Here is a change-up for “Football Friday” – pro football instead of college. It is a shame that professional football does not have a rivalry week.
In fact, Roger and all the smart guys at the NFL should find a way to make a week that has the natural rivalries every year. Games like:
Redskins v Ravens
Steelers v Eagles
Cowboys v Texans
Giants v Jets
49ers v Raiders
Chiefs v Rams (maybe)
I am sure that I left someone out and you could make some other rivalry games that make sense, like Atlanta and Tennessee, Jacksonville and Tampa and maybe Miami v New Orleans (the Reggie Bush bowl, maybe he can keep the trophy this time.)
As for the rest of the teams, they could play from a pool that is left over and rotate every year or just be assigned a permanent partner.
Anyhow, here is a recap of the series with the Ravens and Redskins.
Before we get to that, check in with TerpTalk on Saturday morning on 1580AM radio or over the Internet at www.terptalk.com as we will have our own little “battle of the beltways” between Bruce Posner for the Ravens and yours truly for the Redskins.
From the Redskins website:
The Redskins have played the Ravens just four times in their history since the Cleveland Browns relocated to Baltimore to form the Ravens in 1996.
The Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium is located about 22 miles southeast of their training headquarters in Owings Mills, Md.
The Redskins lost the first-ever matchup against the Ravens, 20-17, Oct. 26, 1997, in Landover, Md. In that game, Washington came within three points at 17-14 in the third quarter on a touchdown pass from quarterback Gus Frerotte to Brian Mitchell before the Ravens kicked a 28-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. A Scott Blanton 26-yard field goal in the fourth quarter by the Redskins wouldn’t be enough to get a win.
Frerotte completed 17-of-33 passes for 199 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on the day, as the Redskins’ offense was held to just 249 yards on the day.
The Redskins got some revenge three years later, as they defeated the eventual Super Bowl champion Ravens 10-3 at FedExField. The game was knotted at three heading into the fourth quarter before Washington pulled ahead for good with a 33-yard touchdown run by Stephen Davis, who ran for 91 yards on 21 carries on the day.
Redskins’ quarterback Brad Johnson completed 18-of-27 passes for 158 yards and interception, while the defense was led by three sacks of Ravens quarterback Tony Banks.
The last matchup between the teams saw a 24-10 Baltimore win on Dec. 7, 2008, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The Redskins never led in the game, and were being shutout 17-0 heading into the fourth quarter before outscoring the Ravens 10-7 the rest of the way.
Quarterback Jason Campbell completed 21-of-37 passes for 218 yards with one touchdown and an interception on the day. The defense was led by safety LaRon Landry, who had an interception of Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.
The Ravens lead the all-time series against the Redskins, 3-1.
