Iggy’s Baltimore Sports Report – October 5, 2016

Ravens:
Hindsight is 20/20. So, do you want those 2 critical decisions reversed? Quite frankly, given the same situation, I would do it the same way again, and expect different results. Anytime I score a touchdown, and have the chance to go for 2 and tie the game, I am going for it. Similarly, to accept a penalty and give them another shot at 3rd down knowing if they fail, it will be a longer field goal attempt or even be out of range, I am taking it. You have to depend on your D. If they can’t get that done (ultimately giving up 7 in this case), do you really deserve to win? These are the gutsy calls that separates .500 teams from winning teams. You have to make these hard decision, especially in the ultra conservation NFL, if you want to win. But your team has to deliver for you. Some times these choices pay off, and you are a genius. Other times… not so much. This week… not so much.

Now, the biggest game of the year. Yeah, the stealers are a big game, but do you actually expect this Ravens team to win the super bowl this year? Hope, yes. Expect, no. Therefore, you must have this local rivalry win to put those potato fans back in their place: the fryer.

Orioles:
The O’s ended their season with a questionable call of their own. Many people think that Britton should have been brought out in the 11th inning, and not Jiminez. My opinion is that being the road team, and the game not having an end in sight, and being the road team, why waste your closer? You just completed your 5th hitless inning on offense. Use the starters on the roster as long relievers, and once you have the lead, bring in the closer. If anything, I would have brought Britton (or somebody else) on to face that last batter when it was obvious Jiminez didn’t have it after giving up consecutive hits. As they said in pre-game, one mistake will decide the game. Letting Jiminez face 3 batters was the mistake, not bringing him in to start with.

Alouettes
The Als (4-9) won big over Toronto, 38-11 to move within a half game of 3rd place (4 team division). With 5 games left, and only 2.5 games out of first, anything is possible still.

Blast (MISL):
Nothing new to report.

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

Capitals (See website for more details):
Capitals Announce Initiatives Leading Up to Home Opener, Highlighted by #RockTheRed Carpet on Oct. 15. See website for details.

Wizards (See website for more details):
Wizards lost the first preseason on Tuesday night. Nobody noticed they were even playing.

D.C.United (See website for more details):
With a 2 more wisn this weekend, DC United moved up to 5th place at 10-9-13. Top 2 make the playoffs; 2 games left.


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 4:
    • Bengals over Fins (+7.5), but take the points. Despite taking OT to beat the Browns, Fins will keep this within a score. 22-7. Not a score.
    • Ravens over Raiders (+3.5), but take the points. Drama is in our nature. Drama is what we got, just not the win.
    • Indy over Jags (+2.5). Luck will have it. London calling… Jags.
    • Browns (+8.5) over skins. Upset of the week. 3 straight turnovers sealed the Brownies fate.
    • NE over Buffalo (+4.5). Can anyone take out NE before Brady returns? Bills post a shutout.
    • Seattle over Jets (+1.5). Hawks are much better than the Jets. Hawks by 10.
    • Falcons (+3.5) over Carolina. Falcons are 2-0 as the underdog so far. 48-33… over in a big way.
    • Bears (+1.5) over Lions. Picking the home team. 17-14.
    • Texans over Tennessee (+6.5), but take the points. Should be a closer divisional game that those points. Texans win by 7.
    • Broncos over Tampa (+3.5). I would expect more points here. 20 point differential.
    • Niners (+2.5) over Dallas. Dallas to flop after big Bear win. Boys win by 7.
    • Chargers over Saints (+3.5) Which Saints will show up? Saints win by 1.
    • Cards over LA (+8.5), but take the points. Rams are erratic. LA wins outright.
    • squealors over KC (+5.5). They will be out to prove something after that major loss last week. … and they were.
    • Vikings over Giants (+4.5). Vikings are for real, so far. Could this be the year for purple… just not ours?
    • This Week: 8-7 SU, 8-7 ATS
    • This Season: 39-24 SU, 33-30 ATS
  • Week 5:
    • Cardinals over @SF (+3.5), but take the points. Both teams are 1-3 against the spread, so I will go with the odds makers.
    • @Baltimore over Wash (+3.5), but take the points. IF we win, do you think it will be by much?
    • @MN over Hou (+6.5). Purple power.
    • @Mia over TN (+3.5), but take the points. Two teams looking for identity, but fins are undefeated at home (1-0)
    • NE over @Cle (+10.5). Stats say to take the points, but Brady is back to prove something with his deflated ego.
    • @pit over Jets (+7.5). They will get medieval on them.
    • Phi over @Det (+2.5). Spread should be more.
    • Chi (+4.5) over @Indy. Bears will win road regional rivalry.
    • Atl (+5.5) over @Den. Falcon are the other surprise team of the year; 3-0 as the dog.
    • @LA over Buf (+2.5). Rams settling in to their new/old home.
    • SD (+3.5) over @Oak. Oakland happy to be home after east coast trip, but Charger will be more at home in Oakland.
    • Cin over @Dal (+.5). Are the Bengals we know and love back? Not yet.
    • @GB over NYG (+7.5), but take the points. Packers are 0-3 as the favorite, ATS.
    • @Car over Tampa (+6.5), but take the points. Panthers 1-4 ATS as the Favorite.

Please send comments to Iggy at tealdragon.net