NFL
The Ravens lack identity and direction, and it could force sweeping changes
When the Baltimore Ravens last hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, they possessed a defined identity of both sides of the ball.Their defense, headlined by linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed, terrorized pass-catchers and forced countless mistakes from opposing...
Sid Saraf’s NFL Power Rankings Week 7
I hate “Hard Knocks.” There, I said it.I was like the rest of you, once upon a time. The start of August always brought a sense of giddiness and excitement that only comes with the smell of mini chimichangas baking in the oven.“Oh, man! It’s the Cowboys this year!...
Previewing Week 7: Ravens at Vikings
So far the 2017 NFL season is feeling a lot like the 2016 season for the Baltimore Ravens; get out to a fast start before mounting injuries lead to bad losses and a poor product on the field. Getting blown out by Jacksonville in London was embarrassing, but could be...
Previewing Week 6: Bears at Ravens
The Ravens earned a much needed win in Oakland this past Sunday, and they are now 3-2 and tied with Pittsburgh atop the AFC North. It was encouraging to watch the Ravens offense rebound after a couple of poor showings as the offensive line kept QB Joe Flacco clean and...
Sid Saraf’s NFL Power Rankings Week 6
Remember Adrian Peterson?To quote the ‘Chris Farley Show,’ he was awesome.What the hell happened? He went from being the prototype design of a running back (besides the fumble issues), a perennial top pick in every fantasy draft, one win from the Super Bowl, to near...
Previewing Week 5: Ravens at Raiders
After an ugly 44-7 loss in London, the Ravens came home to Baltimore to play the rival Steelers in what was supposed to be a close, hard-fought slugfest between the top 2 teams in the AFC North. What we witnessed was unfortunately more of the same ugliness that we saw...
Sid Saraf’s NFL Power Rankings: Week 5
Are you pleased with yourself? Are you happy you said that?So many negative things in life can be avoided if you just learn how to control your mouth. That snide comment that immediately springs to mind when someone says something you don’t agree with? Keep that in...
Sid Saraf’s NFL Power Rankings: Week 4
Let me defend my hometown a bit.Week after week, the national media gleefully reports on the sparse crowds for NFL games in Los Angeles. We get panorama shots of the empty seats on Sundays followed by a predictable amount of snark.Well, knock it off.The popular theory...