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WEEK 15 IN REVIEW |
| Pre Game Analysis: |
Defense
shoots for record books
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Get the latest news on every team Ravens
can clinch playoff spot with win At long last,
the opportunity has arrived. All of the training camp
sessions, meetings, hard work and sweat has led the
Ravens to the NFL's postseason doorstep. One win and
they're in. Not since 1977 has a Baltimore NFL team
reached the postseason and the Ravens faithful stands
ready to embrace the scene with open arms. The San Diego
Chargers do not pose an overwhelming threat to ruin the
team's first ever playoff berth. Much credit should go to
head coach Brian Billick for steering this team through a
dismal offensive output in October. The replacement of
struggling quarterback Tony Banks, along with the
emergence of rookie running back Jamal Lewis has re-ignited
the offense and provided more than enough firepower to
propel the Ravens to four straight wins. Baltimore should
be able to grind out a victory in relatively easy fashion
in facing the Chargers, led by the inconsistent Ryan Leaf.
The city stands ready, once again, to enter the
postseason sweepstakes. Let the games begin. Week 15 Predictions:
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| Post Game Analysis: |
Week
15
|
Ravens
are playoff bound Team secures first-ever postseason berth There will be no more talk
of "Festivus". On a day when owner Art Modell
was honored for 40 years of service, the Ravens handed
the San Diego Chargers a sound 24-3 whipping at PSINet
Stadium, thus assuring themselves of a spot in the NFL
playoffs. Baltimore's stifling defense held the Chargers
to a second quarter field goal as the offense engineered
a few key drives which proved to be more than enough for
the victory. Trent Dilfer completed 16 of 24 passes for
187 yards and two touchdowns while Jamal Lewis rushed for
91 yards on a workmanlike 29 carries. Immediately after
the game, head coach Brian Billick lifted the ban on the
"P" word and himself elevated the talk to Super
Bowl possibilities for this year's Ravens team. One of the
keys to the game was the play of the suddenly emerging
Brandon Stokely, the Ravens sure-handed third wide
receiver. Stokely has rapidly become a reliable third-down
target for quarterback Trent Dilfer and made an
outstanding all-out diving catch of a Dilfer pass near
the goal line. What is particularly heartening is that
the team has consistently expanded it's offensive game
plan over the past few weeks, adding weapons such as
Stokely into the mix. With two weeks remaining to fine
tune the offensive schemes, the Ravens are positioning
themselves to make a deep run into the playoffs
and with no dominating team in the NFL, their chances appear as good as anyone's. |
With two regular
season games remaining, the Ravens' stellar defense has a
goal in mind: A shutout....or 2. Baltimore enters the
final two games with four shutouts under their belts and
seek to tie or surpass the 1976 Pittsburgh Steelers'
record of four. At present, the Ravens lead the league in
overall defense, rushing defense, passing defense and
have yielded the fewest points in the NFL. To get some
perpsective on the resiliency of this squad, one need
only look at the recent matchup with the Cleveland Browns.
After being embarrased and giving up a quick, 82 yard,
game-opening touchdown drive, the Ravens literally shut
down the Browns the rest of the way, yielding only a
handful of yards. Cleveland amassed a total of 3 first
downs after that opening drive. This truly is a
remarkable group of athletes. It is the perfect
combination of talent, hustle and hunger. The heart and
soul of the unit is the triangle of run-stuffers Tony
Siragusa, Sam Adams and Ray Lewis anchoring the middle.
Opposing teams are forced into a one-dimensional passing
attack and defensive ends Michael McCrary and Rob Burnett
have been able to exert great pressure on quarterbacks
attempting to set up and throw downfield. The exciting
young corners, Duane Starks and Chris McAlister seem to
grow with confidence and ability with each passing game.
A defense as special as this year's Ravens' squad does
not come along very often and Baltimore fans have had the
pleasure of sitting back and marveling week after week. 