It’s a day of reckoning for the AFC North… and ironically it’s going down in the sunny state of California… life is weird that way.
Here’s staff writer Ron Benamor with an explanation of the AFC North’s Day of reckoning:
Sunday Night Showdown
Baltimore and Pittsburgh fly to the sunshine state in big playoff implications The Baltimore Ravens will play their biggest game of the season, in my opinion, on Sunday Night. With Pittsburgh playing at San Francisco, the Ravens could find themselves two games up on the Steelers (Ravens hold the tiebreaker). However, the San Diego game won’t be easy. San Diego has now won two straight games by a combined margin of 25.5 PPG. Phillip Rivers has been shaky this season, but his play the last few games has been anything but shaky…Ryan Mathews has also come on as of late. However, Baltimore is hungry for a win. With the way they’ve been playing, I don’t see why Baltimore won’t get to eat on Sunday. Here are my three reasons as to why Baltimore will come out with a win. Pittsburgh plays San Francisco: You must be asking yourself, what does the Pittsburgh game have anything to do how Baltimore plays Sunday? I’ll tell you why. Baltimore is just waiting for Pittsburgh to slip up so the Ravens can take a two game lead. Don’t you think that Ravens players are keeping an eye on their hated rival? Pittsburgh plays a tough game against San Francisco in Candlestick Park, which is not an easy place to play. Remember Pittsburgh is hurting. Ben Roethlisberger has a high ankle sprain, and it’s looking like he may be out for the game. All-pro tackle Maurkice Pouncey has a similar injury, he is looking questionable. But the biggest player who will be out is reigning defensive player of the year, James Harrison. Pittsburgh will miss him badly, as San Francisco loves to run the ball. With Pittsburgh banged up and short handed, the Ravens will look to capitalize. A win will have Baltimore at 11-3, and a Pittsburgh loss will put them at 10-4. The NFL confirmed to ESPN Stats & Information that if the Ravens win their final three regular-season games, they will earn the top seed and the coveted home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs. In the 16 years of the Baltimore Ravens they have never been the No. 1 seed. But three games stand in the way of making history: @San Diego, Cleveland and @Cincinnati. Defense hitting on all cylinders: Baltimore’s smothering defense has been hitting on all cylinders. The Ravens have a league high 45 sacks and, simply put, Terrell Suggs is a mad man. It looks like he can sack anyone he wants whenever he wants. Suggs had three sacks and forced three fumbles as part of an overwhelming defensive performance against the Colts. I don’t see any reason why it won’t continue Sunday Night. The Chargers offensive line is nothing special, and they are a measly 6-7. However, Baltimore’s defense took a hard hit with injury newsruling out CB Lardarius Webb, but he still may play on Sunday Night. And Ray Lewis is still a viable option to return. McClain and Ellerbe are playing exceptional in the middle of the field. And Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard will be sure to hold down the big receivers of the San Diego Chargers. If Baltimore’s defense plays up to par, which I think they will, it’s going be a long day for Phillip Rivers. Baltimore can clinch on Sunday: With a win on Sunday, Baltimore clinches at the least, a wild card playoff spot. I don’t think the Ravens will walk into this game like any other game. This will be a nationally televised game, so the Ravens will have a chance to show the world why they are one of the best teams in the NFL. Since Harbaugh took over in 2008, the Ravens are 8-5 in primetime, including 3-1 this season. The Ravens are also 4-1 on Sunday Night Football under Harbaugh. Here’s what needs to happen for the Ravens to clinch:
1) BAL win or tie
2) NYJ loss + OAK loss or tie
3) NYJ loss + TEN loss or tie
4) OAK loss or tie + TEN loss or tie Prediction: Look for the Ravens to continue feeding Ray Rice; he’s been hot as of lately. I see him going over 100 yards again, with another 40 yards receiving. Joe Flacco will dual with Phillip River’s and the Chargers high-powered offense. Joe will muster up 270 yards and three touchdowns. Boldin, Rice and Dennis Pitta will be the recipients of those touchdowns. Baltimore defense will have 4 sacks on Rivers, two from Suggs. Cundiff comes out clutch with two fourth quarter field goals. The Ravens win a close one, 27-21.
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