Redskins vs. Ravens pre-game thread

[GTripp0012]

I don't think it's too much to ask the D/ST units to average about 1.5 to 2 points a game, and the Redskins are at 0.5.

[dmek25]

i don't make predictions. but Baltimore strolled into fed ex a couple of seasons ago without allowing a one hundred yard rusher in forever. their defense was playing lights out. and they were riding high. i think our defense is at least on par with those that have defeated the ROOKIE qback this season. don't hop off the ship, just yet

[The Goat]

Baltimore has a great defense sure, but more importantly it's a mean defense - intimidating, bruising, relentless. We will fair worse this Sunday than against any team so far and especially w/ CP ailing. Zorn should not allow Portis to even play IMO and just put it on Jason's shoulders (with some heavy doses of Ladell if the passing game gets going). But I don't think it will play out that way - CP probably plays like he did a week ago and the offense continues down same path...

Offensively, the Ravens are finding ways to score w/ far less talent than we have on offense. My hope is actually that Zorn approaches this game as a clinic more or less and we see something new the following week.

Ravens 24-0 (Goddamnit don't jump on me because I predict us getting shut out, this is the meanest defense we'll play all season and we just don't know how to attack/counterattack yet).

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Back to the game, I think the biggest matchup is, as JLC pointed out, going to be between Rabach and Ngata. Prior to this season, I actually thought Rabach was a pretty good center. I overlooked incidents like the one in which Rabach essentially cost us the game against the Chargers game back in 2005. Now, I think the Redskins should strongly consider replacing him. He gets flagged for dumb penalties, gets beaten way too often in pass protection, and doesn't particularly stand out in run-blocking either.

If Rabach struggles against Ngata, and I think he will, we are going to struggle mightily. Sacks kill drives and beget sacks. The Ravens outside linebackers bring too much pressure and, if Jason is forced to step up into a pocket which is collapsing because Rabach is getting beat, we're looking at a 5-7 sack game. If that happens, we're looking at 10-14 points of offensive production from our B&G.

[redsk1]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

Back to the game, I think the biggest matchup is, as JLC pointed out, going to be between Rabach and Ngata. Prior to this season, I actually thought Rabach was a pretty good center. I overlooked incidents like the one in which Rabach essentially cost us the game against the Chargers game back in 2005. Now, I think the Redskins should strongly consider replacing him. He gets flagged for dumb penalties, gets beaten way too often in pass protection, and doesn't particularly stand out in run-blocking either.

If Rabach struggles against Ngata, and I think he will, we are going to struggle mightily. Sacks kill drives and beget sacks. The Ravens outside linebackers bring too much pressure and, if Jason is forced to step up into a pocket which is collapsing because Rabach is getting beat, we're looking at a 5-7 sack game. If that happens, we're looking at 10-14 points of offensive production from our B&G.

Rabach was actually pretty good prior to this season. Not sure what happened there.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by redsk1

Rabach was actually pretty good prior to this season. Not sure what happened there.

Been thinking the same thing all season. He's just not the guy on the o-line I expected to drop-off...

[DynamiteRave]

Flacco's got the team looking fresh and Baltimore's D... Well, don't even get me started on that.

The Redskins D can hang in there, they've done it week after week. It's up to the offense to take some of the heat off the D. They cannot stay out there for whole quarters like they've been doing week after week.

The Skins absolutely have the potential to win this game, question is, will the offense get their heads on straight. As an almost home game away from home, and an important game if they even want to consider playoff possibilities, I think they FINALLY get their shit together.

Skins - 20
Ravens - 17

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

The Skins absolutely have the potential to win this game, question is, will the offense get their heads on straight. As an almost home game away from home, and an important game if they even want to consider playoff possibilities, I think they FINALLY get their shit together.

I just want to make sure you are arguing that this game is important because a win could re-establish the team as a legitimate playoff contender. Because from a playoff picture perspective, this game is only really relevant if Dallas goes on to beat Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Otherwise, this is a largely meaningless game in terms of making the playoffs.

Short reasoning is: A 10-6 finish (with a non-conference 6th loss) that puts is into a tie for the 6th seed means we'll win the tiebreaker.

If Dallas gets to 11-5, and beats either the Giants or the Eagles along the way, we will not hold the tiebreaker against them. If the Cowboys beat the Steelers, the Giants, and the Eagles for example, then we're already eliminated mathematically (at least from 2nd place in the NFC East, but it's a safe bet that Tampa and Atlanta will both win 11 games).

Basically, the chances that this game represents any sort of change in the playoff picture for us, win or lose, is very very low. We gain soooo much more ground if Tampa beats Carolina, New Orleans beats Atlanta, and Pittsburgh beats Dallas while we lose to Baltimore than if all those outcomes are reversed, and we win.

Basically, we're no less likely to make the playoffs at 8-6 in two weeks, than we are at 9-5. The last two games (if we're still in it) will be for all the marbles.

[over the mountain]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

I just want to make sure you are arguing that this game is important because a win could re-establish the team as a legitimate playoff contender. Because from a playoff picture perspective, this game is only really relevant if Dallas goes on to beat Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Otherwise, this is a largely meaningless game in terms of making the playoffs.

Short reasoning is: A 10-6 finish (with a non-conference 6th loss) that puts is into a tie for the 6th seed means we'll win the tiebreaker.

If Dallas gets to 11-5, and beats either the Giants or the Eagles along the way, we will not hold the tiebreaker against them. If the Cowboys beat the Steelers, the Giants, and the Eagles for example, then we're already eliminated mathematically (at least from 2nd place in the NFC East, but it's a safe bet that Tampa and Atlanta will both win 11 games).

Basically, the chances that this game represents any sort of change in the playoff picture for us, win or lose, is very very low. We gain soooo much more ground if Tampa beats Carolina, New Orleans beats Atlanta, and Pittsburgh beats Dallas while we lose to Baltimore than if all those outcomes are reversed, and we win.

Basically, we're no less likely to make the playoffs at 8-6 in two weeks, than we are at 9-5. The last two games (if we're still in it) will be for all the marbles.

I hope so, me and 4 friends dropped some serious money for tickets to the eagles game thinking it could be the most important home game playoff push wise . . . man i wish the last game was at home, fed ex field is an awesome place to be on the last reg season when the skins win to clinch a playoff spot. no exaggeration, its better than christmas morning for a 10 year old.

nice post about if the other teams win or lose in relation to the outcome of the ravens game, i did not know that, thanks.

go skinnSSS!!

[CRedskinsRule]

Maybe so, and I am sure if we lose I will hang my hat on that reasoning, but 11-5 still would be an amazing finish to the end, and I think maybe get us in as one of the other teams could pull a bonehead stunt and we get in without tie breakers

[Mr.Redskin]

I just hope Ray Lewis doesn't hurt Portis. I don't know how many times I have seen him hit somebody and twist their bodies on the tackle and step on them after the play just to do his trademark kick while he screams get off the field. Especially, b/c when his team is losing 20 points or more he is awfully quiet.

We will be in bad shape if Campbell keeps playing as mediocre and flawed like in the days of Kyle Boller. How the hell is Baltimore playing better offensively????? Their best running back is their FB Mclain. They dont even throw it to Heap. Their OLine is pourous beyond repair. Yet they are able throw beyond 5 yards. They too have a Rookie Coach. And worst of all this is still the product of Billick. But they have CCameron as Off Coordinator and he is making sensible play calling, ZORN.

We better not be embarrassed this week. Better yet just WIN, the people in Baltimore are so offensive and stupid that even the women talk smack and even the people who don't watch games only hear the score will talk smack like they know what they are talking about.

I think they are still upset that the Colts left in the middle of the night like a cheating wife. And they inherited the Browns left on their doorstep like a bastard basket baby. They can't claim lineage to the Browns and Colts b/c they retained their name. Their bastards.

Most of the town is either Steelers/Eagles/Ravens/Skins fans.The Skins held the East Coast loyalty for years and no threat or grip was heard when the Browns moved in. But in the case of the Nationals the Orioles starting crying and now the Nationals have to pay an annual tax for coming to DC. How F@#$ is that!

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Mr.Redskin

I just hope Ray Lewis doesn't hurt Portis. I don't know how many times I have seen him hit somebody and twist their bodies on the tackle and step on them after the play just to do his trademark kick while he screams get off the field. Especially, b/c when his team is losing 20 points or more he is awfully quiet.

We will be in bad shape if Campbell keeps playing as mediocre and flawed like in the days of Kyle Boller. How the hell is Baltimore playing better offensively????? Their best running back is their FB Mclain. They dont even throw it to Heap. Their OLine is pourous beyond repair. Yet they are able throw beyond 5 yards. They too have a Rookie Coach. And worst of all this is still the product of Billick. But they have CCameron as Off Coordinator and he is making sensible play calling, ZORN.

We better not be embarrassed this week. Better yet just WIN, the people in Baltimore are so offensive and stupid that even the women talk smack and even the people who don't watch games only hear the score will talk smack like they know what they are talking about.

I think they are still upset that the Colts left in the middle of the night like a cheating wife. And they inherited the Browns left on their doorstep like a bastard basket baby. They can't claim lineage to the Browns and Colts b/c they retained their name. Their bastards.

Most of the town is either Steelers/Eagles/Ravens/Skins fans.The Skins held the East Coast loyalty for years and no threat or grip was heard when the Browns moved in. But in the case of the Nationals the Orioles starting crying and now the Nationals have to pay an annual tax for coming to DC. How F@#$ is that!

You hope Ray Lewis does not hurt Portis? Maybe if he takes a cheap shot when he is on the ground but CP will gain yards after hitting Lewis. I'm also hoping to see Portis lay him out when he is blitzing.

This will also be Jason Taylors coming out party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mr.Redskin]

Originally Posted by firstdown

You hope Ray Lewis does not hurt Portis? Maybe if he takes a cheap shot when he is on the ground but CP will gain yards after hitting Lewis. I'm also hoping to see Portis lay him out when he is blitzing.

This will also be Jason Taylors coming out party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ray only blitzes once a game if that. His responsiblity is to key on the HB. It hasn't changed in years the only time he blitzes is when the house is called to rush, especially when we are backed up on our goal. You'll see I live in Bmore and catch all their games. I'm hip to the words Im speaking.

Yeah, I hope Ray doesn't hurt him. He's a dirty player.

For that record last time they played during the season Ray owned Portis. He holds some sort of grudge against him. Some sort of "U" drama.

And double for the record I think we lost that game b/c Betts LET Reed take a free shot on Brunell, stripped him from behind,picked it up, dusted it off, and ran to the endzone and it wasn't till he crossed the goaline did Betts jog toward to chase him. It was awful.

JTaylor needs a coming out party b/c he has not "stayed in" up to this point. I have my doubts this will be his game w/ MWashington out we have lined JT up in different spots that have been ineffective so we'll see or for those who can't I'll tell ya all about it for sure.

[GTripp0012]

The more I look at Baltimore's offense, the more I see a carbon copy of ours. Run first offensive line. Largely efficient passing game with maddening inconsistencies (that's you, Todd Heap). Superstar running trio (as opposed to our one guy). One dependable receiver (Mason), one explosive undependable recevier (Clayton), and little depth behind them.

I think their scheme is better for what they like to do than ours is, but our Quarterback is better.

No, the differences in this game will come on the other two sides of the ball. They have one of the two best defenses in the NFL. Our's is average, but above average if we're not blitzing all the time. Their head coach is a special teams guru. Our punt and field goal units are a waste of time and space.

They do the little things better than us, which is why they have the advantage going into this game. That, and defense. Defense is key.

[CancunCantinaBartender]

Working in the one of the largest night clubs in the Baltimore area, I knew going into this season that if the Redskins didn't win this game or the superbowl, then I would be hearing about this game for a very long time.

I hope our offense can put up some points and take down the Ravens. For some reason the majority of Ravens fans are Redskin haters.

I agree that this is would be a great win to start the march to the playoffs!!!