***THE BOOKIE-OOKIE MAN's TNF IN THE SWAMP - BALT @ ZONA***
***BALTIMORE RAVENS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS***
Ohhhhh mannnnnn can you smell it????? Breath it in.....bask in it......it smells like a MNF upset a'brewin!!! The Baltimore Ravens currently stand at a disgusting 1-5 record and have really crapped the bed so far this season as they literally have had a chance in every one of their games this season to either tie or take the lead in the final 2 minutes. That being said, they haven't been blown out by anybody and I don't think that changes tonight in the Arizona Nest as we get set for a Prime Time Bird Game!
The Cards have been dinged with two losses, one against their division rival Rams, and the other in a very weird game when they faced a Steelers team on the road who suprised them with the backup' QB's backup in the second half. As far as their wins go, they have beat up on the league's weaklings as they should've. They face another league bottom feeder tonight in the Ravens but are catching them in a desperate spot as the Black Birds know their season goes from most likely over to most definitely case closed if they lose tonight. That being said I like the Ravens to play with the sense of urgency that they strangely lacked last week in San Francisco, my guess is they were just simply not up for that game as the Niners also sucked. Baltimore seems to always thrive in underdog spots like tonight, especially on the Prime Time stage. I have always really liked Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh and he demands a far better effort and production from his team than what they have put up so far this year. So what I'm saying is, motivation will be an understatement tonight for the Black Birds. Baltimore There is no denying that QB Joe Flacco AKA "FLACCENSTEEIIIIIINNNNN" as I like to refer to him as in the pocket, has a great arm. As much as the Ravens play has diminished, his arm is the same, he has just been making stupid decisions. This is a Super Bowl QB here folks, I have faith in him to get it right and although the Arizona secondary scares me a bit, I think Flacco will sling it successfully tonight. He has WR Steve Smith Sr. AKA Mighty Mouse to throw the rock to and although he is playing with an injured back, I have faith in him to sell out and produce like he did last week, this guy is a straight up warrior and some of these youngsters should take notes. Bottom line is Smith is a bonafide football player, and he is playing in what looks to be one of his last MNF appearences as he will supposedly retire at the end of his career. As we have seen so far, he will not go quietly and I expect him to have a big night despite most likely drawing coverage from Arizona stud CB Patrick Peterson. I also think Baltimore RB Justin Forsett has success in getting the running game going to help open up the pass for Flaccenstein. I think he spreads it around to his other young and speedy WRs and security blanket TE Gillmore with the majority of the defensive attention understandably focused on Smith. Also, a very important piece that gets overlooked sometimes is that the Ravens have a lights-out kicker in Justin Tucker who will be booting it in a dome tonight. That being said I think they can get at least 3 on most drives!
On the other side of things the Arizona Cardinal team is looking to capitlize in this spot and win as expected with some outside pressure coming their way by divional opponents Seattle and St. Louis climbing the ladder with some wins. QB Carson Palmer looks like he has obviously been the final puzzle piece that was missing for this team's success and he has totally revived veteran WR and future HOF Larry Fitzgerald's career as well. They have been rolling on all cylinder's offensively with success from other WRs in Michael Floyd and John Brown in addition to Fitzy as well as establishing a strong running game with a stable of RBs in veteran Chris Johnson, a now healthy Andre Ellington, and rookie David Johnson. The Ravens however do have a lot of talent in their front seven despite losing their leader in LB Terrell Suggs early on due to injury. Since his departure they have seemed lost a bit but I think they come together tonight and LB Elvis Dumerville leads the charge to get some pressure on Carson in the pocket and limit the run game. Zona deep threat speedster WR John Brown has two hampering hamstrings (tounge twister), and I don't think will be a factor tonight. Larry and Floyd are both bigger body WR types which I believe gives the Raven CBs a better chance to matchup and get physical to slow them down a bit. What it all comes down to is I believe the pressure is more on Arizona here to dominate a game they are expected to and I believe they will get Baltimore's best shot. The Ravens are one of those teams that tend to play up or down to the level of their opponent and I like them to spook the Cards early with a big play or two and make 'em a bit nervous, will it be enough? Only time will tell ladies and gents and that is why we all tune in! Swampy likes the Black Birds to overcome adversity once again and spoil the Monday Night party in the desert tonight in a thriller! That being said gobble up that 10 point cushion! RAVENS +10
