Ravens @ Cowboys Week #16

Ravens @ Cowboys

As a lover of burgers and fries (in a mostly uncaring universe one of the few things to be grateful for this Holiday season is that this most delicious of meals is widely available and eminently affordable), I have newfound disdain for CB Frank Walker of the Ravens, for he committed sacrilege by spitting on the Berger last week. He and Mitch got into a scuffle near the end of last week’s game when Frank apparently attempted a cheap shot to kicker Reed’s leg. The lowly punter/holder defended his fellow non-fierce position playing teammate, and Walker garnished Berger with a fully hocked loogie for his efforts. Frank, you’re as dead to me as a Thanksgiving Turkey. Perhaps Frank’s frustration flourished at the end of the game because the Ravens were once again about to lose to a quality team. The Ravens this year have only 2 victories versus teams with a winning record.

On the ebb and flow chart, the Ravens are ebbing and the Cowboys are flowing. The Cowboys’ defense is stiffening up like a corn starched collar, while the Raven’s flaccid Flacco-led offense is wilting like a winter weed. I could name the numbers, but alluding alliteration makes taut the tale.

Ray Rice, Ravens’ RB, is very “?”, so it’ll be up to Mr. McClain to carry the load with Mr. McGahee finding the field for 3rd downs. No less than 3 starting offensive lineman for the Ravens’ saw limited practice time this week but will be starting regardless. The aforementioned Frank Walker was cursed by karma with a semi-crippled calf for his uncouth projectile “cough,” and SS Ed Reed didn’t practice all week as well to save himself for the game. The Ravens’ secondary is really not in the best shape right now to be facing a team with as many threats as the Cowboys. When Samari “1 wheel short of a full” Rolle is the healthiest guy in your secondary, it’s a cause for concern.

Tony Romo practiced fully on Thursday and claims no ill-effects from the knee to the back he took last week. Marion Barber and his bad toe are “?”, so the choice may continue to be more runs for Tashard. The Cowboys’ defense, sans the sordid sustaination of injuries at safety this season, are healthy. Even Pacman Jones has had a Christmas miracle recovery and will be available for this game.

The Ravens’ offense is ill-equipped for late game comebacks, while the Cowboys’ defense is perfectly suited for punishing panicky pass-happy offenses, as they demonstrated versus the Giants’ last week. Last week’s Cowboys’ game was a blueprint for this week’s possible last game ever in the Cowboy’s current confines.

The Cowboys were a recommended play when the line dipped to -4, but are still worth a weaker wager at the current -5.5.

Final Score Prediction: Ravens 16 – Cowboys 24