Ravens (-6 ½) v. Vikings
Over/Under at 42
Ok, I could roll up my sleeves, break this game down and give you plenty of weaknesses the Ravens can exploit and their own disadvantages that they need to be mindful of and protect. But why bother?
Let’s just get this out on the table now – THE RAVENS WIN!
So we’ll skip the X’s & O’s and give you the straight dope:
- The Vikings are 0-6 on the road this season
- In 6 road games the Vikings have allowed 15 sacks and have answered with just 8
- In 6 road games the Vikings are (-8) in turnover differential
- In 6 home games the Ravens are (+3) in turnover differential
- The Vikings are generous guests, giving up 30.3 points per game on the road
- Meanwhile the Ravens are stingy hosts, begrudgingly giving up 12.3 points per game at The Bank
- The Ravens have won 14 of their last 15 at home when the temperature is below 40. It will be 31 at kickoff tomorrow
- The Vikings have the 30th ranked defense
- The Vikings have given up more points than any team in the NFL this season (366)
- John Harbaugh has never lost a game to a team with a losing record when the Ravens play at home, tallying a 16-0 record in those games since 2008.
When the Ravens face one-dimensional teams at home the results aren’t usually good for the visitors and let’s face it, outside of an occasional home run from Cordarrelle Patterson the Vikings are exactly that — one dimensional. Stop Adrian Peterson and it’s over for Minnesota.
The Ravens secondary has played well except when covering tight ends. In this game that won’t matter because the Vikings don’t have a healthy tight end that poses a genuine threat and that will allow James Ihedigbo to cheat up in the box in run support.
But while everyone is focused upon AP, little has been said about how ridiculously bad Minnesota’s defense is. Look for Joe Flacco to have a big day perhaps inspired in part by the likely return of Dennis Pitta.
BOLD PREDICTIONS
- Even without Elvis Dumervil the Ravens will have 5 sacks
- Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones will combine for over 200 yards receiving
- Matt Cassel will throw 3 interceptions, one of which will be Matt Elam’s career first
- Cordarrelle Patterson will score the Vikings only touchdown of the game on a kick return
- Joe Flacco cracks the 350 passing yards barrier
Last Game: 1-0 v. Winner, 0-1 v. Spread
Season Total: 6-6 v. Winner, 6-5-1 v. Spread
Like the Jets game a couple of weeks ago, this one won’t be in doubt by the time the second quarter starts – a relatively stress free Sunday that will allow hubby to at least at times help with the decoration of the Christmas tree.
RAVENS 34, VIKINGS 16
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