We’re ready for some football.
That’s why we at BaltimoreRavens.com are taking a look ahead with brief previews of each regular season game.
We started with Weeks 1-4, and did Weeks 6-9 yesterday.
Here’s a look at Weeks 10-13:
Week 10 (11/13): Seattle Seahawks
Qwest Field, 4:05 p.m.
Last Time: Loss, 27-6
(2007)
Troy Smith made his first career start for the Ravens, who fell to 4-11 with the loss. Baltimore’s then second-ranked rushing defense yielded 144 yards on the ground, including 73 to Shaun Alexander.
Regular-Season Series History: Ravens lead, 2-1
Matchup To Drool Over: S Ed Reed vs. QB Matt Hasselbeck
Hasselbeck is a free agent, but he could likely re-sign with the Seahawks. That would be intriguing for the ball-hawking Reed. Hasselbeck is a bit of a gunslinger. He threw 17 interceptions last year (6th most in the NFL) and 17 more the season before. Reed led the league in picks last season.
Selling Point: Playoff Teams Battle
The Seahawks squeezed into the playoffs last year with a 7-9 record, but shocked the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints once they got there. Baltimore, has been in the postseason the past three years and is a Super Bowl contender. Can the Seahawks knock off another giant?
12th Man Will Be Loud
Marshawn Lynch’s amazing 67-yard touchdown run in the playoffs last year triggered a seismic monitoring station about 100 yards away. It’s just an example of how Qwest Field is one of the loudest and thus toughest places in the NFL to play, thanks to Seattle’s infamous 12th man.
Week 11 (11/20): Cincinnati Bengals
M&T Bank Stadium, 1 p.m.
Last Time: Win, 13-7
(2010)
Reed pocketed two interceptions and Ray Lewis recovered a fumble as Baltimore held off the Bengals in the final week of the season with their playoff seed already locked up. Quarterback Carson Palmer was incomplete on fourth down from the 2-yard line to essentially end the game.
Regular-Season Series History: Ravens lead, 16-14
Matchup To Drool Over: CB Jimmy Smith vs. WR A.J. Green
This matchup was forecasted all the way back in April by Ravens Defensive Coordinator Chuck Pagano. In a meeting with Smith days after he was drafted, Pagano said to his new cornerback, “Who just got A.J. Green? … You know who’s going on A.J.? Can you handle that? Do you want that? That’s why you’re here.” It could be the first of many big-time battles between the first-round rookies.
Selling Point: Flacco Takes On Bengals D
There’s no denying that the Bengals have been a pain for the Ravens lately, particularly for quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco has thrown nine interceptions to just two touchdowns in his past four meetings with Cincy. He and the Ravens will look to put a pesky challenger in the rearview mirror.
Will Carson Be Bengals’ QB?
Palmer has had a great amount of success versus Baltimore, but has maintained that he will not play for Cincinnati in 2011. He demanded a trade and says he’d rather retire than play for the Bengals. Cincinnati management hasn’t budged, but did draft TCU quarterback Andy Dalton in the second round. The Ravens welcome the rookie.
Week 12 (11/24): San Francisco 49ers
M&T Bank Stadium, 8:20 p.m.
Last Time: Win, 9-7 (2007)
It was the fewest points the Ravens ever scored in a victory in franchise history. Baltimore’s defense held San Francisco to 163 yards of offense and Matt Stover booted field goals from 26, 32 and 49 yards to provide the offense with the win.
Regular-Season Series History: Ravens lead, 2-1
Matchup To Drool Over: S Dawan Landry or S Tom Zbikowski vs. TE Vernon Davis
Watching two great linebackers in Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis on the same field will be awesome. But they don’t face each other. Whether it’s Landry, who may be a free agent, or Zbikowski, somebody will have to keep up with San Francisco’s hulking deep threat.
Selling Point: Battle of the Brothers
It will be the first time two brothers have ever faced each other as NFL head coaches. John and Jim Harbaugh are both intense, smart coaches who have a very close relationship. Expect many tales from their childhood before the game and watch closely to see their subtle battle of wits.
San Francisco Thanksgiving Treat
What’s more American than a family feud on Thanksgiving Day? The Ravens have never played on Turkey Day in franchise history. The Ravens’ Harbaugh has been yearning for a non-Sunday home primetime game and he finally got one on Thursday night in front of what should be a huge audience.
Week 13 (12/4): Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns Stadium, 1 p.m.
Last Time: Win, 20-10 (2010)
Reed was literally on fire, as he picked off quarterback Colt McCoy twice then stood too close to the sideline heaters. Reed also hurt running back Peyton Hillis on the Browns’ second offensive play, temporarily knocking him out of the game and limiting him to just 12 carries.
Regular-Season Series History: Ravens lead, 17-7
Matchup To Drool Over: LB Ray Lewis vs. RB Peyton Hillis
The Madden 2011 cover boy ran for 144 yards in his first meeting with Lewis and Baltimore. Before the rematch, Lewis said, “A blind cat will find a meal every once in a while.” Lewis and the Ravens walked the walk, essentially eliminating Hillis from the game and holding him to just 35 yards rushing.
Selling Point: Rivalry Game
Every game against the Browns has a rivalry feel, no matter how lopsided. What’s interesting about this one is that their first meeting doesn’t happen until December. Both teams will have a few bumps and bruises and it could factor into the AFC North standings.
Browns’ New Coaching Staff
Teams playing Cleveland early may have an advantage because new Browns Head Coach and offensive play-caller Pat Shurmur had less time to install his program due to the lockout. But the Browns should be in rhythm by Dec. 4. Harbaugh and Shurmur coached together for eight years in Philadelphia and are “great friends.”