Welcome to the PBN Round Table Baltimore Ravens fans! We kick off our picks with Michael Natelli:
The wild card in the Ravens’ season opener is what the overhauled running back room means for the Week 1 playbook. Is Ty’Son Williams familiar enough with the system to run the full gambit of Greg Roman’s arsenal? Do he and Lamar Jackson have the chemistry to be effective running read option and RPO plays? If not, how comfortable is Greg Roman constructing a game plan that steers away from some of his bread and butter? Can he resist leaning too heavily on the passing game and breaking the identity of this Ravens offense?
If Roman can stay disciplined and doesn’t break the mold, the Ravens should like their chances in Las Vegas even with all the injuries they’ve suffered. The Raiders are missing left guard Richie Incognito and will also likely be without starting running back Josh Jacobs, which will make life much easier for the Baltimore front seven.
Figuring out how to stop an offense that features multiple passing weapons without Marcus Peters may take some time, but if the Ravens can bend without breaking, they should be able to walk out of Allegiant Stadium 1-0. Bold Prediction: Malik Harrison makes a play and reminds everyone why he was originally mentioned as a candidate to be Baltimore’s 2020 first-round pick. Score: 34-23
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Ashley Anderson is going with the Ravens:
In their first game with fans at Allegiant Stadium, the Los Angeles Raiders will be fired up and ready to go. On the flip side, the Ravens have faced plenty of adversity over the last couple weeks as numerous starters suffered season-ending injuries.
They were left scrambling to sign some healthy running backs, and their offense might experience some hiccups in the early going. However, with the exception of Marcus Peters, their defense is relatively healthy.
This may not be the Week 1 blowout fans have become accustomed to, but Baltimore should prevail in a closer than comfortable game. Final score 21-17. Bold prediction: Lamar Jackson and Ty’Son Williams both top 100 rushing yards with Williams notching his first rushing TD.
Chris Schisler doesn’t disagree. It’s a Ravens night:
The Baltimore Ravens battle with the Las Vegas Raiders is one that will tell you a lot. It’s hard to know where this team is in terms of psychology. The Ravens have lost a lot of star power to injuries and we haven’t even kicked off the season. Training camp had some positives, but it’s been a harder path to the kickoff game than usual. This early adversity is either going to be a rallying cry that pumps the team up, or a reason the power doesn’t crank all the way up to start the season.
John Harbaugh is a good coach. The Ravens still have plenty of leadership on this roster and it starts with Lamar Jackson. I expect Jackson to be unphased and therefore the entire team will share his resolve. The Ravens have a ton of things that are working in their favor. Other than the pesky problem that is covering Darren Waller, the Ravens have answers for everything Vegas can throw their way. I’m calling it now, Don Martindale is going to be one excited defensive coordinator at the end of this game. I think the Ravens defense is going to start the season with a statement.
With confidence in the coach, quarterback, and defense, there isn’t much I’m worried about for the Baltimore Ravens. Is there some start to the season nerves? You bet. The expectation is a win. Nothing is free in the NFL and the Ravens have to kick the doors down and take it. Have no doubt though that the expectation, a reasonable expectation at that, is a win that kicks off the Ravens’ season with a big show of force.
Bold Predictions:
Lamar Jackson has 300 yards passing with three touchdowns through the air and a score on the ground.
Patrick Queen intercepts a pass in this game.
Josh Jacobs has less than 50 yards on the ground and only pitches in 20 yards as a pass-catcher.
Mark Andrews has two touchdown grabs tonight.
NEXT POST: Baltimore Ravens: 3 big questions vs. Las Vegas Raiders
This concludes our business at the PBN round table. It’s game day ladies and gentlemen!
