1 00:00:02,600 --> 00:00:05,640 Speaker 1: Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan Mink 2 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:08,440 Speaker 1: here with Garrett Downing and we are gonna talk about 3 00:00:08,480 --> 00:00:13,720 Speaker 1: the Ravens upcoming playoff matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. It's 4 00:00:13,760 --> 00:00:17,239 Speaker 1: the Wildcard Round Saturday night, eight o'clock at M and 5 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: T Banks Stadium. The Ravens found out Sunday night who 6 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:24,320 Speaker 1: they were gonna play, and Garrett, this is a big 7 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:26,280 Speaker 1: time matchup to start the playoffs. 8 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, Raven Steelers is one of the best rivalries in football, 9 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:32,320 Speaker 2: and now you get the game in a primetime atmosphere 10 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:33,240 Speaker 2: in the Wildcard Round. 11 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:36,000 Speaker 3: I always say that in order for rivalries to. 12 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:38,560 Speaker 2: Really matter, to feel significant, you need to play big 13 00:00:38,600 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 2: games against each other, and there's no bigger games in 14 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:41,840 Speaker 2: playoff games. 15 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:43,839 Speaker 3: And this will be the. 16 00:00:43,360 --> 00:00:45,920 Speaker 2: Fifth time that these two teams have faced each other 17 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:50,400 Speaker 2: in the playoffs, first time in Baltimore, and it's gonna 18 00:00:50,400 --> 00:00:53,159 Speaker 2: be a really epic scene Saturday night in Baltimore. I 19 00:00:53,240 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 2: think that, as we've said many times on here, there's 20 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:58,040 Speaker 2: no better atmosphere I think in the NFL than a 21 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:00,280 Speaker 2: night game at M and T Bank Stadium. There's just 22 00:01:00,360 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 2: something special about the environment of playing at night in Baltimore, 23 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:07,280 Speaker 2: in that stadium. The game presentation is great, the atmosphere 24 00:01:07,319 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 2: is great, players feel it, both home and away players. 25 00:01:11,280 --> 00:01:13,240 Speaker 2: And so I think it's gonna be it's gonna be 26 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:14,480 Speaker 2: electric this weekend. 27 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:17,280 Speaker 1: Yep. This is the first time these two teams have 28 00:01:17,400 --> 00:01:20,880 Speaker 1: matched up in the playoffs since the twenty fourteen playoffs 29 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:23,720 Speaker 1: in which the Ravens went into Pittsburgh and beat the Steelers. 30 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:26,200 Speaker 1: That's the one playoff when the Ravens have against them. 31 00:01:26,360 --> 00:01:29,000 Speaker 1: That was the twel Suggs thigh Master interception game. 32 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:30,160 Speaker 3: Yeah. 33 00:01:30,200 --> 00:01:30,800 Speaker 1: Infamous. 34 00:01:30,880 --> 00:01:34,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm pretty sure that John Harbaugh said after that 35 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:37,480 Speaker 2: catch that was like the greatest play in NFL history. 36 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:38,640 Speaker 3: Now Michael Pierce has topped it. 37 00:01:39,760 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, it's true. It's true. He's coming for Suggs's title. 38 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,360 Speaker 1: That was pretty pretty great memory. So let's make some 39 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 1: more memories here Saturday night at M and T Banks Stadium. 40 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:52,800 Speaker 1: And hey, look, these are two teams that are right 41 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:55,440 Speaker 1: now on different trajectories. The Ravens are riding a four 42 00:01:55,480 --> 00:01:58,800 Speaker 1: game winning streak heading into the playoffs. The Steelers a 43 00:01:58,920 --> 00:02:02,440 Speaker 1: four game losing But you know, whenever these two teams 44 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:04,680 Speaker 1: get together, you know it's a battle right, So that 45 00:02:04,880 --> 00:02:08,200 Speaker 1: I think even with those things considered, when I'm watching 46 00:02:08,240 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 1: these Sunday games and saying, all right, who do I 47 00:02:09,960 --> 00:02:11,880 Speaker 1: want the Ravens to play to, I would I prefer 48 00:02:11,919 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 1: to play the Steelers? Would I prefer to play the Chargers. 49 00:02:15,200 --> 00:02:17,960 Speaker 1: It's tough, it's tough. It could go either way. As 50 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:20,320 Speaker 1: we said last week, whoever you play, it's gonna be 51 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:24,160 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a playoff game. There's no cupcake playoff games, 52 00:02:25,000 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 1: you know. But the Steelers offense right now is struggling 53 00:02:27,880 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 1: a little bit. They have kind of hit the skids 54 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 1: in the last four games. They have not scored more 55 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:38,600 Speaker 1: than seventeen points in any of those four games. Russell 56 00:02:38,639 --> 00:02:41,359 Speaker 1: Wilson has cooled off a little bit since his hot 57 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:45,440 Speaker 1: start taken over as the starter. And so these are 58 00:02:45,440 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 1: two teams. But you can almost throw that out, right, 59 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:51,240 Speaker 1: Like whenever we talk about the Ravens the Steelers, you 60 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:54,359 Speaker 1: throw out all the previous results, you throw out who's hot, 61 00:02:54,400 --> 00:02:56,760 Speaker 1: who's playing well, who's not. All that stuff. It all 62 00:02:56,840 --> 00:02:58,840 Speaker 1: kind of goes out the window because these two teams, 63 00:02:59,240 --> 00:03:01,800 Speaker 1: whenever they get to it's just a tight battle. 64 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, I agree with all of that. I think that. 65 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 2: Over the course of the weekend, you go through the 66 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:10,639 Speaker 2: process of sorting out who you want to face. And honestly, 67 00:03:10,880 --> 00:03:14,160 Speaker 2: I felt like, just as a viewer, I talked myself 68 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:17,160 Speaker 2: in and out of the Steelers versus Chargers like a 69 00:03:17,200 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 2: dozen different times over the course of the weekend. It's like, 70 00:03:20,360 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 2: the Steelers are looking bad on Saturday night, I'm like, okay, 71 00:03:23,040 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 2: give me the Steelers, and then the Steelers start making 72 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:27,520 Speaker 2: a late charge, like I don't know if rather taste 73 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:29,360 Speaker 2: the Chargers. It's like it goes back and forth. It 74 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:31,440 Speaker 2: went back and forth. I think probably most Ravens fans 75 00:03:31,440 --> 00:03:34,560 Speaker 2: felt that swing a little bit. But at the end 76 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 2: of the day, you get the Steelers and it's a 77 00:03:35,880 --> 00:03:39,120 Speaker 2: team you know well, incredibly well both teams do, and 78 00:03:39,160 --> 00:03:45,160 Speaker 2: to be honest, like the trajectory component is certainly a storyline. 79 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 3: The Ravens have been riding high. 80 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 2: The Steelers are struggling right now, and I think that's 81 00:03:49,520 --> 00:03:51,800 Speaker 2: reflected in the fact that the Ravens are eight and 82 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 2: a half point favorites in this game, which is pretty 83 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:57,360 Speaker 2: significant considering these two teams and how well you know 84 00:03:57,440 --> 00:03:59,720 Speaker 2: each other and how close the games are every single 85 00:03:59,760 --> 00:04:04,560 Speaker 2: time play, how so, but I with all of that said, 86 00:04:05,000 --> 00:04:09,320 Speaker 2: I really I don't know that the trajectory matters honestly, 87 00:04:09,480 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 2: like at all. I think that the Steelers are probably 88 00:04:11,680 --> 00:04:14,720 Speaker 2: saying if Mike Tomlin and the team meeting today is 89 00:04:14,720 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 2: probably saying, hey, guys, we finished the regular season poorly, 90 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:19,880 Speaker 2: but who cares new season, new life. It's a one 91 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:22,560 Speaker 2: game season and that's all that matters. Like the fact 92 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:24,840 Speaker 2: that we. 93 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:25,680 Speaker 1: We know these we know these guys, we know what 94 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:28,279 Speaker 1: we can do against them. You know, we we had 95 00:04:28,320 --> 00:04:31,080 Speaker 1: whatever they're probably not talking about. But the storyline going 96 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:33,440 Speaker 1: into the last meeting between these two teams only a 97 00:04:33,440 --> 00:04:36,200 Speaker 1: few weeks ago was the Steelers at one seven of 98 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 1: the last eight. Yeah, you know, so, Like I don't yea, 99 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:42,000 Speaker 1: they feel like they can beat the Ravens no matter 100 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:45,120 Speaker 1: if they lost the previous eight games, ten games, they 101 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:46,919 Speaker 1: probably feel like they can beat the Ravens. I just 102 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:48,479 Speaker 1: don't Ravens drop to prove otherwise. 103 00:04:48,480 --> 00:04:51,159 Speaker 2: I just don't think, Yeah, the trajectory component of it 104 00:04:51,200 --> 00:04:54,040 Speaker 2: matters once you get into the playoffs. I also think 105 00:04:54,040 --> 00:04:57,360 Speaker 2: that you know that George Pickens missed a couple of 106 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:00,240 Speaker 2: those games. He was back on Sunday and tonight have 107 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:02,680 Speaker 2: a good game, or a Saturday night for the Steelers 108 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:05,200 Speaker 2: to not have a good game. But so I think 109 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:09,280 Speaker 2: all of that like crafts the storyline and the narrative 110 00:05:09,360 --> 00:05:11,520 Speaker 2: coming into the game, which is fun to discuss, and 111 00:05:11,839 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 2: that certainly will be part of the discussion and the dialogue. 112 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:18,680 Speaker 2: But I also just think that once you get into 113 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:22,920 Speaker 2: the game atmosphere, once kickoff happens, none of that honestly matters. 114 00:05:22,960 --> 00:05:24,800 Speaker 2: It doesn't matter that they lost four straight because they're 115 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 2: gonna be sitting there saying it's a new season and 116 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:29,320 Speaker 2: we have a chance to write the ship and end 117 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:31,560 Speaker 2: the Ravens season, and the Ravens They're not going to 118 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 2: be able to lean on the fact that, hey man, 119 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:36,680 Speaker 2: we've been hot coming into it. I even, like I 120 00:05:36,720 --> 00:05:39,839 Speaker 2: asked Lamar a couple of weeks ago, the notion of, like, 121 00:05:39,880 --> 00:05:43,159 Speaker 2: do you believe in the narrative and the thought that like, 122 00:05:43,200 --> 00:05:44,840 Speaker 2: you can be hot going into the playoffs and that 123 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,159 Speaker 2: can serve you well, because I think that there's I 124 00:05:47,160 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 2: feel like there's truth that And he basically dropped the 125 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 2: hammer and it was like, Nah, I don't really buy 126 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:54,200 Speaker 2: into that we were red hot going into the playoffs 127 00:05:54,240 --> 00:05:56,039 Speaker 2: last year and then we lost the AFC Championship. So 128 00:05:56,480 --> 00:06:00,320 Speaker 2: like that, he said that last year's result changed his 129 00:06:00,440 --> 00:06:04,599 Speaker 2: thinking on that point, and so I think that I 130 00:06:04,640 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 2: think that was an interesting admission, I guess from him. 131 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:09,719 Speaker 2: And so again, it's all fun to talk about and 132 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:11,919 Speaker 2: it's part of the story for this game, but I 133 00:06:11,960 --> 00:06:13,599 Speaker 2: don't know how much it will impact it. What I 134 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:17,200 Speaker 2: do think is from a x's and o's football standpoint, 135 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:21,479 Speaker 2: I do think that the Steelers seem to be in 136 00:06:21,520 --> 00:06:22,920 Speaker 2: a different place than they were. 137 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 1: They're definitely yeah, they're definitely healthier. I mean, you look 138 00:06:27,240 --> 00:06:29,320 Speaker 1: at that first game or the last game that these 139 00:06:29,360 --> 00:06:33,600 Speaker 1: two teams played, just justin fields. Their backup quarterback was out, 140 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:36,599 Speaker 1: George Pickens was out, Deshaun Elliott was out, Dante Jackson 141 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: a starting quarterback, he didn't play, and Larry Ogunjobi didn't play, 142 00:06:41,760 --> 00:06:45,119 Speaker 1: And so you know, they're in a definitely a different 143 00:06:45,200 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: place from a health perspective. Ogunjobi's back to Shaun Elliott's back. 144 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:52,560 Speaker 1: Joey Porter Junior left that game early also in Baltimore. 145 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:55,719 Speaker 1: He's back, and so yeah, the Ravens beat the Steelers 146 00:06:56,160 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 1: thirty four to seventeen in their last meeting. But I 147 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,599 Speaker 1: think think that this is a different Steelers team, particularly 148 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:06,040 Speaker 1: on defense. They were pretty banged up on defense going 149 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:09,600 Speaker 1: into that game against the Ravens, so I think, I 150 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 1: think it's going to be a tighter contest. Look, I 151 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 1: think the Ravens, you know, and I felt this way 152 00:07:14,480 --> 00:07:16,680 Speaker 1: for a while, and that the Ravens are a better 153 00:07:16,720 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 1: team than the Steelers. But the Steelers always make it ugly. 154 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:22,000 Speaker 1: They turn it into them, you know, and they play 155 00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:24,520 Speaker 1: Steelers ball like it looked like it was the same game. 156 00:07:24,640 --> 00:07:26,640 Speaker 1: It's the same game every time with them, you know. 157 00:07:26,760 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 1: I mean, they make it ugly. They drag you into 158 00:07:28,920 --> 00:07:32,720 Speaker 1: their kind of fight. It's a physical game and they 159 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 1: hope to you know, they want to make a couple 160 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 1: of big plays in the passing game, the Russell Wilson 161 00:07:36,640 --> 00:07:39,360 Speaker 1: moon ball. They want to get turnovers defensively, force fumbles. 162 00:07:39,680 --> 00:07:42,200 Speaker 1: All those different things make them play on special teams. 163 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 1: They would sit against the Bengals, they had a punt 164 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 1: go off the guy's toe and recovered that one and 165 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:49,680 Speaker 1: almost won that game. So you know, the recipe for 166 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:52,200 Speaker 1: the Ravens. You know, I think, you know, this is 167 00:07:52,240 --> 00:07:57,040 Speaker 1: a historically good Ravens team. You look at DVOA. They're 168 00:07:57,080 --> 00:08:00,000 Speaker 1: one of the best teams in NFL history. The Ravens 169 00:08:00,080 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 1: are right, they have the number one defense in the league. 170 00:08:02,120 --> 00:08:04,480 Speaker 1: Since Week eleven, they have the number one offense in 171 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 1: the league. And so so, I mean, this is a 172 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:09,679 Speaker 1: really good team that I think is better than the Steelers. 173 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:13,320 Speaker 1: But it's the Steelers. We all know how this works, 174 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 1: and so you know, it's the Ravens mission here to 175 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:18,880 Speaker 1: start the playoffs. And and there's been a lot of talk, 176 00:08:18,920 --> 00:08:20,320 Speaker 1: or there was a lot of talk going into the 177 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:22,800 Speaker 1: last meeting of the whole seven of the last eight 178 00:08:22,840 --> 00:08:25,320 Speaker 1: and all that stuff. And the Steelers have the Ravens number. 179 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,360 Speaker 1: And look, hey, the Steelers a quiet at some of 180 00:08:28,360 --> 00:08:30,000 Speaker 1: that talk. With a win at M and T Bank 181 00:08:30,040 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 1: Stadium in December. 182 00:08:31,960 --> 00:08:34,120 Speaker 3: The Ravens quiet is some of that talk. 183 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:35,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, that's why I said, Yeah, the Ravens quiet is 184 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:39,319 Speaker 1: some of that talk. Yeah, And b you know how 185 00:08:39,360 --> 00:08:40,800 Speaker 1: you you're not it's going to take a while to 186 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:43,920 Speaker 1: level that series history, the all time series history. But 187 00:08:43,960 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 1: you know how you feel a lot better about that 188 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:47,679 Speaker 1: is you win in a playoff game. Yeah that all 189 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,360 Speaker 1: that all that stuff. Who cares? Okay, you won some 190 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:52,679 Speaker 1: of the last nine in the regular season. Who cares 191 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:54,240 Speaker 1: we won the we won the playoff game. 192 00:08:54,520 --> 00:08:56,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, I completely agree, and I think that. 193 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,320 Speaker 2: I mean, I go back, not that the player game 194 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:02,080 Speaker 2: in Pittsburgh from a decade ago is going to have 195 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:04,160 Speaker 2: any bearing on the result this week. 196 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:04,680 Speaker 3: Of course not. 197 00:09:04,800 --> 00:09:07,360 Speaker 2: But if you look back to that game the Ravens, 198 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 2: the Steelers were the team to beat in that game, 199 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 2: and the Ravens pulled off the upset. And like I think, 200 00:09:14,360 --> 00:09:18,440 Speaker 2: these things have epison flows, and so, as we've discussed 201 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:22,599 Speaker 2: plenty of times, the Steelers' recent successful streak against the 202 00:09:22,679 --> 00:09:26,000 Speaker 2: Ravens is a jukestat based on the result based on 203 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 2: the circumstances of some of those games. You can throw 204 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:31,319 Speaker 2: that out to some degree. But they've also won games 205 00:09:31,320 --> 00:09:33,040 Speaker 2: that the Ravens feel like they should have won. And 206 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:34,959 Speaker 2: so I think the game in Pittsburgh earlier this year 207 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:36,760 Speaker 2: is an example of that. The game in Pittsburgh last 208 00:09:36,840 --> 00:09:39,360 Speaker 2: year was an example of that. I think when you're 209 00:09:39,360 --> 00:09:40,839 Speaker 2: playing a team that you know as well as these 210 00:09:40,840 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 2: two teams know each other, when your division rivals, when 211 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:46,839 Speaker 2: you play the brand of football that both of these 212 00:09:46,880 --> 00:09:49,400 Speaker 2: teams play, but particularly the way that the Steelers play. 213 00:09:49,720 --> 00:09:51,360 Speaker 2: The way that you win this game for the Ravens 214 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:53,680 Speaker 2: is you play a clean game and you eliminate penalties, 215 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:57,359 Speaker 2: you don't have drops, you don't cost yourself with turnovers, 216 00:09:57,760 --> 00:09:59,720 Speaker 2: like all of those things. If you look at the 217 00:09:59,720 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 2: game that they've lost that they feel like they should 218 00:10:01,480 --> 00:10:04,040 Speaker 2: have won against the Steelers in recent years, they have 219 00:10:04,200 --> 00:10:08,280 Speaker 2: those through lines and so eliminating those mistakes I think 220 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 2: will allow the Ravens to just take care of business. 221 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:13,480 Speaker 2: Because I think that the Ravens are the better team. 222 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 2: But you gotta go out there and you got to 223 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:18,600 Speaker 2: do it. And I that's why I think that, Like 224 00:10:20,360 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 2: you always want to start fast. Of course that's great, 225 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 2: like if you're if you're drawing up a successful game plan, 226 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:30,000 Speaker 2: like starting fast is important, but I think it's I 227 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:32,280 Speaker 2: think it's even more significant in a game like this, 228 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:34,720 Speaker 2: where it's a home game. You can have the rowdy 229 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:39,480 Speaker 2: crowd really take over that game and you can squash 230 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,600 Speaker 2: some of the narrative stuff that you're talking about, where 231 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:46,800 Speaker 2: it's like Steelers they always have them find a way, 232 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:51,760 Speaker 2: Like I think that sure, sure, but yeah. 233 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:52,559 Speaker 1: This is gonna be this. Punches are going to go 234 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:55,200 Speaker 1: back and forth. I do not think I would be 235 00:10:55,240 --> 00:10:57,400 Speaker 1: surprised if the Ravens land a knockout blow early in 236 00:10:57,440 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 1: the first quarter. Here, well, not first quarter, this is rape, 237 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:02,080 Speaker 1: this is Ravens Steelers we're talking. I think he's gonna 238 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:02,440 Speaker 1: be back. 239 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:04,800 Speaker 2: If it becomes a fourteen to nothing game in the 240 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 2: first quarter, I think that just totally changes it compared 241 00:11:07,760 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 2: if you're going into halftime and it's three to three, 242 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:12,920 Speaker 2: Like I think it's a it's a much. I think 243 00:11:12,960 --> 00:11:17,640 Speaker 2: that that will have that could have a huge impact 244 00:11:17,679 --> 00:11:19,320 Speaker 2: in just the way that the game is played. 245 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, of course, you know, but yeah, we'll see, we'll see. 246 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:26,240 Speaker 1: I think I think the Ravens have to have the 247 00:11:26,280 --> 00:11:30,560 Speaker 1: mentality of, like against the Steelers, you know, some bad 248 00:11:30,600 --> 00:11:32,840 Speaker 1: things could happen, and we got to just keep plugging 249 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:34,840 Speaker 1: away through that, right, Like you gotta you gotta have 250 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:36,559 Speaker 1: if you don't get off to a fast start, you 251 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:38,480 Speaker 1: can't be like, oh man, here we go again. Right, 252 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:40,280 Speaker 1: that's what you want to avoid, right, you can't do that, 253 00:11:40,360 --> 00:11:43,199 Speaker 1: Here we go again. It's it's you gotta be ready 254 00:11:43,200 --> 00:11:45,280 Speaker 1: for a slug fest back and forth and be ready 255 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:47,000 Speaker 1: to make the players to win that kind of slug fest. 256 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 1: And I honestly, like just talking about this matchup, I 257 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:53,800 Speaker 1: think it's perfect. I think I think this it's perfect 258 00:11:53,840 --> 00:11:57,080 Speaker 1: for the Ravens, you know. I mean, ay, you look 259 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 1: at the Chargers. Their offense has been really hot down 260 00:11:59,080 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: the stretch. Thirty four points, forty points, thirty four points, okay, whatever. 261 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,880 Speaker 1: Like do I think the Ravens gonna beat in the Chargers? Absolutely, 262 00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:09,440 Speaker 1: they already did this season, right, But like, I think 263 00:12:09,440 --> 00:12:12,240 Speaker 1: that going against the Steelers is great because it's it's 264 00:12:12,320 --> 00:12:15,360 Speaker 1: obviously been this albatross, this big thing, the rivalry, and 265 00:12:15,400 --> 00:12:17,520 Speaker 1: the Steelers have beaten the Ravens so many times in 266 00:12:17,559 --> 00:12:20,520 Speaker 1: recent years and all that stuff, like start out with them, Okay, 267 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:22,640 Speaker 1: let's go, let's let's check that box off. 268 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:22,960 Speaker 2: You know. 269 00:12:23,080 --> 00:12:26,199 Speaker 1: I just I like it from that perspective. And the 270 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:28,880 Speaker 1: Steelers are a great team, that's no whatever, you know, 271 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:32,080 Speaker 1: everybody's great at this point. But I think like the 272 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:34,080 Speaker 1: race just as much as the Steelers we were talking 273 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:36,000 Speaker 1: about and what their mentality is going to be going 274 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:37,760 Speaker 1: into this game, that hey, we know these guys, we 275 00:12:37,800 --> 00:12:39,440 Speaker 1: know we can beat them. It doesn't matter if we've 276 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:42,280 Speaker 1: lost four straight. The Ravens mentality is going to be 277 00:12:42,320 --> 00:12:45,600 Speaker 1: like all right, you know these guys, these guys think 278 00:12:45,679 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 1: that they have our number. Whatever, let's go out out 279 00:12:47,920 --> 00:12:50,480 Speaker 1: in a playoff game and let's let's drive the stake 280 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 1: through their heart. 281 00:12:51,240 --> 00:12:54,199 Speaker 2: Yeah, both of these teams would relish a chance to 282 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:59,160 Speaker 2: end the other season. And I think I do I 283 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:03,319 Speaker 2: like the match, like if you want. First of all, 284 00:13:03,320 --> 00:13:05,520 Speaker 2: I do think that the Chargers are playing better football 285 00:13:05,559 --> 00:13:07,319 Speaker 2: than the Steelers right now. So like when I came 286 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 2: down to like when I'm going back and forth, I 287 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:10,800 Speaker 2: think the Chargers just playing better right now. So I 288 00:13:10,800 --> 00:13:14,040 Speaker 2: think that that's good to to not get them in 289 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:14,680 Speaker 2: the opening round. 290 00:13:14,920 --> 00:13:16,640 Speaker 3: But at the same time, this is like. 291 00:13:17,000 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 1: No horrible by the way, you couldn't have a horrible 292 00:13:19,240 --> 00:13:20,240 Speaker 1: until the AFC champions. 293 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:22,199 Speaker 2: Yeah, you have to wait on that, right, Yeah, that's 294 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:27,319 Speaker 2: got to be higher stakes. But uh but but I 295 00:13:27,600 --> 00:13:30,880 Speaker 2: think that like the narrative aspect of these two teams 296 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:32,440 Speaker 2: and how well they know each other and the great 297 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:35,360 Speaker 2: rivalries and all that stuff, I think that just makes 298 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 2: for great theater. And as a fan of football, as 299 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,760 Speaker 2: a fan of this team that's watched a lot of 300 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:42,920 Speaker 2: these great games, I think that that's exciting and it's 301 00:13:42,960 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 2: exciting to be part of that, and again, I don't 302 00:13:45,280 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 2: think the Ravens are going to be really too worried 303 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:49,880 Speaker 2: about like the rivalry aspect of the NFL films, you know, 304 00:13:50,000 --> 00:13:52,360 Speaker 2: cool opening montage of hard knocks aspect of it. 305 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:53,280 Speaker 3: They're not going to be thinking. 306 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:57,840 Speaker 2: Like the players aren't gonna care about that, but football 307 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:01,920 Speaker 2: fans are and I think that, you know, I do 308 00:14:01,960 --> 00:14:06,040 Speaker 2: think there's football reasons why it's, uh, it does tilt 309 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:07,559 Speaker 2: in the Ravens favor, but they've got to go out 310 00:14:07,559 --> 00:14:09,480 Speaker 2: there and do it all right the second quick break 311 00:14:09,520 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 2: and then when we come back, we'll dive into some 312 00:14:11,160 --> 00:14:13,320 Speaker 2: of the big news of the week. You're listening to 313 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:14,640 Speaker 2: the last podcast and we're coming to you from the 314 00:14:14,640 --> 00:14:16,439 Speaker 2: Sea Geek Studio. We also want to mention our partners 315 00:14:16,440 --> 00:14:19,440 Speaker 2: with Drafting Sportsbook. They are an official sports betting partner 316 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:22,960 Speaker 2: of the Baltimore Ravens Drafting Sportsbook. The Crown is Yours. Also, 317 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:25,040 Speaker 2: Ravens fans kick off the new year with a celebration 318 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:29,720 Speaker 2: worthy of champions with Festivus Maximus, the Sparkling Brute from 319 00:14:29,760 --> 00:14:33,840 Speaker 2: Winning Drive Napa Valley, the exclusive wine club of the 320 00:14:33,880 --> 00:14:37,200 Speaker 2: Baltimore Ravens. For a limited time every purchase of Festivus 321 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:40,400 Speaker 2: Maximus comes with a free crystal champagne flute, perfect for 322 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:45,560 Speaker 2: toasting victories and unforgettable moments. Order now at Wine gift 323 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:48,280 Speaker 2: Shop dot com. Slash Ravens. 324 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:50,960 Speaker 1: So, Garrett, you know what Festivus Maximus means. 325 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:53,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's that's a two thousand Uh, that's a two 326 00:14:53,320 --> 00:14:56,520 Speaker 2: thousand throwback right there for the Ravens during that Super 327 00:14:56,520 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 2: Bowl run, right. 328 00:14:57,440 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 1: And sure, making sure you know your Ravens. You know 329 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:04,520 Speaker 1: that's my heyday right there. Well, you could not say 330 00:15:04,520 --> 00:15:07,040 Speaker 1: the word super Bowl. Yes, Festivus Maximus. 331 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 2: Are our friends at Winning Drive Napa Valley are They're optimistic, 332 00:15:11,880 --> 00:15:14,040 Speaker 2: they're confident. They want Ravens fans to stock up on 333 00:15:14,080 --> 00:15:17,400 Speaker 2: the Festivus Maximus Sparkling sparkling wine there, so you have 334 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:18,960 Speaker 2: some good things to toast to over the course of 335 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:19,480 Speaker 2: these games. 336 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 1: In January, now, no, yesterday, as we were waiting the 337 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:26,560 Speaker 1: Ravens playoff opponent, I will say I made some I 338 00:15:26,640 --> 00:15:29,440 Speaker 1: made some homemade beignets, Okay, just to make sure I 339 00:15:29,480 --> 00:15:32,760 Speaker 1: get my mindset, that's right, getting the New Orleans frame 340 00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 1: of mind. But but as you know, fans told me, hey, 341 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 1: it's one game at a time, one game at a time. 342 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:39,600 Speaker 1: This is Festivest Maximus territory. 343 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:40,200 Speaker 3: Yeah. 344 00:15:40,280 --> 00:15:43,360 Speaker 1: So, but I'll tell you that the Beignet's tastes it good. 345 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:44,880 Speaker 1: They taste even better in New Orleans. 346 00:15:44,960 --> 00:15:47,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm sure they do. I'm sure they do. So 347 00:15:48,360 --> 00:15:50,240 Speaker 3: the big news of the week, let's just start there. 348 00:15:50,400 --> 00:15:53,040 Speaker 3: One of the big things for the for the Ravens is. 349 00:15:53,200 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 2: The status of za Flowers. He goes down with a 350 00:15:55,440 --> 00:15:58,080 Speaker 2: knee injury. It's been a reported knee sprain by Ian 351 00:15:58,160 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 2: Rappaport of NFL Network. John Harbaugh was asked about it 352 00:16:01,600 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 2: on Monday earlier today and said it is not a 353 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:08,000 Speaker 2: season ending, so it's not a major injury, and he's 354 00:16:08,000 --> 00:16:11,080 Speaker 2: basically day to day. And I get the sense that 355 00:16:11,120 --> 00:16:12,760 Speaker 2: this is going to be something that is up in 356 00:16:12,800 --> 00:16:15,560 Speaker 2: the air up until that an active list comes out 357 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:17,720 Speaker 2: ninety minutes before kickoff Saturday night. 358 00:16:18,640 --> 00:16:21,120 Speaker 1: Yeah. I agree. And you know, Zay is a player 359 00:16:21,120 --> 00:16:22,960 Speaker 1: who's never missed the game due to injury. This is 360 00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 1: one tough dude. And so anytime you see a guy 361 00:16:26,160 --> 00:16:28,240 Speaker 1: limp off with knee injury in the regular season finale, 362 00:16:28,320 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 1: you hold your breath. And the good news is it 363 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:32,480 Speaker 1: sounds like at some point he's going to be back 364 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 1: for the playoffs, And like knock on wood, you hope, Hey, 365 00:16:35,920 --> 00:16:38,440 Speaker 1: if anybody could do it, Zay maybe could to get 366 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: back for this game, that would be that would be awesome. 367 00:16:41,720 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 1: But if he can't, you know, I think the Ravens 368 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:47,200 Speaker 1: have enough offensive weapons to still make a lot of 369 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:50,000 Speaker 1: noise on that side of the ball. You know, Rashad 370 00:16:50,080 --> 00:16:52,880 Speaker 1: Bateman has been playing great all season long. He's sure 371 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:55,440 Speaker 1: that even after Zay went down to that Browns game 372 00:16:55,480 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: and the plays that he's made, so I have faith 373 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:00,560 Speaker 1: in Bait to step up. And of course you have 374 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 1: Mark Andrews who scored a touchdown in six straight games. 375 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,399 Speaker 1: You have Isaiah Likely you can go out there and 376 00:17:05,440 --> 00:17:07,600 Speaker 1: flex out and play kind of a hybrid tight end 377 00:17:07,640 --> 00:17:11,880 Speaker 1: wide receiver role, and other guys Nellie and Nelson Aglore 378 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:15,720 Speaker 1: hasn't played in a couple three weeks, but he can 379 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:18,760 Speaker 1: come back and help you out. The Ravens have wide receivers, 380 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:21,240 Speaker 1: they have plenty of weapons, and then of course the 381 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:25,560 Speaker 1: run game, so of course you're leading wide receiver in 382 00:17:25,640 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 1: terms of catches and receiving yard. Jay Flowers going down 383 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 1: and a Pro Bowl wide receiver as talented as he is, 384 00:17:32,280 --> 00:17:35,360 Speaker 1: it's not good. You know, that hurts. But even when 385 00:17:35,400 --> 00:17:38,680 Speaker 1: you look at the advanced analytics on what the Ravens, 386 00:17:38,920 --> 00:17:41,399 Speaker 1: you know, production is and EPA. When he's on the 387 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:44,159 Speaker 1: field versus not on the field, it's kind of a 388 00:17:44,160 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 1: toss up. They've been almost just as good offensively when 389 00:17:47,840 --> 00:17:49,880 Speaker 1: Jay hasn't been on the field as when he has, 390 00:17:49,920 --> 00:17:54,120 Speaker 1: which is surprising. That's but the truth, you know, and 391 00:17:54,400 --> 00:17:56,920 Speaker 1: that's not obviously he's a great player. He makes them better, 392 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:00,720 Speaker 1: but that I think shows just how many weapons the 393 00:18:00,840 --> 00:18:03,760 Speaker 1: Ravens have that they've been even when Day's not on 394 00:18:03,800 --> 00:18:05,720 Speaker 1: the field, they can still have a lot of success. 395 00:18:06,040 --> 00:18:08,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, of course you want to say Flowers to play. 396 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:11,879 Speaker 2: He is a thousand yard receiver and he's he's a 397 00:18:11,960 --> 00:18:15,000 Speaker 2: dynamic weapon. So the Ravens are I think, keeping their 398 00:18:15,000 --> 00:18:17,080 Speaker 2: fingers crossed it that he's going to be able to play, 399 00:18:17,119 --> 00:18:19,680 Speaker 2: and we'll see if that's the case. At the same time, 400 00:18:19,720 --> 00:18:23,640 Speaker 2: I don't think that this offense is so dependent on him. 401 00:18:23,680 --> 00:18:27,520 Speaker 2: It's not like it's the Zay Flower Show and everybody 402 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:29,560 Speaker 2: else is along for the ride. There's so many different 403 00:18:29,600 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 2: weapons and when you talk all year in the phrases 404 00:18:32,280 --> 00:18:35,200 Speaker 2: pick your poison that we've heard a million times. Well, 405 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:37,120 Speaker 2: there's a lot of different plate pieces who you can 406 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 2: give the ball to, and so still plenty of poison 407 00:18:39,720 --> 00:18:42,440 Speaker 2: list there is, And part of it is the other weapons. 408 00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:45,639 Speaker 2: I think Bateman he showed he is this has been 409 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:47,959 Speaker 2: the best season of his career, and he showed when 410 00:18:48,040 --> 00:18:49,480 Speaker 2: Day went down that he could take on. 411 00:18:49,480 --> 00:18:50,320 Speaker 3: A larger workload. 412 00:18:50,480 --> 00:18:52,200 Speaker 2: And so if Y's not they would play. I think 413 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:55,320 Speaker 2: that Bateman could get more targets, and he could he 414 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 2: could do a lot with that, and I think the 415 00:18:57,400 --> 00:19:00,400 Speaker 2: Ravens are confident in that he is. Lamar Jackson's confident 416 00:19:00,400 --> 00:19:03,720 Speaker 2: in him, so I think that Bateman would be up 417 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:06,159 Speaker 2: to the task. At the same time, they also have 418 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:08,160 Speaker 2: Derek Henry and Lamar Jackson in the backfield, and Derek 419 00:19:08,160 --> 00:19:10,160 Speaker 2: Henry could get a huge workload, and Lamar Jackson could 420 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:12,800 Speaker 2: carry the ball, and Mark Andrews could keep his touchdown 421 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 2: streak rolling, and Isaiah likely who's been there's been times 422 00:19:16,240 --> 00:19:19,000 Speaker 2: where he's kind of quiet this year, but earlier in 423 00:19:19,040 --> 00:19:20,879 Speaker 2: the season he was putting up big numbers, and so 424 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:25,200 Speaker 2: like I think that it could I would not be 425 00:19:25,320 --> 00:19:28,159 Speaker 2: surprised at all let's just play it out like it 426 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:29,920 Speaker 2: wouldn't shock me at all if all of sudden, it's 427 00:19:29,920 --> 00:19:32,239 Speaker 2: Saturday night after the game and the Ravens win, and 428 00:19:32,240 --> 00:19:34,400 Speaker 2: it's like, man, Isaiah likely, we're all doing the Isaiah 429 00:19:34,440 --> 00:19:36,360 Speaker 2: likely stepped up because he had six catches. 430 00:19:36,080 --> 00:19:38,760 Speaker 3: For ninety yards and a touchdown like that would not shock. 431 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:42,080 Speaker 1: Me at all. Absolutely, we've known for a long time, 432 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:44,399 Speaker 1: and certainly Week one in Kansas City proved it that 433 00:19:44,680 --> 00:19:46,639 Speaker 1: if Isaiah likely needs to step up and be a 434 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:48,560 Speaker 1: big time player in this offense, he's more than ready, 435 00:19:49,040 --> 00:19:51,000 Speaker 1: you know. And Mark Andrews has just been on a 436 00:19:51,359 --> 00:19:54,639 Speaker 1: tour at Hot Streak, and Mark's Mark. He's awesome. So 437 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:58,600 Speaker 1: Isaiah likely hasn't had as many opportunities as we saw 438 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,640 Speaker 1: in Week one in Kansas City, but I think he's 439 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:04,800 Speaker 1: more than capable. Here here's a stat for you, Garrett. Okay, 440 00:20:05,040 --> 00:20:07,720 Speaker 1: When the Ravens beat the Bills in Week four, they 441 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:10,800 Speaker 1: scored thirty five points. Save Flowers had one catch for 442 00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:13,439 Speaker 1: ten yards in that game. When the Ravens beat the 443 00:20:13,440 --> 00:20:17,119 Speaker 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, they scored forty one points. Save Flowers 444 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:19,680 Speaker 1: had one catch for eleven yards in that game. When 445 00:20:19,680 --> 00:20:23,000 Speaker 1: the Ravens scored thirty five points and beat the Cincinnati Bengals. 446 00:20:23,160 --> 00:20:25,680 Speaker 1: Save Flowers had four for thirty four. He didn't score 447 00:20:25,680 --> 00:20:29,160 Speaker 1: a touchdown in any of those games. So there you go, right, 448 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:32,880 Speaker 1: the Ravens have put up thirty plus points against some 449 00:20:32,960 --> 00:20:36,560 Speaker 1: really good team, thirty or even forty plus points and 450 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:39,880 Speaker 1: without Zay Flowers having a huge impact on the game. 451 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:43,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, no, you want him, you want him to be available, 452 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:44,320 Speaker 3: But I think that. 453 00:20:44,359 --> 00:20:46,720 Speaker 1: Just underscores the point. Yeah, they can have a lot 454 00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:50,800 Speaker 1: of success offensively. Yeah, now him, the threat of him 455 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:53,959 Speaker 1: is big, even if he's not getting the ball, So, like, 456 00:20:54,000 --> 00:20:56,919 Speaker 1: I think that's something that we shouldn't be ignored. But 457 00:20:57,920 --> 00:20:59,200 Speaker 1: that's still a telling stat. 458 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:00,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, that's kind of the Tampa game. 459 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:02,679 Speaker 2: He went into that Tampa game a little bit banged 460 00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:05,440 Speaker 2: up and then only caught that one pass for eleven yards. 461 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:08,160 Speaker 2: But the threat of him still is significant, and obviously 462 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:11,399 Speaker 2: he was able to play in that game. So I 463 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:14,439 Speaker 2: think we're saying the same thing. I want him on 464 00:21:14,440 --> 00:21:16,520 Speaker 2: the field. The Ravens want him on the field. He 465 00:21:16,560 --> 00:21:18,800 Speaker 2: wants to be on the field. This team is better 466 00:21:18,840 --> 00:21:20,919 Speaker 2: when he is, no doubt about it. But in the 467 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:23,399 Speaker 2: event that he's not able to play. The Ravens also 468 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:27,399 Speaker 2: have the weapons and the scheme and the versatility I 469 00:21:27,400 --> 00:21:30,080 Speaker 2: think to offset that loss. And a big part of it, 470 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:32,639 Speaker 2: of course is the running game with Derrick Henry. And 471 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,359 Speaker 2: during John Harbous press conference on Monday, he was asked 472 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:39,200 Speaker 2: about six different ways, how you feel about having Dereck 473 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:41,480 Speaker 2: Henry in the backfield and how that could change things 474 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:43,400 Speaker 2: for this team and have you ever had a guy 475 00:21:43,440 --> 00:21:46,479 Speaker 2: like this in the playoffs? And he wasn't really interested 476 00:21:46,480 --> 00:21:49,639 Speaker 2: in doing the whole narrative around Derek Henry and the 477 00:21:49,680 --> 00:21:50,800 Speaker 2: impact that he's going to have. 478 00:21:50,720 --> 00:21:52,080 Speaker 3: On the playoff run. 479 00:21:52,600 --> 00:21:54,280 Speaker 2: He wasn't going gonna go out there and say, yeah, 480 00:21:54,280 --> 00:21:55,760 Speaker 2: we're going to give him ball thirty times in each 481 00:21:55,800 --> 00:21:58,159 Speaker 2: of these playoff games. Like that's not how the Ravens 482 00:21:58,160 --> 00:22:00,639 Speaker 2: are looking at this. But there is no doubt that 483 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:05,760 Speaker 2: having Derek and this running game, which is historic, is 484 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:08,920 Speaker 2: going to be a difference maker for this offense. 485 00:22:09,400 --> 00:22:12,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, John Harwell said, you know, he said, 486 00:22:12,480 --> 00:22:14,880 Speaker 1: it's exciting, it's great to have a great back and 487 00:22:15,160 --> 00:22:16,840 Speaker 1: he said, you know, basically, all the things in the 488 00:22:16,880 --> 00:22:18,320 Speaker 1: running game are going well, and it's going to be 489 00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:21,280 Speaker 1: a big part of our approach in the playoffs. No, duh, 490 00:22:21,720 --> 00:22:23,840 Speaker 1: you know, Derek Henry's going to be a big part 491 00:22:23,880 --> 00:22:27,400 Speaker 1: of what they do, and this is why they brought 492 00:22:27,440 --> 00:22:31,000 Speaker 1: him to Baltimore, right. I mean, the Ravens got ousted 493 00:22:31,440 --> 00:22:34,160 Speaker 1: by the Chiefs NFC Championship last year when they didn't 494 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:36,560 Speaker 1: run the ball very much and they didn't run it 495 00:22:36,640 --> 00:22:39,879 Speaker 1: very effectively. And two months later they went out and 496 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:42,879 Speaker 1: got King Henry and boy, oh boy, you know, they 497 00:22:43,160 --> 00:22:46,320 Speaker 1: got their workhorse running back and he's been awesome all 498 00:22:46,760 --> 00:22:50,600 Speaker 1: season long, nearly running rushing for two thousand yards. And 499 00:22:51,040 --> 00:22:54,600 Speaker 1: come playoff time, we all knew, you know, we all 500 00:22:54,680 --> 00:22:57,280 Speaker 1: know and knew then that Derek Henry was going to 501 00:22:57,440 --> 00:22:59,640 Speaker 1: change things in the playoffs. Like it does not take 502 00:22:59,680 --> 00:23:02,320 Speaker 1: a you know, a genius to figure that one out. 503 00:23:02,720 --> 00:23:06,879 Speaker 1: And what I really think this does, and when I 504 00:23:06,960 --> 00:23:08,840 Speaker 1: look at the advanced analytics and when I look at 505 00:23:08,840 --> 00:23:13,879 Speaker 1: the film, is the Ravens rushing attack is just so dynamic, 506 00:23:14,080 --> 00:23:18,080 Speaker 1: like there's really nothing, there's no holes in the Ravens 507 00:23:18,119 --> 00:23:19,840 Speaker 1: running game. I think that early on in the season, 508 00:23:19,880 --> 00:23:23,439 Speaker 1: we saw a lot of outside run success, outside run success, 509 00:23:23,480 --> 00:23:26,600 Speaker 1: the tosses and those things working really well. Well down 510 00:23:26,680 --> 00:23:28,560 Speaker 1: the stretch. It's been the inside run game for the 511 00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:32,520 Speaker 1: Ravens offense and Derrick Henry and so you look at 512 00:23:32,560 --> 00:23:35,000 Speaker 1: it in terms of play direction. You look at it 513 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:38,960 Speaker 1: in terms of alignment, in terms of formation, you know, 514 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:42,000 Speaker 1: are they pistol? Are they shotgun? Are they under center? 515 00:23:42,400 --> 00:23:44,240 Speaker 1: You look at it in terms of okay, is the 516 00:23:44,280 --> 00:23:47,240 Speaker 1: opponent stacking the box? Are they is it a light box? 517 00:23:48,200 --> 00:23:51,200 Speaker 1: All those things, and the Ravens have had success across 518 00:23:51,240 --> 00:23:54,560 Speaker 1: the board. Right There's not one way that they're running 519 00:23:54,600 --> 00:23:56,879 Speaker 1: the ball and having success. It's in every way, and 520 00:23:57,480 --> 00:24:00,400 Speaker 1: in my opinion, that kind of makes them bully proof 521 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:02,960 Speaker 1: in that regard, right Whereas I don't think that they 522 00:24:03,040 --> 00:24:06,440 Speaker 1: were that way last year entering the playoffs, in part 523 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 1: because of the injuries at running back and whatnot. 524 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:12,280 Speaker 2: Well, part of it is you have the different schematic 525 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:15,320 Speaker 2: approaches like you're talking about, you also have different guys 526 00:24:15,359 --> 00:24:18,880 Speaker 2: like Lamar has shown, I think over the last month 527 00:24:18,880 --> 00:24:21,400 Speaker 2: of the season a willingness to run. And of course 528 00:24:21,440 --> 00:24:24,640 Speaker 2: we can always reference the conversation with his mom, and 529 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:26,919 Speaker 2: that's gonna be something if he continues to run in 530 00:24:26,920 --> 00:24:29,560 Speaker 2: the playoffs that will always bring up. But I think 531 00:24:29,640 --> 00:24:33,560 Speaker 2: that was after the Eagles game. But he's not afraid 532 00:24:33,600 --> 00:24:35,280 Speaker 2: to take off and run if that's what the Ravens 533 00:24:35,320 --> 00:24:36,760 Speaker 2: need to get the offense jump started. 534 00:24:36,800 --> 00:24:39,720 Speaker 3: So that's it's like, it's really simple. 535 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:42,160 Speaker 2: Like you go back to when the Ravens signed Derek 536 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:45,320 Speaker 2: Henry in the spring, and the talk and the narrative 537 00:24:45,359 --> 00:24:47,280 Speaker 2: and the reaction on social media was like, it's a 538 00:24:47,320 --> 00:24:49,560 Speaker 2: cheat code. You gotta worry about Derek Henry going one way, 539 00:24:49,560 --> 00:24:51,800 Speaker 2: you gotta worry about Lamar Jackson going the other way. 540 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:55,880 Speaker 2: Both of them are dynamic players, and that's true like 541 00:24:55,920 --> 00:24:58,439 Speaker 2: that that is definitely going to be part of the 542 00:24:58,520 --> 00:25:02,159 Speaker 2: Ravens approach in the playoff games. And I think Lamar 543 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:04,520 Speaker 2: will take off and run if he sees the avenue 544 00:25:04,560 --> 00:25:06,679 Speaker 2: to do so. I don't think he will be hesitant 545 00:25:06,880 --> 00:25:10,080 Speaker 2: to do that. And I also think that Todd Mounkin 546 00:25:10,160 --> 00:25:12,399 Speaker 2: and the offensive coaches have done an awesome job of 547 00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:15,720 Speaker 2: scheming up this run game. And then Derrick Henry just 548 00:25:15,800 --> 00:25:19,320 Speaker 2: continues to do what he does throughout his entire career. 549 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:22,639 Speaker 2: So I think that this run game will be successful 550 00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:26,359 Speaker 2: now the Steelers like it's going to be a challenge 551 00:25:26,359 --> 00:25:31,119 Speaker 2: against this team, I think, and especially like you talk about. 552 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:32,520 Speaker 3: A lot of times the focus with TJ. 553 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:34,240 Speaker 2: Watt, who might end up being the defensive player of 554 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:34,560 Speaker 2: the year. 555 00:25:34,840 --> 00:25:35,800 Speaker 3: He is a challenge. 556 00:25:35,840 --> 00:25:39,000 Speaker 2: But I think the guy that really can disrupt the 557 00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:41,400 Speaker 2: run game is Cam Hayward in the middle of the defense, 558 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:44,320 Speaker 2: and that will be something that the Ravens need to 559 00:25:44,600 --> 00:25:47,560 Speaker 2: need to He's given the Ravens problems throughout his career 560 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:49,800 Speaker 2: for a long time, and so the Ravens are going 561 00:25:49,880 --> 00:25:51,760 Speaker 2: to have to keep him at bay and keep him 562 00:25:51,760 --> 00:25:54,600 Speaker 2: from clogging things up in the middle of this offensive line, 563 00:25:54,640 --> 00:25:57,399 Speaker 2: and that could that's what could to me, like create 564 00:25:57,480 --> 00:25:58,760 Speaker 2: problems for this running game. 565 00:25:59,359 --> 00:26:03,560 Speaker 1: Well, against the Steelers in the last meeting, Derrick Henry 566 00:26:03,760 --> 00:26:06,640 Speaker 1: ran between the tackles a season high sixty two point 567 00:26:06,720 --> 00:26:08,960 Speaker 1: five percent of the time according to the next Gen Stats, 568 00:26:08,960 --> 00:26:11,879 Speaker 1: and he had five of his seven explosive runs in 569 00:26:11,920 --> 00:26:14,760 Speaker 1: between the tackles plus twenty yards. So the Ravens can 570 00:26:14,800 --> 00:26:17,480 Speaker 1: repeat that success, I think they're going to be in 571 00:26:17,560 --> 00:26:18,520 Speaker 1: good shape in this game. 572 00:26:18,640 --> 00:26:18,880 Speaker 3: Yep. 573 00:26:19,040 --> 00:26:21,240 Speaker 2: And then the other point on the running game, and 574 00:26:21,240 --> 00:26:23,240 Speaker 2: not just the running game, but one of the running 575 00:26:23,240 --> 00:26:25,440 Speaker 2: backs is Justice Hill. He's not played for a couple 576 00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 2: of games now, had a concussion and then was sick 577 00:26:28,800 --> 00:26:31,359 Speaker 2: all last week and so. 578 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:33,399 Speaker 3: He's not playing. He's not been on the field. 579 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:35,600 Speaker 2: John Harblat did say on Monday that he's trending in 580 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:38,200 Speaker 2: the right direction in order to be able to get 581 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:40,200 Speaker 2: back on the field and play in this game. Also 582 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:43,760 Speaker 2: Pat McCarey, who did play on Saturday but only played 583 00:26:43,760 --> 00:26:45,399 Speaker 2: a series and was limited in that game because he 584 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:47,520 Speaker 2: was sick, he's also trending in the right direction too 585 00:26:47,560 --> 00:26:50,440 Speaker 2: and getting healthy. So the Ravens could get some key 586 00:26:50,480 --> 00:26:54,080 Speaker 2: guys back to full strength and Justice at Pat McCarey, Yeah. 587 00:26:53,920 --> 00:26:56,159 Speaker 1: I think that's a big deal. Justice Hill is a 588 00:26:56,280 --> 00:27:00,480 Speaker 1: major weapon in this offense. So good to hear that 589 00:27:00,520 --> 00:27:02,520 Speaker 1: they're turning in the right direction. And John Harvill said, 590 00:27:02,520 --> 00:27:04,159 Speaker 1: you know, they'll we feel much better this week. So 591 00:27:05,280 --> 00:27:08,560 Speaker 1: really good to hear that and another weapon. You know, 592 00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,520 Speaker 1: we talked about Zay Flowers potential, the potential that he 593 00:27:11,560 --> 00:27:14,600 Speaker 1: doesn't play in this game. Getting Justice Hill back on 594 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:15,800 Speaker 1: the field would be a big moon. 595 00:27:15,960 --> 00:27:16,640 Speaker 3: Yeah. 596 00:27:16,400 --> 00:27:18,200 Speaker 2: The one last point I want to make on Derrick 597 00:27:18,240 --> 00:27:22,240 Speaker 2: Henry is if listeners did not see the locker room 598 00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:25,399 Speaker 2: speeches after the game against the Browns on Saturday, go 599 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:27,920 Speaker 2: and check out that video. John Harvill hands out the 600 00:27:27,960 --> 00:27:29,760 Speaker 2: game balls and addresses the team and some of the 601 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:32,520 Speaker 2: guys who got game balls. It was Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson, 602 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:37,240 Speaker 2: Rokwan Smith and Mark Andrews, and those leaders I think really. 603 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:39,399 Speaker 1: Said Michael Pierce and Michael Pierce, I can't forget, Michael, 604 00:27:39,440 --> 00:27:40,960 Speaker 1: I can't forget. And Todd Munkin. 605 00:27:41,119 --> 00:27:44,119 Speaker 2: Yeah, Munken got one after the locker room celebration. He 606 00:27:44,160 --> 00:27:48,359 Speaker 2: got it then. But those team leaders to me set 607 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:50,840 Speaker 2: the tone for this team going into the playoffs, like 608 00:27:51,800 --> 00:27:55,560 Speaker 2: all of them, particularly Derek Lamar and Mark Andrews, Like 609 00:27:55,600 --> 00:28:00,640 Speaker 2: those guys made the point that this it's it's go time. 610 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:02,760 Speaker 2: That's what Lamar said. And Derek Henry brought up the 611 00:28:02,800 --> 00:28:05,359 Speaker 2: fact that I've made the AFC Championship once, I haven't 612 00:28:05,400 --> 00:28:07,840 Speaker 2: been back in five years, and we need to be different, 613 00:28:07,880 --> 00:28:09,919 Speaker 2: Like the approach needs to be different. Everything needs to 614 00:28:09,920 --> 00:28:12,760 Speaker 2: be focused. And you could tell I could tell looking 615 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:15,800 Speaker 2: listening to Derrick Henry deliver that speech to the team 616 00:28:16,200 --> 00:28:18,320 Speaker 2: that oh man, this guy he wants it. This is 617 00:28:18,359 --> 00:28:19,879 Speaker 2: what he came here for. He came here for a 618 00:28:19,960 --> 00:28:22,679 Speaker 2: chance to compete for a Super Bowl and the Ravens 619 00:28:22,760 --> 00:28:25,879 Speaker 2: certainly have the team to do that, and those team 620 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:29,880 Speaker 2: leaders are setting the right tone and mindset in terms 621 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:32,159 Speaker 2: of how they're going to approach things throughout these playoffs. 622 00:28:32,560 --> 00:28:35,240 Speaker 2: And uh that that honestly started minutes after the game 623 00:28:35,240 --> 00:28:35,840 Speaker 2: on Saturday. 624 00:28:36,520 --> 00:28:38,880 Speaker 1: Yep, I agree. I mean this, look, this is a 625 00:28:38,920 --> 00:28:43,200 Speaker 1: really forged team. I get the the Ravens have. Obviously 626 00:28:43,240 --> 00:28:45,640 Speaker 1: the h and two start to begin the year they play, 627 00:28:45,760 --> 00:28:49,040 Speaker 1: They played against a very difficult schedule. You know, they 628 00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:51,680 Speaker 1: they took some punches, and I think that has made 629 00:28:51,720 --> 00:28:55,120 Speaker 1: this team stronger, and I honestly think that they're in 630 00:28:55,160 --> 00:28:59,000 Speaker 1: a better frame of mind, uh than they were even 631 00:28:59,040 --> 00:29:01,160 Speaker 1: last season. And of course last season the way that 632 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:04,520 Speaker 1: ended that contributes to that mindset too. You know that 633 00:29:05,640 --> 00:29:08,920 Speaker 1: they know how precious this opportunity is. They know how 634 00:29:08,960 --> 00:29:11,160 Speaker 1: good this team is, just like last year's team was 635 00:29:11,200 --> 00:29:15,160 Speaker 1: really good, and they know what it takes to what 636 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:17,360 Speaker 1: it's going to take to get over that hump and 637 00:29:17,360 --> 00:29:20,200 Speaker 1: get in the super Bowl. And yeah, the road ahead 638 00:29:20,280 --> 00:29:22,600 Speaker 1: is is difficult. You know, the Ravens are going to 639 00:29:22,680 --> 00:29:26,320 Speaker 1: have to, most likely at some point here go on 640 00:29:26,360 --> 00:29:31,959 Speaker 1: the road, and well they yeah, most likely, And you 641 00:29:32,000 --> 00:29:35,240 Speaker 1: look at who they've faced so far, however, in the 642 00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:38,800 Speaker 1: regular season, and they've beaten everybody that's in the AFC 643 00:29:38,840 --> 00:29:41,600 Speaker 1: playoffs except for the Chiefs. That was the only team, right. 644 00:29:41,640 --> 00:29:43,160 Speaker 1: They beat the Bills, they beat the Texans, they beat 645 00:29:43,160 --> 00:29:44,920 Speaker 1: the Chargers, they beat the Steelers, they beat the Broncos. 646 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:48,600 Speaker 1: The one team is the Chiefs. Now. The only focus 647 00:29:48,640 --> 00:29:51,080 Speaker 1: is on the Steelers this week. But I point that 648 00:29:51,120 --> 00:29:54,040 Speaker 1: out just to say for fans who are like, man, 649 00:29:54,680 --> 00:29:56,720 Speaker 1: you know, this is a tough road. How are the 650 00:29:56,800 --> 00:29:59,920 Speaker 1: Ravens going to get through this one? They've already fai 651 00:30:00,200 --> 00:30:02,479 Speaker 1: this season is the regular season, Yeah, yeah, and they 652 00:30:02,520 --> 00:30:06,280 Speaker 1: won almost all and so that doesn't matter. It's zero 653 00:30:06,400 --> 00:30:09,080 Speaker 1: everybody zone, oh right, right now? Everybody zero zero right? 654 00:30:09,120 --> 00:30:12,400 Speaker 1: The regular season results do not matter except for seating, right, 655 00:30:12,960 --> 00:30:16,240 Speaker 1: and uh, but I think that this team has proven 656 00:30:16,480 --> 00:30:18,400 Speaker 1: that it's strong enough to go on that kind of 657 00:30:18,400 --> 00:30:18,680 Speaker 1: a run. 658 00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:21,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, And of course it's gonna have to start Saturday 659 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:23,040 Speaker 2: at M ANDT Bank Stadium. 660 00:30:23,400 --> 00:30:25,680 Speaker 3: Kickoff for that game is at eight pm. 661 00:30:25,960 --> 00:30:29,560 Speaker 2: There are limited tickets still available. You better move quickly 662 00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:31,280 Speaker 2: on these because they're going quick. So you can get 663 00:30:31,280 --> 00:30:33,640 Speaker 2: those on seat Geek or Baltimore evens dot com, slash 664 00:30:33,680 --> 00:30:35,560 Speaker 2: tickets if you want to be there in the house. 665 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:37,960 Speaker 2: It's going to be an awesome, awesome atmosphere. The game 666 00:30:38,040 --> 00:30:41,520 Speaker 2: is gonna be televised on Amazon Prime and so I 667 00:30:41,520 --> 00:30:42,000 Speaker 2: can't wait. 668 00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:43,440 Speaker 3: It's gonna be a fun week talking. 669 00:30:43,280 --> 00:30:44,800 Speaker 2: About all this, and we're gonna be back with you 670 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:46,840 Speaker 2: over the course of this week to get you ready 671 00:30:46,840 --> 00:30:49,000 Speaker 2: for that wildcard matchup coming up this weekend. 672 00:30:49,040 --> 00:30:50,960 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening. Talk with again soon.