It was a hard game to watch because I was cringing every time ESPN’s Stewart Scott and Chris Berman mimic the ‘frozen tundra’ line from the infamous NFL films Ice Bowl coverage but I stomached enough of their over the top recalling of a game from four decades ago to see the Packers win their fourth staright with a 27-14 win over the Ravens.
With their current win streak the Packers now have sole control of the second the wildcard playoff position in the NFC and if some crazy things happen could possibly win the NFC North.
Hottie Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers is flourishing behind a finally healthy offensive line which is giving him time to go through his reads and find open receivers. Through the first eight games of the season no other quarterback had been sacked as many times as Rodgers but during the win streak Rodgers has only been sacked four times.
Rodgers, who I swear must wear a skull cap to bed, was 26 of 40 for 263 yards while his counterpart Joe Flacco of the Ravens fininshed the game 15 of 36 for 137.
Much has been made of the fast start of the Baltimore Ravens. Offensively ‘Edgar Allen’ Joe Flacco looks comfortable in the pocket and suddenly the Ravens are to be feared when they have the ball. Yet there’s cause for concern on the defensive side of the ball.
If the first two game are any indication, ‘Nevermore’ shall the Raven’s defense be feared. OK, I’ll quit with the poetry references now. It’s clear the off season departures of Jim Leonhard and Bart Scott to the Jets has turned the once feared Ravens D into a mediocre unit at best. Consider this, Baltimore has allowed 54 points after their first two games. At what point in 2008 had teams accumulated a total of 50 points against the Ravens? If you guessed week 4 give yourself a cracker.
In 2008 the Ravens gave up 26 points or more only three times in 19 games. They’ve done it in both games this year. Sure, Baltimore came up with big plays defensively — 2 INTs and Ray Lewis’ big stop (video below) to put an end to the Chargers late rally — but their defense gave up 474 total yards to San Diego.
If defense wins championships the Ravens have got some things to work on.