KIDWCKED
01-09-2011, 05:08 PM
c/p from foxsports by John Czarneckie
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Ravens simply haven’t looked good on offense lately. Yes, Ray Rice had that great game against the Saints, but in the last six weeks Baltimore’s offense has slumped from No. 12 to No. 22 overall and managed just 199 yards in a close win over Cincinnati, the second-fewest yards in 53 games under coach John Harbaugh.
You can bet that Rice (107.3 yards average rushing over last three games) will be the featured performer, which means that Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive end Glenn Dorsey must have solid games and fight through the blocks. Baltimore is 6-1 when Rice gets at least 20 carries.
The Chiefs just allowed the Raiders 209 rushing yards and they didn’t have Darren McFadden. If Rice doesn’t produce, the Ravens will turn to Joe Flacco, who passed for over 300 yards against the Chiefs last season.
Flacco does have three receivers with over 600 career receptions, but he’s been off target with Anquan Boldin lately. Boldin has only five catches for 26 yards in his last three starts. However, the Chiefs are vulnerable at cornerback and it makes sense to throw as long as the Ravens can control pass rusher Tamba Hali.
As long as safety Ed Reed is all right emotionally considering his family situation, it would appear that Matt Cassel won’t find a lot of room in the deep middle for Dwayne Bowe, who was weakened by the flu this week.
Bowe scored 15 touchdowns on 72 receptions this season. Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert, who has allowed only eight sacks this season, must neutralize Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who has been on fire down the stretch with 7.5 sacks.
Offensively, the Chiefs must be able to run the ball (164 yards a game) against one of the premier defensive tackles in Haloti Ngata, plus a great supporting cast of Ray Lewis and Kelly Gregg. If they can do that, then Cassel will be able to use play-action and find Bowe or rookie tight end Tony Moeaki.
In 10 victories, the Chiefs averaged 196.8 yards rushing, gave up 12 sacks and turned the ball over eight times.
And Jamaal Charles was one of the best all-around running backs in the NFL this season. Charles is great once he breaks the line of scrimmage or after the catch.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The Ravens simply haven’t looked good on offense lately. Yes, Ray Rice had that great game against the Saints, but in the last six weeks Baltimore’s offense has slumped from No. 12 to No. 22 overall and managed just 199 yards in a close win over Cincinnati, the second-fewest yards in 53 games under coach John Harbaugh.
You can bet that Rice (107.3 yards average rushing over last three games) will be the featured performer, which means that Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive end Glenn Dorsey must have solid games and fight through the blocks. Baltimore is 6-1 when Rice gets at least 20 carries.
The Chiefs just allowed the Raiders 209 rushing yards and they didn’t have Darren McFadden. If Rice doesn’t produce, the Ravens will turn to Joe Flacco, who passed for over 300 yards against the Chiefs last season.
Flacco does have three receivers with over 600 career receptions, but he’s been off target with Anquan Boldin lately. Boldin has only five catches for 26 yards in his last three starts. However, the Chiefs are vulnerable at cornerback and it makes sense to throw as long as the Ravens can control pass rusher Tamba Hali.
As long as safety Ed Reed is all right emotionally considering his family situation, it would appear that Matt Cassel won’t find a lot of room in the deep middle for Dwayne Bowe, who was weakened by the flu this week.
Bowe scored 15 touchdowns on 72 receptions this season. Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert, who has allowed only eight sacks this season, must neutralize Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs, who has been on fire down the stretch with 7.5 sacks.
Offensively, the Chiefs must be able to run the ball (164 yards a game) against one of the premier defensive tackles in Haloti Ngata, plus a great supporting cast of Ray Lewis and Kelly Gregg. If they can do that, then Cassel will be able to use play-action and find Bowe or rookie tight end Tony Moeaki.
In 10 victories, the Chiefs averaged 196.8 yards rushing, gave up 12 sacks and turned the ball over eight times.
And Jamaal Charles was one of the best all-around running backs in the NFL this season. Charles is great once he breaks the line of scrimmage or after the catch.