilize the run game along with play action. I think the Ravens will win this matchup 28-17.
Week 6 at Patriots
This is a revenge game for Brady and the Patriots. Last season the Ravens left a bad taste in the mouths of the Patriots after dismantling them in the wildcard game at Foxboro. I look for Brady to exploit our secondary and Randy Moss to have a big game. However, the Patriots defense is weak this year and the Ravens offense will also have a field day with this one. This is going to be a high scoring, dream game for fantasy teams. I expect the Ravens to make the Patriots completely one dimensional by taking away their running game. I also expect a very well balanced Ravens offense to beat the Patriots 42-38.
Week 7 vs Bills
The bills, much like the browns are in a rebuilding phase right now. I think by far their strength lies in their running game with Spiller. I think the Ravens can neutralize that with their defense and I do not expect the Bills' defense to contain all the weapons the Ravens now have in their offense. I think the Ravens win this one handedly 30-12.
Week 8- Bye Week
Week 9 vs Miami
This is a dangerous opponent in my book. They have a good defense and a great running attack. They also like to use the wildcat packages with Ronnie Brown taking the snaps. This is a good matchup of the Ravens, because the Dolphins have a weak passing game, especially with Henne struggling in the preseason. I think that the dolphins combined with Brown and Williams can run over 100 yards against the Ravens. They also might be able to utilize some trick plays to score a touchdown here or there. I still think the Ravens should be able to beat them in a head to head matchup, especially at home. Ravens 27 Dolphins 14.
Week 10 at Falcons
This is a trap game. Atlanta had problems last year but Turner is healthy this year and Matt Ryan has another year under his belt. Their defense has looked good this preseason. However, I think that the Falcons will find it hard defending our running and passing attack. Also, if we can contain Turner then we can give ourselves a very good chance of winning this tough road game. Ravens win this one 28-14.
Week 11 At Panthers
We played the panthers in preseason this year. However, a number of their players including Steve Smith were not playing that game. The Ravens took advantage of the Carolina defense and Matt Moore looked like he was lost for much of the game. I expect a lot more of the same in this matchup as well. Ravens win 21-7.
Week 12 Vs Buccaneers
The Bucs are another team which has recently gone through a rebuilding phase. They have a second year QB in Josh Freeman who has looked good this year in preseason. They also have a frequently injured Cadillac Williams and Kellen Winslow. Lets face it, this team is a weak opponent and I expect the Ravens to completely run over their defense. Ravens win this one 21-6.
Week 13 Vs Steelers
This is when the difficult stretch of the season begins for the Ravens. The Steelers are back and this time with Big Ben. Same strong defense and same obnoxious Hines Ward. The Ravens do have a much improved pass rush so far this season, however, Big Ben makes that Steelers team much better. We should be able to score on their defense but its not going to be easy. I think Mike Wallace can have a big impact on this game with his speed and separation ability. Unfortunately I think the Steelers take this one 17-12.
Week 14 at Texans
The Texans have become a team to be reckoned with in the last couple of years. Matt Shaub and Andre Johnson have become the Manning-Harrison or the Brady-Moss type combination. Their new running back Foster is also looking very good this preseason. They have many weapons on offense but their defense is surprisingly good. Ever since they added Mario Williams, they have been improving their defense every year. Since this game is at the Texans, I believe the Ravens will lose this one 24-18.
Week 15 vs Saints
Uh oh here come the defending Superbowl champions. This is strong team, which is like saying that the sky is blue. Drew Brees, year after year puts up gaudy numbers. They have a good running game with Thomas and Bush. However, I believe it was because of their defense they won the big game last year. This is a tough game i hate to see the matchup of our DB's against the Saints receivers. I think we can score on them but the question remains, can Flacco outscore Brees? I don't think so which is why I have the Ravens losing their third consecutive 24-32.
Week 16 At Browns
The browns will not get much better from the last time the Ravens saw them which will be in week 3. The same reasons still apply and the Ravens win this one 32-9.
Week 17 vs Bengals
Standing at 11-4 with the last game of the season, I'm not sure of the game is going to matter. However, judging from the AFC this year, it could be an important game to win that coveted bye week. I think the Ravens try hard this game and will not bench anyone. Head to head at home I think that the Ravens can overcome the Ochocinco and Owens combo. I think Flacco has a pretty good game in this one and the Ravens go on to win their 12th game of the season 21-20.
So there you go, I could be completely off here but I truly believe that this is a very realistic possibility. Obviously there will be games won or lost because of last minute plays or lack thereof, but overall I am comfortable with this record. We play against some very good teams this year and our record could very easily be 9-7 this year too. But I think that with our revamped offense we can pull of some of the games we would have lost last year. Go Ravens!
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