Rice bowls the Ravens right to a Division Title

Ray Rice told everyone that the Ravens have been to the playoffs only to fall short for the past three years. He said that something needed to change. That something, playing at home. On Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 24-16 and clinched the AFC North division and a first round bye.

This is the Ravens first division title and first round since the 2006 season where they lost to the Indianapolis Colts 15-6 at home. Rice, who was very outspoken on trying to gain the home playoff game for the fans of Baltimore had another career day rushing for 191 yards with two touchdowns. He average eight yards per carry.

The bye week for the Ravens allows veterans such as Anquan Boldin and Ray Lewis to nurse their injuries. Lewis was very instrumental in this win with seven tackles. However, John Harbaugh believes that Terrell Suggs sealed the deal for his quest of defensive player of the year. Suggs finished the game with six tackles and one sack. Suggs finished the 2011 season with 64 tackles and 13 sacks.

NFL Week 17 Predictions (Current Record 148-95)

Ravens vs Bengals. Ravens

Packers vs Lions. Lions

49ers vs Rams. 49ers

Jets vs Dolphins. Jets

Bears vs Vikings. Bears

Bills vs Patriots. Patriots

Panthers vs Saints Saints

Redskins vs Eagles. Eagles

Colts vs Jaguars. Jaguars

Titans vs Texans. Titans

Bucaneers vs Falcons. Falcons

Steelers vs Browns. Browns

Chiefs vs Broncos. Broncos

Chargers vs Raiders. Raiders

Seahawks vs Cardinals. Seahawks

Cowboys vs Giants. Giants

Ravens to Move Training Camp to Owings Mills

In the words of Allen Iverson, "practice, we talking about practice." Baltimore Ravens fans are upset because the team has decided to change where they hold their training camp. For years, the team has held training camp in Westminster at McDaniel College. Due to the NFL lockout, they had to move it to their normal practice facility in Owings Mills. Due to the permits from Baltimore County, as of now fans are unable to attend. Many fans feel that they are losing a type of connection with the team. But what is more important here, watching the fans practice and getting an autograph, or when the season begins, cheering them on as they pummel the Pittsburgh Steelers at home 35-7? With the big picture being the Super Bowl, being well prepared is everything.

Former Ravens defensive tackle, Michael McCrary recently indicated the importance of facility in Owings Mills. He stressed the fact that there is a lot more equipment even pointing out the fact that there is no need for players to wait in line for a cold tub. McCrary also made fans aware of the limited amound of practices due to the new collective bargaining unit. So if there is less time for error. You have only a few times to get it right. As a fan, it is more important for the Ravens to practice in the best facility and recieve all the best treatment. Remember they still have their own radio shows, and they still are very active in the community. If this helps build a Super Bowl, well then practice in Owings  Mills, keep the fans out, and lets see winners in January and February.

Ravens go into the Dog Pound and Pound on those Nasty Browns

While the rain poured down in Cleveland, the Ravens (9-3) poured a heavy dose of Ray Rice all over the Browns (4-8) defense, as they defeated the Browns 24-10.

Ray Rice set a new career rushing record finishing with 204 yards. Rice finished the game with one touchdown off of 29 carries including a huge 67 yard run. In this game he averaged 7.0 yards per carry. The Ravens finished with a total of 290 yards rushing. Backup running back, Ricky Williams finished with his season high of 76 yards and a touchdown. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry on 16 attempts.

With the ground game being so successful, the Ravens did not need much of an air attack. Unlike any other game, the Ravens had a total of 55 rushing attempts. Joe Flacco managed the game well. While he only threw for 158 yards without a touchdown, he also did not throw an interception.

Next week, the Ravens return to M&T Bank Stadium to face a Peyton Manning-less Indianapolis Colts (0-12). The Colts have been threatening many weeks of the season to win their first game, but they have been unable to do so. The Ravens have lost only three games this season, two to teams under .500. However, they will not be on the road this time, and the Ravens do not lose at home often. At the time of where the playoff race is heating in the AFC, this is a game that the Ravens need to go out and win in the first quarter. A lost here could be devestating as the teams they are tied with, Houston Texans and the New England Patriots are facing teams who are currently outside the playoff picture (Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins respectively).

Ravens Offense Balance the Bengals

"The Ravens need to run the ball more if they plan to win football games" was the common theme around the city of Baltimore. Fans were not the only ones who felt this way, as players addressed their concern with the playcalling also. Sunday, Ray Rice carried the ball 20 times rushing for 105 yards averaging 5.2 yards per carry with two touchdowns as the Ravens (7-3) defeated the Cincinatti Bengals (6-4) 31-24.

This was an important game for the Ravens. After losing to Seattle, fans began to question whether or not they are really a Super Bowl contender. With this being a division game, a loss would knock the Ravens not only out of first place, but out the immediate playoff picture. With this win, the Ravens are in first place in the AFC and right now control their own destiny to have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.

Joe Flacco, who was not asked to throw the ball 50 times, had an impressive performance as well. Flacco was 17/27 with 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. For years Baltimore has lacked a big play offense. Both of Flacco's touchdowns came off of huge plays, one to Anquan Boldin for 35 yards and the other to Torrey Smith for 38 yards. Smith also caught a 28 yard pass in which Bengals defensive back Adam Jones tackled him by his dreadlocks. Without that tackle, Smith may have scored a touchdown.

This game was clearly won by the offense simply outscoring the opposition. While the defense allowed 483 yards, the pass rusher was able to rattle the rookie, Andy Dalton in the most crucial part of the game. With the Ravens defense causing a turnover on downs with under two minutes left, the offense was able to go back on the field and excute what John Gruden calls the best play in football, the quarterback kneel.

The Ravens have a very short week as they prepare to take on coach John Harbaugh's brother Jim and the San Francisco 49ers (8-1).  The 49ers who have been rolling this season look tro establish themselves as one of the most elite teams in the NFL, but the task will be tough traveling from the west coast to take on the Ravens in M&T bank stadium where they have been 5-0 this season.

Ravens Soar over the Texans at Home

With one of the most balanced attacks of the season, the Ravens defeat the Houston Texans at home 29-14.

With all the pressure from the front five coming his way, Joe Flacco was able to withstand the Wade Phillips defense and throw for another 300 yard game. Even though he did not throw for a touchdown, Flacco ended the game with a 60.6 completion percentage. However, he did throw an interception and was sacked twice.

The Ravens defense would not be denied. Ray Lewis led the team with 12 tackles including one sack. The defense finished with a total of four. Ben Tate and Arian Foster, who many knew would be keys for the Texans if they were going to win, were both shut down by the Ravens defense, only rushing for 41 and 49 yards.

The ground attack would be different for the Ravens. The team's leading rusher, Ray Rice finished with 101 yards, and backup running back, Ricky Williams scored his first touchdown as a Raven.

The Ravens also were able to attack the Texans in the passing game. Flacco found both Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith for tremendous plays. Boldin and Smith finished with 132 and 84 yards receiving.  Finally the city of Baltimore has been treated with an offense that can attack opponents with both a great ground game and passing game.

Next week the Ravens travel to Florida to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-5) on Monday Night Football. The Jaguars, who were on the losing end to the Steelers (17-13), are a team who is clearly rebuilding with rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert.

The Ravens prepare for the Texans

"Im not saying it will be easier, but without him it will certainly help us out," were the words from Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco regarding the Houston Texans (3-2) Defensive End Mario Williams being inactive for this game.

The Ravens (3-1) have been playing great football this year so far. They understand that Sunday evenings game will not be an easy one. But without Mario Williams and pro bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson both sidelined, they will have an advantage.

The Ravens have done one thing that the fans of Baltimore have complained about in previous years, that is blow teams out. This year, they are number one in the AFC in points differential with +62 and number one in the NFL with points allowed with 57. So who is unable to blow teams out now?

With Arian Foster and Ben Tate coming into M&T Bank stadium this Sunday, the Ravens understand they have a tough task at hand. The Texans rank fifth in the league in rushing with 132.8 yards per game. However, the Ravens defense has been able to shut down every running back this year. Opposing rushers only average 72.5 yards per game. The Ravens have yet to allow a 100 yard rusher this season.

Joe Flacco looks to rebound after a disappointing performance against the New York Jets in week four. When Flacco faced the Texans on December 13, 2010, he threw for 235 yards with a pair of touchdowns.

Matt Shaub remembers the last time he faced the Ravens. After being down 21-7 at half, he rallied a 15-point fourth quarter to force the game into overtime. On the verge of possibly pulling off a huge comeback victory, Shaub would throw a pick-six to then Ravens cornerback, Josh Wilson has the Ravens defeated the Texans in overtime 34-28.

This season seemed to finally be the one that would put the Texans over the Colts. But with the Ravens coming up and the Tennessee Titans making a surprise run in the AFC South, Matt Shaub really needs to step up and display leadership and find another target while Andre Johnson is sidelined.

The Ravens on the other hand are riding solid in the AFC North. However, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Steelers are both a game behind, and anytime the AFC North is up for grabs, it is anyone's ball game.

Week 4 NFL Predictions (Current Record 31-18)

Detroit at Dallas  Cowboys

 Carolina at Chicago  Bears

Buffalo at Cincinnati  Bills

Tennessee at Cleveland  Titans

Minnesota at Kansas City  Vikings

Washington at St. Louis  Redskins

New Orleans at Jacksonville  Saints

 Pittsburgh at Houston  Texans

 San Francisco at Philadelphia  49ers

NY Giants at Arizona  Giants

 Atlanta at Seattle  Falcons

Miami at San Diego  Chargers

New England at Oakland  Patriots

Denver at Green Bay  Packers

NY Jets at Baltimore  Ravens

Indianapolis at Tampa Bay  Buccaneers

Three years ago, the Baltimore Ravens had a ferocious defense that was coordinated by 300 plus bound cocky yet confident student of the game. Because of his success, this many was hired as a head coach. Leaving Baltimore with a few of the members of that defense, he was certain not leave that attitude. New York Jets head coach, Rex Ryan, anticipates this Sunday nights matchup against his former team. Last year in week one, his team, led by then sophomore quarterback  Mark Sanchez, fell short to the Ravens by just one point. Since Ryan's departure, he has reached the AFC Championship game twice, while the Ravens have failed to win in the divisional round both years. This game promises to be a defensive dogfight as it was a year ago, however, with the Ravens returning home they will play on a high level and earn the victory.

BDuB relfects NFL Week 1

Week 1 is the week that sets the standard for an NFL season.  Teams such as the Baltimore Ravens and the Chicago Bears both looked to rebound after a disappointing year. The Ravens knew that they would have to an immediate test. Week 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens passed the test with flying colors, defeating the Steelers 35-7, playing well on both sides of the ball. The Bears were tested with the NFC's regular season best from a year ago, the Atlanta Falcons. Everyone remembers that during the season the Falcons were almost unbeatable at home, but in Chicago, they were destroyed.

One quarterback exceeds his week one expectations, while another continues his dominance. Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback, Cam Newton exploded on the NFL scene with a record breaking performance passing for 422 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. This was the most passing yards for a rookie quarterback in their first game. Unfortunately, the Panthers fell short to the Arizona Cardinals 28-21. Until Monday night, Tom Brady had never threw for 422 yards. Brady, not to be outdone by anyone, threw for 517 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. This included a record tying touchdown reception from Wes Welker for 99 yards as the New England Patriots defeated the Miami Dolphins 38-24

With Peyton Manning out for several weeks recovering from neck surgery, the Indianapolis Colts knew that this would be a tough season. However, no one could have predicted a 34-7 lost against the division rival Houston Texans. Many people are predicting that this will be the year that the Texans overcome the Colts, and based on their performance in week one, it seems like they are well on a path to success.

Some new faces in new places were somethings that made week 1 exciting. Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that is a heavy favorite to win the Super Bowl, looked primed and ready. The Eagles went into St. Louis and hammered the Rams 31-13. As for the Rams, injuries look like they will take a tool on them this season, as Stephen Jackson left the game with an injury and Danny Amendola left the game and will miss the rest of the season due to injury. The Kansas City Chiefs made a lot of key additions to their team hoping to go further in the playoffs after winning the division title a year ago. What better way to start the season off, then against one of the NFL's laughing stocks, the Buffalo Bills? This game many consider a huge upset as the Bills pummeled the Chiefs 41-7.

Last but not least, The defending world champion, Green Bay Packers picked up where they left off. Packers quarterback, Aaron Rodgers was almost flawless with 312 passing yards and three touchdowns as the Packers defeat the New Orleans Saints 42-34. Drew Brees actually had a better passing game. He threw for 419 yards with three touchdowns. The Packers are the same team that won the Super Bowl after having numerous injuries occur on the team. The Packers are one of the favorites this year due to the fact they are coming back in full force.

The Main Eventers of the week was the Baltimore Ravens. They played almost perfect. Allowing the Pittsburgh Steelers to only score one touchdown is amazing. Most fans felt that this was deja vu all over again. Ravens lead at halftime, Steelers come back and edge out a victory. However, the Ravens made a statement. This is a new team. As the Ravens came out in the second half and proved to dominate, even adding a trick play,two point conversion, catching the Steelers off guard. The cornerstones of the Ravens franchise,Ray Lewis, Haloti Ngata,Ed Reed,  Ray Rice, and Terrell Suggs all played exceptionally well. This Ravens team look like a Super Bowl team!