Last week was a complete disaster for both the Baltimore Ravens (2-2) and the Oakland Raiders (2-2). This week both teams get a chance to right the ship when they face off at the Oakland Coliseum.
The game will be sent into your very on home via a satellite from outer space and various cables via the CBS network at 4:05 p.m.
The Game: Baltimore Ravens at Oakland Raiders (-3)
O/U: 39.5
The History
The Ravens and Raiders have just played 10 games since 1996. Baltimore leads the all time series 7-3.
The two teams have met in each of the last two seasons with the Raiders winning both games. In 2015, Oakland beat the Ravens 37-33 at the Oakland Coliseum. Last year, the Raiders won 28-27 thanks to a fourth quarter touchdown pass from Derek Carr to Michael Crabtree.
BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-2)
The Ravens have taken two vicious shits on football fields over the last two weeks. The first was an international bowel movement in front of fans at Wembley Stadium in London in a 44-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last week, they treated their own home fans to a solid, roughage-induced defication as they fell 26-9 to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Surely their colons enter this game completely clear.
A few guys who won’t be making an appearance are defensive tackle Brandon Williams, tight end Maxx Williams and cornerback Jaylen Hill. Brandon Williams is still dealing with a foot injury and Maxx Williams an ankle. Hill can thank his traitorous thigh for his absence Sunday.
Quarterback Joe Flacco is going to show up. The question is, will that matter? Flacco missed the entire preseason with a back injury and hasn’t looked right all season. He’s completed 61.9 percent of his passes for 601 yards, four touchdowns and six interceptions. Needless to say, he’s not so much knocked the rust off, as been sitting out in a field with no wheels covered in kudzu.
The defense that looked so good early, failed to account for Le’Veon Bell last week. He ran all over them, so Marshawn Lynch has to be champing at the bit heading into this one.
OAKLAND RAIDERS (2-2)
Derek Carr has a broken bone in his back and was supposed to miss two to four weeks. Instead, he’s practiced Thursday and Friday and is currently listed as questionable. I can’t believe the Raiders would take a chance with their franchise, but if he’s feeling well enough to get out there, they’ll probably let him try it out with E.J. Manuel ready to come out of the bullpen early.
For all the excitement about the addition of Lynch, it’s not amounted to a lot of rushing yards. Early on it seemed that Oakland was bringing him along slowly. Over the last couple of weeks it’s been because the Raiders could do all of a big fat nothing on offense. Lynch has 45 carries for 151 yards and a touchdown this season, averaging 3.4 yards per carry. He should be a major factor in this game, especially with a banged up Carr.
Amari Cooper’s junior season has opened as a major disappointment. He’s been a drop machine and has produced fewer yards than Lynch, 110, and scored just one touchdown. He’s been targeted 31 times yet just has 12 catches. Cooper’s problems are obviously all in his head and he can solve it. Hopefully, for his sake, it happens soon. The good injury news is that Michael Crabtree, who has been Oakland’s most productive wideout, should be back on the field regardless who is throwing him the ball.
Khalil Mack remains a Sasquatch among Smurfs on defense, recording two sacks last week and three tackles for a loss. He’s on pace for 16 sacks this season. I think he gets closer to 20.
The Pick
The Raiders offense has sputtered for two weeks and I can’t believe Carr can take too much punishment, especially from rushers like Terrell Suggs. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Carr as the No. 2 Sunday with Manuel getting the start. That’s a recipe for a loss. Ravens 23, Raiders 20
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 1-0
Last week
Straight up: 9-7
Against the spread: 10-6
Season
Straight up: 37-26
Against the spread: 32-31
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