No time to rest on your laurels, just win baby!

[tsylvester]

Yes, quite the impressive win on a Christmas Monday night game, complete domination. The only thing missing was the running game, but then the defense made sure to give the offense plenty of short fields...

Onto Miami, or should I say home awaiting the Phish.

They come in having won 2 in a row, leading the league in points scored, 463, with a points differential of +149, quite impressive.

The Ravens counter with having won 5 in row, leading the league in points given up with a measley 244 scored against, a plus 173 points differential, now that is what I call impressive. It is good for 2nd in the league behind only those Niners still lickimg their wounds, by 4 points, but I digress.

Tua is one of the most accurate passers, just as Purdy was. And like Purdy, he doesn't tend to hold the ball very long. Key to beating him, just like Purdy, pressure the pocket, take away his first read, he will become agitated and throw erratically.

But at his disposal is one of the, if not the best wide receiver core in the league, perhaps all time to be honest. Speed to burn, quickness that won't quit. The only way to stop them is to not let them get started.

Tua takes some of the deepest drops league wide. 3, 5, 7 step drops are most common, but he routinely takes 10-12 step drops to buy time, to avoid pressure. You see, injuries, head injuries have plagued him, so he doesn't like to get hit. But, when he does get banged around he speeds up his throw which makes the passes less accurate.

Yes, 2 weeks in a row the Ravens face a top 2 offense, the Phins being #1.

Their defense is not too shabby either, 5th against the run, 10th against the pass.

But mountains were made to be climbed, and the Ravens have faced bigger mountains than the Phins. They know what is at stake, the #1 seed, they have been here before. A win, they lock it and the North up, one more carabiner with which to secure the rope line to the top of the mountain.

Fun fact: since the merger in 1970, no defense has led the league in sacks, turnovers & points in the same season. The Ravens are on pace to do such a feat...

[oldno82]

The last time I saw the Dolphins play, either a week or two ago, their offense was one the fastest I've ever seen. And Tyreek wasn't even on the field. They looked like 11 guys on roller skates against a bunch of turtles.

MacDonald will have his hands full scheming this week but after last night I feel we can beat anybody.

You're right though: Don't let up! Time to keep the pedal to the medal and "just win baby".

[tsylvester]

Miami, 4-3 on the road, 1-3 against teams with winning records.

Ravens, 5-2 at home, 6-1 against teams with winning records.

Top offense against a top defense.

Top 5 offense against a Top 5 defense.

Something has to give.

Time to take back home field advantage, make Baltimore  a place teams dread to play.

[oldno82]

It won't be easy, probably won't be pretty, and may be a nail biter. Tucker could win it with a late FG.

[deeshopper]

Got my fingers crossed!

[tsylvester]

The Ravens lead the series 10-8, the last four have been very interesting. We all remember the big lead the Ravens had, 28-7 at half time back in September of 22, only to collapse, in what would be a pattern for this team with 2nd half collapses last year, and lose 42-38.

2021 saw the Phish win 22-10 in Miami, in 2019 the Ravens put a whoop'n on them, 59-10, and then took out behind the woodshed and whooped them with the wood shed, 40-0 in 2017.

This one should be intriguing

[oldno82]

I have a feeling that we're gonna be ready for them.

[varaven45]

We’ve got to suffocate Tua and their offense the entire game - petal to the metal for 60 minutes. Plus, Lamar has to play another error free game or darn close to it.  It’s a tall order but that s what’s needed to win Sunday.  Should be a  slobberknocker! 

[tsylvester]

They need to avenge last year, they know that they can do it, it is just a matter of not letting up as they did in the 2nd half last year.

[oldno82]

They also have to win to stay ahead of the 'December' Joe led Browns who are hot right now.

The Ravens better come out smokin' this Sunday. Otherwise the Tua led Dolphins could easily upset them.

Win and the guys that are hurting get 3 weeks of much needed rest.

The time to win a Super Bowl is NOW because with all the players eligible for free agency after this year our window is closing.

[tsylvester]

Waddle is out, one less speedy guy to cover.

They shut them down last year for a half, proving that they can do it.

The difference this year? 2 of them

1) Agent 0 on defense

2)Todd has an answer for the 0 blitz Miami likes to use..

[oldno82]

Cool!

[oldno82]

The Ravens just made 4 roster moves including calling up WR Treadwell, a DB and a LB. Sounds like Flowers and Hamilton might not be able to go. I don't know if we can win without them.

What's your take?

[tsylvester]

Hamilton practiced most of the week, could be special teams moves. Flowers has a calf injury sp he could be a game time decision, we shall see.

Play to win, if they do, the players have 3 weeks, if they sit out meaningless game against Pit, to rest

[oldno82]

They need that 3 week respite for sure. Gotta find a way to win tomorrow regardless of who is or isn't playing.

[tsylvester]

Moser, their top back is out as well... A Trane is no slouch though.. beautiful day for football!

[tsylvester]

Hamilton & Stephens are out...

Just glad to be able to watch a game live, feels like forever since I didn't have to record the game

[deeshopper]

Good grief. I couldn't even bring myself to watch the pregame, I'm so nervous. They need to win!

 

[oldno82]

I always record the game and start watching it from DVR about 30 min into it so I can skip the commercials.

It's bad that Hamilton can't play...we needed him for the secondary and for stopping their rushing.

I expect Miami to be able to hit a couple of deep passes.

This game could be a high scoring affair.

 

[oldno82]

Hang in there Dee...my wife and I are psyched up too.

[deeshopper]

I'm just going to follow this thread while I watch Bob's Burgers. It's worked so far!

[tsylvester]

Oy, right down the field, 10+ yards a clip. Made the defense look like swiss cheese

[tsylvester]

Bateman on a big shot, 42 yards!

[tsylvester]

Oy, not going to count

[tsylvester]

Just too far, by a whisker