Iggy’s Baltimore Sports Report – September 14, 2016

Ravens:
The first win is under the built, but boy was it ugly! Other than a 66 yard touchdown reception, the offense sputtered the whole game. Fearless Joe Flacco looked anything but fearless, and mostly uncomfortable in the pocket and rolling out. The run game was weak, the special teams was anything but special unless you count their remedial status (special Ed?). The defense and the Bill propensity for flags saved our bacon on many occasions. I held my breath as Harbs went against conventional wisdom by taking points off the board when Buffalo was called for leveraging. In the end, it is what we are accustomed to in Baltimore: winning ugly.

Next up is a reeling (yes, already) Cleveland Browns team, who just placed starting QB RG-knee, on the 8 week DL. Line is the Ravens by 6.5, but expect us to play down to their level… Again.

Orioles:
The Orioles have just enough life in them to continue to foster false hope. If we continue to send that “had to have” LHP Wade Miley to the mound, we deserve to miss the playoffs. Everything else is shaping up for a 4 team photo finish for the division title. Future is in our hands if we execute the most crucial instruction: Just win, baby.

Alouettes
The Als continue to anchor the bottom of the standings at 3-8.

Blast (MISL):
With the Blast exodus drama over, the MASL finalized the division alignments for the 2016-7 season with The Eastern Division anchored by the Ron Newman Cup Champion Baltimore Blast, accompanied by the expansion Florida Tropics, Harrisburg Heat and Syracuse Silver Knights.

Chesapeake Bayhawks: (Home games at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium)
Nothing to report.

Capitals (See website for more details):
Ovechkin named Team Russia’s captain for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

Wizards (See website for more details):
Wizards single game tickets are now on sale. They also release their new “stars and stripes” uniform.

D.C.United (See website for more details):
DC United is now down to a 7th place tie at 7-9-12.


What do you want to see in the Ravens report? What should be scrapped? Actually, never mind. No one is reading this anyway so you probably won’t know the difference. Send an email to iggy at tealdragon.net. Thanks!


Relevant Football Links


Iggy’s Predictions


“Past performance does not guarantee future success, but it sure is the way to bet!”

  • Week 1:
    • Ravens over Bills (+3.5), but take the points. Why can’t we have a nice blowout for a change?
    • Denver (+3.5) over Panthers. Not sure it is wise to bet against Denver at home. Denver won late.
    • Atlanta over Tampa (+3.5). Battle for last? Falcons now have the lead for number 1 draft pick.
    • Minnesota over Titans (+2.5). Vikings were 8-2 as the favorite last year. Vikings keep the positive record going.
    • Eagles over Browns (+3.5). It’s still the Browns. At 29-10, not even close.
    • Bengals over Jets (+2.5). Bengals were 11-2 as the favorite last year. Bengals cats played with their food, but didn’t cover.
    • Raiders (+0.5) over Saints. Oakland was 7-4 as the underdog and the Saints were 2-5 as the favorite last season. In probably the boldest opening day decision in NFL history, Raiders go for 2 with 47 seconds left for the win.
    • Chefs over Chargers (+7.5), but take the points. Chargers covered the spread 5 times last season. Chefs win it in OT, so almost no way they can cover.
    • Houston over Bears (+5.5), but take the points. Houston was 5-2 as the favorite last season. Houston had themselves a Bahr.
    • Packers over Jags (+4.5). Only 4.5? Packers won first 5 games of the season last year as favorite. Packers win but only by 4.
    • Seattle over Miami (+10.5), but take the points. Too many points for season opener. Miami got more points in the spread then they scored, but that was plenty to cover the final score.
    • Giants over Dallas (+.5). NFC East Road team are a safer bet then the home team. Up and down game left the Giants with a 1 point win.
    • Colts (+3.5) over Detroit. Colts were 6-2 as the underdog last season. Lions win this wacky game 39-35.
    • Arizona over Pats (+5.5). No Brady? Waaa… NOT! NE was never an underdog last season! Well that was disappointing.
    • pittsburgh over skins (+3.5). Where’s the option for mutually assured destruction? Yuk.
    • LaRams over Niners (+2.5). SF could be a candidate for an 0-fer season. Did I say SF? I meant LA.
    • This Week: 12-4 SU, 8-8 ATS
  • Week 2:
    • Jets over Bills (+1.5). Question is whether or not the Bills defense was good, or our offense was bad.
    • Lions over Titans (+5.5) Lions with the surprise win last week could make some noise this year.
    • Houston over KC (+2.5) I predict a game decided by a kicker.
    • NE over Miami (+6.5), but take the points. Still hoping that NE will lose without Brady.
    • Ravens over Cleveland (+6.5), but take the points. We always lower ourselves to their level.
    • Bengals (+3.5) over pittsburgh. Cat can’t start like they did against the Jets.
    • Dallas (+2.5) over skins. NFC East curse. Stick with the roadie.
    • Saints (+4.5) over Giants. Saints to rebound.
    • Panthers over niners (+13.5). No, those points weren’t tempting me in this match-up.
    • Cards over Tampa (+6.5). Pirate ships don’t sail in the desert.
    • Seattle over LA (+6.5). Hawks will make up for last week’s near debacle.
    • Denver over Indy (+5.5), but take the points. I predict a close game, albeit another shoot out.
    • Raiders over Atlanta (+4.5). Falcons swalled by black hole.
    • Chargers over Jags (+2.5). How did the Jags stay with the packers last week?
    • Vikings (+2.5) over Packers. Vikings are on the rise.
    • Eagles (+3.5) over Bears. Bears lost to Houston last week?

Please send comments to Iggy at tealdragon.net