It’s time for our weekly segment of Buy or Sell brought to you by Glen Burnie Motorsports. Each week, we pick three topics and let you know if we’re agreeing (buying) or disagreeing (selling) with the statement. Then, you vote and tell us what you think.
THE RAVENS WILL CONTAIN CALVIN JOHNSON
A week ago in this spot, we talked about containing Adrian Peterson. I said “Buy,” most of you agreed, and that’s just what the Ravens did. AD was averaging under two yards per carry when he left the game with a foot injury in the second quarter.
This week, it’s another NFC North offensive monster, Lions WR Calvin Johnson. “Megatron” has been a hot topic this week, especially after Ravens rookie safety Matt Elam called the 28-year-old “old.”
Johnson has 1351 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games this year, and has gone over 100 yards receiving in a game seven times here in 2013. He also went over 300 (329) yards receiving the last time he was publicly called out in the media by an opponent (Dallas’ Dez Bryant).
So will Elam (and his teammates) be the Shockwave to Johnson’s Megatron?
SELL: I’m not nearly as confident that the Ravens secondary can shut down Johnson as I was a week ago with the front seven and Peterson. While I don’t really buy into the train of thought that says Megatron will use Elam’s words for extra “motivation,” I can see the Lions making an even more concerted effort than they usually do to get Johnson the ball (especially in Elam’s coverage). I’m very interested to see what the Ravens’ game plan is against Johnson – but in the end, I don’t think it will really matter. He’ll get his. Put me down for 130 yards and two scores.
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THE RAVENS OFFENSE WILL GO OFF IN THE DOME
This week, several Ravens spoke about playing inside a dome, and how they’re looking forward to it. “I never make a big deal about playing outside, but every time you go into a dome and you start warming up, you realize how awesome it is to be able to throw the ball inside,” said Joe Flacco. I heard Jacoby Jones on the radio making similar statements.
The Ravens have played in some BAD weather this year – from gusty winds (against New York and Cincinnati), to tornados, wind, and rain (in Chicago), to near white-out snow conditions (last week against Minnesota), they’ve pretty much seen it all. It will be quite a relief to play in a windless, climate-controlled environment. The Lions have some talent on defense, but they’re 26th against the pass, allowing 255.8 yards per game, and only the Chicago Bears have fewer than the Lions’ 27 sacks.
Will the Ravens light up the scoreboard?
BUY: I think they will. The last time they played in a dome was the Super Bowl, and they put up 34 points. The Ravens have the kind of speed at the skill positions to exploit the fast track, and with Flacco’s arm (not to mention the Lions likely missing two of their top three cornerbacks), and Dennis Pitta back in the mix, I think we’ll see the Ravens set a new season-high for points in the Motor City (previous high is 30 in Week 3 against Houston).
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THE RAVENS WILL PICK UP THEIR SECOND ROAD WIN
The Ravens’ road woes threaten to sink them if they can’t get them straightened out here in December. They’re just 1-5 on the road with two more away games (this week and Week 17 in Cincinnati). They have no problem winning away from home in the playoffs, but it’s time to show that they can do it in the regular season too. Since the Week 1 mess in Denver, their road losses have been by 3, 3, 6, and 3 points, so it’s not like they’re not showing up at all – they’re just not getting it done for a full 60 minutes, and that’s cost them dearly through three months.
Will they emerge victorious in Detroit?
BUY: I don’t have a great X’s and O’s football reason that I think the Ravens will beat the Lions. Rather, I’m going with the good ol’ intangibles to explain my pick. That game last week against the Vikings is the kind of thing that can propel a team. I heard many around town calling it “this year’s 4th-and-29.” While it remains to be seen if this team has a run in them like the 2012 squad did, if they indeed do, can’t you see looking back and pointing to that win over the Vikings as the catalyst?
On top of that, with the Dolphins and Chargers already winning this week – and the Bengals losing – the Ravens should be in full playoff mentality. They know what’s in front of them, and when the pressure is on, they haven’t let us down lately.
On the other side, both the Bears and Packers (LOLOLOLOLOL – what a game!) won in the NFC North, so the Lions will be under pressure as well, not just playing with nothing to lose. The bet here is that the battle-hardened Ravens take care of business, and the other guys fold under the bright lights.
Ravens 34 Lions 27
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Buy/Sell is brought to you by Glen Burnie Motorsports. This hunting season, head to Glen Burnie Motorsports if you are looking to buy or sell your ATV. With hundreds of Yamaha products in stock, this is surely a place you’d want to visit. Call 855.253.5253, visit their website or Facebook page for more information. “Enjoy The Ride.”
