Weeks 1 and 2 were TOTALLY opposite.
One week you steam-roll over your arch-rival Pittsburgh, the next you lose embarrassingly to a simply average team. Many say not to panic and many say it is a huge reason to panic. Personally, I don’t think there is a need to panic. That is… if we win on Sunday at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
Here are 5 things that the Ravens NEED to do to give Ravens Nation a big sigh of relief and of course, the team a 2-1 record.
1. Get out to a quick start.
In week one, the thing that threw the Steelers off balance was the very early touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin. And as the defense came out firing with blitz attacks and superb coverage, it got the offense excited and we never let off the gas pedal. Last week it was the complete opposite. There seemed to be no passion or wanting to win. Starting with the first drive on offense or defense, we need to come out AGGRESSIVE! If on offense, come out firing and attacking the Rams defense. If we are on ‘D’, we need to come blitzing and making the young Sam Bradford feel very uncomfortable.
2. Utilize our young weapons
With Lee Evans and David Reed inactives, Torrey Smith and Tandon Doss have to step up and show why they made the team. Everyone knew this would have to happen sometime this year and this is the perfect time for our new weapons to make their name known here in Charm City. With his first chance, undrafted rookie Laquan Williams could make an appearance and maybe even hear his name called a few times over the loud speakers.
3. Mark LeVoir has to fill in adequately if Ben Grubbs can’t go.
Last week it was quite obvious that the line did not play well. Hopefully, Ben Grubbs can go because last week was not a good outing for LeVoir. If Grubbs can’t make the game, this guy better have a good game because if he doesn’t, he may not have a job here anymore. I want to see the holes the line opened up in week one. It needs to happen. As the old saying goes, “The game is won and lost at the line of scrimmage.”
4. Coverage, coverage, coverage.
Last week was a complete disaster for the Secondary. Jimmy Smith has already been ruled out and Chris Carr is questionable. Quite possibly can someone step up to prove that our Secondary has some kind of hope? It’s great that we have Ed Reed. But somebody other than him has to be making the plays. One man in the secondary isn’t going to cut it.
5. Don’t let last week’s loss get into your head.
Yes last week in Nashville was a mess but everyone has to forget about it. Sure, it would have been nice to go into the Sunday-night game against the Jets 3-0. But, 2-1 would be nice. If you go into the Prime-time game 1-2 and the game being a MUST win, it very well could turn into a disaster of a first half of the season.
