Ravens-Redskins: Key Match-ups

Apologies for the brief break from this last week… but it was Thanksgiving, no one was going to read it anyway, and it was the Bengals. We all lived, right? So moving on…

The Redskins come right up I-95 on Sunday in a fairly important game for the Ravens. Winning home games, especially in this final stretch, it crucial for the Ravens. But no, one of the match-ups will not be the Ravens vs. their fear of the primetime. They will have to get over it themselves. And you’ll have to look up the numbers on that yourself if you want to know anything about it.

Here are my two key match-ups heading into Sunday night…

Ravens’ Defense vs. Redskins’ Offense

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Ravens DBs vs. QB Jason Campbell

The Redskins offense is much like the Ravens, especially with their “rush first, ask questions later” mentality. But in recent weeks, the Redskins have struggled as their powerful rush attack as stuttered and left the game in the hands of Jason Campbell too often.

Proof? Clinton Portis has been slowed by nagging injuries and has topped 100 yards just once in his last four games, after eclipsing the 100-yard mark in six straight games. And Jason Campbell has been throwing the ball more often too - in the same four game period, Campbell has more attempts than in all but one game earlier in the season.

The result? Well, the Redskins are 1-3 over their last four games, averaging just over 10 points per game, and suddenly, Jason Campbell has learned to turn the ball over.

A popular story line earlier in the year, Campbell was approaching the NFL record for pass attempts without an interception. It took until Week Nine this year for Campbell to throw his first pick. He still has thrown just four all season, but all four have come in his last four games.

Enter the Ravens. (more…)