Cardinals vs. Ravens: Quote the Ravens, Nevermore

Edgar Allen Poe’s morose words would likely not be depressing enough to describe the way this game will play out. 

The Cardinals play the Ravens in Baltimore this Sunday, in what is sure to be a complete and utter embarrassment for an already-disgraced Ken Whisenhunt and his Cardinals organization.

Next Monday it would be unreasonable for Cardinals fans to be upset at the loss.  The game has all the hallmarks of a Cardinal failure, factors that they have proven incapable of overcoming.

A team with over a .500 record.  Check.

A road game.  Check.

A game in a different time zone.  Check.

On top of three seemingly insurmountable factors that the Cardinals have historically been unable to overcome they will be facing a Ravens team that will have their foot firmly on the gas after being embarrassed by the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Ravens will be doing everything they can to prevent themselves from being embarrassed two weeks in a row by vastly inferior teams.

The Ravens boast one of the NFL’s best defenses, giving up the fewest total yards to date on the season.  They have a secondary that will surely leave Kevin Kolb looking to his checkdown and a pass rush that may not even allow him to do that.

If Kolb had happy feet in the Steelers game he will have ecstatic feet in this game.

Even worse for Kolb will be that the team will most likely be without running back Beanie Wells—again—who is out with injury, leaving them devoid of any type of running game whatsoever. 

The Ravens have the fourth-most sacks in the NFL, just two fewer than the No. 1 team.  After facing the Cardinals offensive line there is no doubt that they will rocket to the top spot.

The Ravens do not have a prolific offense, so if there is to be any hope for the Cardinals, their defense will need to rule the day. 

That may be a lot to ask considering the secondary has struggled against such passing forces as Rex Grossman, Tarvaris Jackson and the 2011 version of Donovan McNabb.  While there may be questions surrounding Joe Flacco any coach would prefer him under center as opposed to those three. 

In the end the only victory that will come from this game will be the Cardinals taking a step forward in locking up an early pick.

Prediction: Ravens 24, Cardinals 10