You’ve heard the mantra, “Embrace The Grind”. It applies to anything in life really, Whether it’s used to work through final exams, laborious construction work, training for a race or preparing for a major presentation, “Embrace The Grind” suggests that staying the course and fighting through the challenges eventually has its rewards. But this season has really put that to the test for the Ravens and their fans.
On Thursday we learned that Chuck Clark was added to the teams COVID-19 list which places his availability on Sunday in doubt. The Ravens are the 31st ranked pass defense. The potential loss of Clark is daunting given that he’s the defensive captain and signal caller AND the Ravens are already down their starting corners and Clark’s starting sidekick, Deshon Elliott. A team plagued by secondary miscommunications may lose their biggest communicator while taking on the 9th-ranked passing attack in the form of Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Ravens place S Chuck Clark on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, team announces.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) December 16, 2021
QUICK HITS
- The Ravens have won 13 straight games against teams from the NFC, ranking as the NFL’s longest active streak by one team vs. an opposing conference. The 13 consecutive victories also tie for the second-longest winning streak in inter-conference play since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.
- Since 2016, the Ravens are 12-1 at home in the month of December. Dating back to 2018, they are 8-0 in such games.
- Justin Tucker, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, is a perfect 6-of-6 on FGAs of 50+ yards this season, including an NFL-record 66-yarder in Week 3 at Detroit. Tucker owns eight career games, with multiple 50-plus-yard FGM, marking the most in NFL history.
- The Ravens signed QB Josh Johnson off the Jets practice squad. He is now on the Ravens 53-man roster. The move suggests that Lamar Jackson will not play on Sunday but it could be the Ravens being proactive with their quarterback situation should COVID hit the team like it has the Browns.
A look at QB Josh Johnson’s first practice since returning to the Ravens. He would back up Tyler Huntley if Lamar Jackson is sidelined. pic.twitter.com/6kRWEXKArc
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 16, 2021
Updated:#Browns Case Keenum joins Mayfield on the COVID-19 list, leaving Nick Mullens as the starter (or not!). Grant Delpit, Ronnie Harrison, Jacob Phillips & A.J. Green also positive today. (But #NFL changed the rules, so stay tuned)https://t.co/FvTzaHQ6iR
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) December 17, 2021
I’m told personnel were informed that #Browns player positives are Case Keenum, Grant Delpit, AJ Green, Ronnie Harrison & Jacob Phillips, at this time, per league source.
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) December 16, 2021
And there’s more: Browns also have four other defensive players that tested positive for COVID-19 today, bringing the total of Cleveland players with it this week to 20, per @ByKimberleyA and me. https://t.co/taJ2mNhkqa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2021
GAMEDAY INFO
• Ravens v. Packers, 4:25 PM, FOX: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst), Erin Andrews (sideline) and Tom Rinaldi (sideline)
• Line: Packers by 5 ½; over/under at 43 ½
• Officiating Crew: Brad Allen
o Allen’s crew calls the 4th fewest penalties and 2nd fewest accepted penalties among NFL officials.
• Weather Forecast at Kickoff: Mostly Sunny, 43 degrees, wind chill 33 degrees, winds NNW 15 MPH with gusts of 28 MPH.
CALLING ON FORMER RAVENS
I saw this Tweet below regarding former Ravens not yet in the Hall of Fame. If you could call upon the services of any to help out the current Ravens squad in their injured state, and you could only choose 3, who would you choose?
If you could bring back 3 former Ravens that aren’t currently hall of famers right now to help out our Super Bowl chances who would they be? i’ll start #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/OpGlaMEsnr
— Zeit_Train (8-5) (@TonyPlankMaster) December 16, 2021
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
On December 25th, Royal Farms will be giving away a free coffee to ROFO Rewards members. The offer will run all day and all coffee sizes are included in the offer. Customers who are not yet ROFO Rewards members can download the Royal Farms app on the Google Play or Apple Store, and create an account, or pick up a physical card in store and register it at ROFO Rewards.
“We want to thank our loyal rewards members for being there with us throughout 2021”, says Frank Schilling, Director of Marketing & Merchandising of Royal Farms. “We’re happy to offer this token of our appreciation during this festive holiday season and look forward to sharing some exciting news regarding our improved rewards program in 2022.”
TWEET DECK
slow motion pic.twitter.com/oFybDWm3nq
— michael crawford (@abukari) December 16, 2021
The level of cringe from Jackson Mahomes. He posts like a girl that wants clout. pic.twitter.com/ncleUjYY9B
— Sean (@seanhop20) December 2, 2021
Dear god, get a bodybag out for Jackson Mahomes pic.twitter.com/oJdU1jAc7K
— Barstool Mizzou (@BarstoolMizzou) December 16, 2021
Ravens RB Gus Edwards is working his way back from knee surgery. Good to see J.K. Dobbins there as a rehab buddy, too.
(via IG/godsgiftgus13) pic.twitter.com/hcdMComU1u
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer) December 16, 2021
Ravens DC Wink Martindale on Aaron Rodgers: "Whatever the weakness is, he'll find it. Nobody finds it faster." Compared the Rodgers-Davante Adams duo to Scorsese-De Niro.
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) December 16, 2021
Back story on this tweet: @BenCleveland74 noticed the young lady spent her entire gift card on members of her family, selecting nothing for herself.
Ben then proceeds to take the student on a second spree, and pays for it himself. Got a good one, @Ravens. https://t.co/g3zLt1OiXb
— Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (@JimmysSeafood) December 16, 2021
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY
1892 ~ The first issue of “Vogue” is published
1903 ~ Near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first successful flight in history of a self-propelled, heavier-than-air aircraft. Orville piloted the gasoline-powered, propeller-driven biplane, which stayed aloft for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet on its inaugural flight.
1968 ~ The Who played their Christmas party at the The Marquee Club London. Also on the bill was a new group called Yes. Members 15 shillings, ($1.80) or £1 ($2.40) on the night. Other acts appearing at the club this month included Joe Cocker, Free and Led Zeppelin.
1949 ~ Speaking of Free, Paul Rodgers was born on this day. Rodgers, one of the best voices in Rock & Roll history turns 72 today. Rodgers was just 20 years old when Free recorded “All Right Now”, a staple of classic rock stations worldwide. The Free and Bad Company front man shockingly has still not been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
MY SINGLE FRIEND
My Single Friend called out sick, but his boss wasn’t hearing it.
Boss: “Whenever I’m feeling something come on I have sex with my wife and magically, I feel better.”
Two hours later MSF showed up for work.
Boss: “Glad to see you’re better.”
MSF: “Thanks, I took your advice. Oh and you have a really nice house.”
MUSIC FANIMAL
In this episode of Music Fanimal, Brian Bourne and Brennan McShane from Under The Covers pay a visit. They will impress you not only with their talent but also their sense of purpose and vision for the future. Grab some popcorn, sit back and enjoy.
TWO OF US
I’m not a big TikTok follower but fortunately I have a few friends who are and they forward things to me that they think I’ll be interested in on some level. One friend, Bobby Martinez, regularly forwards me videos from @gillyandthegirl, aka Charity and Mike who post videos of cover songs that they do a great job with. Sometimes they take the performance seriously, other times they inject humor. Either way, they’re quite good.
Recently the couple was inspired by The Beatles “Get Back” on Disney+ and did their rendition of what I believe to be one of the band’s more underrated songs. Hope you enjoy and I hope your Holiday Season is happy and blessed.
@gillyandthegirlWe just finished the new Beatles doc on Disney+ and felt inspired ✨ ##beatles ##twoofus ##letitbe ##paulmccartney ##johnlennon ##aimeemann ##iamsam♬ original sound – Charity & Mike
