Multiple weather forecasts indicate that a "tropical cyclone" is approaching the East Coast this weekend, likely developing into a tropical storm. Maryland should brace for tropical-storm-level winds, storm surges, heavy rain, and high waves this Friday.
These meteo developments dragging into Saturday and potentially Sunday, when the Ravens (2-0) are expected to host the Indianapolis Colts (1-1) in Week 3.
The storm is expected to intensify over the next couple of days, becoming a tropical storm near the North Carolina coast by Friday night and Saturday. This could mean 2 to 4 inches of rain and wind gusts reaching 50 to 55 mph from late Friday through Saturday, per WBAL.
Chief Meteorologist Tom Tasselmyer predicts a steady rain starting late Friday and intensifying on Saturday, lingering into Sunday. Ravens fans might need rain gear for the game.
The NFL faces a decision with three Northeast games scheduled on the East Coast potentially suffering the impact of the storm: a saucy Jets vs. Patriots, Bills vs. Commanders, and Colts vs. Ravens. The severity of the weather remains uncertain, but changes to the scheduled kick-off times might be coming.
With this kind of weather, both the Ravens and the Colts might have to change up their game plans favoring a running game instead of risking the biscuit with an overdose of pass attempts. So, think more running, less passing is coming.
Gus Edwards and, if he's good to go, Justice Hill might get some extra action in that scenario and if the storm truly hits Baltimore on Sunday. There is also the chance the latest addition to the Ravens' backfield will make his debut if he gets activated from the Practice Squad.
It's fair to also expect Lamar Jackson to do his thing, running with the ball instead of chucking it downfield.
On the other side, the Colts are expected to start Gardner Minshew instead of rookie QB and scrambling maven Anthony Richardson, which they must be mad about under these weather circumstances. Minshew can run the rock if needed, but it's impossible to envision him inflicting as much pain on the ground as Richardson would do any day.
Keep an eye on this situation over the next couple of days while we wait and provide some more updates here at Ebony Bird as we inch closer to kick-off.
We might be in for a wild ride come Sunday, and there's a chance the game might kick off a bit later than planned, you definitely don't want to miss the game in which the Flock can go up 3-0 and stay dominantly atop the AFC North.