Game Day Thread- Week 2: Ravens vs. Eagles

coordinator0 · Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 7921

These are some of the big things I will be watching in this game:

BAL OL vs. PHI DL - I think this is the most obvious match-up in this game. Oher and Osemele played very well last week but they have a much tougher assignment this week. I would say it's the toughest of the year but when the Ravens face the likes of Pierre-Paul/Tuck/Umenyiora, Dumervil/Miller, Hali/Houston, Ware/Spencer, and Harrison/Woodley later in the season it's hard to peg who is really the best out of that group. I'm not worried as much as I am excited to see how well the Ravens OTs can hold up against quality pass-rushers. The interior of the Eagles line worries me a bit more. Yanda will be fine but the true weakness up front is Harewood and Birk and it will be interesting to see how the Eagles attack those two. I think the key to the Ravens winning this game is the running game and their OL should be able to get a consistent push against the Eagles DL.

BAl Passing Game vs. PHI Secondary - Like the OL Flacco will be getting a true test this week. The Eagles probably have the best combination of pass-rushing and coverage the Ravens will see all season so we'll really see how much the passing game has progressed. I'm particularly interested in seeing who Asomugha lines up against the most. Dickson and Pitta should get a lot of looks and they have the better match-ups against the Eagles LBs/Ss than Boldin, Smith, and Jones do against their DBs.

BAL Front 7 vs. PHI OL - Both the pass-rush and run-defense of the Ravens will be under scrutiny this week. Physical RBs who don't move around much laterally usually have better luck against the Ravens defense than the shiftier RBs but not with the consistent success the Bengals had. Like I mentioned in the other thread I think the ILBs playing quite a ways back from the LOS had something to do with it but it was sub-par regardless. McCoy is one of the best RBs in the league and although the defense has had success against guys in his mold before this is a different Ravens run-defense and this could be where they really feel the loss of Suggs and Johnson setting the edge. Upshaw could provide a lot of help here if he gets on the field more. The Ravens pass-rush looked ineffective whenever they didn't blitz. This has been a concern ever since Suggs went down and it has to be better for Baltimore to be a an elite team this season. Kruger needs to play the RUSH more, McClellan is not a starter in this league and Upshaw isn't the ideal guy you want rushing the passer every play either.

BAL Secondary vs. PHI Passing Game - Vick is the big wildcard in my opinion. If he tries to force things like he has a tendency to do then I like the Ravens chances. If not then this will be a tough one. Even if Jackson and Maclin play (and I'm pretty sure they will) they won't be at their best so that helps too. I think Maclin is the guy they have to focus on but we all know Jackson can make a big play at any time too. Reed should play a big role in this game as I don't see Vick shying away from throwing the deep bombs and that's always a good thing for the Ravens.

So yeah pretty much everything is a point of interest but that's why I think this is going to be an awesome game to watch. As always I'll predict a Ravens win but I wouldn't be surprised at all if they lost. It should be a close game barring a lot of turnovers from one side so my guess is that the score will be 23-20 in favor of Baltimore.

diamondbull424 · Joined: 02 Dec 2007 Posts: 12995 Location: Baltimore, MD

SnA ExclusiVe · Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 33389 Location: Spokane, WA

nevermore · Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 6754 Location: Austria

SnA ExclusiVe · Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 33389 Location: Spokane, WA

coordinator0 · Joined: 18 Jan 2008 Posts: 7921

I still say that's much more of a fail by Johnson than Lewis. He only looked so bad because Johnson came flying in right in front of him. If Johnson kept contain to the outside instead of going for the big hit that's an easy tackle stop by either player.

SnA ExclusiVe · Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 33389 Location: Spokane, WA

Let's not get carried away, they are both REALLY bad but if we wanna debate which is worse, Ray knew JJ had the outside of Marshawn so he was playing inside the whole way, and then JJ failed.

Urlacher straight up got smoked one on one.
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ravens_rool28 · Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 20059 Location: #BOOZE

Some Eagles posters are so touchy. You guys should really get in on this. It's not every week we get GDT's like these. Don't let them go to waste. Laughing

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drd23 · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 10:56 pm Post subject:

ravens_rool28 · Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 20059 Location: #BOOZE

drd23 · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2012 11:11 pm Post subject:

ravens_rool28 · Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 20059 Location: #BOOZE

AlexM23 · Joined: 03 Jan 2011 Posts: 8344 Location: Australia

Guys no matter what happens tomorrow can you please remember not to blame the refs or use any other excuses after we're finished smashing you? Just take your beat down like men... albeit men who wear purple.
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Kiltman on the sig

ravens_rool28 · Joined: 05 Sep 2009 Posts: 20059 Location: #BOOZE

AlexM23 · Joined: 03 Jan 2011 Posts: 8344 Location: Australia