The Baltimore Ravens (8-7) control their own destiny when it comes to the playoffs, and just need to beat the Oakland Raiders (5-10) to get in.  It should be an easy win for the Ravens, but they need to come out and play like it is a playoff game or the Raiders could upset them and their playoff hopes.  The Ravens need to stop all of their penalties, as they lead the league in penalty yards (1,057 yards).  Flacco and the offense should not have any problem with the Raiders defense, but they cannot turn the ball over and keep them in the Raiders in the game.  If they can limit their penalties, take care of the ball, and limit the Raiders’ big plays they will find themselves in the playoffs.  If they don’t, the Raiders are capable of making some plays that could result in the Raiders losing.

Charlie Frye is likely the starting quarterback for the Raiders, and he can be awful at times.  If the Ravens defense can pressure Frye, he will turn the ball over.  The Raiders have some speedy receivers though, so the Ravens cannot get beat deep and give up big plays.  The deep ball is one of the few things the Raiders can do well and it is probably the only thing that can keep them in the game against the Ravens.  The Ravens have so much on the line that I think they will come out with intensity and will be on top of their game.

PREDICTION:   Baltimore Ravens 27, Oakland Raiders 13

The Baltimore Ravens (7-6) have the Chicago Bears (5-8) coming to town, and if they play like they did last week the Ravens should not have a problem.  The Bears don’t do very many things well, so the Ravens should attack Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler as much as they can.  Cutler has been having a terrible season and has lost a lot of confidence, so if the Ravens can get some pressure on him they will likely force some turnovers.  The Bears are going to look to establish their running game because of this, but the Ravens should be able to shut down Bears’ running back Matt Forte like most other teams have done all season.

On offense, the Ravens should run the ball early and often.  The Bears do not have a good run-defense, and are giving up 129 rushing yards per game.  Ray Rice and Willis McGahee both had very strong games last week, so they should continue that success against the Bears.  Joe Flacco should have some success too, he just needs to make sure he doesn’t throw some interceptions like he did in their loss to Green Bay two weeks ago.  They need to win out if they want any chance of making the playoffs, and if they take care of the ball they will win this game.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Baltimore Ravens 28, Chicago Bears 14

The Baltimore Ravens (5-5) are hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) Sunday and they are still waiting to hear whether or not Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is going to play.  Roethlisberger has a pretty bad concussion last week, but was expected to play this week until reports surfaced Friday that their is a good chance that he will sit out for precautionary measures.  This would be great news for the Ravens and their defense, because that would mean that the inexperienced Dennis Dixon would start.  If Dixon does start, it will really limit the Steelers’ offense and the Ravens defense will be able to pressure the young quarterback into a lot of mistakes.  The Steelers will probably limit Dixon and that means the Ravens can key in on Rashard Mendenhall and Willie Parker.  They are holding opponents to 92 rushing yards per game, and if Dixon starts they should be able to keep the Steelers under that.

On offense, Joe Flacco needs to step it up for the Ravens.  The Ravens have lost two of their last three, and Flacco is one of the main reasons why.  He has not thrown a touchdown pass in those three games and has three interceptions.  The Steelers’ run-defense is one of the best in the league (69 rushing yards per game), so the Ravens really need Flacco to get the offense going.  If Roethlisberger starts, the Ravens may be in trouble.  If Dixon starts, it should be a definite win.  Either way, I’m going to go with the the Ravens in a close win.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Baltimore Ravens 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 13

The Baltimore Ravens  (3-3) are at home against the undefeated Denver Broncos (6-0) Sunday and are trying to break a three game losing streak.  The Ravens have been losing some very close games lately, as their last three losses have been by a combined 11 points.  The Ravens need to try and get to the Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton, who has been playing way beyond expectations this year.  He only has one interception this year, but as good as Orton has been playing he is still a vulnerable quarterback when pressured.  The Broncos have been doing a great job protecting him though, and the running game has been one of his biggest protectors.  Knowshown Moreno and Correll Buckhalter have combined for 694 rushing yards on 146 carries (4.8 avg), so the Ravens are going to need to slow those two down if they want to win.

The Ravens offense has looked pretty good, but have been falling short as of late.  You can’t really blame Joe Flacco though, especially in last weeks loss where he had 385 passing yards and two touchdowns.  The Ravens will need more of the same from Flacco, and Ray Rice will provide some relief in the running game.  Willis McGahee has not been playing well lately and they could use a good game from him in this contest.  The Ravens are much better than their record indicates, and I think Ray Lewis will have his defense ready to attack Kyle Orton.  They are also at home, so I think the Ravens are going to upset the Broncos in a close one.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Baltimore Ravens 24, Denver Broncos 21

The Baltimore Ravens (3-2) are facing off against Brett Favre, Adrian Peterson and the rest of the Minnesota Vikings (5-0) Sunday at the Metrodome.  Ray Lewis and the Ravens are very hungry for a win after losing two close games in a row.  The Ravens gave up their first 100-yard rusher in 40 games last week, and they do not want to let that happen again.  I am expecting the Ravens to stack the line and try and shut down the explosive Adrian Peterson who has rushed for 489 yards on 99 carries (4.9 avg) and has seven touchdowns.  That means they are going to force the 40-year-old Brett Favre to beat them, but Favre has been playing very well lately so the Ravens D will have their work cut out for them.  Favre is completing 69% of his passes and has thrown for 1069 yards with nine touchdowns and only two interceptions.  The Ravens need to cut down on their penalties too, as late-game penalties have cost them two weeks in a row now.

The Ravens offense needs to bounce back from last weeks poor performance.  Flacco only threw for 186 yards and had two interceptions.  Flacco needs to step his play up this week, which I expect him to do.  If they can establish their running game Flacco will have an easy time making some plays.  With that two-headed running monster of Ray Rice (5.8 avg) and Willis McGahee (5.2 avg), I think the Ravens will be able to eat up some yards on the ground, especially since the Vikings give up an average of 96 rushing yards per game.  This is going to be a great match-up and it is tough to pick a winner, but I will always take a good defense over a good offense, so I am going with the Ravens in a close one.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION:  Baltimore Ravens 27, Minnesota Vikings 24