Can the Baltimore Ravens find themselves in the desert?
The Ravens, consistently one of the NFL’s playoff teams, have limped to a 1-5 start this season, with every loss coming by six points or less. It has led to a frustrating start for Joe Flacco and company, something they will try to address in Monday night’s football game.
Baltimore doesn’t have a consistent outside threat except for aging Steve Smith, so points could be hard to come by. For the Ravens, however, the defense can still be counted on.
Arizona, meanwhile, leads the NFC West at 4-2. The Cards will try to strike quickly with quarterback Carson Palmer throwing to receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Arizona is second in the NFL in points and fifth in yardage. One particular number that should concern the Ravens is this: The Cardinals are second in the league with plays of 20 yards or more. The Ravens have given up the third most.
Defensively, Arizona is led by cornerbacks Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Matthieu.
The Cardinals, however, have lost two of their last three, despite out-gaining both St. Louis and Pittsburgh.
