Ravens 31, Lions 17
Make no mistake-the Lions’ ability to play jump ball with Calvin Johnson will allow them to score; but this will be a one possession game in the 2nd half. The Ravens will win the game, but NO ONE will feel better about their Wild Card chances come Monday-even though they’ll be back above .500.
Let’s see what everyone else has to say….
Best of Thursday’s WNST Blogs:
Glenn Clark says Cundiff, McKinney, Suggs all limited in practice
Rex Snider thinks Harbaugh should be more like Belichick
And from the rest of the world….
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says Cam Cameron knows Lions will give Flacco ‘single coverage’ looks he should be able to take advantage of
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says John Harbaugh particularly defensive of brother Jim Harbaugh, father Jack Harbaugh on sideline
The Official Site’s Mike Duffy says T-Sizzle practicing, but not certain of status for Sunday yet
The Official Site says Ray Rice, Lardarius Webb, Jared Gaither, Joe Flacco, Adam Terry, Ray Lewis will be out in community next week
The Official Site says Ngata honored by USA Football, NFLPA for ‘fundamentals’
The Official Site says Zbikowski was getting advice from Ed Reed on sideline during Monday Night Football game
Lions Official Site’s Chrissie Wywrot says safety Delmas models himself after Ed Reed
The Sun’s Mike Preston says Mt. St. Joseph grad Jim Schwartz to make ‘homecoming’ Sunday in Baltimore
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens 7-2 against backup QB’s since ’07, including wins over Dennis Dixon, Brodie Croyle this season
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens can’t have too many penalties, allow Calvin Johnson to go crazy, be hurt too much by injuries to Ed Reed, Fabian Washington, Terrell Suggs etc.
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Ravens must get improved play from Flacco, hold on to ball in red zone, keep focus
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Ed Reed, Jarret Johnson, Mark Clayton, Jared Gaither, David Hale, LJ Smith all didn’t practice again yesterday
The Sun’s Ken Murray says Ben Grubbs thinks O-Line needs to be more ‘consistent’
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Le’Ron McClain not in ‘doghouse’
7 of 7 Sun analysts pick Ravens
The Sun remembers Ravens’ 1998 win over Lions in Marchibroda’s final game
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Grady Jackson, Matthew Stafford didn’t practice for Detroit
The Sun’s Edward Lee says Greg Mattison believes Ngata solid combination of talent, fundamentals
The Sun’s Jamison Hensley says Suggs couldn’t talk about restraining order, lawsuit
The Sun’s Edward Lee says 4 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from Maryland National Guard will flyover M&T Bank Stadium Sunday
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Suggs sued for $70 million by Candace Williams
Carroll County Times’ Aaron Wilson says Matt Birk has ‘confidence’ O-Line will bounce back
Detroit Free Press’ Nicholas J. Cotsonika says Jim Schwartz has no explanation for Lions’ 3rd quarter issues
Detroit Free Press’ Nicholas J. Cotsonika says Lions staff thinks Kevin Smith deserves more credit for ‘tough’ running
Detroit News’ Tim Twentyman says team being ‘cautious’ regarding TE Casey FitzSimmons
Detroit News’ Tim Twentyman says Drew Stanton will get chance to backup Daunte Culpepper Sunday
SI’s Peter King picks Ravens 30-10
3 of 3 Yahoo! Sports analysts pick Ravens
NFL.com’s Vic Carucci says Ravens look like they ‘don’t belong’ in AFC playoffs
NFL.com’s Gil Brandt looking forward to Calvin Johnson-Lardarius Webb matchup
Fanhouse.com’s Dave Goldberg picks Ravens 31-20
Fanhouse.com’s R.J. White thinks Ray Rice tremendous fantasy play
Fox Sports’ Adam Schein says Ravens’ struggles about execution, not coaching
ESPN.com’s James Walker picks Ravens 27-10
ESPN.com’s James Walker says Ray Lewis one tackle away from 12th 100 tackle season
SOME QUICK THOUGHTS:
-My other weekend picks:
Navy 27, Army 23
This is a better Black Knights team than the Mids have faced in recent years. Rich Ellerson has implemented the option, and it is working to at least some level. But the Midshipmen are still better right now; and will prove that again tomorrow afternoon in Philadelphia. I’ll be at Lincoln Financial Field to talk to you during the game at WNST.net.
Maryland 81, Eastern Kentucky 63
If they were playing Western Kentucky, the game would be single digits.
George Washington 81, Towson 70
I’m not certain the Tigers can keep it this close, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt.
Rider 75, UMBC 69
I’ll make this bet-Randy Monroe’s Retrievers won’t go winless this season.
Morgan State 74, Manhattan 62
How much has this Bears team that we were talking up as world beaters fallen off since their Arkansas/Louisville trip? They need to win, and they will.
West Virginia 101, Coppin State 68
It probably WON’T be this close.
Talk to you from Owings Mills.
-G
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