This time tomorrow, the Baltimore Ravens would have hopefully wrapped up an opening day win at home against the Buffalo Bills; and in doing so, answering some of the many questions surrounding the team coming from this offseason. Every position group on the roster has several questions stemming from it. Heck, nigh on every player on the roster has a big ? hanging over their helmet. Starting the season 1-0 would be great, starting 1-0 and turning some of those ?’s into .’s would be excellent.

6 weeks ago Buffalo would have provided a much sterner opening test than they will tomorrow. The team has gone through possibly the worst finish to the offseason in the league, losing several key players to injuries and suspensions, including rookies the coaches hoped and banked on starting right away. However they still have a decent roster full of playmakers capable of taking over a game. Not to mention a couple of coaches and players who would love to beat the Ravens. Not a “get one over” kind of win, but a mutual respect win. Head Coach Rex Ryan – former defensive coach at Baltimore for 9 seasons, defensive backs assistant Ed Reed – future hall of fame safety who spent the bulk of his career striking fear into opponents quarterbacks on the backend of the Ravens secondary, starting QB Tyrod Taylor – former Ravens 6th draft pick to back-up franchise player Joe Flacco. None of these players left Charm City on bad terms, but the motivation to beat the team you have a history with, everyone loves doing that.

Now, a couple of aspects of the game I think will make the difference to the final result:

If Alex Lewis starts, how will the double rookie left side of the offensive line stack up against a smart and talented mind in Rex Ryan?

He may not have the players at his disposal that he would like, but that doesn’t mean he’s not going come at those 2 young guys with as many looks and blitzes he can. If they can hold their own, it will go a long way to keeping the Ravens offense driving and on the field.

With Dumervil out, can the Ravens young pass rushers contain Taylor?

Flip the sides of the ball and it’s a similar key part of the game. Not only if Baltimore can get pressure on Tyrod Taylor, can they contain him. If he starts rolling out of the pocket and buying time against a suspect Baltimore secondary, it can only spell bad news. The Ravens are deep and young at pass rush, but can those players step up as a group to pair with Terrell Suggs to offset Dumervil’s absense?

Getting an interception in the first game of the season would be a great marker going forward.

After finishing with a franchise low 6 interceptions in 2015, turning the ball over on defense has been a point of emphasis all summer. It began with the hiring of former Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier coming on board as the secondary coach, and making it his own aim to help the defensive backs get the ball in their hands. Getting a pick in the first game of the season would make a statement and go a long way to building confidence in the secondary.

In what has the makings of being a very tight game, I think home advantage just gives this one to Baltimore. After a cagey first half, Flacco —> Steve Smith Sr becomes a copy and paste in the play by play for the fourth quarter as Justin Tucker starts earning his new contract in a 24-23 win for the Ravens.

Let’s start to enjoy Sunday’s again.

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