Prediction Friday: Jets at Ravens
The Ravens are coming off of a win in which they dominated an overmatched, overwhelmed team in the St. Louis Rams. This week, they will face an AFC East team with similarities and some of their former players.
Baltimore returns home to take on the New York Jets, who have their Baltimore's old defensive coordinator (Rex Ryan), a wide receiver (Derrick Mason), a safety (Jim Leonhard) and a linebacker (Bart Scott).
The Ravens will also face a player that has terrorized them since his days with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Santonio Holmes has eight touchdowns against the Ravens since the 2007 season and the Ravens have injuries in the secondary.
However, Baltimore could be getting back left guard Ben Grubbs. Grubbs has missed the last two games with a toe injury. Getting Grubbs back would help the running game, which the Jets had trouble stopping against the Oakland Raiders last Sunday.
Grubbs is a game-time decision. Lee Evans, David Reed, Jimmy Smith and Haruki Nakamura are out and cornerback Chris Carr is also questionable.
With Evans out, Torrey Smith will get his second consecutive start at wide receiver. Don't expect Smith to have a huge game like he did against the Rams.
With all of this said, I left out an intangible. The Ravens have beaten the Jets seven consecutive times, including a 10-9 victory in last season's season-opener.
Baltimore will win their eighth straight game against the Jets Sunday night 21-13.
