Minnesota Vikings (3-8-1)
At
Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
Sunday at 1pm, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Line: Ravens -6.5
If you watched SportsCenter this week, you know the Ravens and Steelers played on Thanksgiving and Mike Tomlin stepped on the field during Jacoby Jones’ return. Believe it or not, there was more that happened in that game as the Ravens moved one step closer to a playoff appearance with the win. The Ravens currently sit as the 6th seed in the AFC and control their own destiny in a muddled playoff picture.
I still believe that a 9-7 record will get the second wild card in the AFC, so the Ravens can afford to lose another game, however, this is their easiest remaining game and it is one they need to win. The Ravens look to be peaking at the right time and are looking for their first three game win streak of the season. But will they get it?
Here is my take on the game:
Vikings offense vs. Ravens defense
The Ravens defense has been pretty solid this year, however they are allowing 100 yards rushing per game and face the best running back in the league in Adrian Peterson. Stopping him will be the toughest challenge the defense has had this season. Every team that faces the Vikings load the box to stop Adrian Peterson, yet very few have been successful as Peterson has rushed for more than 1200 yards on the season.
The Vikings passing game has been nonexistent this season and they are coming into this game starting their backup quarterback (albeit probably the best quarterback on their roster) in Matt Cassel. Cordarrelle Patterson is the biggest playmaker in the Vikings passing game and he provides the best chance, other than Peterson, for the Vikings to score enough points to win the game. Adrian Peterson is the best player on the field for either team but, unfortunately for him, the rest of his team is nowhere near as good. The Ravens defense should be able to shut down the rest of the Vikings offense.
Advantage: Ravens
Ravens offense vs. Vikings defense
What is it going to the take for the Ravens offense to play a consistently good game, have success running and passing the ball, and manage to score touchdowns instead of field goals? It may just take the Vikings defense coming to town. Minnesota is 30th in the league in pass defense and 23rd in rush defense so if the Ravens offense is going to get “right” this is the week, they should be able to do it.
In addition to facing a porous defense, the Ravens offense may get some additional good news with the return of Dennis Pitta. Part of the reason the Ravens were willing to let Anquan Boldin go this off-season was because they believed Pitta would be able to fill the void, and his injury in preseason left the offense scrambling to find an alternative.
With a bad defense going against an inconsistent offense that can’t score touchdowns, something has to give, and I think it will be the Ravens offensive struggles. Expect a big day from Flacco and the offense.
Advantage: Ravens
Special Teams
This is the most intriguing matchup as the special teams might be the strongest unit for both teams. Justin Tucker was named Special Teams Player of the Week for his five field goal performance against the Steelers and he has been a beast all season. If Tucker is the best kicker in the league, Vikings kicker Blair Walsh might be the second best. So, if it comes down to a battle of field goals, the Vikings will be able to hold their own.
As far as the return game goes, Jacoby Jones is looking like he may be reverting back into his form from last year, but he is not the best return man on the field. Cordarrelle Patterson has been a big weapon for the Vikings in the return game with more than 1000 yards in return yardage and two touchdowns, one of which went for 109 yards. Patterson provides the only chance the Vikings have of winning this game and it would behoove the Ravens to kick the ball away from him.
Advantage: Even
Prediction
The Ravens playoff destiny is in their hands and a win Sunday would put them over .500 for first time since they were 2-1. With remaining games coming up against the Patriots, Lions and Bengals, it is imperative to win Sunday.
The Ravens have only won two games by double digits but they should be able to win this one comfortably. Adrian Peterson is too good to shut down completely and I expect him to have a big game, but even that won’t be enough. The Vikings defense is awful and the Ravens offense will finally look good and put a lot of points on the board. Ravens win comfortably and improve to 7-6.
Ravens 30 Vikings 14
Follow Marco on twitter @mromanell and Southbmore.com @southbmore1
