FESTIVUS: THE JOE FLACCO SHOW

My day started with DirecTV going hawywire.

I missed the third and goal before our first field goal, nearly had a coronary, then was forced to watch the game in low-definition for about fifteen minutes while the high-definition feed was fixed. I've never had a heart attack, but I'm fairly certain low-definition television is worse.

I'm not exactly sure what those Spanish words mean in that second picture, but here is my guess: "DirecTV is overrated and maybe you should consider Comcast now that the regular season is over and Sunday Ticket no longer matters."

But who cares about that, right?

• Ed Reed had two more interception
  
• Ray Lewis recovered two more fumbles
  
• Baltimore finished 2008 never giving up more than 13 points at home
  
• Something like 11,352 games (and counting) without allowing 100-yard rusher
• The Joe Flacco Show finished year with higher QB rating than Terrible Tyler
• Most explosive AFC North offense and more points than Peyton and the Colts (385 to 377)
• Fast Eddie Reed finished year with more INTs (9) than any other NFL player
• The Joe Flacco Show featuring Ray Ray and Fast Eddie Reed made the playoffs
  
• All of Charm City and Ravens fans everywhere, it's time to celebrate Festivus
  
• Date with the ugliest girl in the playoffs, maybe the worst #3 seed in the history of the NFL
  

Miami Dolphins, here we come. You're done.

KOW.

Did anyone else just hear that on TV?

"This has been The Joe Flacco Show."

Up three scores at halftime, 24-7.

Festivus, here we come. Knock on wood. Let's do this.

PS: Fast Eddie Reed is better than Jesus.

Big Ben: 'My head hurts'

Brian Billick's sister! Kiss her! Do it!

One of my readers send me this picture. He met that woman on the right at last year's Ravens game in San Francisco.

Her and Brian Billick, what a juxtaposition!

Why did he do this?

Because he swears on "stoney case's right arm that you are looking at billicks biological sister... My buddy dave and I still kiss her picture for luck."

[SIC]

"Sic" is kind of a double entendre here. You like how I did that?

Now print this out and kiss it for good luck. Or you kiss your computer screen, you weird freak.

Big ups to Nixamus for the photo.

Fbkid: Ravens-Jaguars preview

Brought to you by my friend, Fbkid, a high school student and aspiring sports writer who lives in Florida. He is a good kid, smart and he knows football. For example, he was telling me about East Carolina's Chris Johnson months before he was a household name, of course well before "Stupid Fast" got drafted by the Titans. I'm talking back in January.

For what it's worth, the Jaguars were my preseason pick to win the Super Bowl. What's my pick now? The Joe Flacco Show!

KOW!

###

Heading into the season the Jaguars were predicted to contend for a Super Bowl title and rightly so: the previous year they went into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers twice and played tough against the Patriots on the road. Now the Jaguars are destined for a top ten pick as they head into the game against the Ravens with a 5-10 record.

The team has already chosen a fall guy in Shack Harris for the year’s problems, but he isn’t the complete reason why the Jaguars have struggled this year. Harris also has a connection with the Ravens. Before taking the job with the Jaguars, Harris was the head of player personnel. Head coach Jack Del Rio also has a Baltimore connection as he won a Super Bowl as the linebackers coach with the Ravens in 2000.

Last year Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew were arguably the best running back tandem in the league. Now they might not even be in the top ten. That isn’t because they can’t play; it’s because of the offensive line. Vince Manuwai who is the anchor of the line went down in week one with a torn ACL. Maurice Williams also was placed on injured reserve after week one when he suffered a torn bicep.

Another problem on the offense has been the play of quarterback David Garrard. After a season where he only threw three interceptions, the Jaguars gave him a deal that would usually go to a franchise quarterback. Garrard hasn’t done a very good job stating his case as he has thrown 11 interceptions and hasn’t made many difficult throws as most of his completions are slants to the now suspended Matt Jones or screen passes to Jones-Drew. To Garrard’s credit, he’s also taken lots of hits this year as he has been sacked 41 times and from all the times he runs the number is even higher. Defenses this year have now caught on to Garrard’s slow decision making and lack of throwing down field. Does this really sound like a quarterback you want starting against the Ravens who happen to have a safety that will go down as one of the all time greats in Ed Reed?

The defense as a whole has also been a huge problem. Over the years the team has gotten a reputation for being one of the best in the league. Now they can’t stop the run or get pressure on the quarterback. Paul Spicer and Reggie Hayward lead the team with four sacks each. The Ravens have four players with four or more sacks. The team expected earlier contributions out of Quentin Groves and Baltimore native Derrick Harvey who were both picked on the first day of last April’s draft. The Jaguars traded with the Ravens to get up to the number eight pick to get Harvey and the Ravens used some of those picks to move up into the middle of the first round to draft Joe Flacco (Well done Ozzie Newsome).

The linebackers have played well at times this year but they should have lots of changes this offseason. Mike Peterson has been a very good player during his time in Jacksonville and was actually one of the only players who lived up to the money he got in free agency. Considering the Peterson- Del Rio feud and it’s the last year of his contract, this should be Peterson’s last game as a Jaguar. Justin Durant will likely replace him in the middle as he has excellent speed and showed that he can play the middle in the playoff win against the Steelers where he had 12 tackles.

The secondary has looked really bad at times and the kind of game that Peyton Manning had last week is a regular occurrence. With Rashean Mathis on injured reserve, the corners are Brian Williams and the overpaid Drayton Florence. Williams hasn’t been that bad this season but Florence has been a major disappointment. Florence was the nickel back for the Chargers last year and the Jaguars brought him in and gave him All Pro money. First off, when the NFL is in a passing craze that it is and corners are at a premium and your team thinks your replaceable that’s a bad sign. Then you give the guy $12 million in guaranteed money? Not a good move. Gerald Sensabaugh has been a bright spot at safety as he has good range and instincts and is tied for the team lead with 4 interceptions (no surprise he’s in a contract year). Reggie Nelson on the other hand, has struggled. The team compares Nelson to Ed Reed but that is far from the truth. There’s a reason why Peyton Manning always threw it to his side. Nelson just gets by on instincts and seems to have no clue what’s going on during plays. Nelson also has the knack to celebrate even after giving up big plays. Not many fans seem to notice though as the city is already thinking about the possibilities of Tim Tebow in a Jaguars uniform. In a Florida dominated city, as long as Nelson keeps doing the Gator Chomp, everything will be just fine.

Overall, the team has some talent but overpaying average players in free agency (Florence, Cleo Lemon and Jerry Porter) and lack of productivity out of first round picks the team can’t build around any player in particular. The team has also appeared to age overnight as guys like John Henderson don’t seem to play at the level they did even a year ago. Another problem is the Jaguars enjoy playing the “respect” card and they don’t think anyone recognizes them. After a year where they finished 12-4 and won a playoff game, the Jaguars became the team that everyone circled on their schedule the day they came out. So in short the hunter became the hunted. With that being said, it should be a very interesting offseason for the Jaguars as there are plenty of changes to come.

Merry Christmas from Blogimore Ravens

I'm blitzing you one day early with some holiday greetings.

Drink some egg nog laced with Joe Flacco's sweat, kick your feet up, and know that in four days we'll be three hours away from the playoffs, four wins away from another football championship in Baltimore.

Knock on wood and/or Big Ben's face. Either is fine.

Brady Quinn punched by teammate Shaun Smith?

If you're a marginal contributor on a defense that's terrible, what's a good way to get yourself fired, besides the fact that, you know, you're a marginal contributor on a defense that's terrible?

I've got an idea!

PUNCH YOUR FRANCHISE QB IN THE FACE!

Get yer head outta yer arse, mate

Enter Hines Ward, whistling and eating kimchee twiddling his thumbs.

Coach Tomlin: Hey, Hines, you ready to play today?

Hines: Nah, I'ma sit this one out, Coach.

Coach: But it's the AFC Championship Game, Hines.

Hines: I got plans.

Coach: Hold up, you gotta watch this.

Coach plays video of LenDale White stomping on terrible towel; all is well.

CAN WE PLEASE STOP PRETENDING THAT PLAYERS AREN'T FULLY MOTIVATED FOR CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES?!!

Because that is the only way the Steelers and Titans will play again this season, if it's in the AFC Championship game. If you think this towel non-incident makes a lick of difference, you're a fool.

Also, his name is LenDale, not "Lendale."


By the way, this is hypothetical. The Steelers and Titans won't be playing again this season. Everyone knows The Joe Flacco Show will be the main attraction.

KOW.

I want to buy LenDale White 1,000 Big Macs

Big ups to THE NEST for the find.

Big ups to Ja-Lew... 10,000!

Jamal Lewis passed 10,000 career yards today against the Bengals. Unfortunately for him, the Browns were shutout at home against one of the worst teams in the league.

What happened with the Ravens this weekend? I didn't get a chance to check the box score.

I'm not a huge fan of arbitrary rankings and lists and blah blah blah who cares, but if I were forced at gunpoint to make a list of my all-time favorite Ravens, Jamal Lewis would probably be #2 on that list, and no, it's not because Jamal is the one holding me at gunpoint.

Congratulations, Jamal.

I cheer for you 14 games/year.

PS: Please don't be mad at me, Fast Eddie Reed. You would be a very close #3.

Redskins Facebook update: Isn't it great to still have a reason to watch?

Names have been changed to protect the pathetic.

Cowboys get booed off the field during last-ever game at Texas Stadium

Finally the Ravens get a few breaks, the best of which was playing Tony Romo in December.

The Cowboys defense was impressive, but its five sacks were offset by the problematic encroachment penalties, one of which set up a key field goal, and more than one of 'em turned into a first down. The Cowboys defense is good, but Baltimore's defense is better. DeMarcus Ware disappeared after that huge sack on Baltimore's first drive.

Dis-ap-pear [verb]: What DeMarcus Ware does against Baltimore's makeshift O-line.

Ed Reed, two interceptions but not the player of the game. Gotta give that to Derrick Mason. He's had shoulder issues throughout the season, and I'm pretty sure he separated his shoulder tonight not once, but twice. And then he went and scored a crucial TD.

[Ed. note: Mason also had a key fumble recovery in the second half.]

Mason didn't have the most dramatic plays of the night, but he showed heart, more than heart, and his being on the field kept Baltimore in the game. Derrick Mason has gotta be one of the most underrated receivers in the league. Yeah, everyone knows his name, but how many people are punching his name on the Pro Bowl ballot? They should be. [Side note: I don't care about the Pro Bowl or who got snubbed.] Without D-Mase, Joe Flacco is just another rookie. With Mase, Joe Flacco is a rookie who controls his own postseason destiny with only one game remaining.

And how about Sam Koch? Droppin' daggers inside the 20 -- hell, inside the five -- and then getting the key first down on the fake field goal. Cam Cameron, I love you.

Joe Flacco played well on the road, with one touchdown and no picks, completing 68 percent of his passes. His fumble to start the game hurt, but I'd rather be hurting in the first than hurting in the fourth. If you have any doubts, why don't you ask Cowboys fans how they feel.

Goodbye, Texas Stadium. Goodbye, playoffs. Sorry, Jerry Jones. Maybe next year. But you'll have to do it in Arlington. Texas Stadium will be shutting down after nearly 40 years, and tonight Le'Ron McClain sealed the deal with the longest-ever run by a visiting player against the Cowboys: 81 yards, touchdown.

And it came on the heels of McGahee's career-long run, 77 yards and another touchdown.

Unreal... kinda like the Cowboys getting booed off the field at home.

This post brought to you by Baltimore's hottest new drama, The Joe Flacco Show!

Ravens-Cowboys: Who's gonna choke?

Tonight's the night.

The Joe Flacco Show, Baltimore's hottest new drama.

Ravens CB Fabian Washington may play, but he probably won't be 100 percent. When he left the field with an injury in the fourth quarter against the Steelers, well, you know the rest.

Each team controls its own destiny, so a win tonight and then one more, and that team is in the playoffs. Whichever team loses tonight will probably miss the postseason.

And let's face it: Even if Tony Romo makes it, you know he's gonna choke-choke-choke it away.

No more Heinz!!!

CONDIMENT NEWS
Sunday night following our gut-wrenching loss to Pittsburgh, I found myself with french fries but no ketchup.

I'm neither embarrassed nor ashamed to admit that I refused to purchase Heinz because of its affiliation with the Steelers, despite the fact that Heinz is definitely better than Del Monte, which is kinda runny and not really the same.

Del Monte is not necessarily bad, it's just not the best. As much as I hate to admit it, Heinz ketchup is the best. But those clowns aren't getting another dime of my money! At least not until after we beat the Steelers again, at which point I'll be cool with it. Hopefully that happens in this year's playoffs, because I don't want to be stuck with terrible ketchup for the next year.

OTHER NEWS
Some of you may have heard and/or noticed that I'm no longer the managing editor at Yardbarker.

What does this mean for Blogimore?

Not much outside of an ad-free Blogimore Ravens. I hate ads. I blog because I love the Ravens, not to make a few dollars for every few thousand visitors.

Ravens-Steelers: Blown Call

Yesterday I wrote that I don't complain about officiating. Today I post, "Ravens-Steelers: Blown Call" -- now before you jump down my throat and accuse me of being a hypocrite, keep in mind that I chose that title only because it will index well with Google, and I posted the photos because I know Ravens fans will want to see them and maybe read the associated Scout.com Ravens Forum thread.

I'm not saying it was a blown call. Frankly I don't care one way or the other. The game is over. It is the past. And regardless, it wasn't even the most questionable call of the day, it just happened to be the height of drama. The non-call on the Harrison hold that resulted in a long Flacco pass play was more controversial, as was the non-reversal on Harbaugh's first challenge, the one where it appeared that the Ravens may have stopped the Steelers short of a first down. The Steelers were then able to put a field goal on the board before half. Minus those three points Cam Cameron's final drive would have been different, down one instead of four.

But that's neither here nor there. What is here is "photographic evidence" of the "blown call." Is it conclusive either way? Definitely not. Maybe that's the point. I don't have the stomach to even really read the thread. Whine, whine, whine.

From Baltimore5NFLtitles: "Here are some freeze frames blown up from the the NFL web video."




From Baltimore5NFLtitles: "The white section is the plane of the end zone. The yellow part is the ball. The ball just crosses the plane when it first touches the receiver's fingers. He did not have possession at this point (at 4:49 on the video)."

For what it's worth, I have no idea where this video is. I didn't see any video in the forum.




From Baltimore5NFLtitles: "He falls forward slightly juggling for the ball. He finally gets possession here (at 4:50 on the video)."



I think it's a valid point that possession is not necessarily gained at the very frame that a player's fingers touch the ball. Even if there is no juggling, it takes more than 1/30th of a second to secure possession. How that applies to this play, I have no idea. Breaking down a YouTube video and/or screen-grabs from a television is terribly inefficient. There is no way to go frame by frame the way you would with the NFL's replay equipment. Regardless, what's done is done. The game is over and the Steelers won the AFC North.

Top 10 Steelers fans (redux)

I wasn't at last weekend's game against the Steelers, but my Top 10 Steelers Fans handiwork made an appearance at one fan's tailgate. Photo courtesy of Mr. Minder (aka The Nest).

IF YOU CAN'T BEAT TONY ROMO IN DECEMBER, THEN YOU DON'T DESERVE TO GO TO THE PLAYOFFS

Congratulations, Joe Flacco

Hey, Joe.

It's your rookie season and you've already made the playoffs. That's because the playoffs start now. In Baltimore, though, we call it Festivus. The Super Bowl is Festivus Maximus. Steelers fans probably think that's lame, but f@*# them. You're probably too young to remember, but Festivus is a joke that we hijacked from Seinfeld. Jerry Seinfeld is a comedian, and he used to have -- anyway, that's not the point. The point is, the playoffs start now.

Despite yesterday's loss, you still control your own destiny. Even if you had sneaked out of there with a win, Pittsburgh would have retained control of its own destiny. So the loss hurt but it's really not that big of a deal. Yeah, they win the division and that sucks, but f@*# them.

Win out and you're in the playoffs. Rattle of six more wins in a row and you get yourself a ring. Ben Roethlisberger was only 23 when he won the Super Bowl. No reason you can't do it too.

Don't feel bad about going 0-2 against Pittsburgh this year. It took Big Ben years to win in Baltimore. Yesterday was actually his first-ever win on the road versus Baltimore, and he needed a lot of help to get it done. No, I'm not talking about the officiating. I hate it when Ravens fans complain about poor officiating, and I'm guessing players don't like it either. It makes us sound like Redskins fans. Who wants to sound like Redskins fans. F@*# them.

We're rooting for you, Joe. You're playing with house money. Go out there and get it done.

- Ravens fans everywhere

PS: It would be great if you could finish the year with a better QB rating than Tyler Thigpen. Thanks.

No, I meant retarded

Ravens/Steelers: Top 10 from Mondesi's House

Courtesy of Mondesi's House.

###

We meet again, Ravens fans. You don't like us, and we don't like you. But more importantly, the Steelers players loathe the Ravens players, and likewise, the Ravens despise the Steelers. And we both know what that means: one great football game.

I'm not going to give up any secrets, because you'll probably take them directly to Joe Flacco's house to try and give him an edge. He can use all the help he can get. But here are a few things that may be of interest for our pending battle royale:

1. Willie Parker is not happy. He wants to go back to a fullback-based running game, and that's not going to happen as long as Sheriff Tomlin is in town. Of course, this took on a life of its own when the topic was addressed by the aforementioned coach, who had this to say: "Every morning I come to work I walk past five Lombardis, not five rushing titles. The issue is winning."

I believe the correct internet term is "pwned"?

2. Big Ben is still ticking. And more importantly, still standing upright. While it's not been the best statistical season for #7 due to an insufficient offensive line, he's directed his team to a 10-3 record against The Toughest Schedule in the History of Organized Sports. And unlike Tony Romo and most of the other quarterbacks in the NFL, he rises to the occasion in big games. So plan on a heavy dose of Roethlisberger, due directly to point #3, which is....

3. ...Neither of us should plan on running. The Steelers' leader in the first matchup was Rashard Mendenhall, and he had all of 30 yards on nine carries before the hit was delivered as ordered by those rotten, bounty-loving Ravens. This time, you'll see much more of Moore - Steelers RB Mewelde Moore, who would probably get a few votes for their Offensive MVP this season. He's compiled 521 yards rushing and another 290 receiving, and has been effective on a consistent basis. But no running back will have an easy day against the Ravens defense. I hate to admit it, but I know it's true.

On the Ravens' side of the ball, the pressure will be squarely on the shoulders of Mr. Flacco (or as Ron Jaworski calls him, Flocko). The Baltimore rushing attack will have a tough time against the nearly-impenetrable Steelers defense, and as much as you hate to admit it, you know that's true. The final score could very well be 3-2.

4. Hines Ward is not scared. The truth is, people should be scared of Hines, not the other way around. Especially Bart Scott.

5. Watch out for Nate Washington. I know, I can't believe I just said that either. But the man who sometimes possesses the hands of stone has burned defenses for multiple catches of 50+ yards, and could make a case as the Steelers' big-play receiver. He had three catches for 51 yards on a pivotal fourth-quarter scoring drive against Dallas last week, so don't say I didn't warn you.

6. The Steelers are battle-tested. Every week is a "national" game. All of the opponents are big. Cowboys. Patriots. Giants. Eagles. Redskins. It's like the playoffs played within the confines of the regular season. And they've fared better than even the most optimistic Steeler fan would've imagined. Sunday is just another day at the office.

7. Injuries will play a factor. Tackle Marvel Smith will once again be a spectator, but DE Brett Keisel may play for the first time in weeks. If he's available, he's a difference-maker. James Harrison is dinged up, but he's James Harrison. He'll be there, and he'll be hitting so hard that you'll feel it at home.

8. As you (and America) witnessed on Sunday, even our beer vendors are hardcore. I'm sure this will somehow be a factor in the game this weekend.

9. The nation is behind us. They love the Steelers: the uniforms, the tradition, even the owner. They are beloved around the world. The Ravens? They've been populated by the likes of know-it-alls like Brian Billick and ne'er-do-wells like Ray Lewis. They're an unsavory, unlikeable bunch. No one wants to root for that. Even you're skeptical. But they're still more interesting than the Orioles, so I don't blame you in that respect.

10. We're ready to admit - you've passed Cleveland as our rival a long time ago. When the "original" Browns moved to B-more, they took the rivalry with them. Maybe it's an Art Modell thing. But the rivalry with the new Browns is as compelling as the Harlem Globetrotters against the Washington Generals. Your team, on the other hand, beats ours just enough to make us really want to exact revenge. And that's what a great rival does best. See you on Sunday.

Ravens! Steelers! Behind enemy lines!

Here's a little post I wrote for the good folks at Mondesi's House. That's a Pittsburgh blog. Don't go there unless you want to get cuties. They'll be posting the below content over there, and I've promised them some real estate here on Blogimore tomorrow. Enjoy.



WE HATE YOU: Actually, we hate the idea of you. I'm sure that personally many of you are great people. But that doesn't mean we're going to pull punches. Even so, there will be plenty of black and gold at this weekend's game. Baltimore has a solid home-field advantage but maybe not as much as Pittsburgh does at home.

RAY RICE WON'T PLAY: Sources close to the team have said privately that Rice's shin injury will most likely keep him out of action. Willis McGahee has been a non-factor for most of the season. That leaves an awful lot in the hands of FB-turned-RB Le'Ron McClain and rookie QB Joe Flacco. I'm not sure that will be enough against Pittsburgh's D.

FORTUNATELY YOUR OFFENSE SUCKS: Maybe that's a stretch, but it's not a stretch to say that Pittsburgh relies on its D more than Baltimore does. How's that for irony. For the first time probably ever, Baltimore's team is more balanced.

SPECIAL-TEAMS ADVANTAGE: Despite the fact that Ravens head coach John Harbaugh has special teams in his blood, the Steelers have the decided advantage here. I say that without having watched too many of your games. Why? Because Matt Stover has been frighteningly unreliable this season. Fortunately for Baltimore, it looks as though weather won't be a factor in the kicking game; unfortunately, this helps both teams.

SURPRISNGLY THIS GAME ISN'T ALL THAT IMPORTANT: No matter what happens on Sunday, both teams will control their own destiny regardless. If the Steelers lose on Sunday but win their final two games, they will still win the division. If the Ravens lose on Sunday and win their final two games, they will still get a wild-card berth, which is what they're likely to get even with a win on Sunday.

8 OUT OF 10 STEELERS FANS ARE TERRIBLE: True story.

Top 10 Steelers fans

10) SHORT BUS: "Wait for me!"



9) GUY OR GIRL? Only chicken? Where is the beef? How about some pork or at least a little less androgyny?



8) BUBBA GOT BACK: Somebody wants a back rub, and I think we found just the right lady.



7) BIG JEN: Strong hands. Perfect for rubbing backs. Or poking out your eyes.



6) DUCE DUCE: Even Steelers fans would agree that Duce Staley's jersey is a poor choice.



5) PERFECT? Not quite. Her hair isn't even the nicest on this list.



4) DING, DING, DING: Quality moustache to match the mullet.



3) FATTY McGEE: Loosen up the belt, kid. Nobody's trying to sneak in your pants. Not now, not ever.



2) JESUS HATES YOU: He also hates little fat kids.



1) BABY BLACK 'N' GOLD: I don't really feel comfortable making fun of a baby. So instead think of something terrible and pretend that I wrote it.

Fact: Terrell Suggs is funnier than you

Well, maybe not funnier than you, but definitely funnier than you.

During Washington's loss to the Ravens, offensive lineman Chris Samuels injured his triceps, an injury that ended his season. The team's best offensive lineman was then replaced by a no-name, no-talent clown named Justin Geisinger, who Suggs proceeded to embarrass. But not before T-Sizzle warned Washington's terrible head coach, Jim Zorn.

SUGGS: "I actually pointed at Jim Zorn and said, 'You can't do this, you're going to get your quarterback hurt.' I was like, 'I don't think this guy is supposed to be here. You've got a mistake.'"

Sizzle then proceeded to sack QB Jason Campbell for a 13-yard loss, and he finished the game with two additional tackles for losses and also two pass deflections. It's probably fair to mention that Geisinger was a guard playing out of position at tackle, but now that I think about it, I don't really care about being fair. I care more about Sizzle destroying the other team.

Baltimore and the playoffs?

There are plenty of potential scenarios. Please don't take this as gospel. That having been blogged, if we win two more games, we'll definitely make the playoffs. That much is science.

Win one game: Probably miss the playoffs
Win two games: Definitely make the playoffs
Win all three remaining games: Definitely make the playoffs but still probably lose the division.

It would be disappointing to miss the playoffs, but no matter what happens, this season has already exceeded my most optimistic pre-season expectations. Thanks to the Ravens for one hell of a show thus far. It's been great. Thanks to Ozzie for drafting Flacco.

If the Ravens find themselves in the playoffs, I think they have a better-than-average shot of winning it all. That's what I wrote more than a month ago, and my opinion is unchanged, provided that we don't face Peyton. Let's face it: The Colts have our number. I'd rather play Tennessee on the road than the Colts at home. Peyton scares the bejesus out of me.

Don't you just love how I switched from third-person to first-person? All of those high-horse people out there who hate when fans use first-person to talk about their favorite teams: Start your own blog and write in the third-person. Until then, I'll do whatever I want, justified by the thousands of dollars I've spent on PSLs and season tickets, and also the fact that I don't really care what you think. Find better things about which to worry. In the meantime, I'm going to sit back and watch us make the playoffs and then win the Super Bowl.

KOW.

Happy birthday to Ben (redux)

I couldn't find this picture the other day, but what once was lost now is found. So it's happy birthday to Ben, the sequel. Dirty thirty-one. The picture was taken in D.C. after I went to see the Louis C.K. show at the Warner Theatre, the Friday night before we destroyed the Eagles. Below is a photo from M&T right before the start of the Eagles game. Good seats. Thanks to Big Red and Ryan for the hook-up.

Ed Reed is better than Ronnie Lott

I didn't say it. Mike Freeman did. Don't be mad at me, Ronnie.

Thank you, Nest Minder!

Victims of Baltimore's defense

Baltimore threw a wrench in Donovan McNabb's legacy. Now, after appearing in only one second-half series against Baltimore, it is Clinton's turn to bitch and moan.

Portis on his terrible head coach, Jim Zorn:

“We got a genius for a head coach, I don’t know, I’m sure he on top of things. He’s got everything figured out. Hey, that’s up to him. All I can do is when he calls a play is go out and try to execute to the best of my ability... maybe you feel like you need to sever ties, split ties with me? Split ties with me. But don’t sit here and throw me out like I don’t pay attention, like I don’t know what’s going on, like I’m making mistakes, I’m the problem. You know, so, it is what it is, bro.”

Portis should be thankful that he was on the bench. The Ravens would have shut him down and/or Mendenhall'ed his a$$ -- and for what? To miss the playoffs?

Thanks to SPORTSbyBROOKS for reminding me of Baltimore's dominating performance against Washington. I'd almost forgotten.

Playmakin' safeties: No one is better than Fast Eddie Reed

Ed Reed's razor-sharp wit defense last night effectively ripped Washington right out of the playoff picture. I blasted Jim Zorn at the beginning of the season, and my opinion remains unchanged after last night. Jim Zorn is terrible. Maybe your team will have better luck next year, Billy.

It is always nice to crush a team's playoff hopes. Is it extra special beating neighborly Washington? Not really. There is no rivalry. Washington has beaten Baltimore exactly once, in 2000. Baltimore responded to that loss by winning the Super Bowl. So there.

Has there ever been an NFL safety who makes more plays than Ed Reed?

Before you start throwing out Troy Polamalu's name, consider that Reed has more than twice as many career picks (39 to 17).

In all fairness, Fast Eddie Reed has played an extra season, so who knows, maybe Polamalu picks up an extra 22 interceptions next year, evening the score. In the meantime, let's compare apples to apples.

The stats below aren't career numbers for any of the guys, just years 2003-present. Also, the touchdown numbers for Fast Eddie don't even include touchdowns stemming from fumble recoveries, blocked kicks, punt returns, et cetera. Just picks.

SINCE 2003

• Fast Eddie Reed: 34 interceptions, 904 return yards, 5 touchdowns
  
• Troy Polamalu: 17 interceptions, 210 yards, 1 touchdown
• Ray Lewis: 14 interceptions, 204 yards, 2 touchdowns

PS: Big ups to my boy Ben, who last night celebrated his 31st birthday in style. Ben is a recovering Redskins fan who grew up in Baltimore and eventually saw the light. Go Ravens.

NFL rookie of the month: The Joe Flacco Show!

Just announced. True story. No link yet.

Congratulations, Joe.

No chance of him winning ROY, though. Matty Ice or Stupid Fast will win that.

Which team leads the league in scoring offense over the past seven games?

The Joe Flacco Show, featuring nearly 31 points per game.

Ravens control their own destiny

Baltimore currently controls its own playoff destiny. That won't change this weekend. They'll beat the Redskins, who already are on the outside looking in. The Ravens secondary has stepped up its game, but regardless Washington's offense doesn't pose much of a threat through the air.

Jason Campbell, you ain't no Joe Flacco!

Clinton Portis? Please. He won't be able to run on Baltimore, especially not with eight in the box. Single coverage on the receivers and Fast Eddie Reed wreaking havoc.

If Washington's going to win this game, it's going to require a poor offensive showing from The Joe Flacco Show, and I don't see that happening. Then again, I'm blinded with bias, and Joe Flacco does have a better QB rating on the road than he does at home. So you've got that going for you, D.C.

The Joe Flacco show has gone without an interception for six out of the past seven games, throwing two against the Giants, one of which bounced of Derrick Mason's face, literally. Can't really blame that on Joe.

Baltimore wins another game, one step closer to post-season glory.

KOW.

PS: I almost feel bad for the Bengals, but then I remember how bad Baltimore's offense was last year. Billick happens. So does Marvin Lewis.