Originally Posted by FAX
They've scored 44, 24, 31 and 23 points, Mr. mr. tegu. They're 3 and 1 having lost to the Eaglets away. In the 2 games I've seen, Flacco looked pretty darn crisp, accurate, and confident. He put up 382 against the Pats and 356 against the Browns. His game has improved exponentially compared to prior years. It's both impressive and frankly amazing. He's a different player. Rice is having a good year, too. They certainly look good enough to wallop us.
Somehow or another, we would have to hold them to fewer than 20 points (fewer than they've scored all year, so far), get a pick or fumble or two, and kick the living bejesus out of some field goals if we're to have a chance. We cannot let the total score go much over 40 and succeed.
Basically, too many things have to go wrong for them (or, at least, things that are uncharacteristic) and too many things have to go really right for us (again, uncharacteristically) for us to emerge victorious.
I see them playing defense the way it should be played against us ... stack the box, rush 5, prioritize Jamaal, man up on the receivers, and guard the sticks in the secondary. For us to have a chance defensively, we have to sack the living hell out of Flacco and hold Rice to under 50 or 60 ground yards.
Offensively, all they have to do is what they've been doing. We, on the other hand, will have to find an offense that can move the chains and keep their defense on the field. Jamaal will have to have a good day, Cassel will have to convert third downs, and Daboll will have to call something other than the RRP2. All that, in order to simply have a chance to compete.
Based on prior performances and tendencies on behalf of both teams, I don't see it. I fear that, if we let them score early and get a lead, it will be over. Period. Problem is, they can do it.
FAX
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