With the 5-8 Chicago Bears finally arriving in Baltimore last-night, it appears there will definitively be a game today at Ravens Stadium.

While you would expect the 4:30 start time to allow most people a chance to dig-out, many side roads in the Baltimore Metro are still treacherous. Hopefully it will have a negligible impact on the crowd, and the home-field advantage will remain intact.

Since the field itself will be clear, and the game will not be played in the snow, it is hard to imagine a scenario where the Bears are capable of doing enough to win.

As everyone in Baltimore knows, this is another in a series of must-win games for the Ravens. Buoyed by the confidence instilled from last weeks shellacking of Detroit, you would expect another inspired effort from the Ravens today. Here are a few things that I will be looking for:

1) The Ravens found 18 combined carries for McGahee, and McClain last week, and they responded with 108 yards, and 3 TD’s. More than anything else, I want to see them remain part of the offense today.

2) If the game gets out of hand early, I want to see Flacco glued to the bench. Frankly, if the team had said going into this game they were making Flacco the back-up, with hope of getting him completely healthy, I would have been on-board with that as well. You have to give Flacco credit for making every start for his career so far.

3) If Devin Hester can not play, the Ravens will have the ability to double team TE Greg Olsen, or WR Earl Bennett. No excuses for either one of those players beating you, if they are facing double-teams. With Jay Cutler’s interception issues this year, it would not surprise me if the Bears go a 2 TE set most of the day. Have Olsen, and Desmond Clark both helping block the Ravens on the line, and go to a power running attack with FB Jason McKie, and RB Matt Forte.

3a) With that in-mind, the first thought for the Ravens has to be taking away Forte and the running game. You eliminate the run, and put Cutler in 3rd and long with a limited group of receivers; he has shown a proclivity to force the issue, and turn the ball over.

4) Chicago is ranked 14th overall in the league in defense, which is fairly solid considering the loss of Brian Urlacher. Looking at their defensive roster, most of the talent looks like it is on the D-line. There are respectable starters in DT Tommie Harris, and the DE’s Ogunleye, and Brown. That group also appears to have solid depth with Gaines Adams, and Jarron Gilbert. Beyond the D-line, Lance Briggs has been a playmaker at OLB during his career. The Bears are a very respectful 8th best in the league against the pass, but I think that has more to do with their problems stopping the run. Chicago is allowing 128.8 yards per game on the ground. Why attempt to throw the ball, if you know you can run the rock?

5) Does Reed play today, or get another week of rest? Do Clayton and Washington even dress? If not, how many balls does get Williams get thrown his way? Does Harper dress, and get an opportunity to make a play?

6) Does LJ Smith get healthy, and make an impact in 1 regular season game this year? I think the Ravens did plan on utilizing a 2 TE set a lot this year, and have been hampered by Smith’s injuries, and lack of progress picking up the offense. It would be great to see Smith get into the game some, and help create some mismatches against opposing LB’s these next 3 weeks.

7) Gaither is again out of action, which means Oher is back on the Left-side. The O-line played angry, and physical last week. Probably not a coincidence since they were allowed to do a lot of run blocking. I thought Grubbs had a big game last week, will be interesting to see if he can replicate the effort today.

8) Antwan Barnes had his first sack of the year last week. Nothing would be more important for the defense, than seeing Barnes and Kruger emerge as edge rushers opposite of Suggs. I really want to see these guys get time on the field together today, and converge on Cutler at the same-time.

9) Tavares Gooden continues to deal with a groin injury, and continues to lose playing time to Dannell Ellerbe, and Jameel McClain. Each week is another opportunity to see if someone fully emerges, and makes the position their own.

10) The Ravens know what they have to do to make the playoffs. Today is about further establishing the identity of who you are as a team. Run the ball, control the clock, stop the run. If these things are accomplished, Baltimore has a chance against anyone, anywhere.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

X