Ravens vs. Steelers is a Bitter Rivalry

Preach on James Walker. Preach on.

"Welcome to the most underrated rivalry in the National Football League. It involves toughness, familiarity, hatred, mutual respect and, on Sunday, the AFC North division title. There is never a shortage of excitement when the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens meet. But when you think of the NFL's top rivalries on a leaguewide scale, this one rarely comes to mind."

Ravens Defense Ranks High In Every Category

The Baltimore Ravens defense is and has been one of the best in the NFL for over a decade. They currently rank no worse than 3rd in any of the major defensive categories. This week they face one of the two defenses that can challenge them for the title of "Best defense in the NFL." The Pittsburgh Steelers have been really impressive this year playing behind former Raven, James Harrison. This will undoubtedly be a clash of titans.

Joe Flacco for Vice President

I like the idea of Joe Flacco for Vice President of the United States. He knows how to spell "potato" and doesn't own a shotgun, which he uses to shoot unsuspecting victims. By all accounts, Flacco would be one of the best VPs in history.

Baltimore Ravens Moving Up in NFL Power Rankings

The world wide leader finally moved the Ravens up to single digits in the NFL power rankings. They now rank 7th in the NFL. Here is the full top ten:

1. Titans
2. Giants
3. Steelers
4. Panthers
5. Colts
6. Bucs
7. Ravens "The Ravens aren't asking for respect. As winners of seven of their last eight, they're taking it." -James Walker
8. Cowboys
9. Cardinals
10. Patriots

Here are 7 Ravens Cheerleaders to celebrate our ranking of 7 in the NFL power rankings. I'm really just using any excuse I can to post photos of Ravens cheerleaders.

Ed Reed Should be Defensive Player of the Week

Vote for Ed Reed for 'Defensive Player of the Week' at NFL.com

Battle of the Beltway Goes to Baltimore

The Baltimore Ravens took the field Sunday Night in a game against the cross-town rival Washington Redskins that had major playoff implications. The Ravens came out victorious with a score of 24-10. This win allows the Ravens to keep pace in the AFC North Division race, just one win behind the 10-3 Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Redskins's chances of making the playoffs got significantly worse. They are competing with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles for a wildcard spot in the NFC.

Ed Reed=Good

The Ravens defense was fantastic. They battered Clinton Portis to the point of forcing him out of the game. Their blitz packages worked all night, allowing Terrell Suggs to tip a Jason Campbell pass into the waiting arms of Ed Reed. Reed finished the night with two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Did I mention that he ran the touchdown in backwards. The rest of the defense played well. Terrell Suggs was moving quickly around the field, abusing back-up offensive linemen. Haloti Ngata, Trevor Pryce, Bart Scott and Fabian Washington all made their presence felt throughout the game.

Joe Flacco=Bad

Ravens QB Joe Flacco played a terrible game. He seemed out of sync and distracted by the cold weather. Even when he completed passes to Todd Heap and Derek Mason they were floating ducks that were only caught because of outstanding plays by the receivers. The Raven's offense only found their rhythym when they took the ball out of Flacco's hand and put it in the workman-like hands of Le'Ron McClain who carried the team on the fourth quarter drive that sealed the victory.

Jason Campbell=Ugly

No game commentary here, Jason Campbell is just ugly. I actually think he is a really good QB, but man he needs to wear a Ladanian Tomlinson style dark visor.
The Ravens have won 7 of their last 8 games and are looking good. This week's game is huge because it is against the Pittsburgh Steelers, its for a share of the AFC North lead and its at M & T Bank.

Haloti Ngata Needs His Props

Jeffri Chadiha shines some light on a story that hasn't received enough attention around the NFL. Haloti Ngata has been an interior force for the Baltimore Ravens, but has received very little national acclaim and certainly no pro bowls invitations.

He is the anchor of a defensive line that helps make up the 2nd best defense in the NFL. Its time to get Haloti out there for the world to see. Its time for him to make his first pro bowl team.

Ravens' Backfield Ready for End of Season

The Ravens' three headed monster in the backfield really increases the team's chances of not only making the playoffs, but winning some playoff games. Splitting time between Willis McGahee, Le' Ron McClain and Ray Rice has helped to keep all three fresh. They provide the Ravens with a more potent rushing attack than most teams in the NFL because they are not only good, but they aren't worn down through 13 weeks of the season.

John Harbaugh and Cam Cameron have made this team a late season threat because of their insistence to build a three person tag team to run the ball. The run game should carry the offense against tired defenses for the remainder of the year.

Plaxico Burress' Gun Shot Wound Makes You Think

For those of you that don't know, New York Giants WR Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself while in a nightclub this weekend. He is in all kinds of trouble for carrying and firing a concealed weapon, which he apparently didn't have a permit to do. If you want more info on the story you can check it out here, here, here, or here.

Though this situation does directly affect the Ravens right now, it does provoke thoughts about the safety of professional athletes. Let me preface this by saying the vast, and I do mean vast, majority of pro athletes remain incognito and out of the public eye for negative events. We think of athletes as controversial figures because there are a very vocal minority that frequently find themselves in precarious situations. More often than not, that negative situation doesn't escalate to the point of violence. Why then do so many athletes own a gun or employ a secuity staff that carries guns?

Most Ravens fans remember the trouble both Ray and Jamal Lewis found themselves in not too long ago. Then there are stories like Richard Collier and Sean Taylor who are most certainly the victims in their violent interactions. Clearly there is a spotlight on these athletes because of the nature of their job and the payout of that job. It is something that they all think about. They wonder how many people know where they live, who they can trust and many more questions that most of us never have to worry about.

Its not that I'm condoning the ridiculous actions of Matt Jones who drove around looking to buy some white powder for a pick-me-up or even Plaxico Burress who appears to just be stupid and selfish. I am however making the case that we can't expect athletes to simply sit at home and watch Pirates of the Caribbean on their projector screens. They deserve to have lives too, but under certain cautions. I don't think an athlete should ever own a gun, but I am not opposed to hiring security guards who own guns LEGALLY.

Ravens and Steelers in a playoff race

Steve Garceau made the claim on BaltimoreRavens.com that it is a two horse race between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers heading into the final 4 weeks of the season. I agree that no other AFC North team (Ohio teams) are able to win because that simply can't be argued at this point, but this isn't just a two horse race.

The Steelers and Ravens both have intensely difficult schedules ahead including a second match-up against each other. If you remember, their first match up was a bruising, hard-fought 3-point game that the Ravens lost in Pittsburgh. If both teams want to make the playoffs, they both have to keep winning. The Patriots and Dolphins are nipping at their heels for a wild card spot.