3-0 Div Games
2-0 Conf Championship
8-1 overall
Let's continue the winning ways !
Leaning +4 Baltimore as of now..
definitely not locked in.. but if the game was today, i would play it at Balt +4
I have been saying all-along that SF plays well with one dimensional, pass-happy team... but tends to struggle with teams that have a a solid, power running game between the tackles.
so which profile does Baltimore fit in ? I would have to say the latter.
Baltimore likes to first establish their run game to open up the passing game later. The re-vamped offensive line has been great in pass protection and opening gaps for Rice and Pierce.
OC Caldwell has also been getting better and better in mixing up the plays. He utilizes what the previous OC Cam never did.. letting Flacco do his thing.
Balt also has plenty of offensive weapons, too. Perhaps more than SF.
Rice, Pierce, Boldin, Smith and Pitta VS Gore, James, Crabtree and Davis. On a pick'em game on the playground, i wouldn't know who to pick first.. lol (btw, James is scary fast)
SF does have a dangerous option running game with CK at helm.. but Flacco is capable of running for 1st down, too.. unlike Manning, Brady and Ryan.
IMO, the the defensive line is similar too.. with 49ers having better corp of LBs and Ravens having a slight edge in the secondary. They both play the 3-4 defense.. with the Ravens mixing it up with 4-3 at times.
Both Harbaughs and their coaching staff does incredible jobs in motivating and preparing the players.. as well as making good half time adjustments. No edge for either.
My point is that these teams are very similar.
Similar enough that one team does not have a enough advantage to warrant a 4 point spread on a neutral field.
IMO this game will come down to Raven's "bend but don't break" mentality. They will let 49ers get the yardage without the TDs, holding them to 3points rather than the 7.
the game will be closely contested throughout.. with Akers missing a key FG at the end for the 49ers.
Crazy Carlitos
looking for additional INSIGHTS