Ravens Welcome Raiders
In their one, and only home game during November, the Ravens, who have captured 22 of 23 in Baltimore, host the 3-5 Raiders. There will be a very familiar face calling the plays behind center, QB Carson Palmer posted a 9-4 record against the Ravens while with the Cincinnati Bengals. Head Coach John Harbaugh said, "As you know, he's not going to be intimidated by the environment at all. He's been in it many times. He manages and operates the offense as well as anybody, and some of the same things he did in Cincinnati, he's doing now. He can make every throw. There's not a throw he cant make, and when he's on, he's on time; he can really stick it in a tight window. He's a fearless competitor. You watch him play with tremendous enthusiasm out there, and he loves to compete. So, we've got a lot of respect for Carson Palmer." That should make Ravens fans a bit edgy, only because Palmer will throw against a depleting defense that has some injuries which he could take advantage of. Harbaugh by the way, is 8-1 all time against the AFC West.
WATCH VIDEO: Harbaugh on Carson Palmer
With a 6-2 record that leads the AFC north, that is still not enough to please RB Ray Rice. "I look at our record and say, 'No. 1, we are doing something right, because we are 6-2,' but I never get satisfied with the way we are playing. There is no such thing as the prefect situation, and I always take towards the end of the season when it's all said and done to really look back at where we are. But right now, needless to say, we have to play better. We have to play better going forward until late November, December to carry us to get to January. A lot of that is just staying healthy. We get our guys back, we start to play together as a team, and this is the time to gel. We divide the season in two halves. Right now, we are at the halfway point, 6-2, No. 1 in the AFC north, so not a lot to complain about. But, there is a lot to get better at." Rice is currently 11th in the NFL in rushing, and continues to have success, when he touches the ball enough. The Raiders are the perfect "fit' for Rice after their run defense was ripped apart last week, letting rookie Doug Martin rush for 251 yards and four TDs.
WATCH VIDEO: Ray Rice on still improving as a team
Follow Jerry Coleman: sportswcoleman
