Baltimore is coming off a dominant defensive performance in a 23-3 rout of the Washington Redskins last week, covering the spread easily as a 3-point underdog. The Ravens saw the total go UNDER for the fourth time in their last five games dating back to last season and has not surrendered an offensive touchdown this preseason despite some issues in the secondary.
Whether New York will test Baltimore’s revamped defensive backfield and succeed remains to be seen, but having Manning back to lead the offense will definitely help. Bomar completed 13-of-26 passes for 167 yards with no touchdowns and one interception against the Steelers and carried the ball three times for 21 yards. He looks to continue as the backup to Manning with Jim Sorgi remaining out with a shoulder injury suffered in the preseason opener.
Manning practiced with a new helmet this week after he suffered a three-inch gash in his forehead in a 31-16 rout of the New York Jets two weeks ago that required 12 stitches. He gained an additional offensive lineman last week when former Eagle Shawn Andrews was signed to a six-year contract to provide some depth with injuries to Chris Snee (knee) and Rich Seubert (hand). Seubert will now start at center in the place of the injured Shaun O’Hara, who had a hard cast put on his left ankle on Thursday due to chronic Achilles’ tendinitis. O’Hara still hopes to be back for the regular-season opener against Carolina, but that is questionable at this point.
Giants rookie wide receiver sensation Victor Cruz did not put up mind-boggling numbers without Sorgi last week, making just two catches for 30 yards after exploding for six receptions – including three touchdowns – for 145 against the Jets. Cruz is battling Sinorice Moss for the fifth wide receiver spot on the team and continues to impress head coach Tom Coughlin in practice. If he even makes the team, it would be a great story for the undrafted free agent out of UMass.
While Cruz has turned heads this preseason, Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin has been relatively quiet on the field after coming over in a trade from the Arizona Cardinals. Boldin has made two catches for 33 yards in two games combined while fellow newcomer Donte Stallworth snagged three for 47 alone in last week’s win over the Redskins.
Baltimore starting quarterback Joe Flacco has still enjoyed throwing to his new targets though even if the passing game as a whole has not produced as many touchdowns as they had hoped. Flacco threw one touchdown pass in the preseason opener against Carolina to Mark Clayton, which remains the team’s only one through the air so far. However, backup Marc Bulger played well against Washington, completing 13-of-16 passes for 130 yards in the victory.
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