Iggy's Raven's Report - 2 October 2008

Commentary

Personal Thoughts:
Ravens: Well, that stank! We controlled the game, for 40 minutes and then one slip of the head (Jared Johnson), followed by one slip of the hand (Joe Flacco), and they have 14 points in 15 seconds. Not fair and not right. Once again, God is NOT a Ravens fan (nor an Orioles fan for that matter). Stupid penalties, especially in the OT kickoff.

Next up is the undefeated Tennessee Titans. We get them at home, but they are going to be another tough match. Look for another field goal decision.

Orioles: The Orioles season ended on August 18. On that date, they started a 16-game stretch against the Red Sox, White Sox, Yankees and Rays. This was the time to put up, or shut up. Failing to show up during this stretch, the Orioles crawled to a pathetic 8-30 record to conclude the season. They need to solidify pitching to make a serious run at .500.

Crystal Palace Baltimore F.C.: No new news.

Next up is a 4PM Saturday afternoon match at Hamilton (2-11, 4th in the East). Montreal now leads the Bombers by 4 games in the standings, with the Argos dropping down to 3rd place.

Blast: [No new news]. The Blast will open the 2008-09 season on November 15 at 1st Mariner Arena. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:35 p.m. and the opponent will be announced soon. The full 2008-09 schedule will be released at the end of September. Tickets for the home opener, and the entire season, will go on sale in October; season tickets are on sale now.

Mariners: Baltimore Mariners Introduce Kids Club for 2009 Season. See their website for details.

What do you want to see in the Ravens report? What should be scrapped? Actually, nevermind. No one is reading this anyway, so I will just butcher things up however I please, and you won't know the difference. Send an email to iggy at tealdragon.net. Thanks!

Schedule

Relevant Football Links

• NFL: Tie Breaking Procedures

Iggy's Predictions

• Baseball
  • World Series: Tampa Bay Rays over the Cubs in 6 games. You heard it here first.
  • ALDS: Rays over the central division sacrificial lamb in 4 games
  • ALDS: Angels over the Red Sox in 3 games
  • NLDS: Cubs over the Dodgers in 3 games
  • NLDS: Brewers over the Phils in 5 games
• Week 4:
  • Cleveland (+3½) over Cincy. Battle of the cellar dwellars will start Cleveland back to respectability. Are they both really that bad?
  • Jax (-7½) over Houston. Houston just ain't clicking this year, and Jax is start to show some talent. I guess 7½ is a lot for a divisional feud
  • Denver (-9½) over KC. KC just can't run with the big boys this year. Do they play the Lambs? Surprised? I am!
  • Carolina (-7½) over Atlanta, but take the points. Atlanta has shown promise this year and I won't be surprised to see them win! I expected more out of Atlanta
  • Jets (-2½) over 'Zona. 3½ might have been enough to sway my thoughts, but this should be a good game. What a game!
  • Saints (-6½) over the Niners, but take the points. Once again, I feel the Niners are moving up, but the trip to NO, won't produce a win. Niners should have done better
  • Tampa (-1½) over Green. Battle of the Bays goes to the better D. ... and that it did!
  • Tennessee (-3½) over Minnesota. Tennessee is the new power in the South division. ...and now we have to play them on a short week
  • Diego (-7½) over Oakland. Although Oakland is greatly improved, Diego is on a mission to reverse the 0-2 start. Oakland gave San Diego quite a scare
  • Buffalo (-8½) over the Lambs. Maybe the home field will give the Rams a boost, but that is not where my money would go. It took Buffalo until the fourth quarter to wake up and cover
  • Dallas (-11½) over the skins, but take the points. Too many points for the war that has been waging since before the NFL started. I expected wershington to cover, not win.
  • Pheagles (-3½) over da Bears. Philly's O will be better than Chicago's D. Now, which Bears was playing?
  • Baltimore (+7½) over Pit. Prime time games are a twilight zone for us, but Philly showed us what to do: Blitz! We found a new way to embarrass ourselves with a 2nd half collapse.
  • This Week: 9-4 Straight Up; 8-5 Against the Spread
  • This Season: 38-22 Straight Up; 38-22 Against the Spread
• Week 5:
  • Ravens (+3½) over the Titans. Home field advantage... I hope!
  • Carolina (-9½) over KC. KC's win last week was a fluke against a division enemy. Now they are on the road.
  • Indy (-3½) over Houston, but take the points. 3½ are not a lot of points to take, but this division rivalry should be close.
  • SD (-6½) over Miami. Miami still stinks... until we play them, but I call that the twilight zone.
  • Bears (-3½) over Detroit. In Detroit could make this tough, but I have confidence the Bears will return again this week.
  • Packers (-7½) over Atlanta, but take the points. Atlanta will continue to surprise people, but the Packers have too many weapons still.
  • Giants (-7½) over Seattle. The hawks are still missing a lot of pieces within their offense.
  • Eagles (-5½) over the skins. Skins/Dallas is one thing, but they won't be as up for the game in Philly.
  • Tampa (+3½) over Denver. Denver may be angry after the KC game last week, but Tampa could be the NFC Super Bowl rep this year.
  • Buffalo (+½) over Arizona. People still aren't giving the Bills much credit.
  • Dallas (-17½) over Cincy, but take the points. Come on -- 17½ points. Who won't take those points!
  • SF (+3½) over the Patriots. This one is in SF, and that should produce better results that that last game in New Orleans.
  • Jax (-4½) over the Steelers. The Steelers are still looking for a running back with all the injuries.
  • Saints (-3½) over the Vikings. I think that was a low line for this game. Saints will win big.