Right Off Russell

Back in August when we were all making our predictions there seemed to a consensus that the Ravens were a playoff team. Of course, many people (myself included) didn’t think the team would take the path it did in advancing to the postseason.  Anyone else feel, at certain points this season, that watching this team was almost like going to work on a Monday morning?  I know I did. But the regular season is over and now every team is 0-0.

So what do the Ravens need to do on defense vs. the Patriots to go 1-0?

Defensive Line: Haloti Ngata, Kelly Gregg and Co. just need to keep plugging along. The Patriots have a bunch of different running backs that they will use at some point.  None of them are game breakers but they all possess different skills that can be effective for the New England offense.  What would be a huge bonus is if guys like Trevor Pryce and Terrell Suggs can generate pressure on their own.  Unfortunately they haven’t been able to create consistent pressure this season and the Patriots offensive line will probably be able to handle them.  As a whole, the Ravens defensive line should be able to hold their own and make some plays. It’s not a huge area of concern for me in this game. Read more »

After wrapping up an 0-4 road trip record in Pittsburgh last week, I am thankful that Mark Brennan will not be accompanying the Ravens in Oakland this week. Although, Sunday represents the perfect opportunity to break the “Brennan Curse, ” I am glad fate is not being put to the test. In all seriousness the Ravens should have little trouble handling the Raiders in Oakland on Sunday. The Ravens have every reason to put forth max effort, while the Raiders have little to play for except for trying to knock the Ravens out of the play-offs. That was apparently enough motivation for the Raiders last season, but they Ravens are not the Tampa Bay Bucs and they outclass the Raiders in most phases and match-ups. Read more »

Well the Ravens defense dominated on a cold, rainy Sunday afternoon last week. Should we expect anything to change on a cold, snowy afternoon? I do not expect that the Ravens will shellac the Bears the way they did the Lions, but harsh weather conditions could be a significant advantage for the Ravens. Cold weather would be an advantage against Chicago, you say? Despite the fact that mid-30’s and snowy will seem like mid May to the bears, Jay cutler passing the ball down field is the biggest threat to the Ravens defense that the Bears pose. If the Bears are forced to rely on their running game to beat the Ravens, the good guys should win going away.

Against the Run: The arrival of Jay Cutler in Chicago quickly turned the Bears into a pass first offense. Cutler is a very talented QB, but the Bears also have a talented 2nd year running back in Matt Forte. Chicago has been more willing to let their fortunes ride on the arm of Cutler than the legs of Forte, perhaps to their detriment. One factor that has influenced that this season has been the lackluster run blocking from the Bears o-line. The Ravens are still good at stuffing opponents running games and they need to do so on Sunday. Taking away the run game will force Cutler into bad down and distance situations. 2nd and 3rd and longs means Cutler will have to force some passes into tight spots, which in turn should mean opportunities for turnovers. Read more »

The NFL is a strange league.  It seems like every week a sure “lock” of a game turns into a debacle for the favorite.  All one has to do is look at the Steelers to see what can happen to a season in the blink of an eye.

Playing the Lions at home seems like exactly what the Ravens need right now doesn’t it?  At first glance I’d agree.  But then I realize that the term “Any Given Sunday” isn’t some overused cliche.   The Ravens are 13.5 point favorites this Sunday which makes them the biggest favorite of the week.  Why do I get the feeling it’s not gonna be that easy?

The Ravens defense is really banged up right now.  They might be a lot lighter in the wallet to if you ask Terrell Suggs.  Ed Reed, who is listed as doubtful, is in danger of missing another game.  I would be shocked if Suggs played.  Jarret Johnson is questionable but should play. Read more »

The Green Bay Packers offensive line has given up an NFL high 44 sacks through 11 games, but only 3 in the last 2 games.  Meanwhile, the Ravens have only racked up 21 in their 11 games and none in the passed 2 weeks.  Which trend will be broken tonight?  And will this be the week the Ravens defense can finally generate consistent pressure on an opposing QB?  The answer will determine whether or not the Ravens can limit the Packers on offense.

Against the Run:  The Ravens run defense has been shaky of late.  The defensive line has been getting pushed back far to often and it seems like none of Haloti Ngata, Kelly Gregg, Trevor Pryce, or Justin Bannan is able to step up and right the ship.  Dwan Edwards has increased his productivity, but it appears that the Ravens really miss Terrell Suggs on run D as much if not more than they do miss him rushing the passer.  Despite a few good plays last week against Pittsburgh, Paul Kruger does not have the strength of physical presence right now to be a consistent play-maker.  The good news is that the Packers are not a dynamic ground offense.  They have a talent back in Ryan Grant, but the line is still a bit soft.  Shutting down the run game will help tremendously by forcing Aaron Rodgers to air it out on a cold night in Green Bay.  The Ravens defense need to take back the line of scrimmage and that starts with the guys up front. Read more »

Had I sat down to write this 2 days ago my thought on how the Ravens defense might have played would have been drastically different.  Two days ago the Steelers were planning on starting a dinged Ben Roethlisberger at QB.  Now he has been ruled out by the Steelers and third stringer Denis Dixon will make his first NFL start with just 1 career pass attempt to his credit.  The tone of this game has changed drastically as the Ravens are heavy favorites to win a game that may believe will decide the play-off fates for these AFC North rivals.  Will this game play out as it should?  Or, will Ben not playing lead to a let down from the Ravens and do they not perform as they should?

Against the Run: Stopping the run game will has not been as big a key all year as it will be tonight.  No doubt the Steelers will look to establish their ground game to take pressure off QB Dennis Dixon.  The Ravens will not only have to slow down the Steelers RB’s, but they will also have to keep an eye on Dixon in the run game.  Dixon was a dual threat QB at Oregon and I am sure there will be some option and wildcat looks built in for Dixon.  The good thing is that this plays right into the Ravens strength on defense.  Although the Steelers have gotten strong production from 2nd year back Rashard Mendenhall, they do not have a strong offensive line.  Couple that with the lack of a significant pass threat and the Ravens should have good success clogging up the running lanes.  The Ravens also need to keep the Steelers in 2nd and 3rd and longs.  Forcing Dixon to make plays through the air in obvious passing situations should mean big play opportunities on defense for the Ravens. Read more »

Color me scared. The Ravens have not looked good once this year against a top flight QB. And I have a hard time believeing that will change on Sunday. Peyton Manning can pick apart defenses with his knack for getting the Colts in the right play, his pocket presence and his ability to make all the throws. Considering that Manning may be playing the best ball of his career this could be a long day for the Ravens defense. How can the Ravens begin to limit Manning, keep him of the field and points off the board?

Against the Run:The Ravens need to be strong at the point of attack and good at setting the edge. The good things are that NT Haloti Ngata should be back in action this weekend that Indy does not have a strong running attack. The Colts do not always need to run the ball well to have an effective offense, but their line is also not as strong as it has been in years passed. Joseph Addai is still a capable back and the Colts have been good running the ball in the red zone. The Ravens need to force as many 2nd and 3rd and longs as possible and that begins with limiting the Colts backs. The Ravens do have the front seven to do this, even without Terrell Suggs. Will they be able to stop the run if they have to divert too much attention to the passing game? If the answer to that is no, then the Ravens may have some success. Paul Kruger will have to step up and Kelly Gregg and Dwan Edwards will need to have big games. Read more »

As much as the Ravens offense against the Browns defense seems to be a mismatch, it seems the Ravens defense should have even less problems contending with the Brown offense. The funny thing is this mismatch is caused more by what the Browns cannot do on offense as opposed to what the Ravens can do on defense. While the Ravens have had trouble this year against elite play-makers, this Browns team is devoid of any difference makers on offense even when you throw Brady Quinn back into the equation. Look for the Ravens to have the swagger back and for them to appear to be the ball-hawking, speedy, hit you in the mouth defense tonight against the Browns. Too bad that is more about playing the JV than it is about the Ravens strength.

Against the Run: The Ravens run defense has looked porous in recent weeks. All three units have had break downs that have lead to big plays given up in the run game. Tonight the Ravens will be able to return to form against a sub-standard Browns o-line and running game. Having an unstable QB situation also helps the Ravens in that they do not have to worry too much about shutting down the passing game. The Ravens should also be in a foul mood coming off last week in Cincy and their motivation should more than overcome a well rested Cleveland offense. The Ravens should consider letting Haloti Ngata sit this one out. It is unlikely they will need him to slow the Browns offense, and he needs to be ready for Indy next week. Read more »

When the Ravens and Bengals met on October 11th in M&T Bank Stadium the contest was not as close as the Bengals 17-14 wining margin indicated. Offensively, Carson Palmer repeatedly drove Cincy down the field on the Ravens defense and were it not for the heroics of Ed Reed, a missed FG and a few dropped passes the Bengals would have put up closer to 30 points. Here are so numbers that point to the statistical dominance the Bengals showed less than a month ago:

Total Offense: 402
1st Downs: 22 (4 from penalties)
Bengals TOP: 34:19
Cedric Benson’s line:27 carries, 120 yards, 1td

At the time Benson’s numbers were the most surprising. Benson was the first back in 40 games to break the 100 yard mark. It was a surprising and frustrating result for a Ravens squad expected to be head and shoulders above the Bengals entering the season. Now the Ravens have a little bit of their swagger back defensively after a dominant performance against Denver and they also realize that this is a big divisional opponent and an opportunity to make up serious ground on Cincy by achieving a split. But what has changed defensively for the Ravens that will put them in better position to slow down the Bengals come Sunday? Read more »

The Ravens defense in 2009 has not been the dominant unit we have come to know and love.  They have lacked the ability to shut down opposing receivers, to rush the passer with consistency and to display the toughness and aggressiveness that have been their trademarks.  The Ravens defense has been scored upon, penalized and now fined, when is enough, enough?  The Ravens are entering a crucial portion of their schedule with many question marks.  Most importantly is whether or not this years defense is talented enough to impose it’s will on opponents.  The Minnesota Vikings are a big test. They feature a veteran quarterback, speedy receivers and the most dynamic running back in the league.  What do the Ravens need to do to slow down the Vikings in Minnesota?

Defensive Line: The defensive line was thought of a as strength heading into the season, but 5 weeks in the unit looks old and vulnerable.  Lacking a pass rush all season, the Ravens also struggled to contain the run game against Cedric Benson and the Bengals.  Now the line faces Adrian Peterson and a strong o-line and one has to wonder if Peterson is not going to have a field day.  It seems as if Trevor Pryce has been a step slow, Kelly Gregg has not returned to form and Haloti Ngata has been neutralized in the 2nd halves of games.  In order to contain Peterson this group will have to get penetration int he backfield and make Peterson have to break his stride before he gets going.  Justin Bannan and Dwan Edwards will also have the opportunity to come up big defending the run. Read more »