SB Nation User Blog: Bruce Raffel

Week 15 NFL Preview

Bruce Raffel — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 18:24:38 -0000

PLAYOFF RACES INTENSIFY AS 24 TEAMS VIE FOR POSTSEASON

With three weeks remaining in the NFL season, the suspense is building as teams make their final playoff push.

While three spots have been clinched (Indianapolis, New Orleans and Minnesota), there are still 24 teams in contention for a postseason berth.

"There are three games left," says head coach MIKE MC CARTHY of the 9-4 Green Bay Packers. "There are a lot of things that happen in the last three weeks of the season. The scenarios will change. They always do. Everybody is fighting to get in."

Two 13-0 teams have already punched their playoff ticket – the AFC South champion Indianapolis Colts, who have also secured homefield advantage throughout the AFC playoffs, and the NFC South champion New Orleans Saints, who have locked up a first-round bye. It is the first time in NFL history there have been two 13-0 teams in the same season.

Both clubs seek to join select company at 14-0, a feat that only two teams in NFL history have achieved:

TEAM	YEAR	UNDEFEATED START	FINAL REG-SEASON RECORD	PLAYOFF RESULT
New England	2007	16-0	16-0	Lost Super Bowl XLII
Miami	1972	14-0	14-0	Won Super Bowl VII

The Colts and Saints will each be featured in national primetime games on NFL Network this week with playoff implications.

On Thursday night (8:20 PM ET), Indianapolis will visit the 7-6 Jacksonville Jaguars, who are battling for a Wild Card spot in the AFC playoff race. The Colts, who defeated Denver last week, have won 22 consecutive regular-season games, the longest winning streak in NFL history.

"The way we are around here, we love to win," says Colts owner JIM IRSAY. "To have that type of greatness, it’s something that’s unprecedented. When you think about 20, 30, 80 years from now, people will be referring back to you and that’s really special."

Next up for Indianapolis is Jacksonville, a team that is 2-0 at home against the AFC South this year, outscoring opponents 60-35. The Jaguars control their playoff destiny as three wins in their final three games would guarantee them a spot in the postseason.

"It’s the playoffs for us," says Jacksonville guard UCHE NWANERI. "We’re in a great situation to still have a hold on what can happen. We know we have to win out. That’s the only way to really ensure we’ll be in the playoffs. We control our own fate. It’s going to be a tough, three-game season. But this is what you play football for, for the opportunities to force yourself into the playoffs."

The Saints, who won 26-23 at Atlanta last week, will look to extend their franchise-best 13-game winning streak when they host the 8-5 Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night (8:20 PM ET).

"We know that this is a very talented team that is coming in here," says New Orleans head coach SEAN PAYTON, who was an assistant with the Cowboys from 2003-05. "They have a ton of weapons and are going to be battling hard for

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NFL FACTOID

This season, there have been 35 individual performances with at least 10 receptions in a game. That is the third-most through the first 14 weeks of a season in NFL history (37 such games in 2002 and 2007). Denver’s BRANDON MARSHALL had 21 receptions last week against Indianapolis, the most catches by a player in a game in NFL history. New England’s WES WELKER leads the NFL with six games with at least 10 receptions this season.

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everything. We’re certainly aware that they’re in the thick of things for a spot in the postseason and will come in here ready to play. It’s another big challenge for us, but one we are looking forward to."

Dallas currently holds one of the two NFC Wild Card spots and sits just one game behind first-place Philadelphia in the NFC East. The Cowboys have dropped two games in a row after winning six of seven games.

"I think we can and I think we will," says Dallas head coach WADE PHILLIPS about the team’s postseason chances. "I have a lot of confidence in these guys. This is part of a long season. Coming down the stretch, we need to finish."

Some of the other headline games in Week 15:

CINCINNATI BENGALS (9-4) AT SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (10-3) (Sunday, CBS, 4:05 PM ET)

Two of the top teams in the AFC will meet in San Diego on Sunday as each team has its sights set on the AFC’s No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. Cincinnati can clinch the AFC North with a win, while San Diego can secure a playoff berth with a victory and win the AFC West with a Denver loss.

"It’s a great opportunity for our team going to San Diego," says Bengals head coach MARVIN LEWIS. "We’ll be playing not only to win the division, but a chance to continue to control our own destiny. So this is a good spot for us."

San Diego has won eight consecutive games and the team has surged into first place in the division with a 10-3 record. The Chargers, who won at Dallas last week, have won 16 consecutive games in December, the longest such winning streak in NFL history. The previous mark was set by the 1968-1972 Dallas Cowboys, who won 13 games in a row during the month.

"What I think we are willing to talk about is what we can control," says Chargers quarterback PHILIP RIVERS, who leads the AFC and ranks third overall with a 103.7 passer rating. "We can control winning this game and that will put us in the postseason. That is real, and that’s something to be aware of as a team."

GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-4) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-7) (Sunday, FOX, 4:15 PM ET)

The Green Bay Packers aim for their sixth consecutive win when they travel to Pittsburgh this Sunday to face the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers, who remain in the mix for a playoff berth.

"We know Pittsburgh’s a very good football team," says Green Bay head coach MIKE MC CARTHY. "They’ve had some struggles of late but we know we’re going to get their best shot. They are still the defending world champions. This is going to be a true test for our football team."

The Packers are coming off a 21-14 win at Chicago. In the victory, running back RYAN GRANT rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns, including a 62-yarder just 1:48 into the game. It was the longest touchdown run by a visiting opponent at Soldier Field in the first two minutes of a game.

The Steelers, despite a five-game losing streak, are still in contention for a trip to the playoffs.

"We are doing everything we can," says Pittsburgh linebacker JAMES FARRIOR. "We just have to look within. We have to go out and play these next three games. We know we can win the game. We have proven it in the past. We have to go out and prove it again."

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (11-2) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-8) (Sunday, NBC, 8:20 PM ET)

With a win on Sunday night, the Minnesota Vikings can clinch the NFC North and secure back-to-back division titles for the first time since the team won six in a row from 1973-78.

"We’re now an 11-2 football team and our sole focus here is on the Carolina Panthers," says Vikings head coach BRAD CHILDRESS. "I have a great deal of respect for (Carolina head coach) JOHN FOX and how he’s grown that program."

The Panthers enter the week with a 5-8 record but are still alive in the chase for the postseason.

"We just have to go out there and win games," says Panthers linebacker JON BEASON.

The game will feature two of the NFL’s best running backs in Minnesota’s ADRIAN PETERSON and Carolina’s

DE ANGELO WILLIAMS. Since the start of the 2008 season, Peterson leads the league with 2,960 yards and Williams ranks third with 2,619. Williams’ 25 rushing touchdowns during that span rank third, while Peterson is tied for fourth with 24 rushing TDs.

2009 NFL STANDINGS

American Football Conference

East Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
New England Patriots	8	5	0	.615	348	234	7-0-0	1-5-0	5-4-0	3-2-0	Won 1
Miami Dolphins	7	6	0	.538	292	306	4-2-0	3-4-0	5-4-0	4-2-0	Won 2
New York Jets	7	6	0	.538	275	211	3-3-0	4-3-0	5-5-0	2-4-0	Won 3
Buffalo Bills	5	8	0	.385	215	271	2-4-0	3-4-0	3-7-0	2-3-0	Won 1

West Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
San Diego Chargers	10	3	0	.769	362	259	4-2-0	6-1-0	7-3-0	5-1-0	Won 8
Denver Broncos	8	5	0	.615	256	230	4-2-0	4-3-0	6-4-0	3-1-0	Lost 1
Oakland Raiders	4	9	0	.308	155	316	2-5-0	2-4-0	3-6-0	1-4-0	Lost 1
Kansas City Chiefs	3	10	0	.231	206	342	1-6-0	2-4-0	2-7-0	1-4-0	Lost 3

North Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Cincinnati Bengals	9	4	0	.692	264	217	5-2-0	4-2-0	6-3-0	6-0-0	Lost 1
Baltimore Ravens	7	6	0	.538	319	218	5-2-0	2-4-0	6-4-0	3-2-0	Won 1
Pittsburgh Steelers	6	7	0	.462	278	244	4-2-0	2-5-0	4-6-0	1-4-0	Lost 5
Cleveland Browns	2	11	0	.154	158	315	1-5-0	1-6-0	2-7-0	1-5-0	Won 1

South Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
z-Indianapolis Colts	13	0	0	1.000	359	217	7-0-0	6-0-0	9-0-0	5-0-0	Won 13
Jacksonville Jaguars	7	6	0	.538	235	287	5-2-0	2-4-0	6-3-0	3-2-0	Lost 1
Tennessee Titans	6	7	0	.462	293	323	4-2-0	2-5-0	3-7-0	2-4-0	Won 1
Houston Texans	6	7	0	.462	311	273	3-4-0	3-3-0	4-6-0	1-5-0	Won 1

National Football Conference

East Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Philadelphia Eagles	9	4	0	.692	372	273	4-2-0	5-2-0	8-2-0	4-1-0	Won 4
Dallas Cowboys	8	5	0	.615	296	233	5-2-0	3-3-0	6-3-0	2-2-0	Lost 2
New York Giants	7	6	0	.538	341	330	4-3-0	3-3-0	5-4-0	3-2-0	Lost 1
Washington Redskins	4	9	0	.308	234	251	3-3-0	1-6-0	2-8-0	0-4-0	Won 1

West Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
Arizona Cardinals	8	5	0	.615	306	258	3-3-0	5-2-0	6-3-0	3-2-0	Lost 1
San Francisco 49ers	6	7	0	.462	269	242	5-2-0	1-5-0	5-4-0	4-1-0	Won 1
Seattle Seahawks	5	8	0	.385	250	301	4-2-0	1-6-0	4-6-0	3-3-0	Lost 1
St. Louis Rams	1	12	0	.077	146	361	0-6-0	1-6-0	1-9-0	0-4-0	Lost 5

North Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
x-Minnesota Vikings	11	2	0	.846	389	243	7-0-0	4-2-0	8-1-0	5-0-0	Won 1
Green Bay Packers	9	4	0	.692	344	243	5-2-0	4-2-0	7-3-0	4-2-0	Won 5
Chicago Bears	5	8	0	.385	247	291	4-3-0	1-5-0	3-7-0	1-3-0	Lost 1
Detroit Lions	2	11	0	.154	209	406	2-4-0	0-7-0	1-8-0	0-5-0	Lost 3

South Division
Team	W	L	T	Pct	PF	PA	Home	Away	Conf	Div	Streak
y-New Orleans Saints	13	0	0	1.000	466	274	6-0-0	7-0-0	9-0-0	4-0-0	Won 13
Atlanta Falcons	6	7	0	.462	302	305	5-2-0	1-5-0	5-6-0	2-3-0	Lost 2
Carolina Panthers	5	8	0	.385	225	282	3-3-0	2-5-0	5-4-0	3-2-0	Lost 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	1	12	0	.077	190	356	1-6-0	0-6-0	1-8-0	0-4-0	Lost 5

x - Clinched Playoff Spot; y - Clinched Division; z - Clinched Home Field

LAST WEEK’S RESULTS (DECEMBER 10, 13-14)

Thursday, December 10	Sunday, December 13, cont’d
CLEVELAND 13, Pittsburgh 6	MINNESOTA 30, Cincinnati 10
	NEW ENGLAND 20, Carolina 10
Sunday, December 13	N.Y. Jets 26, TAMPA BAY 3
New Orleans 26, ATLANTA 23	Washington 34, OAKLAND 13
BALTIMORE 48, Detroit 3	TENNESSEE 47, St. Louis 7
Green Bay 21, CHICAGO 14	San Diego 20, DALLAS 17
HOUSTON 34, Seattle 7	Philadelphia 45, N.Y. GIANTS 38
INDIANAPOLIS 28, Denver 16
Miami 14, JACKSONVILLE 10	Monday, December 14
Buffalo 16, KANSAS CITY 10	SAN FRANCISCO 24, Arizona 9

2009 WEEK 15 SCHEDULE (DECEMBER 17, 19-21)

(All times local)

Thursday, December 17	Sunday, December 20, cont’d
Indianapolis at Jacksonville, 8:20 PM (NFLN)	San Francisco at Philadelphia, 1:00 PM
	Houston at St. Louis, 12:00 PM
Saturday, December 19	Miami at Tennessee, 12:00 PM
Dallas at New Orleans, 7:20 PM (NFLN)	Oakland at Denver, 2:05 PM
	Cincinnati at San Diego, 1:05 PM
Sunday, December 20	Green Bay at Pittsburgh, 4:15 PM
Chicago at Baltimore, 1:00 PM	Tampa Bay at Seattle, 1:15 PM
New England at Buffalo, 1:00 PM	Minnesota at Carolina, 8:20 PM (NBC)
Arizona at Detroit, 1:00 PM
Cleveland at Kansas City, 12:00 PM	Monday, December 21
Atlanta at N.Y. Jets, 1:00 PM	N.Y. Giants at Washington, 8:30 PM (ESPN)

Ray Rice Nominated for FedEx Ground Award

Bruce Raffel — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:33:32 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

3 days ago: Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Derrick Mason, left, celebrates running back Ray Rice's, right, second-quarter touchdown during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Browse more photos »

The Baltimore Ravens' Ray Rice received his first nomination as the FedEx Ground Player of the week for his 13 carry, 166 yard and one TD performance in the team's resounding 48-3 victory over the Detroit Lions this past Sunday. Rice only played the first half of the game and accumulated his stats on only 13 carries for an average of over 12 yards per attempt!

The voting for the winners is entirely fan driven so click here to cast your vote in favor of our hometown hero.

See the entire press release after the 'Jump.'

Ray Rice was nominated for the Week 14 FedEx Ground Player of the Week award. This is his first nomination of the season. The FedEx Air & Ground awards are completely fan driven, so it’s up to Ravens fans to vote for Rice at www.NFL.com/FedEx. If Rice receives the most fan votes, FedEx will make a $1,000 donation in his name to the local Safe Kids USA coalition in Baltimore to help fund child and pedestrian safety. Depending on specific needs, the donation could go towards painting crosswalks, installing signs, landscaping near sidewalks and playgrounds, installing bike racks, and developing educational programs and events to teach kids about pedestrian safety. Voting ends at noon ET on Friday. The full NFL press release is pasted below. Let me know if you have questions or if you can get in a mention to help drive votes. Thanks, Dan Kurash 312-988-2314 SAINTS QB DREW BREES, REDSKINS QB JASON CAMPBELL & TEXANS QB MATT SCHAUB; 49ERS RB FRANK GORE, PACKERS RB RYAN GRANT & RAVENS RB RAY RICE CANDIDATES FOR FEDEX AIR & GROUND® NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK HONORS Fans To Vote For Winners On NFL.com FedEx Delivers Pedestrian Safety Improvements On Behalf of Winning Players In Their Teams’ Markets Quarterbacks DREW BREES of the New Orleans Saints, JASON CAMPBELL of the Washington Redskins and MATT SCHAUB of the Houston Texans are the finalists for the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week honors for games played on December 10 - 14, while running backs FRANK GORE of the San Francisco 49ers, RYAN GRANT of the Green Bay Packers and RAY RICE of the Baltimore Ravens are the finalists for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week, the NFL announced today. Fans can vote for one player in each category on NFL.com/FedEx from 9 a.m. EST on Tuesday through noon EST on Friday to determine the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Players of the Week. The winners will be announced Friday evening on NFL.com. Fans will be voting for more than their favorite player. As part of the Air & Ground program, FedEx continues its support of Safe Kids USA – a national non-profit organization that works to prevent accidental injury among children – by making weekly $1,000 donations in the winning players’ names. The funding, allocated to local Safe Kids coalitions in that team’s city, is used for pedestrian safety improvements throughout the year, from upgraded crosswalks and street signage to traffic barriers and educational training. For a second season, fans can tune into the "FedEx Air & Ground Lowdown" posted exclusively on NFL.com/FedEx starting Wednesday mornings. The show examines the nominees in the Air & Ground categories through exclusive video highlights and expert analysis. NFL Network’s RICH EISEN and MARSHALL FAULK host the weekly five-minute show. A closer look at the FedEx Air NFL Player of the Week finalists: • New Orleans’ DREW BREES threw three touchdowns completing 31 of 40 passes for 296 yards in the Saints’ 26-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons. • Washington’s JASON CAMPBELL completed 16 of 28 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the Redskins’ 34-13 win over the Oakland Raiders. • Houston’s MATT SCHAUB completed 29 of 39 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns with one interception in the Texans’ 34- 7 win over the Seattle Seahawks. A closer look at the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week finalists: • San Francisco’s FRANK GORE carried the ball 25 times for 167 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 24-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football. • Green Bay’s RYAN GRANT rushed 20 times for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the Packers’ 21-14 win over the Chicago Bears. • Baltimore’s RAY RICE had 13 carries for 166 yards and one touchdown in the Ravens’ 48-3 win over the Detroit Lions. As the Official Delivery Service Sponsor of the NFL, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl, FedEx understands the need for a winning game plan, and created the Air & Ground program to highlight superior on-field performance while delivering safe kids off the field. Because FedEx has thousands of delivery trucks out on the roads each day, the company is committed to funding pedestrian safety improvements through its 10-year partnership with Safe Kids USA. # # #

Ask Baltimore Beatdown: Ravens Blogger

Bruce Raffel — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:38:39 -0000

Hey guys, it's Bruce from Baltimore Beatdown, SB Nation's Ravens blog. We welcome you guys to Baltimore this weekend, but hopefully you will not be happy you came by late Sunday afternoon. We are on the cusp of a playoff spot and are fighting for that Wild Card that will give us some post season football to watch for a reason. While the Bears defense is not the one we all think of from the recent past, neither is our Ravens defense, but we are still hanging in there because of a better offense than in the past. Hopefully, we'll pull one out against you guys and then set up another showdown with the Steelers in Pittsburgh to nail down the post season berth.

Feel free to post your questions here and I'll stop back the rest of the week to give you my answers from a Ravens perspective. Feel free to stop by The Beatdown, join and post your thoughts as well. We may be a smaller group of fans, but we are pretty knowledgeable and passionate about our football, so you'd better bring it. I was going to say we are "loud, proud and purple," but I guess you've had enough already of the "purple" team in your division!

Ravens' Trio Still Lead in Pro Bowl Voting

Bruce Raffel — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:24:33 -0000

With one week left in the voting for the 2010 Pro Bowl, three Ravens still lead their respective positions in voting for the AFC's team. Check out the current numbers below:

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS QB DREW BREES LEADS

PRO BOWL CHARGE WITH ONE WEEK OF VOTING

REMAINING ON NFL.COM

Teams to be Announced on Pro Bowl Selection Show December 29 on NFL Network

New Orleans Saints quarterback DREW BREES, with 1,120,535 votes, leads all NFL All-Stars in balloting for the 2010 Pro Bowl, NFL.com announced today. 2010 Pro Bowl voting will continue on NFL.com/probowl and on web-enabled mobile phones by going to NFL.com through Monday, December 21.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback BRETT FAVRE (1,120,174 votes) ranks second overall, while Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING (1,113,934 votes), Minnesota Vikings running back ADRIAN PETERSON (1,079,993 votes) and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD (684,698 votes) round out the top five on NFL.com.

Balloting for the 2010 Pro Bowl will conclude on Monday, December 21 following the conclusion of Monday Night Football (New York Giants at Washington Redskins, ESPN, 8:30 PM ET). The teams will be announced at 4 PM (ET) Tuesday, December 29 on a special NFL Total Access 2010 Pro Bowl Selection Show on NFL Network.

The 2010 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, January 31, 2010 and televised live on ESPN at 7:20 PM ET from Dolphin Stadium in South Florida, also the site of Super Bowl XLIV a week later on Sunday, February 7.

Fans can buy tickets to the 2010 Pro Bowl at www.NFL.com/probowl and www.TICKETMASTER.com or by calling 800-745-3000.

The AFC and NFC All-Star squads are based on the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counts one-third towards determining the 43-man rosters that represent the American Football Conference and National Football Conference in the Pro Bowl. NFL players and coaches will cast their votes on December 22 - 23.

The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its all-star teams. It was the first professional sports league to offer online all-star voting in 1995.

Listed below are the top 10 overall All-Star vote-getters and the players with the most votes at each position through December 14:

NFL ALL-STAR TOP-TEN VOTE-GETTERS

Pos.	Name, Team	Votes
QB	Drew Brees, Saints	1,120,535
QB	Brett Favre, Vikings	1,120,174
QB	Peyton Manning, Colts	1,113,934
RB	Adrian Peterson, Vikings	1,079,993
WR	Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals	684,698
QB	Tom Brady, Patriots	622,916
TE	Dallas Clark, Colts	603,492
RB	Cedric Benson, Bengals	565,763
RB	Chris Johnson, Titans	560,479
WR	Andre Johnson, Texans	546,693

AFC LEADING VOTE-GETTERS

Pos.	Name, Team	Votes	Pos.	Name, Team	Votes
QB	Peyton Manning, Colts	1,113,934	DE	Dwight Freeney, Colts	416,963
RB	Cedric Benson, Bengals	565,763	IL	Vince Wilfork, Patriots	221,195
FB	Le'Ron McClain, Ravens	160,915	OLB	James Harrison, Steelers	225,186
WR	Andre Johnson, Texans	546,693	ILB	Ray Lewis, Ravens	308,999
TE	Dallas Clark, Colts	603,492	CB	Champ Bailey, Broncos	344,646
T	Jake Long, Dolphins	214,924	SS	Troy Polamalu, Steelers	347,418
G	Alan Faneca, Jets	232,097	FS	Ed Reed, Ravens	298,069
C	Jeff Saturday, Colts	448,405	P	Shane Lechler, Raiders	110,836
K	Adam Vinatieri, Colts	143,299	ST	Joshua Cribbs, Browns	128,861
KR	Darren Sproles, Chargers	152,254

NFC LEADING VOTE-GETTERS

Pos.	Name, Team	Votes	Pos.	Name, Team	Votes
QB	Drew Brees, Saints	1,120,535	DE	Jared Allen, Vikings	446,824
RB	Adrian Peterson, Vikings	1,079,993	IL	Pat Williams, Vikings	285,254
FB	Naufahu Tahi, Vikings	147,168	OLB	DeMarcus Ware, Cowboys	340,915
WR	Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals	684,698	ILB	Patrick Willis, 49ers	236,923
TE	Tony Gonzalez, Falcons	351,966	CB	Asante Samuel, Eagles	258,751
T	Bryant McKinnie, Vikings	301,445	SS	Adrian Wilson, Cardinals	237,469
G	Steve Hutchinson, Vikings	308,887	FS	Darren Sharper, Saints	377,297
C	John Sullivan, Vikings	290,702	P	Chris Kluwe, Vikings	108,556
K	Ryan Longwell, Vikings	159,863	ST	Heath Farwell, Vikings	138,188
KR	Percy Harvin, Vikings	298,208

Ravens Game Release: Week 15

Bruce Raffel — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:17:01 -0000

Check out the Ravens Game Release for this weekend's home game vs. the Chicago Bears, 28 pages long with tons of news, notes, stats and quotes, all compliments of the Ravens great PR Dept.

Below is a link to download the Ravens’ game release for their Week 15 contest vs. Chicago (Dec. 20):

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/~/media/DEE0634A9FBC49B4B088B9D39600CA64.ashx

The release contains the following information:

· Game Preview

· Quotes

· Team/Player Notes

· John Harbaugh’s Press Conference Transcript

· Ravens in Our Community

· How Ravens are Built

· Depth Chart

· Transactions

· Game-by-Game Starters

· Rosters

· Cumulative Statistics

Additionally, the 2009 Baltimore Ravens Media Guide can be downloaded at

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Media_Guide.aspx.

AFC & NFC Notes

Bruce Raffel — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:24:13 -0000

AFC PLAYOFF RACE DOWN TO THE WIRE

What’s the strategy for contenders down the stretch as the AFC playoff picture takes shape?

"We control what we control," says San Diego Chargers quarterback PHILIP RIVERS, who can help his club clinch a postseason berth for the fourth consecutive season with a win on Sunday. "If we win this game we can be assured to play past January 3. Other than go further than that, I wouldn’t see a need to because there are a lot of things that have to happen, both with us and other teams."

The season has three weeks remaining and 13 clubs are vying for the AFC’s six playoff slots. The Indianapolis Colts (13-0) are the only AFC team to have clinched a playoff berth, securing the AFC South title and homefield advantage throughout AFC playoffs.

San Diego (10-3) and Cincinnati (9-4) each have an opportunity to earn a playoff berth and possibly clinch division titles this week. The race remains tight in the AFC with 10 other clubs with records between 8-5 and 5-8 battling for a division championship or Wild Card berth.

"Right now, we need to win the rest of our games," says Miami Dolphins defensive lineman RANDY STARKS, whose club is in the hunt for the AFC East title. "If we don’t win the rest of our games, it doesn’t matter who beats who."

Following are the records of AFC playoff contenders, their remaining games and their wins and losses against other AFC playoff hopefuls:

AFC EAST

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS	8-5	3-2	5-4	at Buf	Jac	at Hou
Wins: Buf, Bal, Ten, Mia, NYJ; Losses: NYJ, Den, Ind, Mia

MIAMI DOLPHINS	7-6	4-2	5-4	at Ten	Hou	Pit
Wins: Buf, NYJ (2), NE, Jac; Losses: Ind, SD, NE, Buf

NEW YORK JETS	7-6	2-4	5-5	Atl	at Ind	Cin
Wins: Hou, NE, Ten, Buf; Losses: Mia (2), Buf, Jac, NE

BUFFALO BILLS	5-8	2-3	3-7	NE	at Atl	Ind
Wins: NYJ, Mia; Losses: NE, Mia, Hou, Ten, Jac, NYJ

AFC NORTH

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
CINCINNATI BENGALS	9-4	6-0	6-3	at SD	KC	at NYJ
Wins: Pit (2), Bal (2); Losses: Den, Hou

BALTIMORE RAVENS	7-6	3-2	6-4	Chi	at Pit	at Oak
Wins: SD, Den, Pit; Losses: NE, Cin (2), Ind

PITTSBURGH STEELERS Wins: Ten, SD, Den; Losses: Cin (2), Bal	6-7	1-4	4-6	GB	Bal	at Mia


AFC SOUTH

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS*	13-0	5-0	9-0	at Jac	NYJ	at Buf
Wins: Jac, Mia, Ten (2), Hou (2), NE, Bal, Den

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS	7-6	3-2	6-3	Ind	at NE	at Cle
Wins: Hou (2), Ten, NYJ, Buf; Losses: Ind, Ten, Mia

TENNESSEE TITANS Wins: Jac, Buf, Hou; Losses: Pit, Hou, NYJ, Jac, Ind (2) NE	6-7	2-4	3-7	Mia	SD	at Sea
HOUSTON TEXANS Wins: Ten, Cin, Buf; Losses: NYJ, Jac (2), Ind (2), Ten	6-7	1-5	4-6	at StL	at Mia	NE
AFC WEST

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS	10-3	5-1	7-3	Cin	at Ten	Was
Wins: Mia, Den; Losses: Bal, Pit, Den

DENVER BRONCOS	8-5	3-1	6-4	Oak	at Phi	KC
Wins: Cin, NE, SD; Losses: Bal, Pit, SD, Ind

* Clinched division title and homefield advantage throughout AFC playoffs.

PLAYOFF RACES INTENSIFY AS NFL ENTERS FINAL THREE WEEKS

As the NFL enters Week 15, 11 teams are still alive for a playoff berth in the NFC as the push to Super Bowl XLIV in South Florida heats up.

Two teams – the New Orleans Saints (13-0) and Minnesota Vikings (11-2) – have clinched a spot in the postseason. The Saints have already secured the NFC South and a first-round bye and aim to lock up homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs this weekend.

The primetime schedule for Week 15 features several NFC teams vying for a playoff spot.

On Saturday night (NFL Network, 8:20 PM ET), the undefeated Saints will host the Dallas Cowboys (8-5). Sunday night’s contest (NBC, 8:20 PM ET) will pit two teams in playoff contention against one another when the Vikings (11-2) visit the Carolina Panthers (5-8). And on Monday night (ESPN, 8:30 PM ET), the New York Giants (7-6) will look to make a move in the NFC race when they travel to Washington to face the NFC East rival Redskins.

Following are the records of NFC playoff contenders, their remaining games and their wins and losses against other NFC playoff hopefuls:

NFC EAST

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES	9-4	4-1	8-2	SF	Den	at Dal
Wins: Atl, Car, NYG (2); Losses: Dal, NO

DALLAS COWBOYS	8-5	2-2	6-3	at NO	at Was	Phi
Wins: Atl, Car, Phi, Sea; Losses: GB, NYG (2)

NEW YORK GIANTS	7-6	3-2	5-4	at Was	Car	at Min
Wins: Atl, Dal (2); Losses: Arz, NO, Phi (2)

NFC NORTH

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
MINNESOTA VIKINGS **	11-2	5-0	8-1	at Car	at Chi	NYG
Wins: GB (2), SF, Sea; Losses: Arz

GREEN BAY PACKERS	9-4	4-2	7-3	at Pit	Sea	at Arz
Wins: Dal, SF; Losses: Min (2)

NFC SOUTH

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS *	13-0	4-0	9-0	Dal	TB	at Car
Wins: Atl (2), Car, NYG, Phi;

ATLANTA FALCONS	6-7	2-3	5-6	at NYJ	Buf	at TB
Wins: Car, SF; Losses: Car, Dal, NO (2), NYG, Phi

CAROLINA PANTHERS	5-8	3-2	5-4	Min	at NYG	NO
Wins: Arz, Atl; Losses: Atl, Dal, NO, Phi

NFC WEST

TEAM/GAMES VS. CONTENDERS	OVERALL	DIV.	CONF.	WK. 15	WK. 16	WK. 17
ARIZONA CARDINALS	8-5	3-2	6-3	at Det	StL	GB
Wins: Min, NYG, Sea (2); Losses: Car, SF (2)

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS	6-7	4-1	5-4	at Phi	Det	at StL
Wins: Arz (2), Sea; Losses: Atl, GB, Min, Sea

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS	5-8	3-3	4-6	TB	at GB	Ten
Wins: SF; Losses: Arz (2), Dal, Min, SF

* Clinched division ** Clinched playoff spot

Ravens Offense Remains Predictable

Bruce Raffel — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 15:04:39 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

3 days ago: Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) leaves Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy (54) and cornerback Phillip Buchanon (31) in his wake as he carries the ball during the first quarter of the NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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Despite the Baltimore Ravens recent success that has them right in the middle of the playoff race, their offense not only remains predictable, but it hs even been more so in the last five games than ever before. Look at this trend specifically about the team's reliance on RB Ray Rice during this period.

I noticed that it appeared that whenever Rice ran the ball or caught a pass for a long gain (19 yards or more), rather than bring in one of the other bigger running backs to give Ray a breather, then almost always gave the ball right back to him on the very next play, sometimes two or three plays in a row after that long gain. Not only was Rice obviously winded, but so was the opponents' defense, which seems like the perfect time to pile on with the fresher and heavier legs.

But no, look at these numbers:

Since week 9 at Cleveland, Ray Rice has had 10 plays, either rushing or receiving, of 19 yards or more. One of those resulted in a TD, so that one is out of the equation, leaving nine plays of that length. Seven of those nine times, the very next play was a run by Rice, only two of them gaining over three yards and those were both only 5 yard runs. Once, they gave the ball right back to Rice two straight times, for gains of five, then -1 yards. Even more questionable, twice they actually gave the ball three more times in a row to Rice right after those long gains! Never did he gain more than 3 yards on a play. Furthermore, in this past week's Detroit Lions game, Rice ran 52 yards on the opening drive deep into the Red Zone. Inexplicably, the Ravens ran Rice for two yards, then again for no gain, and then Flacco passed to him for a six yard gain but Rice fumbled the ball and Detroit recovered to end that scoring threat. Think that his fatigue from being the target three straight times after a 52 yard run had anything to do with not being able to hold onto the ball?

Predictability should have very little to do with just one single player on a football team. Perhaps the QB can be marked with trends based on play calling, but the RB position on the Ravens has been one of strength based on numbers and the three-headed monster that had the team in the AFC Championship Game last year and all teams afraid of our running game. While Ray Rice has been a major reason fro our success this season, we have actually had more success the less he runs the ball and the more the carries are spread around to Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain.

Prior to the Lions game, I said the Ravens needed to run the ball at least 40 times and I wanted to see Rice with a maximum of 20 carries, McGahee with 12 and McClain with eight. I came pretty close as Ray had 13, Willis 12 and LeRon six. The remaining nine carries were spread around to others to total the 40 I had hoped for. Forty rushes and 23 passes is more like the Ravens team of last year, when we controlled the ball and the time clock. This should be a lesson to the team as its future recipe for success, as the next opponent, the Chicago Bears, are ranked 24th in the NFL against the run.

However, the predictability, especially giving the ball right back to Ray Rice after long gains, needs to stop and they need to bring in fresh legs when they have the other team winded and down in the dumps. The stats don't lie in this case, and as good as Rice has been this year, those plays after the big gains have not added to his reputation and will only add unnecessarily to the wear and tear on his smaller body.

A Look Back at Week 14

Bruce Raffel — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:47:05 -0000

WHAT TO LOOK FOR – A LOOK BACK

EXCELLENCE ON DISPLAY: For the first time in NFL history, there are two 13-0 teams in the same season. The INDIANAPOLIS COLTS and the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS both improved to 13-0 with their victories yesterday. The Colts defeated Denver 28-16 and the Saints won 26-23 at Atlanta. Entering this season, only five teams had started 13-0: 2007 New England (16-0), 1972 Miami (14-0), 1934 Chicago (13-0), 1998 Denver (13-0) and 2005 Indianapolis (13-0).

The Colts have now won 22 consecutive regular-season games, surpassing the 2006-08 New England Patriots (21) for the longest streak in NFL history.

Indianapolis has 114 regular-season wins since the start of the 2000 season, the most by a team in a single decade. The San Francisco 49ers registered 113 wins in the 1990s.

-- NFL --

ON THE OFFENSIVE: NFL teams are producing yards at a historic pace this season. With tonight’s 49ers-Cardinals Monday Night Football game still to be played, NFL games are averaging 670.31 total yards per game (207 games). That number includes an average of 439.30 net passing yards per contest.

If both averages maintain their current pace, the total-yards-per-game average would be the highest in a season in NFL history and the net-passing-yards-per-game average would be the second-highest:

YEAR	MOST TOTAL YARDS PER GAME	YEAR	MOST NET PASSING YARDS PER GAME
1981	669.00	1995	441.57
1983	668.73	2007	428.61
1984	659.56	1994	427.21
1985	658.89	1999	424.55
1995	657.76	2002	424.46

*2009*	670.31*	*2009*	439.30*
*With one game remaining in Week 14

-- NFL --

DECEMBER DOMINANCE: The San Diego Chargers improved to 10-3 with a 20-17 win at Dallas. Dating back to a 24-21 win at Buffalo on December 3, 2006, the Chargers have won an NFL-record 16 consecutive games in December. The previous mark was set by the 1968-1972 Dallas Cowboys, who won 13 games in a row during the month.

The longest December win streaks in NFL history:

TEAM	YEARS	WIN STREAK
*San Diego Chargers*	*2006-present*	16
Dallas Cowboys	1968-1972	13
New England Patriots	2006-2008	12
Oakland Raiders	1966-1970	11
Oakland Raiders	1971-1975	11

-- NFL --

SHOOTING FOR THE MOON: With 220 passing yards against Denver, Indianapolis Colts quarterback PEYTON MANNING surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer WARREN MOON (49,325) for fourth on the all-time list. In his 12-year career, Manning has 49,533 passing yards.

The NFL’s all-time passing yardage leaders:

PLAYER	YARDS
Brett Favre*	68,276
Dan Marino	61,361
John Elway	51,475
Peyton Manning*	*49,533*
Warren Moon	49,325
*Active

-- NFL --

MORE OR WES: New England wide receiver WES WELKER had 10 receptions for 105 yards in the Patriots’ 20-10 win over Carolina. Welker, who played in his 11th game yesterday, leads the NFL with 105 receptions and tied MARVIN HARRISON for the fewest individual games played to reach 100 receptions in a season in NFL history. Harrison caught 100 passes in his first 11 games of the 2002 season en route to an NFL-record 143 catches.

Welker also joined Harrison (4), JERRY RICE (3) and HERMAN MOORE (3) as the only players to have 100 receptions in three consecutive seasons.

The players to reach 100 receptions in a season in the fewest individual games played:

PLAYER, TEAM	YEAR	NO. OF GAMES	TOTAL REC. FOR SEASON
Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis	2002	11	143*
*Wes Welker, New England*	*2009*	11	*???*
Cris Carter, Minnesota	1994	13	122
Herman Moore, Detroit	1995	13	123
Keyshawn Johnson, Tampa Bay	2001	13	106
*NFL single-season record

WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON MNF: One more note to keep in mind for tonight’s Monday Night Football game between the 49ers and Cardinals…

GIMME FIVE: Arizona Cardinals quarterback KURT WARNER has posted a passer rating of 120.0 or better in each of his past four games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHNNY UNITAS (1965) as the only players in NFL history to accomplish the feat (minimum 15 attempts).

Warner can become the first player with five such consecutive games.

Rejoice in Ravens Victory, Then Move On

Bruce Raffel — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:57:55 -0000

More photos » by Nick Wass - AP

3 days ago: Detroit Lions quarterback Daunte Culpepper walks down the tunnel after the Lions 48 -3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

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How many times have you already heard the phrase "Well it was only the Lions" after the Baltimore Ravens pounded the Detroit Lions 48-3 yesterday? What did you expect, with one of the worst teams in the league looked like they didn't want to be out there any more than many of the fans felt in the cold and wet at M&T Bank Stadium in downtown Baltimore? The only reason a little worry crept into peoples' minds was that if the Pittsburgh Steelers could lose at home to Oakland one week then at Cleveland the next, gasp could it then happen to us? Nope.

The Ravens did what they needed to do and that was just not to win to stay alive in the hunt for a Wild Card playoff spot. They needed an easy win, one that didn't have to wait until the game's final moments for a change and that they did, pretty much ending the game by halftime, and certainly putting it out of reach right out of the box to start the second half.

However, that has been the trend for this team most of the season. The Ravens beat the teams they are supposed to, but can't seem to bet the teams that they are not supposed to. Taking the San Diego Chargers game out of that trend is due to the Chargers not being looked at as a big force a the same time the Ravens were being considered one of the better teams in the league at the time. You can also take the Denver Broncos out of that group as well, as even though they were undefeated, many true Ravens fans knew we were the better team and certainly showed the league what pretenders the Broncos were in our decisive win over them. The Pats, Vikings, Colts and Packers as the teams that were "supposed" to beat us and did, while the Chiefs, Browns (twice), and Lions fit into the category of teams we were supposed to beat. That leaves the two games with the Cincinnati Bengals and the with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the games that were up in the air. The win over the Steelers was satisfying despite Pittsburgh not being at full strength. However, the two losses to the Bengals, especially the first one here in Baltimore, were very unsettling and the Ravens have a very good chance of seeing the Bengals again for another shot in the playoffs if we make it in as a Wild Card.

For now, the team can revel in it's return to "power." Beginning tomorrow, however, the team needs to focus its attention on the Chicago Bears next Sunday at home. Not until that game is in the win column can the team face the fact that it appears that the Pittsburgh Steelers are once again between them and continuing into the post season. When that game comes up, throw out all the records and stats, as this backyard brawl will be another street fight, as Pittsburgh knows they're out of the playoffs and would like nothing better than to force us to join them on the sidelines.

"Play like a Raven" did yesterday and that is a very reasonable possibility.

Ravens Tame Lions, 48-3

Bruce Raffel — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:20:47 -0000

More photos » by Gail Burton - AP

3 days ago: Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) outruns Detroit Lions defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill and defensive end Cliff Avril as he heads down field for a second-quarter touchdown during the NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

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Not too sure what it is about the Baltimore Ravens and the NFC North, but the Ravens tied their biggest offensive output in their history which was against the Green Bay Packers in 2005, as they totally overwhelmed the Detroit Lions today in the rain and cold at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The final score was 48-3, but the game was pretty much over by halftime with the Ravens ahead 20-3.

With Ray Rice running all over the Lions and totaling over 200 yards of combined rushing and receiving yards, Baltimore racked up over 300 yards on the ground alone. Combined with a 13 for 20, 230 yard, one TD performance by QB Joe Flacco, the Ravens rolled over the Lions with over 500 yards of total offense.

Beating the Detroit Lions are one thing, and they might just do the same thing when the Chicago Bears come here, but can they consistently do this type of thing with the better teams, namely the Pittsburgh Steelers and then perhaps in the playoffs? The teams that were just ahead of the Ravens in the Wild Card race lost today, so the post season is absolutely still within reach with only three weeks left in the regular season.

Let's revel in today's complete victory and hope we come out of the game healthy and confident to do the same thing when the Bears come to town next Sunday afternoon.

SB Nation User Blog: Bruce Raffel

Week 15 NFL Preview

Sunday, December 13, cont’d

Sunday, December 20, cont’d

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Ask Baltimore Beatdown: Ravens Blogger

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AFC LEADING VOTE-GETTERS

NFC LEADING VOTE-GETTERS

Ravens Game Release: Week 15

AFC & NFC Notes

Ravens Offense Remains Predictable

A Look Back at Week 14

Rejoice in Ravens Victory, Then Move On

Ravens Tame Lions, 48-3