Monday Night Football: Baltimore Ravens @ Detroit Lions

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

7-6 Ravens (7-7 after loss tonight) -- remaining: @Lions, Patriots, @Bengals

 

[TDs3nOut]

Well, it's in Detroit and they are favored, so perhaps you are right. But the Ravens seem to be playing pretty well recently, so I won't be too surprised to see them pull the upset.

 

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Luke Jones ‏@BaltimoreLuke 5m
#Lions running back Reggie Bush and defensive end Ezekiel Ansah are both ACTIVE after being listed as questionable.

 

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Last year, the Ravens had the NFL's most wins in games decided by three points or fewer. This year, Baltimore has the second-most losses in such games.

 

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The Ravens have historically come through in December games, which is why they've made the playoffs in each of the past five seasons. Do the Lions feel added pressure in times like these because they've made the playoffs only once since the 1999 season?

 

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LIONS GROUND GAME VS. RAVENS RUSH D
After sitting out last week (calf injury), Reggie Bush expects to play Monday. Lethal in space, Bush has 1,302 yards from scrimmage and 5 touchdowns. A physical Joique Bell has proven to be a great complement to Bush with 940 yards from scrimmage and 7 touchdowns. The Ravens, on the other hand, have allowed just one 100-yard rusher all season. The Ravens rank #8 against the run, allowing 101.2 yards per game. Because of Calvin Johnson on the outside, the Ravens likely won't be able to commit an extra safety in the box to stopping Bush and Bell.

MATT STAFFORD VS. RAVENS PASS D
The Ravens' upset chances Monday will likely be tied to whether they can stop Johnson from making a game-changing play. More than ever, Johnson (75 receptions, 1,351 yards, 12 TDs) is the key to the Lions' passing game. The Lions' other pass catchers are complementary targets: Kris Durham (471 yds), Reggie Bush (448 yds), Joique Bell (436 yds) Brandon Pettigrew (393 yds), Nate Burleson (334 yds).
Ravens CB Jimmy Smith (former 1st Round pick out of Colorado) will likely cover Megatron. Smith has allowed only 22 catches over his past 10 games (2.2 per game). That is an impressive total when you consider he has covered the likes of Cleveland’s Josh Gordon, Cincinnati’s A.J. Green, Chicago’s Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery and Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown during that time. Stafford (3,976 yards, 27 TDs, 14 interceptions, 58.3 percent completions) has a strong arm but isn't especially accurate by NFL standards. He's been sacked just 15 times in 13 starts, while the Ravens haven't recorded a sack in either of the last two games. If outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil (ankle) can play, it would help Baltimore's chances of disrupting Detroit's passing game.

Jimmy Smith

Haloti Ngata

Terrell Suggs

 

[SteelersPride]

Megatron FTW

 

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RAVENS GROUND GAME VS. LIONS RUSH D
The Lions hadn't allowed a rushing score in the previous eight games but they gave up four to the Eagles. Their run defense dropped from #3 in the NFL to #6. Still, the Lions' run defense would figure to have a huge edge against the Ravens' ground game, which has been one of the NFL's worst. The Ravens have averaged fewer than four yards per carry in 12-of-13 games. Getting the run game on track has been the biggest challenge for the Ravens, who are averaging a league-worst 3.0 yards per carry.

JOE FLACCO VS. LIONS PASS D
Detroit has been vulnerable on the back end, allowing 255.8 passing yards per game, which ranks #25 in the NFL. Flacco has a 92.3 career passer rating when playing indoors. The Ravens have put the ball in the hands of their $120.6 million QB this season: Flacco has thrown over 30 passes in 9 of the past 10 games. The problem with that strategy has been the increase in turnovers. Flacco has thrown a career-worst 17 interceptions. Only two quarterbacks -- Geno Smith and Eli Manning -- have thrown more. The Ravens offense is starting to find a rhythm with tight end Dennis Pitta back (Pitta caught for 669 yards, 7 TD last season). Pitta's size and route running from the slot should open things up deep for Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones. The Lions' secondary lacks a shutdown cornerback, and the Ravens have to believe they can strike for some big plays. However, those plays need time to develop. The Ravens' offensive line will be put to the test by the Lions' front four. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh can be very disruptive. If Ziggy Ansah is healthy enough to play, he becomes a huge difference-maker for the Lions as teams have really struggled to deal with Suh on the inside and Ansah outside.

 

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RAVENS SPECIAL TEAMS
Jacoby Jones' 77-yard kickoff return touchdown last week was his first of the season, but he's continually given the Ravens quality field position since his return from a knee injury. As a team, the Ravens are #6 in the NFL in kickoff return average and #1 on punts. Justin Tucker has made 27 consecutive field goals in a row.

 

[jdwills126]

I just hope CJ can get his old mans ass ready to go! When your as old as he is it's tough.

 

[Doctor Krieger]

Need Stafford to get me 20 points to win my playoff game....Being a Packer fan, this sucks haha.

 

[CaptainStubing]

Need Stafford to get me 20 points to win my playoff game....Being a Packer fan, this sucks haha.

Oh, the age old dilemma. Root for a rival and someone who could knock your team out of the playoffs or root for your fantasy team?

That's a tough one. Probably depends on how much money you invested in the league

 

[HammerDown]

A Lions win would further muddy the AFC playoff picture.

 

[CaptainStubing]

A Lions win would further muddy the AFC playoff picture.

Well, it would definitely put Miami squarely in the drivers seat.

 

[LPinSLC]

We need this one fellas.

Go Lions!

 

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[jdwills126]

We need this one fellas.

Go Lions!

Schwartz on Hot Seat!

Please keep the red flag in your pocket and win or loose don't let Harbaugh slap your back!

 

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[Fountain City Blues]

Lions are going to earn back the LOLIONS tag back if they choke this division away.

 

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Detroit