This right here is definitely the game of the week, and it features Rex Ryan, Bart Scott, and Jim Leonhard going at it against their former team. This is a matchup between two contenders who have quite a bit to prove heading into this matchup. The Ravens need to show that they are indeed for real, and the Jets really have to show that they aren't all mouth after getting run all over by Darren McFadden.

In big injury news, Nick Mangold is listed as questionable for this game, and this actually does mean quite a bit. Not only is he one of the best centers in the game, but his replacement Colin Baxter is one of the worst run-blocking offensive linemen in the league. He gets pushed around like crazy, and that more than "makes up for" his great work in pass protection. It's known fact that run blocking is far more important for centers than pass protection, and Baxter has proven to be a liability on the line overall.

While Ladarius Webb and- to a greater extent- Ed Reed have played well in the secondary, Cary Williams has been absolutely terrible this season. If you watched that Steelers game, you would pretty much know all that you need to know about this guy; he gives receivers far too much space.

I could see this being a very easy game for Haloti Ngata in run defense against Baxter, and Terrell Suggs is another high-impact player who should have a high impact in this contest. Dustin Keller has already been a force on offense for the Jets this season, and Mark Sanchez needs to continue hitting him up for the Jets to remain successful on offense. I really don't see them getting much on the Ravens defense though, and I have always been critical of Sanchez.

The Ravens tackles have been absolutely horrendous this season, but they are lucky that the Jets don't have any good pass rushers. Bryan Thomas barely qualifies as adequate, and I don't think anyone will be mistaking Aaron Maybin for DeMarcus Ware any time soon.

The Ravens interior, however, is much better and has two of the best in the business in Marshal Yanda and Matt Birk. I think Ray Rice should be okay in this game, but don't expect him to play like he has through the first three weeks. Even though they got run down by McFadden, this Jets run defense is a tough matchup.

While Lee Evans has been nothing short of disappointing and awful through his first three weeks in a Ravens uniform, Torrey Smith was exactly the opposite last week. Still, I really don't see Flacco being all that good against a very solid Jets secondary. This game is definitely going to be a battle of defenses.

For the reason stated above in that last sentence, I am going with the Ravens. Although both teams are about even defensively, the Ravens are actually good offensively. Even though I would probably take the Jets wideouts over the Ravens group, Joe Flacco and Ray Rice easily trump Sanchez and Shonn Greene.

Prediction: Ravens 20 Jets 14

MVP: Terrell Suggs (Wayne Hunter? What a joke of a tackle.)

Other picks

Cowboys over Lions
Steelers over Texans
Panthers over Bears
Chiefs over Vikings
Bills over Bengals
Titans over Browns
Redskins over Rams
Eagles over 49ers
Saints over Jaguars
Falcons over Seahawks
Giants over Cardinals
Patriots over Raiders
Packers over Broncos
Chargers over Dolphins
Bucs over Colts (How weird would that be five years ago?)

Heeelloooo Wayne Hunter

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: NFL Predictions, Jim Leonhard, Rex Ryan, Bryan Thomas, Shonn Greene, Aaron Maybin, Mark Sanchez, Nick Mangold, Colin Baxter, Wayne Hunter, Dustin Keller, Steelers, Ed Reed, Torrey Smith, Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Lee Evans, Marshal Yanda, Matt Birk, Haloti Ngata, Terrell Suggs, Cary Williams, Raiders, Darren McFadden

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9/2011 WR Rankings

September 24th 2011 13:50

1. Larry Fitzgerald
2. Andre Johnson
3. Calvin Johnson
4. Reggie Wayne
5. Steve Smith CAR
6. Roddy White
7. Greg Jennings
8. Brandon Marshall
9. Kenny Britt
10. Mike Wallace
11. Miles Austin
12. Santonio Holmes
13. Marques Colston
14. Jeremy Maclin
15. DeSean Jackson
16. Vincent Jackson
17. Anquan Boldin
18. Mike Williams TB
19. Steve Smith PHI
20. Hakeem Nicks
21. Lance Moore
22. Sidney Rice
23. Santana Moss
24. Brandon Lloyd
25. Dwayne Bowe
26. Braylon Edwards
27. Johnny Knox
28. Dez Bryant
29. Wes Welker
30. Austin Collie
31. Mario Manningham
32. Steve Johnson
33. Earl Bennett
34. AJ Green
35. Percy Harvin
36. Jordy Nelson
37. Malcolm Floyd
38. Pierre Garcon
39. Nate Washington
40. Davone Bess
41. Hines Ward
42. Robert Meachem
43. Mike Thomas
44. Donald Driver
45. Lee Evans
46. Julio Jones
47. James Jones
48. Antonio Brown
49. Jordan Shipley
50. Derrick Mason

Musgrave must use him more

Week 3 Picks

Bengals over 49ers
Panthers over Jaguars
Lions over Vikings
Titans over Broncos
Browns over Dolphins
Eagles over Giants
Saints over Texans
Patriots over Bills
Ravens over Rams
Jets over Raiders
Chargers over Chiefs
Packers over Bears
Cardinals over Seahawks
Falcons over Bucs
Steelers over Colts
Redskins over Cowboys (To make this more interesting)

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2011 Week 1 Preview: Ravens and Steelers

September 8th 2011 15:12

I have another week 1 game preview for you precious few faithful readers of this blog. It involves another tantalizing matchup between two Super Bowl contenders who just happen to be perhaps the biggest rivals in the NFL. This game already has division championship and bye week implications, because a Steelers- or Ravens- win would put the other team in a hole early on.

From a schematic standpoint, signing Bryant McKinnie and Lee Evans were two of the best offensive additions that they could have made in the offseason. Even though I think Jared Gaither is the better player, McKinnie is a solid left tackle when he keeps his weight in check. Derrick Mason, as old as he is, is an underrated player who is one of the better possession receivers in the league. That being said, the Ravens didn't need another possession receiver- they have Anquan Boldin. No, they needed to get a deep threat, and they got their man.

We all know about Joe Flacco's arm, but he hasn't had the chance to show his arm quite yet. Evans was in a messy situation in Buffalo, and he now has the chance to show his talent. The problem is that the rest of the receivers around Flacco just aren't all that good. Tight end Dennis Pitta could be something, but all he really is right now is a "what if" guy.

The McKinnie move was extremely important, because of Michael Oher. If you don't know who that is, then I strongly suggest that you lift up the rock you have been living under. Oher had a strong rookie campaign at right tackle because of his run blocking ability, but he was an enormous liability at left tackle. It seems ironic that the movie is called "The Blindside", because Oher wasn't helping out Flacco very much at LT. I expect a nice rebound year from him, and that's mainly thanks to McKinnie.

Over on the other side, the Steelers have a weak secondary. Nobody is going to call Polamalu and Ike Taylor bad players, unless if you're a Ravens fan, but Ryan Clark is really the only other solid starter in the secondary. Their lack of depth at corner is a travesty for a team with such a prolific front seven.

About that, I really want to watch this Steelers defense go at the Ravens offensive line. It is a matchup that will be a lot closer than what a casual fan might think, because guys like Ben Grubbs, Matt Birk, and Marshal Yanda can really play some ball. And oh by the way, Andre Gurode and Jah Reid are their backups. Yeah, that's a really damn good line.

Even with Vonta Leach paving the way, this isn't a game meant for Ray Rice. The way the Ravens win is if they can effectively spread the ball around and shred the secondary. The thing is, they just don't have that many offensive weapons as far as receiving threats go.

Alright, it's time to switch sides. They say everything starts up front, so let us start up front. I honestly think Maurkice Pouncey is an overrated player, and that Haloti Ngata is going to be a monstrous problem for the Steelers line. There is no way that they handle him or Terrell Suggs. One thing here, Suggs gets more snaps as an end, not OLB. Willie Colon is the only offensive lineman on the Steelers who I can call "good", and this front seven will just eat these guys up.

Passing the football effectively is the easiest way to win games, and the Steelers have the advantage in this respect when you compare their passing offense with the opposition's pass defense. It baffles me that Domonique Foxworth and Chris Carr are not listed as starters, because they are the only proven corners on this roster.

There is no doubt that Jimmy Smith has the potential to be a great cornerback, but let's not forget that potential doesn't usually get fulfilled at first. Plus, I doubt he ends up being as consistent as Carr, and he most likely won't be as good as Foxworth this season. Smith is a real wild card, and I would suggest starting Foxworth. And Cary Williams is starting? Really?

If not for those roster management gaffes- either that or the depth chart I am looking at is wrong- the Ravens would be suited to face the Steelers receivers. Ed Reed is not a guy you want to mess with, and Bernard Pollard is a solid player in the box. However, you should never ask him to cover. The depth chart I am reading also says that Tom Zbikowski is starting over Pollard, and that also doesn't make much sense.

Antonio Brown, Heath Miller, Mike Wallace, Jerricho Cotchery, Emmanuel Sanders, and Hines Ward are six legitimate weapons whom the Ravens must keep up with. I see Miller ending up with a huge day, business as usual for Wallace- which means he gashes the Ravens with a couple of deep catches, and one of the other wideouts having a solid game. As for the Ravens receivers, I think this could end up being a big day for Lee Evans if he can seize the moment.

I am focusing so much on both team's passing offenses, because this is the way that these teams will win. This game is going to be fought in the trenches and in the air. With that being said, both teams are almost evenly matched save for a few key differences. I think the Steelers are stronger defensively and have the better receiving game, so I see them winning the game on a classic late game drive by Ben Roethlisberger.

Score: Steelers 24 Ravens 20

MVP: Heath Miller

Sources:

www.sports.yahoo.com

The towel wins

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