Cameo Video during schedule release: “This week, we’re going on a Viking Quest, we’re on a quest to beat the Vikings, because the Ravens are at home against the Vikings. VICTORY!” Narrator: Ah yes, another famous line from the NFL schedule release video in May. Not to mention any team who plays in Baltimore on the road following the Ravens Bye Week is due to get beat.
CHARM CITY BEASTS
Starring Lamar Jackson, Latavius Murray, Marquise Brown, Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle, Calais Campbell, Patrick Queen, Marlon Humphrey, Chuck Clark, Justin Tucker, with John Harbaugh, and Eric DeCosta. Guest Appearances by the “Salty Marylander”
Season 2 Episode 8: A Viking Quest
Created by Bragging Rights Sports
Narrator: The Bye Week. It is arguably the most relaxing time of the NFL season in Baltimore. Especially since it usually takes place over Halloween, players and fans can have a week of fun all to themselves and laugh at division rivals. (Example: Watching the Browns and Bengals mess up the New Frontier of AFC North Football) This year the Bye Week was used by John Harbaugh and his staff to get guys close to 100% and work on 2 dreaded issues. Tackling, and Blocking Speed Rushers. 2 key reasons for the Ravens loss against the Bungles in Week 7. Chuck Clark learned from Wink Martindale’s quotes at practice that if we can cut our missed tackles in half, then we can be the dominant defense we were hyped up to be. He’s right, if they start making open field tackles and limit all of those long runs, then everything will come together. John Harbaugh being strategic as usual, claimed that the problems we have with Speed Rushers is an easily fixable thing. As long as Patrick Makari is healthy and the Army Ranger doesn’t get lost on the field at times they should be fine. Harbs even gave an update on the injury status of Tackle Ja’Wuan James who the Ravens signed back in May, James is obviously dealing with a bad leg and according to Harbaugh he won’t be back until December. (Getting him at RT would improve the line even more) Speaking of injuries it appears that both Nick Boyle and Derek Wolfe are finally off the IL. Wolfe’s status is up in the air, but getting Boyle back for the running game especially because of his blocking skills is a must. Planet LJ following his crazy Halloween weekend that featured he, and his family dressing up as the Flintstones claimed that he was excited to see Boyle and possibly Sammy Watkins back on the field. Both men are key assets to the Ravens offense, and Jackson is ready to get himself back in the MVP race. The only other question involving injuries was surrounding Latavius Murray who is still dealing with a bad hamstring. He is questionable for this week’s game and has been very limited in practice. Hopefully he should be back by Sunday.
Another major event this week was the NFL Trade Deadline, which is usually a time where GM Eric DeCosta plays NFL Blackjack and tries to beat the dealer by trading for a Pro Bowl player without giving up much draft capital. This year there are a few names on the market. Allen Robinson, Ronald Jones, Xavien Howard, Von Miller, and Andrew Norwell. (Robinson isn’t a need for the Ravens because they already have their group of receivers maxed out) What the Ravens need is a big move to help them regain control of the AFC North. Where does the wheel land? (YoYo Sound) STRUCK OUT SWINGING! They were the favorites for Ronald Jones but didn’t want to pay a hefty price to Tampa Bay. They didn’t get Von Miller because the Rams got there first. They were about to get Xavien Howard had the NFLPA not stepped in because of the Ravens cap situation. All the other names on the market SNAKE EYES! Plus Baltimore only had 1.5 million left of their Cap because of all of the RB signings. At least they have 10-12 draft picks next year, something EDC values every year in terms of the success of this franchise. The other massive headline this week came out of the Dawg Pound. Why? Because the Browns were tired of Odell Beckham and his Diva mentality. (John Mara was right to get him out of New York) His antics have distracted the entire roster and Baker Mayfield isn’t the same QB that he was last year when OBJ was on IR. What did Jimmy Haslam decide to do? Marylander: THEY CUT HIM! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (Have fun with Cap Hell this offseason, Cleveland!) PAUSE.
Narrator: As for this week’s matchup, Baltimore takes on their main color counterparts of the NFL, the Vikings. Minnesota this year has once again underachieved expectations in terms of their record but they still have plenty of talent across the board. At 3-4 following some devastating losses against powerhouses like the Cardinals and Cowboys, they are looking to beat a playoff team to save their season. In their minds the Ravens are the perfect team to beat. Early in the game, Baltimore decided to remain on their Bye Week as they struggled against a Vikings defense missing Michael Pierce, and Harrison Smith. Even if Planet LJ was horse collared on the opening drive, it only led to a field goal thanks to 2 key drops. The Raven defense was looking to exercise the doubters by trying to put up a solid performance. But that would have to wait as Mr Gritty burned them for a 50 yard touchdown thanks to a miscommunication in the secondary. You’re getting burned by Justin Jefferson already, Martindale please fix this mess. (Something about the Ravens DB’s playing LSU receivers. I don’t like it) Minnesota took advantage of the early lead by making the Ravens pay for only having 2 players on the right side of the O-Line as Dalvin Cook pulled off his longest run of the season of 66 yards. And it led to a controversial TD as John Harbaugh believed that the officials missed a false start on Kirk Cousins’ QB sneak. (Harbs = Coach Bud. No shock) The 71,000 in attendance were quiet for much of the 1st Half as Greg Roman couldn’t figure out the Vikings defensive scheme as they added a field goal after a Lamar interception. Luckily for his sake the receivers began to get separation on Minnesota DBs as Jackson began to pick apart that secondary. Thanks to the help of a PI call which took away an incredible INT by the Vikings, Devonta Freeman scored to cut the lead to 17-10 at halftime.
All I can say is this, thank goodness the defense has stepped up today other than those 2 big plays in the 1st Quarter. All we need now is a stop so we can tie this game up as (Kick Return TD to start the 2nd Half) Marylander: GOODNESS GRACIOUS GREAT BALLS OF FIRE CAN THESE GUYS STOP PLAYING DOWN TO THEIR COMPETITION FOR ONE DAMN MINUTE! Yes I get the Vikings have plenty of talent, BUT CAN WE PLEASE STOP GIVING OUR FANS HEART ATTACKS EVERY WEEK! Narrator: Don’t worry buddy, these are the Vikings and they tend to keep games utterly close even if they should be winning by a lot. Marylander: How will that be the case in this game? Narrator: This is why! BOOM! (The Weeknd’s Take My Breath playing) Once again the Ravens have to play comeback in a game that they should be winning on paper. Action Jackson and Pat Ricard went right to work as soon as they got the ball back. Using Ricard in the passing game as a receiver, it’s like they are back in 2019 again. The drive ended with a touchdown by Project Pancake thanks to Roman being aggressive on 4th and Goal and Lamar taking advantage of Ricard being wide open. The defense stood tall on the next drive as they stopped 2 key 3rd Down plays and even overcame another fake punt play and still gave up no points. (Harbaugh getting beat at his own game so far, it’s like we never left Buffalo last January at all) As soon as Baltimore got the ball back they went 3 and out but the Roman Empire yet again decided to go for it on 4th and Short, and they converted again! (4th and 2, 4th and 7, 4th and YEAH WE’RE MAKING IT!) This was where Planet LJ would unleash his bestie as Hollywood began to take over the game as well. He took a WR screen on a 3rd and long and went 18 yards for a 1st. The drive ended with Devin Duvernay recreating Marlon Brown’s spectacular catch in the “Snow Game” to tie the game at 24.
Even the defense is making a former Harbs assistant go away from his game plan as it leads to another 3 and out. Baltimore is once again making a furious comeback as the Vikings have no answers for Jackson’s arm and now the Ravens running game. This is going to end badly for Minnesota isn’t it. “Bell, up the middle and into the endzone! Touchdown Baltimore!” Vikings fans: MOM IT’S HAPPENING AGAIN! Narrator: Don’t worry Vikings fans you have plenty of High End Talent on offense as Kirk Cousins was finally able to figure out the Ravens secondary as he torched DeShon Elliott with a long pass to CJ Hamm. CRACK! Marylander: And the Joker tore his quadriceps on the play ARE YOU KIDDING ME! Narrator: Even if Minnesota was down to a 4th and 9 they converted it as Justin Jefferson finally got open for once after getting contained following his long TD. And then the Vikes tied the game thanks to REFBALL because Adam Thielen pushed off on Anthony Averett. (There was pushing and shoving on both sides so I won’t argue) As a result this game is going to OVERTIME!
In OT, the Ravens won the coin toss, and the ball. They once again pick apart the Minnesota defense both on the ground and through the air. They are now inside the Viking 30, just a few more manageable gains and the game is over. “Jackson, looking left, throws it to Ricard, and it’s tipped and (DRAMATIC MUSIC!) INTERCEPTED! Anthony Barr with the pick!” Oh my goodness this can’t be the way they lose this game. If Devonta Freeman could block Barr on that play the INT wouldn’t have happened. Fortunately for Planet LJ and the offense, they are getting another chance. Because the defense held the Vikings high powered offense to another 3 and out. Even if Minnesota pinned Jackson and company deep in their own end we all know what’s going to happen. HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAY! Right on cue Hollywood and Lamar continue to destroy any coverage that Mike Zimmer’s defense puts out there and get into field goal range quickly. Even REFBALL can’t stop this offense from being slowed down. Now the legendary JT can end the game and unleash the Maryland arrogance. “Tucker from 36 to win it, It’s good AND THE RAVENS HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!” Maryland: You hear me AFC that’s called the (League of Legends theme playing) FULL MARYLANDER ACTIVATED! RAVENS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! YESSS! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Narrator: Are we not shocked to see them come back from another 10+ point 2nd Half deficit. This was their achilles heel for the last 3 years and throughout the Harbaugh era. Heck the inability to come back from 10 point deficits goes back to the Billick era. Now we have witnessed the dawn of the next “Captain Comeback” in the NFL. (Thank you Greg Davis for that nickname since he and Roger Staubach both were in the Navy) To be honest Jackson has erased every single doubt that has come his way this year and now he has figured out how to be a great QB in this league. I was also impressed with the defense, they got down on themselves early but they never gave up. Even if DeShon Elliott is out for the season, Jimmy Smith is going to get more reps at safety. I don’t know how it will work. Thank goodness we have a soft schedule over the next 2 weeks. 8-2 before Thanksgiving is a sure possibility. Like Navy fans going crazy at Fox NFL Sunday, so are the Charm City Beasts. Marylander: WE’VE GOT A FEELING! RAVENS GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL! YESSSSSS!
Tom Matte
1939-2021
Bragging Rights Sports 