Most of my generation probably doesn’t remember the Baltimore Colts packing up the Mayflower trucks and bolting town under the cover of darkness. 

What do Mel Serio and the Baltimore Colts have in common?  He loved football and was passionate about the Colts.  He was part of Colts Corral #1.  In fact, he was even the back side of the Colts Corral mascot [insert joke here] seen trotting along the sidelines of the games.

People outside Baltimore wonder why we can’t get over the Colts leaving town because they were just a football team.  But they were more than just a football franchise, they were OUR football team and everyone of prior generations loved that team. 

Things were different back then.  Players were seen socializing at restaurants and bars with the fans.  There was a true camaraderie between the fans and athletes.  My grandparents used to ride on the plane with the team to away games.  In my house there is a picture of my grandmother signed by the superstar Johnny Unitas.  That required 2 interactions with him – one to take the picture and another to get the picture signed.  Nowadays, you’d be lucky to get 2 glimpses of a superstar in public let alone an intimate interaction. 

When Bob “the a-hole” Irsay abruptly relocated the Colts it left an awful taste in our mouths.  Since this happened during my toddler years I did not have a full understanding of the transgressions of that move.  Barry Levinson did an outstanding documentary as part of the ESPN 30 for 30 series about the tradition of the Baltimore Colts, the untimely departure from Baltimore, and an integral reason why Baltimore was awarded a new NFL franchise in the piece called The Band That Wouldn’t Die.

I am sure of the fact that the blood of my grandfather is running through my veins, probably the reason I love football and the Ravens so much.  Apologetically I can’t say that I’ll be able to carry on the tradition of being Poe’s rear end.

In 2007, it was Baltimore’s chance to forget about that team from Indianapolis by knocking them out of the playoffs.  I was at that game thanks in large part to my mom’s cousin, Dave, who couldn’t attend the game.  Months before that game, they had planned a ski trip to Wisp (Irony #1).  I don’t exactly recall the scenario leading up to the end of the regular season but it was something along the lines of he was probably the only person in Baltimore upset that the team in Indianapolis lost allowing the Ravens to host that team from Indianapolis in the 2^nd round of the Playoffs because he would be away (Irony #2).

I thought for sure we would win that playoff game.  The Friday before the game I was still working at Northrop and I couldn’t get anything done that day because I was so amped about the playoff game that I couldn’t concentrate.  Emails were flying back and forth with family members about the memories of the good ole Baltimore Colts and how much this game means to Baltimore.  I even predicted that the winner of that game would win the Super Bowl.  I had already booked my ticket to Miami.  Unfortunately, we came up short losing that game 15-6, a game filled with field goals (Irony #3) and that team from Indianapolis went on to win the Super Bowl over the Bears.

Fast forward to 2010.  A new decade and a new game!

Now, it is our turn to visit Indianapolis and knock them out of the Playoffs…

Earlier in the season when we hosted that team from Indy, I thought there was no way we could compete with them.  Peyton was hot and our defense was in shambles.  But lo and behold we held tough with them throughout the entire game.  We had a chance to take the lead late on a potential field goal attempt but Joey threw a costly interception in the red zone.  The Ravens came up just short, losing 17-15.

But this is a different team than the one that played that team from Indy.  Our offensive line and running game imposed its will on the Patriots.  Our defense stood up to Tom Brady and company by getting to the quarterback and limiting penalties and we were victorious!  They finally got over the hump of not being able to beat an upper echelon team. 

That same hot, confident Ravens team that marched into Foxboro needs to march into Indy and impose its will again. 

There has been some dissension in Indy’s locker room about pulling starters and giving up the chance to cement themselves in NFL immortality by going 19-0.  Indy will be a little rusty with a long layoff.  It will be important to come out firing on all cylinders early and often.

Outside of Reggie Wayne, likely to be covered by Foxworth with help, and Dallas Clark they don’t have superstar receivers.  They are a disciplined team that relies on timing and efficiency.  Defensively, we need to get after Peyton to disrupt his timing and limit the looks to Wayne and Clark. 

Indy’s run defense is not that good so it will be important to shove the ball down their throats and keep Peyton on the sidelines.  Offensively, run, run, run, and run some more.  Joey needs to play better than he did in Foxboro (4-10 for 34 yards, QB rating of 10.0).  Granted he played well enough for us to win, but it was advantageous for him to play with a quick 17-0 lead.  It is unlikely that we’ll have that same start (83 yard TD run and two turnovers leading to 10 points).  It will be critical to convert first downs and march down the field. 

The potential nightmare of this game would be to lose on a field goal off the foot of Matt Stover.

I will be watching the game from Wisp with some of my closest friends.

I’m banking on the three ironies above – seeding/game location, Wisp, and field goal kickers – to avenge all those horrid memories and keep the Ravens marching through the Playoffs.

The Baltimore Ravens conquer another obstacle and allow fans to forget about the Indianapolis Colts, 27-17 en route to Miami!!

Lastly, I would like to share an inspirational story about Loyola Don, Matthew Costello, who is battling an inoperable brain tumor.  Give ‘em hell Matthew!

I feel like I’m saying this every time we play an upper tier team – we need to win show ourselves that we can win!  Over the past two years, too many times we have come up short as the underdog.  Here is the best chance to put that to rest and instill the confidence that we can play with and beat the other playoff caliber teams.

These Patriots are not the same Patriots of the past.  They are beatable and we will beat them today.  The loss of Wes Welker is devastating to the Pats.  I know Edelman is like WW Jr., but he’s only a rookie and he’s not Wes.  They’ll still target him and he’ll get some catches but I foresee a few rookie mistakes that the veteran Welker would make.  For example, getting 7 yards when they need 8, a critical drop, and/or misread option routes.

Defensively, the Pats are extremely vulnerable.  That was exposed against the Colts on the infamous 4^th and 2 play.  There is only one way this team can beat you and that is with the ball in their offense’s hands. 

Offensively for the Ravens they need to utilize, hell, over-utilize the running game.  Willis has been looking great the past few weeks.  Did you see that stiff arm in the Raiders game?  Booooyaaaahhhhhh!   He has fresh legs and is ready to crush it, especially after the way he left the playoffs last year – on a stretcher, and limited carries this year.  Rice Rice Baby needs to be used, but at times he needs to be the decoy.  Teams are catching on that the marjority of plays are going his way.  I’m expecting a great game plan out of Inspector Gadget – something that has been lacking this year.

Joey has been regressing over the past few weeks.  I don’t know what’s going on in his head, but he needs to drop back and unload quickly.  He’s hanging on to the ball too much and taking sacks – especially on 3^rd and medium to long plays.  Sure, sometimes it is better to take a sack than throw a potential interception, but sometimes you have nothing to lose by throwing the ball.  Grip it and rip it like the beginning of the season Joey!

Ahhhhhhhh, our defense!  What more has to be said?  No pass interference penalties!!  Get some heat on Tina Brady.  Don’t be afraid to knock him out!

I hope Harbaugh and Company were watching the Jets v. Cincy game because that’s the type of game these Ravens need to play.  It was like watching the Ravens of old.  Stout running game, with a few, well timed passing plays to catch the Bengals off-guard and a shutdown defense.

We were a Mark Clayton dropped pass and some untimely penalties away from beating the Patriots.  Today, we finally exact revenge and put all the “can’t do” bullshit to rest!  I hate saying “should” but we should have beat them then.  Top to bottom, the rosters aren’t the same for both teams but each has their own disadvantages. 

The Pats were the team of the aughts.  Well, we’re in the ’10s now.  Throw all the “undefeated at home in the playoffs under Tom Brady” records out the window.  Their mystique is over!

Anyone else banking on an unbelievable David Tyree play?  Watch out for #17!!

Ravens knock out the Pats, 27-24!

Due to another holiday week, a busy schedule murdering ducks, and leaving for West Palm Beach on Saturday I do not have much time for a post.  But I’ll say this…

Win and we’re in……again.

Ravens sweep the AFC West and finish off the Raiders 27-13.

We escaped the first game against the Squealers.  Very briefly I’ll say that the Ravens chances of winning this Sunday are slim.  With a depleted secondary and IttyBittyBen at the helm, it will be tough to stop their offense.  The loss of Lardarius Webb hurts. 

Offensively, we need to turn this game into a shootout because the Squealers will be putting up points at will.

Ravens can’t outscore Shittsburgh, 24-30

I was always a firm believer that 10-6 wasn’t always good enough to get to the playoffs. Often there is a 10-6 team on the outside looking in. Last year, the Pats were 11-5 and missed out on the tournament. Oddly enough, this year a 9-7 team or teams might fill the Wild Card spot(s). If anything this shows that no matter your record, each week is more critical than the previous.

Current standings:

#5 Seed – Baltimore Ravens (8-6)

#6 Seed – Denver Broncos (8-6)

Outside, looking in with a 7-7 Record:

• Jacksonville

• Miami

• New York Jets

• Pittsburgh

• Tennessee

• Houston

I’ve analyzed the tiebreaker rules and here’s the breakdown (N.B. there are different tiebreakers for 2 or 3+ teams that are tied):

Baltimore has the inside track. They control their destiny with games @ Pittsburgh and @ Oakland. Win and they’re in! But that’s easier said than done heading to the Big Ketchup Bottle and the Black Hole.

From here out, I’m taking a realistic scenario assuming that Baltimore loses to Pittsburgh and wins @ Oakland finishing 9-7, and a best case scenario for ALL the current 7-7 teams winning out.  I have given the teams’ remaining schedule but will not divulge pass that. 

Even with a loss to Pittsburgh, we would own tiebreakers over a bunch of teams. Here’s how things might shake out:

• Denver – The best case scenario for Denver would put them in as the #5 seed at 10-6. But, assuming the Broncos finish 9-7, we would beat them out because we walloped them in Week 8 and would win the head-to-head tiebreaker. Remaining games @ PHI and vs. KC.

• Pittsburgh – Splitting the matchup with Pittsburgh, we would beat them out because Pittsburgh lost to the Brownies giving us a better Division record. Remaining games vs. BAL and @ Miami

• Jacksonville – The Jags would own the tiebreaker over us because they would have a better Conference record at 8-4; we would be 7-5. Remaining games @ NE and vs. CLE.

• Miami – This is where it gets real dicey! We didn’t play Miami, so head-to-head wouldn’t apply (tiebreaker #1). We would have the same conference record (tiebreaker #2) and the same record of common opponents (tiebreaker #3), so it would go to “strength of victory” (tiebreaker #4). Strength of victory is figured by calculating the combined winning percentage of the opponents a team has beaten.  Too tough to calculate and speculate at this point.  Remaining games vs. HOU and vs. PITT.

• New York Jets – If it comes down to ONLY us and them, they would have a better common opponent record than us so they would beat us out. BUT, here’s where it gets real screwy – if there are 3+ teams, and two of them are from the same Division, then you take the best team from that Division to eliminate at least one team. So, if it comes down to Baltimore, Miami and NYJ, the ‘phins beat out NYJ because Miami beat NYJ twice to eliminate the Jets. Then, it comes to Miami and Baltimore and we beat out Miami! Understand? No? Just trust me! Remaining games @ INDY and vs. CIN.

• Tennessee – Who would have thought starting 0-6 that the Titans would still be in the thick of it? But simply put, we would beat out Tennessee because we would have a better conference record than them. Remaining games vs. SD and @ SEA.

• Houston – Unfortunately if it was only the Texans and us, we would lose the common opponent tiebreaker to them. But, if Jacksonville and/or Tennessee is in the picture then it changes things.  This is very complicated.  If Hou, Jax, Ravens and Tenn, for two spots, then Jax would take #5 and we would take #6.  If those three and us for #6 seed then Jax would take it.  If only Hou, Tenn and Ravens, then we would take any available spots because the Titans have a better division record knocking out Houston and we own the tiebreaker over Tenn.  If only Hou, Jax, and Ravens, then Jax would take #5 and Hou would take #6 leaving us out.  Remaining games @ MIA and vs. NE.

There are so many different scenarios that nothing can be written in stone yet. Some of these teams play each other so one would knock out the other (Week 16 – Houston @ Miami, Week 17 – Pittsburgh @ Miami). Also, all of these teams have to play at least one Playoff contending team.  As we have seen throughout this crazy season, anything is possible but let’s hope that Jacksonville and Houston falter at least once down the stretch!

This was a lot more time consuming than I thought.  Let’s hope the Ravens win and some of these other teams lose to make things a lot easier to analyze next week for my sake.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours!!

Traveling is not always a joy.  Being stranded and unable to reach your destination has to be one of the most miserable experiences.  For the Chicago Bears sake, they probably wouldn’t have minded staying in Chicago and mailing this one in because they have nothing to play for. 

With that being said, it is important for the Ravens not to think this way.  They need to TCOB (take care of business).  The Jaguars loss was huge for us for the Playoffs.  We can control our own destiny from here – if we win out, we’ll be in the tournament!

Defensively, we need to get after Crybaby Cutler.  Hester is not playing so their only other offensive weapon is Johnny Knox.  This is another chance for the D to improve.

Offensively, Inspector Gadget needs to spread the ball around.  Mark Clayton is still out but that doesn’t matter.  Kelly Washington needs to shine in the #2 spot and this is a chance for Demetrius Williams to showcase the fact that he can catch the ball now.  With a frigid day and possible winds, it would be smart to establish the running game.  It’s been clear that there is no more three headed monster.  Rice Rice Baby is the exclusive running back – as he should be.  What a stud he has beome!  Willis might get as many carries as me, but Bam Bam McClain needs more touches.  He is such a force.  Once he gets to the second level, he runs over DBs.

It would have been cool if Old Man Winter waited until game day to unload 20+ inches of snow for a fun snow bowl.  I doubt the weather will play any factor in this game, which is a benefit for the Ravens.

Bears are still in Chicago, Ravens win, 30-13.

Per the usual, our secondary was pitiful.  They couldn’t guard a car on a parking lot.  And, if they tried, they’d set off the car alarm.  But, we also can’t get any rush on the QB.  So it’s a chicken and the egg problem.  Let’s see what T-Sizzle brings.  Hopefully he treats the opponents like his babies’ mama and knocks them over.  This game is a good chance to get our proverbial shit together on defense. 

Offensively, they need to spread the ball around.  I’m glad Mark Clayton isn’t playing, so hopefully Kelly “3^rd Down” Washington will get some snaps on 1^st and 2^nd downs.  I wish Mark Clayton wasn’t playing against New England – yes I’m still bitter about that drop.  I was happy to see that our coaches finally realized that, “hey, if the refs are calling ticky tack pass interference penalties, maybe we should try to throw bombs too.”  If ya can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.  Only took a dozen or so games, but way to go Inspector Gadget!  Joe needs to improve his performance from last week.  There were some extremely questionable, rookie-esque plays. 

All season long, the Ravens have squandered opportunities.  They don’t squander this one against the lowly Lions.  Ravens tame the Lions, 27-10.

If the Ravens win tonight then they can control their own destiny. 

Unfortunately, I do not think the Ravens can overcome the Pack tonight.  The Ravens have struggled against great passing attacks, which the Packers have.  Granted, the Packers have a weak offensive line, but we don’t have much pass rush anyway so they sort of cancel each other out.

Defensively, the Pack is one of the top in the league.  Offensively we have become too reliant upon Ray Rice.  In order to be effective, the three headed monster needs to rear it’s ugly head and we need to spread the ball around.  Use the run to set up the pass – not use the pass to pass more.  Also, they have a pretty good cornerback in Charles Woodson.  Look for him to shut down Derrick Mason.  Thus leaving Mark Clayton to make plays – not something I’d like to take to the bank. 

Our offense is dormant throughout the game, but when there is urgency we look great.  We need to play with urgency for 60 minutes.

It kills me to say this, but just like other games this season, the Ravens are eaten up by the Pack attack, 27-20.

After writing this, I was perusing ESPN.com and came across the Madden Simulation for tonight’s game.  Ironically they have the same score as I do.

I’m not going to write a lengthy post today, rather I’ll share this website about the Terrible Towel .

Ravens have every opportunity to win this game.  A 3rd string QB.  A RB scared of Ray Ray (last year Ray put him out for the season).  No Polamalu.  If the Ravens don’t win then they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.

“Weeeeeeeee rrrreeeeaaadddddyyyyyyyyyyy foooooooo’ yaaaaaa’lllllllll”

Ravens finally overcome the Squealers, 24-13.

Late in that game Itty Bitty Ben took a hit to the head, likely concussed.  With this new rule, and by new I mean over the past week or so, it is harder for him to get back onto the field.  He’ll need to be approved by the team doctor and an independent doctor.  Remeber, he had a crushing head blow late last year too.  He might be turning into Troy Aikman, but that’s for another day.

Anyway, what’s the point of this?  Well, Charlie Batch, their backup just had surgery which will keep him out about 6 weeks.  So what’s the point?  If Fatheadlisberger can’t go, then their third string QB, Dennis Dixon, is playing against us this Sunday night!! 

Also, let’s keep our fingers crossed that the Head & Shoulders commercial curse continues and Troy “honestly who does a Head & Shoulders commercial?” Polamalu is still out with that lingering knee injury.

If we win that game, we are tied with Pittsburgh.  Right in the thick of the playoff race with a lot of football left to play. 

Also, keep in mind that we own tie breakers over Denver who is falling faster than a dress on prom night.

Stay tuned…