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 Sweep Through Steel City

Before the 2011 NFL Season began, it was Steelers linebacker Lamar Woodley who said that the Ravens would never win a Super Bowl with Joe Flacco as their quarterback. On Sunday Night, an injured Woodley had to watch from the bench as Joe Flacco led the Ravens to a fourth quarter comeback with a 26 yard touchdown pass to rookie wide receiver Torrey Smith with :08 seconds left. The Ravens (6-2) defeat the Steelers (6-3) 23-20. The Ravens sweep the season series against the arch rival.

92 yards in 2 minutes for Joe Flacco. "Nobody shined brighter than Joe Flacco in this game," Coach John Harbaugh says during the post game press conference. For the first time this season, Joe Flacco threw for over 300 yards in back to back games. Flacco finished the game with 314 yards, one touchdown with a quarterback rating of 86.7.

The Ravens came out firing. On the first play of the game, Ray Rice took the straight to the endzone. However, the play would be called back after a holding penalty. The Ravens were able to move the ball, but they kept getting held to three points.

All year the Ravens struggled on third down conversions, however tonight, they were 14/21. The Ravens finished with 356 yards of total offense with most coming in the air, after the run defense of the Steelers held the Ravens to yards on the ground.

Going into this game, Terrell Suggs stated that Heinz field is his Madison Square Garden. "Either one or two things are happen, either we the same team from last year, or we going show the world how we are grow up," Terrell Suggs says, describing the victory over the Steelers. Suggs made a huge interception that stalled the momentum that the Steelers had during the third quarter. "If we keep playing Raven football, then when we see them in January they will have to come into our house."

Torrey Smith, who had not caught a touchdown pass since the week 3 vs the Rams, when he had three. On the first play of the game, it was Smith who was called for holding which wiped Rice's touchdown of the board. After dropped constantly, Smith did not give up. "Throughout the game we were in his ear, letting him know we need him to make a big play," Anquan Boldin says. With :08 seconds left, Torrey Smith changed the taste that the Ravens last had when leaving Heinz field a year ago from sour to sweet.

The Ravens get ready to travel to Quest Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks (2-6). The Ravens have struggled against teams with losing records in the past two matchups, losing to the Jaguars, and needing all fourth quarters to put away the Arizona Cardinals. This will be a huge game for them to continue their momentum. The Steelers are travel to face the Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) who are quietly tied for first place with the Ravens. If the Steelers do not win this matchup, their Super Bowl hangover will surely become the runner up nightmare.

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.

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.

Rookie Torrey Smith Makes a Record Breaking Debut as the Ravens Destroy the Rams

About 1:00 pm Sunday Afternoon, Ravens rookie wide-receiver  Torrey Smith tweeted, "On the way to the stadium....excited about my first start...I have a good feeling about today." At 7:30, a good feeling would be an understatement.

Smith in his first NFL start caught three touchdown passes from quarterback Joe Flacco and finished the game with 152 yards, as the Ravens destroy the St Louis Rams 37-7. Smith set the record for most touchdowns by a rookie receiver in their first start.

Joe Flacco would not be outdone. He threw for 389 yards with three touchdowns and a quarterback rating of 103.6. Flacco set a career high in passing yards and attempts with  48.

The man who many feel is the best half back when it comes to the check down, Ray Rice would also shine bright in this game. He ran for 79 yards on eight carries and caught for 83 on five receptions. That was more than any of the Rams receivers.

The defense, who was criticized for their horrific play against the Tennessee Titans last week would come out and play the way that the city of Baltimore is used to. Led by Hialoti Ngata, who the Ravens locked up for a contract extension in the middle of the week held the Rams to seven points, with a total of 244 yards. They sacked Bradford five times, including one that would lead to a forced fumble by Ray Lewis, which allowed Ngata to return the ball for his first career touchdown.

Next week, the Ravens return home, against their former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and the New York Jets (2-1). The Ravens defeated the Jets 10-9 a year ago in week one. The Jets are desperate to rebound as the travel to Baltimore.