Week 7 Outlook and Ravens Recap: To Be The Best, You Have to Beat The Best

Sunday’s game served as a validating benchmark proving where this team stands among the best in the league. We already knew our defense was far from the league average. However, we did learn this team has the ability to hang with anyone on any given Sunday. We gave up 484 total yards, Lamar and Derrick ran all over us, yet we still only lost by 7. My statement if we had won the football game will stay in my back pocket until further notice. We have to beat a Super Bowl contender before we can be considered one ourselves. Regardless, I am still very optimistic for the rest of the season. The most confidence influencing part is the fact that the offense didn’t even play well and we stayed in the game. That does tend to happen when you play against a good defense. It also doesn’t do you any favors when your starting running back misses a game against the best run defense in the league.

To be real, it could have been a lot worse. We could’ve played like the Cowboys. I have to imagine their fanbase has already checked out for this season. Even Snyder never stooped to the level of threatening to get radio hosts fired live on air. Then, you have the Eagles who barely beat the team we dog walked two Sunday’s ago. We’ve never had our coach go through a midlife crisis and shave his head in the middle of a season. And the Giants? Well, they have Daniel Jones. We have definitely had worse quarterbacks under center. So I feel their pain of knowing the season was over before it started. Going into this season, nobody expected we would be looking like the best team in the NFC East through six weeks. But here we are. 

To talk about the game, the question marks on defense remained as question marks. BSJ simply cannot be our number one corner moving forward. Zay Flowers had a field day once again cashing the opposing team’s WR1’s over. It is a massive blow losing Jon Allen for the rest of the season. The Johnny Newton pick is looking a lot better already. Phidarian Mathis, another second round DT pick, also has a big opportunity in front of him. Hopefully, one of these two can take advantage of the extra snaps and prove they can be the guy moving forward. I have to shoutout Mikey for grabbing his first career interception. Prior to that snap, I turned to my friend and said “How about a little Mikey Sainristil interception?” I asked and I received. The vibes were up after that play.

Seeing the trades that took place earlier this week, I would be very surprised if Adam wasn’t calling up teams around the league shopping for the defense. Emmanuel Forbes and Jamin Davis were both healthy scratches last weekend. I think we all know what that means for them in the long term. None of our last 4 first round picks are suiting up or even on the team anymore. The reality of how bad we drafted during Ron’s regime cannot be emphasized enough. We desperately need help on defense and any additions to the secondary or line would go a long way.

I believe we owe Adam Peters a round of applause for the fleecing he pulled on the so called master of fleecing, Howie Roseman. Jahan Dotson, Amari Cooper, and Davante Adams were all traded for a 3rd round picks this season. I know we gave them a 5th as well, but the fact we were able to move up two rounds, acquire 2 more picks, and get rid of a very replaceable player is something worth noting. Adam got ahead of the curve and made the trade before other teams could realize why he wanted Jahan out of DC. He hasn’t even amassed 100 yards this season despite playing multiple games with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith sidelined. Adam made the move at the right time. If he had waited until now, then I don’t even think we are getting a single 7th round pick for Jahan. It’s great watching this organization consistently operate on a competent level.

Contrary to preseason beliefs, the offense does not need any additions. The redzone woes have been the only disappointment. Despite those, the unit has continued to play as one of the best in the league. Jayden was once again named rookie of the week for the 5th time. Terry was easily the player of the game grabbing two touchdowns from beautiful JD throws. Through six games, he is already three touchdowns away from tying his career season high. I can’t believe I haven’t picked him to score a single time this year. That will be changing from now on. We produced yards through the air in a game where we could not get the run going. Our ability to establish the run has been massive for our offensive success so far and we were still able to move the ball down the field without it. These signs all point toward that of an offense with the capability of finding ways to score on any team in the league. 

We’ve got a get right coming up on Sunday. This is one of those games similar to the Browns. We are going up against a team we are significantly better than. We can’t afford to drop games like this. To give an honest perspective, they have a decent offense; however, their defense is easily worse than ours, which is saying a lot. Ideally, we will have BRob back for this game. However, I do think if his health is of any question he should sit another week. I believe we can win this game without his services; although, they would be a big help. As a fantasy owner, I hope he plays. But as a fan, I prefer him sitting out and getting back to full health. Obviously, I value being a fan over my fantasy teams, but that only goes for players on our roster.

It will be a fun matchup watching Terry go against Jayce Horn. He is a player I wouldn’t mind Adam calling up to trade for. Chubba Hubbard has put together some solid performances as of lately. After playing Derrick Henry, I think it’s safe to say the defense is ready for him. Diontae Johnson is another name to note on their roster. He will likely get 10+ targets and have his name called a lot. My key for the game is to get after Andy Dalton. Through 5 games, he has ran the ball for 31 yards. The 36 year old doesn’t have it in him to use his legs anymore. If we can get him moving, then I think our defense will fair well enough in this one.

We have been particularly cold on the bets the past few weeks. It’s time to get back on the hot streak we had going. For starters, I like the over and our team total over, whoever is RB1 to score and their rushing over, JD to score, and Terry to score. If you saw the pictures of Jayden on the sideline at the end of last game and the sheisty he wore at practice this week, then you know what’s coming. I think we are going to score a lot of points on Sunday. The Panthers have given up the second most rushing yards in the league. I expect our ground game to pick back up where it was at prior to the Raven’s game. 

I have a hunch that I know who will be scoring the first touchdown. It is a player on our roster who has yet to ever find the endzone and has been brought down at the 1 yard line three times this season. I believe Luke McCaffrey will score for the first time to start this game. It makes for a fun sprinkle at +1600. For those following the trend, Diontae Johnson’s over is not a bad investment as long as Andy Dalton is at quarterback. Lastly, I believe we will cover. I could not tell you the last time we were 8 point favorites. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if it has never happened in my lifetime. I predict a final score of 41-17. DQ is going to have this team believing they are playing for a Super Bowl on Sunday. 

It should be a beautiful day in Landover. The weather is projecting sunshine and sweatshirt weather. With the 4pm kickoff, it will be nice to sleep in and make our way to the stadium for some late afternoon football. I’m very optimistic going into this one. A win by any number of points would be great. But a win by 9 or more would be huge for the people. Good luck to everyone out there this weekend. Excited to write back next week about the win on Sunday. 

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Nick Wass

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