Week 1, Ravens @ Raiders

Ravens football is upon us, and half the fanbase is a little down. Before week 1 we've already lost Marcus Peters, LJ Forte, and our entire intended RB corp to season ending leg injuries. The Ravens have been forced to sign every free agent RB with any level of potential possible, namely Le'Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and Latavius Murray. Plus 1st round rookie WR, Rashad Bateman, is starting the season on IR. So much has already gone wrong. Many analyst have already written the team off this season..........and I can't wait to watch them back peddle and eat their words.

I'm a huge Gus Edwards fan and I like Dobbins, but the Ravens running success hangs more on the combination of Greg Roman and Lamar Jackson than it does any individual RB. They may not average Dobbins' 6 yards per carry, or even Gus' 5 ypc, but i doubt they average under 4 as a unit. The defense will miss the ball hawking skills of Marcus Peters but he did have a tendency to get beat often. No clue if Anthony Averitt will be able to hold down the position long enough, or if Jimmy Smith will be healthy enough, but this team is deep at CB.

The passing game hasn't been mentioned, but they added Sammy Watkins and James Proche to replace Miles Boykin and Willie Snead. This is an improvement so long as Watkins stays healthy. And by the time his yearly injury occurs, Bateman should be back and at full speed.

This game against the Raiders will tell everyone everything the need to know about the 2021 Ravens. And since it's Monday night, everyone can watch without the distraction of other games. I initially had Baltimore winning by 24+ (see the last 3 week 1 games for the Ravens). After all this, I now have them winning by around 14-18. The new pieces needing time to gel is what's going to make the biggest difference. I didn't mention the front 7, but expect 4 sacks between Houston, Oweh, Campbell, and Madibuike and an INT or 2 from the secondary. Baltimore will make a statement Monday night as they take an early 1 game lead on the division as the only AFC North winners in week 1

LET'S GO, RAVENS!!!

 

Well, Pittsburgh won, Cincinnati won, and Cleveland is currently up 8-0. My predicition of the Ravens being the only winner is long gone. Let's hope I didn't predict the opposite of what actually happens

 

Ok the game has started. I was completely wrong on the Ravens having a chance to be the only AFC North team with a win this week but hopefully the team can make sure Cleveland is the only team with a loss. Let's go.

 

Offense looking like the same old same so far. RBs doing less than normal in past seasons so it looks like Lamar may have to do more than normal......which is saying a lot

 

Ravens strike first with a 35 yard TD run on 4th and 1

 

Has Carr thrown to anyone but Waller? I think the last 7 or 8 passes have been to Waller.

 

Carr looking really shaky to start out. The coverage is good, but he still hasn't grown as a player above the neck.

He's going to have his games that get him stats to make him look better than what he is, but the Raiders need to pull the plug and move on.

 

On that TD pass, Lamar showed where he's different from other QBs. I'm not sure there's another QB who makes that play. And I hope all the "he's a 1 read and run" idiots saw that play

 

Tyre Phillips down. I didn't think it was possible for the Ravens to suffer any more injuries this early in the season. Wow.

 

Nice kick and lol to the Ravens players trying to sell a false start. New game. OT

 

Welp. We're in OT, 27-27. These are games the Ravens lose

 

I've got no dog in this except I picked the Raiders to win and I want to be right. Good luck though.

 

He stepped OOB before the first.

 

NM. Just the camera angle.

 

WOW

 

1st and goal at the half yard line.

 

They should have just ended the game. No need to delay this

 

WOW! Fire Gruden!

 

What is this game??

 

Now that was a weird ending. Gruden is lucky but comes out looking like a huge clown.