Snow Day Ponderings in B’more

Weather is on the minds of most here in The Land of Pleasant Living. After all, if memory serves me correctly, this is the first measurable snowfall in a few years. Be safe out there fellow Flockers. And have a little fun while you’re at it!

Speaking of the weather, Saturday night’s Wild Card Game against the Steelers will certainly be affected by the elements. The early forecast calls for temps in the mid 20’s with 16 MPH wind gusts and wind chills in the teens. Some models suggest that winds could be even more severe.

And while we’re on the subject of severe weather…

It’s ICE COLD in Green Bay today.

A #Packers fan opened up a bottle of water, and it immediately FROZE.

pic.twitter.com/SjrofVAGRe

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 5, 2025

This is Lake Michigan

pic.twitter.com/AoUFK0AuI4

— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) January 5, 2025

But back to the Ravens and their frosty conditions, one of the reasons that the Ravens signed Derrick Henry is to take advantage of game situations like this.

Let the man eat!

Of course, there is one “NFL Insider” who thought that King Henry wouldn’t work for the Ravens, claiming that the Ravens offense wasn’t a fit for Derrick’s style. How’s that aging for you JLC? Well, to his credit, La Canfora is used to being wrong by now, so he’s probably bothered very little by another big swing and a miss. Chris Davis survived.

Remember the La Canfora stone cold reverse lock? For those who missed it, listen to his advice closely, do the opposite, open your favorite trusty gambling app, place your wager and watch your net worth swell!

Derrick Henry final stats:

1,925 yards (2nd)
16 TD (t1st)
58.8 success (5th)
5.9 YPA (1st)@JasonLaCanfora just don’t talk about football anymore. You don’t know shit. https://t.co/mutSvvlW1x

— Cole Jackson (@ColeJacksonFB) January 6, 2025

The Weather Was Beautiful

How great was this game…or at least the last few minutes of this game?

Combine this week’s TNF and today’s DAL-WSH game and you had 10% as fun a finish as Vikings @ Ravens 2013 pic.twitter.com/9NeUYkvODQ

— Banks (@BarstoolBanks) November 24, 2024

No Flowers v. Steelers

Although nothing has been confirmed because that has been John Harbaugh’s style since the days of Breshad Perriman, Zay Flowers will likely miss the Wild Card game against the Steelers due to a LCL injury. A grade one sprain typically requires 3-4 weeks to heal. The hope is that with the Ravens medical staff and Flowers’ ability to recover that Zay could be available should the Ravens advance to the Divisional Round.

Flowers has played against the Steelers three times in his career and has posted a total of 12 catches on 25 targets for 212 yards and 1 touchdown. The Ravens can and should win this game without Zay but an extended playoff run without him will be challenging. Here’s hoping that he’s ready for the Divisional Round. But first things first…

Ravens v. Playoff Teams

The Ravens are (7-3) this season against teams that have punched their ticket to the postseason single elimination tournament. But in each game of the 10 games, the Ravens have produced more net yards than their opponent. Here’s a look at each of those games and how the Ravens compared in key areas.

Ravens v. Steelers III

The Ravens and Steelers will square off at 8PM on Saturday and it marks the first time that Pittsburgh has traveled to Baltimore for a playoff game to take on the purple and black. The Ravens opened as 8 ½ point favorites, a line that quickly moved to 9 ½ points.

The last time the Steelers visited Charm City in the postseason goes back to 1976 when the Baltimore Colts were gracious hosts. Pittsburgh trounced the Colts 40-14, outpacing Bert Jones & Co. 526 yards to 170. The only real offense the hometown could muster came moments after the game’s final gun.

The last time Baltimore hosted the #Steelers in the postseason was back in 1976. Moments after the completion of the Steelers v. #Colts AFC Divisional Playoff game, a Piper Cherokee crashes into the upper deck of old Memorial Stadium. No one was seriously injured. pic.twitter.com/PQREbNcdzN

— Tony Lombardi (@RSRLombardi) January 6, 2025

Safety in Numbers?

If you’re the statistical type, there’s a lot of support for the Ravens advancing in the playoffs, provided of course they don’t beat themselves with turnovers and penalties.

The Ravens scored 2.82 points per drive vs playoff teams in the regular season

That’s the best mark in the league

They’ve allowed 1.69 points per drive vs playoff teams

That’s the best mark in the leauge

They’ve played 10 games vs playoff teams, most in the NFL

— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) January 6, 2025

Here is the final tally of where the #RavensFlock ends up on the list of all-time DVOA teams: No. 7.

As I said last week, I understand being skeptical because of the 2019 and 2023 Ravens, plus they’ll have to go on the road for two games to make the SB. pic.twitter.com/r6UEl0GwSJ

— Aaron Schatz (@ASchatzNFL) January 6, 2025

Around the League

Rex Ryan thinks he has a decided edge to land the head coach opening with the New York Jets. And given the insanity of Jets ownership, maybe he’s right. I’m just glad that he never landed the Ravens gig. Rex did interview for the job back in 2008 but when he pulled his truck into the parking spot marked “HC” just prior to his interview, it didn’t go over well with the team’s higher ups.

And let’s not forget, the divisiveness in the Ravens locker room between the offense and defense that cost Brian Billick his job, was flamed by Ryan. Of course, it didn’t help Billick’s cause when he referred to Steve Bisciotti as “young man”.

Rex Ryan told @HDumpty39 and @RothenbergESPN that he loves his chances of landing the Jets head coaching job.pic.twitter.com/5zqfPRzJva

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 6, 2025

All that being said, the Jets owner Woody Johnson is bat shit crazy enough to bring back Rex. It’s like a J-Lo and Ben Affleck reunification.

And in other league news…

Deshaun Watson isn’t going to take another snap for the Browns, is he?

#Browns GM Andrew Berry says that QB Deshaun Watson suffered a setback with his Achilles injury and that currently the extent of impact on his upcoming season is unclear.

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 6, 2025

I thought the Vikings would win in Detroit given how nicked up the Lions defense is. But I wasn’t counting on Darnold reverting to his days as a 49er or Panther or Jet. Did I leave anyone out?

sam darnold with all of america watching in the biggest game of his career pic.twitter.com/0FcGSIKsDQ

— greg (@gandalf_thegreg) January 6, 2025

The only fans who want to watch the Texans live in Houston. And lately, maybe they don’t want to watch either. So it’s not a shocker that their boring team gets regularly parked in the Wild Card matinee hour.

Start time for every Wild Card game in Texans history
2011: Saturday 3:30
2012: Saturday 3:30
2015: Saturday 3:30
2016: Saturday 3:30
2018: Saturday 3:30
2019: Saturday 3:30
2023: Saturday 3:30
2024: Saturday 3:30

A tradition like no other

— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) January 6, 2025

The Packers got deeked! Check it out!

And I’m here for the creativity.

BEARS FAKED OUT THE PACKERS FOR A 94-YARD PUNT RETURN TD

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/kQucqEz8h2

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 5, 2025

Happy Snow Day B’more!

[Related Article: Another Clash with Pittsburgh]

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