Maybe it’s the lockout, but it feels like forever since the Ravens have played a game.
Thus, as we passed the two-month marker until Baltimore’s regular-season opener, we here at BaltimoreRavens.com decided to start looking ahead to the 2011 schedule.
Over the next four days we’ll preview each regular season game, starting with the Pittsburgh Steelers scheduled for Sept. 11 and ending with the Cincinnati Bengals on New Year’s Day, 2012.
Here’s the first edition:
Week 1 (9/11): Pittsburgh Steelers
M&T Bank Stadium, 1 p.m.
Last Time: Loss, 31-24; 2010 Divisional Playoffs
Does this need to be recapped? Baltimore committed three turnovers in the second half and watched a 14-point halftime lead fizzle. The Ravens had a go-ahead punt return touchdown called back due to a dropped pass in the end zone. Enough said.
Regular-Season Series History: Pittsburgh leads, 18-12
Matchup To Drool Over: LB Terrell Suggs vs. QB Ben Roethlisberger
Suggs went into beast mode when facing the Steelers last year. He recorded one sack in their first meeting, 1½ in Baltimore the second time around, and three in their playoff meeting. Both are physical, gritty players who elevate their games in this meeting.
Selling Point: Best Rivalry In NFL
This one doesn’t need much advertisement. Arguably the best rivalry in professional football, these two physical teams seem to be made to play against one another. Every game is decided by a couple of big plays, and every mistake is brutal. There’s no better way to kick off the year.
Rivalry Already Heated Up
The sniping has already started. First, Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley said quarterback Joe Flacco won’t win a championship “in his lifetime.” Then running back Ray Rice commented on Pittsburgh wideout Hines Ward’s DUI arrest, prompting a gruff response from Steelers safety Ryan Clark.
Week 2 (9/18): Tennessee Titans
LP Field, 1 p.m.
Last Time: Win, 13-10; 2008 Divisional Playoff
Matt Stover’s 43-yard field goal with 53 seconds remaining sealed a slugfest victory for the Ravens, sending them to the AFC Championship. Behind a rookie quarterback, in wind and rain on the road and against the AFC’s top-seeded team, the Ravens forced three turnovers and committed none.
Regular-Season Series History: Tied 8-8
Matchup To Drool Over: LB Ray Lewis vs. RB Chris Johnson
Lewis isn’t as spry as he was when he was chasing down former Titans running back Eddie George. Johnson’s way more explosive than George. It will be interesting to see how Lewis uses his veteran wile to make up for the difference in speed and try to contain one of the fastest players in the NFL. Johnson ran 11 times for 72 yards (including a 32-yard run) and a touchdown in their last meeting.
Selling Point: Ravens D Faces Johnson
Johnson’s such an elite playmaker that the billing heading into this matchup will be how the Ravens’ stout defensive front will contain him. The magnitude of the game will also partly depend on what happens in Week 1. If the Ravens lost to Pittsburgh, it will be a big game to get back on track.
Who will be the Titans’ QB?
There are widespread rumors that Vince Young’s days are numbered in Tennessee. Veteran Kerry Collins retired last week. That seems to leave first-round draft pick Jake Locker in line to be the Titans’ starter. But will Locker be ready by Week 2 without having any offseason camps due to the lockout?
Week 3 (9/25): St. Louis Rams
Edward Jones Dome, 4:05 p.m.
Last Time: Win, 22-3 (2007)
The Ravens defense forced six turnovers (five interceptions, one fumble recovery) from Rams quarterback Gus Frerotte, who was filling in for injured starter Marc Bulger. The winless Rams remained that way and Baltimore’s defense flexed its muscle.
Regular-Season Series History: Tied 2-2
Matchup To Drool Over: CB Jimmy Smith vs. WR Mark Clayton
Could two Ravens first-round picks potentially square off? Clayton is a free agent, but reports are that he wants to return to St. Louis and they want him back. If Smith is ready for a big role early in the season, he could draw Clayton, who was on a career-high pace last year before suffering a knee injury.
Selling Point: Ravens Defense Faces The Youngster
Rams quarterback Sam Bradford didn’t play like a rookie last year, nearly taking the Rams to the playoffs after a 1-15 season in 2009. Bradford threw for 3,512 yards and tossed 18 touchdowns. He threw 15 picks too. Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano could show off his high-pressure defense.
Bradford Cut Teeth Versus Ravens
Bradford actually played against the Ravens in the teams’ final preseason game last season and looked quite good in the process. The No. 1-overall pick led the Rams on a 75-yard touchdown drive to open the game, in which he went 6-for-6 for 68 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore’s No. 1 defense.
Week 4 (10/2): New York Jets
M&T Bank Stadium, 8:20 p.m.
Last Time: Win, 10-9 (2010)
The Ravens christened New Meadowlands Stadium by proving they were the better defense. A bone-jarring hit by Ray Lewis on Jets tight end Dustin Keller put the exclamation point on a dominant performance in which Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez threw for just 74 yards.
Regular-Season Series History: Baltimore leads, 6-1
Matchup To Drool Over: WR Anquan Boldin vs. CB Darrelle Revis
Boldin torched the Jets in his Ravens debut, catching seven passes for 110 yards. He didn’t do too much of that damage against Revis, however, as Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron and Boldin mostly picked on Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Will the Ravens attack Revis more this time around?
Selling Point: Ravens vs. Rex
The Ravens’ defense facing its former architect will be buzz worthy every meeting. Last year, the Ravens were amped by Lewis’ sharp words for Ryan after the ebullient coach spent the offseason anointing the Jets as the next Super Bowl champions. Knowing Ryan, there will likely be some more chatter this year.
A Mirror Image
The Jets have three former Ravens players and five previous coaches. The players are linebacker Bart Scott, safety Jim Leonhard and defensive end Trevor Pryce, who signed with New York midway through last year after being released by Baltimore. The coaches are Ryan, Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine, Defensive Line Coach Mark Carrier, Quarterbacks Coach Matt Cavanaugh and Defensive Backs Coach Dennis Thurman.
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Looking Forward To 2011: Weeks 1-4
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