Cardinals vs. Ravens: Halftime Observations for the Ravens

After an embarrassing showing on Monday night versus the Jaguars, the Ravens are facing a must-win game. While 4-2 is a respectable record, most pundits had both the Titans and Jaguars games as easy victories. 

With a huge Sunday night matchup vs. the Steelers next weekend, the Ravens are in dire need of a confidence boost. And with the Bengals breathing down the necks of both Pitt and Baltimore, neither team can afford to slip up. 

Let's take a look at a few keys to get the Ravens back into the win column at home. 

1) Ray Rice, Baby!

Rice has seven carries in the first quarter after just eight carries all of Monday. This offense runs through No. 27 and they proved it by throwing on both second and third and goal. The Ravens were lucky to walk off with three points after Adrian Wilson who should have come up with a pick on Joe Flacco.

2) Red Zone... 

If the Ravens don't think that Rice can get it done on the goal line, then either Vonta Leach or Ricky Williams should be getting the carries. Either way this Ravens' red-zone offense has been awful all year. I say that confidently as a Ravens fan. Flacco and Cam Cameron don't seem to be on the same page more than half the time. As Cameron is always willing to throw the ball, I get the feeling that Flacco knows that Rice should be getting the ball on the ground. Ball security in the red zone is crucial, and the second and goal throw that Wilson barely missed is the perfect example. 

3) 5 Straight Losses

The Cardinals haven't won a game since week one vs. the Carolina Panthers. The Ravens do NOT want to be the team that makes them look good. They can't afford the loss in the standings...or the reputation. 

4) Ray Lewis is Specimen

After suffering a stinger in the first quarter, Ray Lewis was taken out of the game for four plays. The significance behind it? They were the first four plays that he has missed all season. The guy is a gamer to the fullest extent of the word, and I'm sure he was in pain if he wasn't in the game. No one in the NFL wants to play football more than this guy.