Ravens vs Jets: 5 questions with Ebony Bird of FanSided

Heading into the Ravens vs Jets Week 7 matchup, here’s an exclusive sit-down between Luis Tirado Jr. of The Jet Press and Chris Schisler of Ebony Bird of the FanSided network.

Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) drops back to pass against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Looking at the Ravens vs Jets Week 7 matchup, Gang Green will undoubtedly have their hands full in this game. Quarterback Joe Flacco will indeed be playing today and well, the Jets can’t seem to do anything right as they need a win bad to end a four-game losing streak.

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It’s no secret that the Baltimore Ravens, even dealing with injuries, are one of the better teams playing right now in the NFL. They play aggressive and even though Flacco is dealing with a shoulder injury, still could easily take control of this game early on considering how bad the Jets really are.

I wanted to get some insight about the Ravens through fellow FanSided Expert, Chris Schisler over at Ebony Bird. He’s one of my go-to sources for everything about the Ravens and I’d like to thank him for spending some time with me to discuss this game.

Please follow him on Twitter if you are a part of Ravens Nation. For more info about Ebony Bird, here are their official Twitter and Facebook accounts. Without further ado, here are five questions I asked Chris about the Ravens.

Next: 5. Is Flacco playing for sure on Sunday?

LTJ: Will quarterback Joe Flacco ultimately be starting this Sunday against the Jets?

CS: It looks like Joe will be back, he practiced Friday. It’s really not shocking that his shoulder is hurting. He’s thrown more passes than any quarterback in football. Flacco will be back.

Honestly, we’re still waiting for the real Flacco to show up. You know, the Super Bowl MVP who won more road playoff games than any quarterback in NFL history. Flacco has been a shell of himself this season. He’s been a bit gun shy and he is kind of becoming captain check down.

Flacco will most likely be back. It’s still up in the air. Flacco, however, is as tough as nails. The Ravens also need this game desperately. A four-game losing streak would be nearing end of the world territory.

Next: 4. What to expect of quarterback Ryan Mallet?

Dec 27, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Ryan Mallet (7) throws during the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

LTJ: If Flacco doesn’t start or can’t play effectively, what should the defense of the Jets be ready for against quarterback Ryan Mallet?

CS: Ryan Mallet has so much talent. The reason he is a backup though is that you never know when you’ll see it. Mallet has arm talent. He has accuracy. If Mallet gets hot he can surprise you (just ask the Pittsburgh Steelers who he beat late last season).

With Mallet, though, you get a guy who forces throws. He is also a pretty stationary quarterback. Mallet can get hot. Usually, however, he just doesn’t do much of note. You know how it went down in Houston. When Brian Hoyer sends you packing, how good can you really be?

Mallet is capable of getting the Ravens through this game. He’s not horrible. He’s just not that great. On a hot streak, it might even be fun.

Next: 3. What kind of offense will the Ravens most likely run?

Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) runs the ball against New York Giants linebacker Devon Kennard (59) during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

LTJ: If Flacco is limited, will the Baltimore Ravens head more into a run-oriented offense?

CS: You would think they would do this even if Flacco played. The Ravens fired Marc Trestman because he ignored Terrance West and the running game. The Ravens have been frustrating but allowing another offensive coordinator to ignore the run game would be unfathomable.

Marty Mornhinweg got West just over 20 carries last week. I think West will get twenty carries or more in each game now. The Ravens need the run game.

If Mallet plays, you would certainly expect the running game to be leaned on. If the Ravens unleash the true power of their running game, it will take the offense to new heights.

Next: 2. Thoughts on quarterback Geno Smith?

Oct 17, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith (7) leaves the field following the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Jets 28-3. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

LTJ: What do you think quarterback Geno Smith is ultimately going to do against the defense of the Ravens?

CS: Geno Smith will do a whole lot of nothing against the Ravens defense. The Ravens have the ninth-best pass defense in the NFL. They have the third-ranked defense overall.

If Jimmy Smith is out because of his concussion, Brandon Marshall could be a problem. I still think the defense shuts down the Jets. The Ravens defense is impossible to run the football against. A one-dimensional offense with Geno Smith in control is bad news for the Jets.

Next: 1. Final score and MVP?

Oct 16, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrance West (28) scores a first quarter touchdown against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

LTJ: Final score and MVP?

CS: 18-6 Ravens.

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MVP: Terrance West. West is the most exciting player on the Ravens team. Marty Mornhinweg has to let him take over the game. If the Ravens want to win, they have to give West the football. I don’t know how many more times I can say it, before we get to see it.