A Game-by-game Prediction of the Baltimore Ravens 2013 Season Checking Out the Baltimore Ravens Upcoming Schedule steven h , Yahoo! Contributor Network Though most players can only dream of a Superbowl victory, the Baltimore Ravens went out and simply lived the dream! But the question remains, where do they go from here?
After losing big name players like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Anquan Boldin, Paul Kruger, and Cary Williams, the Ravens will look to repeat as champions with a host of fresh faces. The upcoming 2013 schedule will test the chemistry of the newcomers like linebacker Elvis Dumervil and safety Michael Huff. Additionally, the “streaky” play of Baltimore as well as their inability to dominate on the road in the past few seasons will be another hurdle to jump for the team.
WEEK 1
The Superbowl champion Ravens will have the unusual distinction of playing on the road in their opener due to a scheduling conflict with the Baltimore Orioles. They will start their season with a repeat matchup of the AFC division playoffs, as they travel to Denver to play the Broncos. Though history has a way of repeating itself, even the most loyal of fans will remember we got through that game with a bit of lady luck on our side. This time, I don’t believe we will be so lucky against Peyton Manning and friends on the road.
Denver 30, Baltimore 9
WEEK 2
It appears the Ravens will get an early bye week as the Cleveland Browns come to town. As one of the lesser AFC north rivalries, old Cleveland is playing new Cleveland. Though most rivalries have a tendancy to swing either way, Baltimore has Cleveland’s number with a 21-7-0 record versus the Browns. Much looks to stay the same as the Ravens will use this game to, not only get their first win, but to give their new guys a boost in morale.
Baltimore 28, Cleveland 24
WEEK 3
In 2012’s whitewash, the Houston Texans rolled over the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 43-13. With lifelong Raven Ed Reed signing with the Texans during the offseason, Houston’s defense may have a fresh perspective of Joe Flacco’s offense. Then again, it didn’t look like they needed much help last year holding Flacco to 147 passing yards and 1 pick six. Houston will dominate early and take a few plays off later in the game to make it a much closer game than it’ll actually be.
Houston 30, Baltimore 28
WEEK 4
This week isn’t your dad’s Buffalo Bills that made it to 4 straight Superbowls back in the early 90’s. NO, this is your Buffalo Bills of the 2000’s that have had 8 straight losing season with no relief in sight. Though the Bills are a scrappy team, and they find a way to fight hard each and every game, they just cant seem to string along the W’s. In addition, the Ravens will be coming off a fresh loss to the Texans, so they will be ready to take out their frustrations on this young Buffalo team. No one circles the wagons…nevermind.
Baltimore 41, Buffalo 20
WEEK 5
These two teams hardly play each other, but when they do…wooo-hooo! It’s a memorable one! The Dolphins only have one winning season in the last seven years. That one winning season was brought to an abrupt halt in the 2008 playoffs to none other than the Baltimore Ravens. Prior to that one winning season, Miami was staring down a barrel that no team wants to see…the dreaded 0-16 season. Luckily for the Dolphins, though, Baltimore halted that streak as well. However, even with the newly acquired Danelle Ellerbe from the Ravens, Baltimore will squeak out a tough win on the road.
Baltimore 20, Miami 13
WEEK 6
When the gunslinger Aaron Rodgers comes to your town, hope to hell you have Superman on your team. Thanks goodness for small favors though (and Ozzie Newsome), we do! Our Superman comes in at 5’8″ and roughly 212 lbs of speed and heart! Ray Rice, when allowed to touch the ball (yes, I’m staring at you Cam Cameron), was a menace to defenses. He has rushed for 1100+ yards in the last 4 seasons, averaged 4.5 yards per carry, and is always a threat as a receiver (ask San Diego about that one ). You just have to think that the Packers’ green jerseys are made of kryptonite.
Green Bay 27, Baltimore 6
WEEK 7
Here it is! The date circled on everyone’s calender for the upcoming season! Pittsburgh…Baltimore. Baltimore…Pittsburgh. These two teams exemplify the true sport of football – toughness, attitude, hatred, respect, and flat out determination. The first of the 2 regular season matchups between these two teams start in Pittsburgh. Already, that’s a wincing moment for Raven fans. The road has not been kind to us in recent years. But, just like I mentioned in week 2, rivalries can go either way. Baltimore takes the first meeting in typical bruising fashion.
Baltimore 13, Pittsburgh 10
WEEK 8
BYE. I’m confident we won’t lose this one.
WEEK 9
OK, back to work! Oh wait…it’s the Cleveland Browns again. Nevermind.
Baltimore 30, Cleveland 12
WEEK 10
Another division rival? Bring it on! Well, except for you Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. You two are good enough to make our heads spin. (see? I can give other teams credit!) Baltimore has manage to keep winning seasons a constant expectation in our town. This is mainly due to being able to boast one of the best home records in all of the NFL. And, quite honestly, I believe that factor will be the only thing keeping Dalton and Green at bay.
Baltimore 20, Cincinnati 16
WEEK 11
Ahh, that old annoying chant of “da’ Bears” is as popular in Chicago as Jay Cutler’s whining and inopportune interceptions. This classic matchup of formidable defense vs formidable defense is not the same one we would’ve seen a couple years back. Both the Bears and the Ravens have lost Hall of Fame linebacker of Brian Urlacher and Ray Lewis (respectively) to retirement. So the Bears “pound-you-into-submission” defense has evolved into a “swarm-you-into-submission” defense. Whereas the Ravens have evolved from similar roots into a “bend but don’t break” style defense. Even though there are no conference ties between the two teams, this’ll be a fun game for any fan to watch!
Baltimore 24, Chicago 13
WEEK 12
The bumbling New York Jets will come to Baltimore with once great Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan. Those glory days are long gone now for Ryan. With more off-field news than on-field news, the Jets just look to not embarrass themselves too badly (again). Although, fans of Tim Tebow may be able to see him actually play quarterback in this game since the rest of the season will be pretty lost at this point. Oh wait, the Jets got rid of the only player that could put fans in the seats.
Baltimore 30, NYJ 6
WEEK 13
In their first trip into the realm of the Thanksgiving holiday scheduling, the NFL finally got something right! Is retribution in the stars for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they make the trip to Baltimore in the second game of the series? Or will Baltimore have the Steelers seeing stars? While Baltimore doesn’t always make the best impressions in primetime, this time, they’ll be serving crow for Thanksgiving!
Baltimore 23, Pittsburgh 20
WEEK 14
This week will be one of my favorites this season! The show that the 2 greatest running backs in the league will put on will be absolutely amazing! Adrian Peterson going head-to-head with Ray Rice, both against teams with a porous run defense last year. The playoff race is heating up and the Ravens and Vikings will be in the oven as two of the hottest teams!
Baltimore 30, Minnesota 27
WEEK 15
Baltimore ends their 3-game home stretch and takes a trip up to Ford Field to face off against the 2-pony show Detroit Lions. There is no denying that Megatron, excuse me…Calvin Johnson, is the best wide receiver playing the game today. With no other players supporting him on offense (with the arguable exception of Matt Stafford), Megatron has managed to put up an average of 1306 yards per season with nearly 2000 receiving yards last season. This guy could catch a bowl of jello if you threw it at him and that spells B-I-G T-R-O-U-B-L-E for the Ravens secondary! Well, there goes our 7-game winning streak!
Detroit 27, Baltimore 13
WEEK 16
Time to pick up the pieces after a tough loss in Detroit. Well, the team you don’t want to play when trying to pick up those pieces, especially during a heated playoff stretch, is Tom Brady’s New England Patriots. Well, damn. How fortunate are we to have the NFL gods line up this one for us. Not only will Brady be looking for a bit of revenge after last year’s AFC championship game, he will be looking to tie up home field advantage once again. That tends to happen a lot when you’re a good team in a weak division. However, don’t count out the Ravens until the final bell!
New England 34, Baltimore 27
WEEK 17
Whew! It’s been a long season, but here we are! Week 17 in Cincinnati. A shot to take the division from the up-and-comer Bengals. We’ve lost 2 straight heading into the final week. another pooor showing at the season’s end. Just last last year when we lost 4 of the last 5…then won the Superbowl! Did I mention we won the Superbowl? The seeds are already sewn. The last game will be a prep game for the upcoming playoffs. Both teams will be taking it easy to avoid any undue injuries. But hey, we made the playoffs!
Baltimore 27, Cincinnati 24
PLAYOFFS?
SUPERBOWL AGAIN…?