ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski: The Cardinals will beat the Ravens
Oct 23, 2015, 8:29 AM
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith (89) drops a pass in the end zone in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Tramaine Brock (26) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
All of the popular sports chichés will tell you “nothing is guaranteed”, “anything is possible” and “that’s why we play the game,” but ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski is pretty sure about the outcome of the Arizona Cardinals’ upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens.
“Quite honestly, this is a game the Cardinals have to win,” Jaworski told Burns and Gambo on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Thursday.
Though all of the Ravens games this season have been decided by six points or less, Jaworksi said the Ravens earned that 1-5 record with lackluster support for quarterback Joe Flacco.
“He doesn’t have any weapons, Jaworski said. “We love Steve Smith for what he is, he’s a wily old veteran but he really is the only target right now for Joe Flacco.
“This is not a good offensive team right now. (Running back Justin) Forsett is a little hurt running the football, that hurts them. They have no explosive players on offense, they’re struggling with their offensive line. Joe has made enough plays to keep them in games, but their defense does not look good.”
Flacco has had three games this season where he has thrown for at least 340 yards and two touchdowns, but the NFL analyst says those stats are deceiving.
“I think a lot of those yards are insignificant yards,” Jaworski said. “They are playing from behind. Teams are giving them certain things. You want to see those yards come early in the game so you’re hitting passes to get the lead rather than playing catch-up.”
While he won’t go as far as to guarantee a win for the Cardinals, Jaworski says looking at the teams side-by-side shows a clear winner.
“We know this is the National Football League. Sometimes you think you’ve got it right and you’ve got it dead wrong. It’s just the way the game is played. It’s a Monday Night Football game, you always know teams bring their A-game on Monday night. But when you look at the overall scheme and talent of the Cardinals versus the Ravens, this is one the Cardinals will win.”
