Prediction: Ravens vs Lions, 12.13.09

With three-quarters of the season in the books, the Ravens have limped to a 6-6 record after their 3-0 start to the season.  But the playoffs are still within reach as the Ravens trail the Jaguars by one game for the final wildcard spot in the AFC.

After a horrible loss to the Packers on Monday night, the Ravens face one of the league’s worst teams in Detroit.

Here are the three keys to this game:

1. Show up. All kidding aside, the Ravens are much better team than the Lions.  When you enter a game as a two-TD favorite, it may be a little natural to look ahead to upcoming matchups or take this type of an opponent too lightly.  As long as the Ravens stay focused, the Ravens should rout the Lions.  That said, the Ravens have struggled to start games well so if they don’t focus on the task at hand, they could find themselves playing catchup early.

2. Limit the big play. Although Matthew Stafford will miss this game and Calvin Johnson has spent much of the year banged up, Megatron is the most dangerous big-play receiver (or will soon become that) in my opinion.  The Ravens have allowed 38 pass plays of 20 yards or more, which is tied for the ninth-most in the NFL.

3. Establish passing game early. Flacco threw three interceptions last week including picks on back-to-back plays and he has thrown only three TDs in the past six games.  (He threw three TDs in week 1.)  If there’s an opponent that can help get Flacco back into a groove, it is Detroit’s pass-friendly defense.  No team has allowed more passing yards and touchdowns than Detroit.

The playoffs are certainly within the Ravens’ grasp and within reason.  Although they have to play Pittsburgh again, their opponents have a combined record of 17-32.

Prediction: Ravens 31, Lions 13

Tags: Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions, Joe Flacco, Matthew Stafford, Playoffs