I have absolutely no idea what to expect in tomorrow's game. I could see a repeat of the Indianapolis or NY Giants games, with the Ravens getting blown out, or I could see the Ravens losing another heartbreaker in the 4th quarter. I could see the Ravens stealing a win --- I could even (though this seems the unlikeliest scenario) see the Ravens blowing out the Cowboys. Dallas did lose to St. Louis and Arizona earlier in the year, and they've been one the NFL's weaker December-January teams over the past decade. Tony Romo can be pressured into throwing picks, and T.O. can be pressured into throwing tantrums. And the Wade Phillips era in Dallas has not exactly been about rising to the occasion.
Still, the Cowboys have so many advantages, and they have too much talent on both sides of the ball not to give the Ravens trouble. We haven't seen the Ravens play a complete, 60-minute game yet, and a complete, 60-minute game might be the only thing that can get the Ravens the upset. So yeah, I'm expecting a loss.
That said, I'm not at all unhappy that our post-season hopes most likely will hinge on the outcome of this game. (It would be a shock if two AFC East teams didn't finish with 11 wins.) We've had 5 chances this year to beat an upper-echelon team, and 5 times we have failed. Win any of those games (the Titans game and last week's Steelers game hurt the most) and we'd be going into Dallas all but assured a playoff berth regardless of what happens in Texas Stadium. If we wind up 10-6 and manage to sneak into the playoffs because New England somehow lays an egg against Arizona or Buffalo, well, to my mind that has 1-and-done written all over it. At some point this year, we're going to have to take care of business against a better opponent. Either that, or see you in 2009.
Keywords: Baltimore Ravens Dallas Cowboys Saturday night football
