For the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday represents a playoff game. If they win, they make the dance, if they lose, they’re going to need a whole lot of help. The Ravens know the ramifications of a loss and will do everything they can to not let it happen.
The Oakland Raiders are just trying to play spoiler. Oakland knows its season is over, but they have shown some improvement along with some regression.
Baltimore’s game plan should be to run the ball to set up the pass and get ahead and then run the ball some more. Oakland has a leaky run defense at best and Ray Rice has been able to weave his way through defenders all season long.
If I were Cam Cameron, I wouldn’t throw too much with Nnamdi Asomugha patrolling the defensive backfield. Willis McGahee and Le’Ron McClain will contribute to the heavy rush attack I think the Ravens will bring to Oakland.
On defense, the Ravens must look out for Oakland’s running game. The Raiders, like most of the teams in the NFL, throw it more than they run it, but with Charlie Frye or J.P. Losman at quarterback I’d look for them to go with a run-heavy attack. Frye is not very good at all, and Losman was out of the NFL until he signed with the Raiders after Bruce Gradkowski went down.
Oakland’s rushing attack has the potential to be very good with playmaker Darren McFadden and solid veteran Justin Fargas, but still sputters at times because the Raiders are always playing catch up.
All of this is looking to likely add up to a Baltimore win. If the Ravens win they will go 9-7 and clinch a spot in the playoffs. I think they will do this by a score of 24-10.
Yes! A must win Sunday!! Ray Rice can run through pretty much anyone, it seems. They all just need to keep their heads in the game and not get any/many of those stupid little penalties that end up adding up to a lot!
[...] Jeff Wolfson gives us what his approach would be on Sunday, and what to expect from the Raiders. Good read. [...]