So, can we stop the Raven's running attack and win this week?

[JeffGollin]

8. Keep most of our pass plays 3-step.
Negate Blake's strong deep ball?
Hard to throw deep when you're lying on your back.

 

[Mr.Dibbs]

Originally posted by Stout
No way we win this one. We may be able to stuff Lewis inside, but he has speed, and he CAN bust it outside. Plus, he can break tackles like crazy. We aren't known for being a good 'tackling' team. We arm tackle a lot. That won't work this week.

Also, just as we start to stack the box against the run, Heap will destroy us. All it will take is one or two plays too.

I really don't see them putting up huge points, though, but it will be by far enough. Our offense, I think, will gain nothing, and I mean nothing, against their D. It's a horrible matchup for us.

Sadly, I think we get rocked.

It's our LBs and safeties game to lose on Defense. They need to tackle!!!

 

[Wild Card]

Originally posted by LVCARDFREAK
I respectfully disagree. I think The Ravens are a good match up for the Cards. They will rely on Lewis and I think the Cards can shut him down (or limit him to 60-70 yards or less).

LVCardFreak:

Well, maybe the Cardinals can shut down Jamal Lewis. But if they do, it'll be the first time this year. The only time he hasn't run for 100+ this season was week 1 against the Steelers, when Pittsburgh went up 27-0 and the Ravens got away from the run (43 passes, 23 rushes). Lewis still got over 4-1/2 yards per. Here's his stats so far:

at Pittsburgh 15-69 (4.6), 1 TD
Cleveland 30-295 (9.8), 2 TDs
at San Diego 23-132 (5.7), 1 TD
Kansas City 26-115 (4.4), 1 TD

Everyone knows that, with rookie Kyle Boller at QB, the Ravens are as one-dimensional as any team in the league. Every team they've faced has played 8-9 in the box to stop Lewis. It hasn't worked.

The only team that's beaten the Ravens convincingly was the Steelers, who did it with an outstanding performance by Tommy Maddox (21-29-260, 3 TDs, 0 INTs). The Chiefs won at Baltimore with a 97-yard return by Dante Hall, in a game where the Ravens dominated statistically (1st downs 22-15, total yds 326-265, rushing yards 202-129, possession 31:15-28:45), but lost the TO differential 4-0.

If Blake and the passing game can be productive enough to take the Ravens out of their game plan, and the ball out of Lewis' hands, the Cards have a chance on Sunday. Otherwise, they're toast.

WC