The divisional round is dubbed the best weekend of football the year has to offer. Although we have a couple double digit lined games on the board I think we are in for a good weekend of quality football.
Ravens +10 (-120) - Bovada
Most books have this game at 9 or 9.5, but the juice is worth the squeeze in this case getting to a key number.
I remember back in week 15 when the Broncos visited Baltimore the Ravens were a very trendy pick that week despite the fact that they were very beat up on defense, it was Jim Caldwell's first week calling plays, and the Broncos were the hottest team in the league.
The Ravens started out awful that game having there first 5 possessions end in 3 n outs. Yet with 31 seconds left in the first half the Ravens found themselves down only 10-0 and having a first and goal from the 4 with 3 time outs to burn. From there Flacco throws a lazy out to Boldin, a denver db jumps it and 100 yards later we have a 17-0 score instead of what could have easily been 10-7. Tough to come out for the second half after that swing yet the Ravens came out and matched Denver 17-17 in the second half. I am not completely naive and realize that Peyton and co. left off the peddle a bit but none the less 17-17 was the second half score.
A quick look at that game shows that Baltimore's first 5 possessions ended in 3 and out, yet from that point on they only had 2 possessions the rest of the game that suffered that fate. This tells me that Caldwell was beginning to find his stroke as a play caller and the overall execution improved.
Ray Rice was virtually invisible in this game. Having only 12 carries for 38 and only 3 yards receiving he had no impact on this game. As Caldwell has been getting more comfortable with the offense he has found creative ways to get rice into favorable match ups in space.
Giving up 34 on the surface seems like a pretty poor defensive outing, however taking a closer look there is reason for hope if you are backing the Ravens this week. First, we can take 7 points off automatically as those came from the hand of Joe Cool. Another 7 came from a short field (35yds) that was set up via turnover. Only 3 of the 6 scoring drives were 50+ yards. I know it is a tall order but if Mr. Elite Joe Flacco doesn't give Denver the short field and actually makes them go 80 it will help out a great deal. Some more good news is that although the raven defense was short-handed they still held manning to a season low in yards and completions.
I think this Raven defense is getting healthy at the right time. Throw in the fact the whole emotional factor that Ray Lewis is bringing to the table and I see this defense being up to task this Saturday.
At the end of the day Peyton is as good as it gets and will put some scoring drives together, but as mentioned above if Flacco can manage the game, hit a few deep shots, and most importantly not turn the ball over this will be a close ball game. I dont care how hot Denver is 10 points is way to many points to give to a team that has been here before and is consistently a tough out in the playoffs.
Ravens +10 (-120) - Bovada
Most books have this game at 9 or 9.5, but the juice is worth the squeeze in this case getting to a key number.
I remember back in week 15 when the Broncos visited Baltimore the Ravens were a very trendy pick that week despite the fact that they were very beat up on defense, it was Jim Caldwell's first week calling plays, and the Broncos were the hottest team in the league.
The Ravens started out awful that game having there first 5 possessions end in 3 n outs. Yet with 31 seconds left in the first half the Ravens found themselves down only 10-0 and having a first and goal from the 4 with 3 time outs to burn. From there Flacco throws a lazy out to Boldin, a denver db jumps it and 100 yards later we have a 17-0 score instead of what could have easily been 10-7. Tough to come out for the second half after that swing yet the Ravens came out and matched Denver 17-17 in the second half. I am not completely naive and realize that Peyton and co. left off the peddle a bit but none the less 17-17 was the second half score.
A quick look at that game shows that Baltimore's first 5 possessions ended in 3 and out, yet from that point on they only had 2 possessions the rest of the game that suffered that fate. This tells me that Caldwell was beginning to find his stroke as a play caller and the overall execution improved.
Ray Rice was virtually invisible in this game. Having only 12 carries for 38 and only 3 yards receiving he had no impact on this game. As Caldwell has been getting more comfortable with the offense he has found creative ways to get rice into favorable match ups in space.
Giving up 34 on the surface seems like a pretty poor defensive outing, however taking a closer look there is reason for hope if you are backing the Ravens this week. First, we can take 7 points off automatically as those came from the hand of Joe Cool. Another 7 came from a short field (35yds) that was set up via turnover. Only 3 of the 6 scoring drives were 50+ yards. I know it is a tall order but if Mr. Elite Joe Flacco doesn't give Denver the short field and actually makes them go 80 it will help out a great deal. Some more good news is that although the raven defense was short-handed they still held manning to a season low in yards and completions.
I think this Raven defense is getting healthy at the right time. Throw in the fact the whole emotional factor that Ray Lewis is bringing to the table and I see this defense being up to task this Saturday.
At the end of the day Peyton is as good as it gets and will put some scoring drives together, but as mentioned above if Flacco can manage the game, hit a few deep shots, and most importantly not turn the ball over this will be a close ball game. I dont care how hot Denver is 10 points is way to many points to give to a team that has been here before and is consistently a tough out in the playoffs.
