SportsCrack

Monday Night Football preview - Ravens @ Steelers

With several of the previous Monday Night match ups being unsavory to say the least, it’s nice to see one that both looks good on paper and means something division wise. While I’m leaning towards a Steelers win, you just never know. So, in the interest of fun, let’s take a look at some factors and storylines for tonight’s game.

Let’s start with a quote from Ray Lewis, the heart and soul of the Baltimore D and probably the only person ever to get barred from being on a Wheaties box:

“I think this game sums up, really the National Football League, and I really think it sums up our division. Nothing is a secret about the way these two teams play against each other. We know it’s going to be physical. They’ve got the No. 1 defense; we’ve got the No. 2 defense. It’s going to be one of those classic games.”

The games last year were certainly not classics, however. Pittsburgh got destroyed 27-0 in Baltimore and then spanked 31-7 in Pittsburgh. But with Ben Roethlisberger’s dome piece apparently feeling much better than last year, and his appendix too, will this year be different? What say you, Mr. Roethlisberger?

"You know how you felt afterward. You got embarrassed twice, once here, once there. It's not a good thing. It leaves a taste in your mouth. They roughed us up, a lot. We need another all-around performance like we had last Sunday, in all phases of the game."

These quotes and stuff are all cool and good, you say, but who fares better in the major football categories? Well, fuck, let’s find out! And without the wise cracks.

Offense

Baltimore – There has been talk of poor offensive play calling effecting Baltimore, but we’ll get to that later in the coaching section. The Ravens are 17^th in the league in offensive YPG (326.7) and 24^th in PPG (17.7).

They have one of the more dynamic backs in the league in Willis McGahee and a proven but aging QB in Steve McNair. The receivers have been less than stellar, with Derrick Mason making up for an under the radar year for the rest of the corps.

The offensive line has been effective blocking for McGahee who’s fifth in the league in rushing yards with 639. They’ve been even more effective protecting Steve McNair, allowing only 4 sacks on the season, tied for first in the league. Not a bad year so far for the Baltimore offensive line, I say.

Pittsburgh – The Pittsburgh offense has been much more potent this year, and it seems they are back to the Steelers smash mouth football of yore. They are 6^th in the league in offensive YPG (361.1) and 5^th in PPG (26.3).

Ben Roethlisberger is having one of the best years of his career with a 102.2 passer rating thus far. Willie Parker is having a spectacular year as well and if it were not for the rookie beast, Adrian Peterson, he might have won the rushing title. As for Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes… while not having monster years, they both are both threats and always viable passing options.

The big men up front, while doing a great job run blocking for Willie Parker, haven’t been as good protecting Ben Roethlisberger. He’s tied for taking the sixth most sacks in the league.

Edge: Steelers. While I would give the nod offensive line wise to the Ravens, the Steelers are running the ball well and passing the ball well. They are back to the smash mouth football they are known for, with a little bit extra.

Defense

Baltimore – The Ravens are 2^nd in the league defensively in YPG (268.0). They are 6^th in the league in PPG (17.0). Obviously they are having another great year defensively, and with Samari Rolle back from an injury, they should get even better. They will have a huge test against the Steelers offense, especially since the only team they’ve played with a great offense was Cincinnati, giving up 27 points in a loss.

Pittsburgh – The Steelers are 1^st in the league in YPG (256.9) and 1^st in PPG (13.0). They are also a lot more proven than Baltimore’s defense, having played Cleveland, Seattle and Cincinnati which were all wins and gave up only 20 combined points to all three.

Edge: Steelers. Easy pick.

Special Teams

Baltimore – Matt Stover has hit 18 of 21 of his kicks going 12-12 under 39 yards and 6-9 from over 40 yards. Not bad. The kick returning team is averaging 27.7 yards per return with 0 touchdowns.

Steelers – Jeff Reed on the other hand has only kicked 11 times, but he’s connected on 10 of them. He’s made all of his kicks that were not over 50 yards. The kick returning team is averaging 25.8 yards per return with 1 touchdown.

Edge: Steelers. Although Reed hasn’t kicked as many as Stover, he’s been more efficient. And the kick return team for the Steelers has the touchdown edge. Done.

Coaching

Baltimore – Brian Billick hasn’t been the most popular play caller this year, even with his own defense. Let’s here what Ray Lewis had to say about him:

“We knew he [Willis McGahee] should have touched the ball when you have a fourth-and-one. Old-school football is old-school football. If there is a yard I need to get, there is a running back, a fullback and an offense that is meant to get that.”

Very true, Ray, very true. He goes on:

"You can't make oranges be peaches. It doesn't change. It will never change. That's what Billick has to ask himself, why we keep putting ourselves in those situations. In the Cincinnati game, that cost us with those same decisions."

Are these accusations true? Thankfully, I know first hand, from my friend 'Killamed' who has Willis McGahee on his fantasy team. Here is what he has to say about Brian Billick's antics:

"He's retarded. I hate him. Who throws twice on the goal line, then brings in Musa Smith on third down when McGahee has been having such a monster day? A pussy, that's who."

Too harsh? Maybe. But what do you expect from someone who has the word 'Killa' in their nickname.

Steelers -- Compared to Billick, any coach could get the nod. But Mike Tomlin has lived up to expectations and brought the Steelers the identity they seemed to lose last year. Plus, he looks exactly like Omar Epps.

Edge -- Steelers.

And... the overall edge goes to the Steelers, in a sweep.

Steelers win 24-13.

Week 9 picks

Unfortunately, couldn’t get to most of the posts I was planning this week. I’ll definitely get to them this week, though. Week 9 picks real quick with rankings to follow on Tuesday:

Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Tennessee, K.C., San Diego, New Orleans, Washington, Arizona, Cleveland, New England, Oakland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh

Stay tuned, all two of my readers.

Week 8 picks

Not a lot of posting lately. After this week's games I'm going to post up a new Power Sixteen as well as some other clever little nuggets I've been dreaming up. Until then, though, the Week 8 picks:

Cleveland @ St. Louis - The only thing that remotely made me second guess the Rams winning this one was that Stephen Jackson is pretty much a lock to play. However with one of the shittiest offensive lines I've ever had the displeasure of watching (due to injuries, mind you), that doesn't matter too much.

Pick: Cleveland

N.Y.G. vs. Miami @ London, England - Pretty much every single person in the world thinks the Giants will win this one. And you know what? So do I.

Pick: N.Y.G.

Philadelphia @ Minnesota - I have absolutely no clue what to think of this Eagles team. They look solid one weak, and then absolutely fucking horrible the next. Minnesota on the other hand has Adrian Peterson, who went absolutely fucking apeshit on Chicago in Week 6, then only got 12 carries against the Cowboys in Week 7. Why did this happen? I do not know. Will it happen this week? I certainly hope not.

Pick: Minnesota

Indianapolis @ Carolina - Even with the Colts playing on the road, with a short week (having played on Monday night) I still think they're going to fucking spank the Panthers. At least David Carr and his queer white gloves won't be on the field for Carolina. That's something for Carolina fans to be happy about.

Pick: Indianapolis

Detroit @ Chicago - I still not sold on Griese or the Bears team in general. A win against the Lions might start to make me a believer, though. Not a believer that they're a good team, mind you--just a believer that they don't completely fucking suck. I'm still on the fence with Detroit too, but with a win in Chicago I'll entertain the thought that they are actually pretty good. And a win this week will also put them halfway towards Jonny Kitna's 10 win pre-season prediction. Hm. How bout that?

Pick: Detroit

Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati - This is a must win for Cincy. Even so, they will still lose. Is there such a thing as an anti-sleeper team? Did anyone predict before the season that the Bengals would blow so much?

Pick: Pittsburgh

Oakland @ Tennessee - Even with a horrible past two weeks with losses against the Chargers and an anemic performance offensively against Kansas City, I still believe Oakland can turn it around and make a push for the AFC West. They would really need a win this week to do so, though. And although I may be thinking too much since my gut is telling me to take Tennessee 100%, I'm still going to stick with Oakland.

Pick: Oakland

Jacksonville @ Tampa Bay - Had David Garrard been playing in this game, I would most likely take the Jaguars. I might also win my fantasy game this week. I'm beginning to think that my fantasy roster each year is like the Madden curse. Nearly two thirds of my team usually gets banged up at various points and to varying degrees all season. It's awesome...

Pick: Tampa Bay

Buffalo @ N.Y.J. - The Jets are another candidate for the anti-sleeper team of this season. What the fuck happened? Was last year a complete and utter fluke?

Pick: Buffalo

Houston @ San Diego - San Diego is on a roll and coming off a bye week, and with the city of San Diego rooting them on in the aftermath of the wildfires, I foresee no possible way they could lose this week. Lock of the week.

Pick: San Diego

New Orleans @ San Francisco - Here's to hoping Drew Brees continues to get better as the season progresses. He'll probably end up breaking his leg or something though, effectively ending my fantasy season halfway through. San Francisco? The third candidate for the anti-sleeper team of the year. I guess an ESPN the Magazine cover story about how pumped and talented your team is for the year doesn't translate to success. Huh.

Pick: New Orleans

Washington @ New England - I honestly considered taking Washington in this game, but until the Patriots show a real weakness for an extended period of time in a game, I can't bring myself to pick against them. The Redskins getting 16 points for the spread, though? That's ridiculous. If my credit card wasn't currently over the limit, I would definitely take the points on that one.

Pick: New England

Green Bay @ Denver - Was last weeks win over Pittsburgh a fluke? I don't think so. Is Green Bay really as good as their 5-1 record? I don't think so.

Pick: Denver

Week 7 Picks

Real quick.

Pats, Saints, Giants, Skins, Titans, Ravens, Vikings, Lions, Raiders, Bengals, Eagles, Rams, Broncos, Jaguars.

More stuff later.

Week 6 Picks

Minnesota @ Chicago - Normally I would take Chicago here, but then I remembered Brian Griese is there QB. And I cannot physically pick them when that is the case.

Miami @ Cleveland - If Miami didn't have Ronnie Brown playing out of his fucking mind this year, I think they might have had a shot at going defeated. But even in this game, with Ronnie running crazy, I think Cleveland will pull out a W.

P.S. Watching the Sox-Indians game right now... it's 9-6 Indians still Top of the 11th and all I have to say: Why the fuck did we sign Eric Gagne? Why?

Washington @ Green Bay - Green Bay had a pretty good run until last week. And their momentum isn't going to be regained in this game, either. Skins win big.

Cincinnati @ Kansas City - I still think Cincinnati is a decent team. And I still think Kansas City sucks. So I'm going with Cincy, here.

Tennessee @ Tampa Bay - Shouldn't the Madden Curse come into effect any week now? I say Young blows out his knee and Tampa Bay squeaks one out.

St. Louis @ Baltimore - UPSET SPECIAL! St. Louis wins their first one of the year. Wait a second, Bulger and Jackson aren't playing. Gus Frerotte or how ever the fuck you spell it is starting QB? Scratch that, Baltimore wins big.

Houston @ Jacksonville - If Andre Johnson was playing in this one, I'd take the Texans. But he's not, so I won't.

Philadelphia @ N.Y.J. - I just traded Thomas Jones in my fantasy league... so here's to hoping the Jets offense collectively shits the bed. Except for Leon Washington. Let's hope he does good. Philly by a small margin--say, three.

Carolina @ Arizona - As long as David Carr is the starting QB for the Panthers, and he continues to wear those queer ass white gloves... I can't pick them to win. Arizona wins big.

Oakland @ San Diego - Lots of people are saying the Chargers are back. They're gonna go on a roll. While I think that's plausible, I don't think it will start this week. Raiders with a somewhat unsurprising upset.

New England @ Dallas - I'm taking the Cowboys in this one...

Haha. Just kidding. Pats win decisively. Ehhhh... say 10 points.

New Orleans @ Seattle - The Saints offense finally gets there shit together and puts up mad points like they did last year, ultimately getting them their first win. About fucking time.

N.Y.G. @ Atlanta - Giants win. Sorry, I'm tired.