5 Reasons The Ravens Will Blow Out The Panthers
By Travis Thomas
The Travis Thomas Experience
Let's define the term "Blow Out" for a second shall we? Nobody is going to confuse this Gary Kubiak offense for Air Coryell so in Ravens terms, let's say winning by 10 points or more convincingly constitutes said "Blow Out". Can we agree on that definition? I believe all the stars have aligned for that result this Sunday at home against Carolina.
1. DISTRACTIONS:
That dreaded word that most teams try to avoid including the Ravens. History shows that the Ravens thrive in the face of distractions. From the Ray Lewis Trial, the litany of Off-Season Arrest this summer, to the current Ray Rice Scandal the Ravens always find a way to stay calm in the eye of the storm.
2. STEVE SMITH SR:
When I interviewed Steve Smith Sr. at Raven's Training Camp he told me that he still wears his Carolina Panthers Shoulder Pads underneath his Ravens Uniform. He is fully aware that the Panthers didn't think he still had anything in his tank and so far this season he has proven them wrong. He will show the Panthers first hand on Sunday.
3. PANTHERS DEFENSE:
Carolina had the second rated Defense last season in the NFL. So far this season the Panthers have fallen out of the Top 10 Completely (currently at #14). They have given up three runs of 50 or more yards in all three of their games this season, including runs of 81 and 50 yards in Sunday night's 37-19 loss to Pittsburgh. Ravens RB Justin Forsett has the AFC's best rushing average at 6.3 yards per carry, feed him!
4. RAVENS PASS RUSH:
Baltimore is still trying to figure out how to have more consistency with their pass rush. At times they have looked the part, other times they have look pedestrian. They will look dominant on Sunday. Panthers QB Cam Newton has been under duress all season; he has been sacked 7 times already. Considered a dual threat QB, Newton doesn't seem like he's fully recovered from Off-Season Ankle Surgery. He carried the ball a career low four times in the opener to Detroit and had just two attempts Sunday night against Pittsburgh.
5. YOU.
The Ravens are an impressive 40-10 at home since the Flacco/Harbaugh union began in 2008, second best in the NFL over that timeframe. That record includes a 12-1 home mark during the month of September.
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