2011 Playoff Outlook/Injury Report

So the Ravens have wrapped up their first AFC North title since 2006, while
along the way sweeping the division that most consider the best in the league. 2006 may not seem like that long ago, but consider this; Steve Mcnair was the quarterback and Brian Billick was roaming the sidelines.

This is a HUGE deal for the team, and the John Harbaugh led Ravens will host their first home playoff game in his 4 years here. The Ravens enter with a 12-4 record and the #2 seed in the AFC. This means after the well needed first round bye, The Ravens will host either the Texans, Broncos, or Steelers on January 15th at the bank. We'll break down those potential match ups later today.

Lets talk about why the first round bye is such a benefit for the team. Obviously, the ability to "skip" the wild card round is great, but the main reason the team needs it at this point is healing. The Ravens luckily have avoided many serious, season ending injuries. However, the team is riddled with short term injuries that would at least limit players in the wild card round, if not knock them out entirely.

#1 Starting receiver Anquan Boldin will now be more than sufficiently healed from knee surgery on a partially torn meniscus after missing the last two games.

Pro-Bowl Guard Marshal Yanda (pictured) has rib and thigh contusions per baltimoreravens.com, and there were rumors last week that he wouldn't play against the Bengals. Yanda played through the pain, and certainly showed no signs of injury throughout a stellar game opening holes for Ray Rice. Nonetheless, it will be good to have him at 100%.

Cornerback Jimmy Smith, the teams 1st rd. pick suffered  a concussion during week 17's win over the Bengals. He reportedly showed no symptoms of the injury on Monday, so he should be good to go.

Safety Tom Zbikowski suffered a concussion as well, but also was said to have no symptoms as of Monday.

Kicker Billy Cundiff, who has been struggling with a calf injury on his plant leg, played last week and made a 42 yard kick (albeit barely) and it looks as if he will be well enough to kick throughout the playoffs. (Thanks anyways Shayne Graham)

Starting Safety Bernard Pollard has a minor wrist injury, he will be fine.

Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe missed last weeks game while recovering from a concussion, but should be good to go come January 15th.

Linebacker Jameel McClain sprained an MCL against the Bengals, and although per baltimoreravens.com he is not expected to practice this week, he was able to return to the game after the injury and should be fine for the divisional round.

So it looks as if the Ravens will have most, if not all of the team back healthy for the the upcoming playoff game, which is something we might not be able to say if we were playing this weekend. Of course the Ravens need to capitalize on this health. The defense is looking great when it counts, and I wouldn't worry about the "this game is wrapped up lets take our foot of the pedal" syndrome that has seemed to plague the unit down the stretch. This is the playoffs. This is a veteran team that knows that. The running game is looking stellar, probably the best it has in the Harbaugh era. My only concern is the passing game. At times it looks great, at other times it looks....well, not great. If they can build consistency this team will be nearly unbeatable in the playoffs.

And with the opponent coming to M&T Bank Stadium facing a healthy Ravens team, and an already intense fan base that has been too long deprived of a home playoff game, It's a great place to start.