AFC Divisional Round: Titans at Ravens - who wins? (1 Viewer)

[msommer]

,  and an offseason discussing how Vrabel was signed to take them further in the playoffs but hasn't. 

Great post except this part. Maybe my expectations are too low, but I'm quite happy with how vrabel has done. 

If MM had clicked and they still didn't win the division, I would feel different, but given everything he's worked with, vrabel is among the coaches of the year IMO

Yeah, let's not forget the job came with MM who really hasn't progressed on the early promise for any of the coaches.

Not super sold on Vrabel, but he seems to improve and learn, something we didn't see with Whisenhunt or Mularkey.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

29-19, Ravens. Slobberknocker most of the way. Earl Thomas with a late pick-6

 

[voiceofunreason]

Looks like Baltimore opened at a 9.5 favorite.  Not sure I will outright pick the Titans to win, but I think they will keep it close and they can absolutely win this game.  

Looks like Ravens by 20 to me. Tannehill has to play the game of his life for them to have a chance.

 

[lod001]

Not sure. I can get a good read because they are once again talking about the cowboys on NFL network instead of who is in the playoffs. Irvin must have pictures of some producer in a compromising position.

 

[TheWinz]

Ravens don't even have to have a good run game to win.  When they faced BUF, they had 3.6 YPC and gained a season low 118 ground yards.  Lamar threw for only 145, but they still managed to put up 24 points.  BAL finished 27th in passing yards, but 1st in passing TD's.  Now that's efficiency!

 

[barackdhouse]

As mentioned above, the Titans best chance is to pass on 1st down. High percentage stuff. Put Henry into 2nd and short and 3rd and short. If they can do this they will have a legit shot. I don't think banging Henry on 1st down out of the gate is the right move. They can do some of that later. 

Ravens 34 Titans 23

 

[Hairy Snowman]

I haven't seen anything to make me think the Titan's linebackers are going to be able to stop the Ravens run offense (regardless of whether Ingram plays). 

Not that the Titans defense or linebackers are poor.  The Ravens run offense is that remarkably good.  It will take at least 2 quarters before the Titans adjust to what the Ravens do on offense.  On the other hand, the Ravens defense has been playing better and getting healthier.  They will commit to stopping the run.  And I think there is a good chance they can limit Henry at home.  I think we may see the Ravens sometimes give up the intermediate pass in order to commit to stopping Henry  and the run (plus having the extra rusher). 

I think we see Jackson running the ball more than usual for this year (80+ yards, 1 TD+).  Hollywood Brown with a TD.  Edwards may play a big role depending on Ingram's status (one of them a TD).   And I think the Ravens Defense/ST scores in this game (check the playoff history of the defense, at home especially).  Add another passing TD and ....

Ravens 41 Titans 17

 

[Bri]

Great post except this part. Maybe my expectations are too low, but I'm quite happy with how vrabel has done. 

If MM had clicked and they still didn't win the division, I would feel different, but given everything he's worked with, vrabel is among the coaches of the year IMO.

How many had him fired at week 6 or so? Going with Lewis over Henry at times...there was a bunch of huh? decisions including cutting Finch, whatever he did with kickers, spending all of training camp with "coach's pet" Pamphile as the starting RG even though he has zero games this year. How many times were we upset the RG was a turnstyle? 

Since Tannehill is more like "since Tannehill" he's employed a FB, signed/used a FB (curiously the TE plays FB more...unsure of wording, add Blasingame), and FINALLY decided not to rely on Corey Davis. How many fans were upset with Davis, knew Henry loved a FB, and wanting him to get it more? There were super obvious changes and I don't really feel comfy "giving credit" for what every football fan knew. 

I've watched Arthur Smith struggle, change, struggle, change, adjust, ooh that works, that doesn't....til midseason when he seemed to figure things out. He clearly needed some time and is clever and I'm all for praising him but he too would be a half year. 

No doubt Mariota was bad but remember all the times people were talking about how few seconds it took for the D to get to him? A whole offseason and he couldn't come out with a line better than that? They were on pace to just edge out the worst ever for sacks.

If you're talking most growth, most in-season improvement, then I'm on board. He's still got one play on issue every game where we have to see his ego as if it's tangible, but otherwise major props to him for the second half. Coach of the year- no way (IMO).

 

[Bri]

I haven't seen anything to make me think the Titan's linebackers are going to be able to stop the Ravens run offense (regardless of whether Ingram plays). 

Not that the Titans defense or linebackers are poor.  The Ravens run offense is that remarkably good.  It will take at least 2 quarters before the Titans adjust to what the Ravens do on offense.  On the other hand, the Ravens defense has been playing better and getting healthier.  They will commit to stopping the run.  And I think there is a good chance they can limit Henry at home.  I think we may see the Ravens sometimes give up the intermediate pass in order to commit to stopping Henry  and the run (plus having the extra rusher). 

I think we see Jackson running the ball more than usual for this year (80+ yards, 1 TD+).  Hollywood Brown with a TD.  Edwards may play a big role depending on Ingram's status (one of them a TD).   And I think the Ravens Defense/ST scores in this game (check the playoff history of the defense, at home especially).  Add another passing TD and ....

Ravens 41 Titans 17

The Titans have not had good first halves. Derrick dominates the third Q and Tannehill has been phenomenal in the fourth. Last week was a little different as Tannehill didn't need to but there are only maybe one or two games that didn't follow this script.

They scored their first opening drive TD last week.

The D was excellent to start the year and has faded each progressive week usually due to CB play and inability to get to the QB consistently.  Every game though, there are stretches where you can see how they were a top D and are impressive. They're not usually down by that much even with the weak first halves. 

I'm not disagreeing with ya, just...make a note of the first half score because if the Ravens don't have much of a lead, the Titans are totally used to that

 

[TwinTurbo]

When the Titans rolled the Browns in week 1 it was a snapshot of the rest of their respective seasons.

Titans D is underrated and has played well on the road. Ravens will have their hands full today. Both of these teams like to hit and will bring the nasty.

This is a bad spot for Henry. Ravens will tackle him unlike the Pats. A.Brown and especially C.Davis need to step up big time.

For Ravens, their WR group is not great. So I expect them to just run all day. If Titans can stop the run, they have a shot. Otherwise it will be 24-17 Ravens.

 

[-OZ-]

How many had him fired at week 6 or so? Going with Lewis over Henry at times...there was a bunch of huh? decisions including cutting Finch, whatever he did with kickers, spending all of training camp with "coach's pet" Pamphile as the starting RG even though he has zero games this year. How many times were we upset the RG was a turnstyle? 

Since Tannehill is more like "since Tannehill" he's employed a FB, signed/used a FB (curiously the TE plays FB more...unsure of wording, add Blasingame), and FINALLY decided not to rely on Corey Davis. How many fans were upset with Davis, knew Henry loved a FB, and wanting him to get it more? There were super obvious changes and I don't really feel comfy "giving credit" for what every football fan knew. 

I've watched Arthur Smith struggle, change, struggle, change, adjust, ooh that works, that doesn't....til midseason when he seemed to figure things out. He clearly needed some time and is clever and I'm all for praising him but he too would be a half year. 

No doubt Mariota was bad but remember all the times people were talking about how few seconds it took for the D to get to him? A whole offseason and he couldn't come out with a line better than that? They were on pace to just edge out the worst ever for sacks.

If you're talking most growth, most in-season improvement, then I'm on board. He's still got one play on issue every game where we have to see his ego as if it's tangible, but otherwise major props to him for the second half. Coach of the year- no way (IMO).

Fair enough. I wouldn't think Mike would actually win over harbaugh, but I'm pleased with his performance this season (mostly in the second half). I don't even mind the occasional ego play. 

 

[Bri]

Does anyone have an opinion as to why the Ravens can run the triple option but for decades we were told the option can't be run in the NFL?

 

[-OZ-]

Does anyone have an opinion as to why the Ravens can run the triple option but for decades we were told the option can't be run in the NFL?

I'm just guessing because it's Lamar. Vick probably could have for a while anyway. I don't recall if he ever did. 

 

[IHEARTFF]

I'm just guessing because it's Lamar. Vick probably could have for a while anyway. I don't recall if he ever did. 

Exactly. Lamar is a rare human capable of being a pocket passer and taking off for 80 yards on any given play. And Harbaugh and co deserve tons of credit for catering to the strengths of his qb. 

 

[Bri]

I'm just guessing because it's Lamar. Vick probably could have for a while anyway. I don't recall if he ever did. 

I remember Vick taking off straight ahead many times only. Blinding speed but not wheeling and dealing in an option play.

Mariota ran it in college. Chip Kelly coached it and gets a ton of credit from people. 5? years ago, the NFL had a special athlete and a top coach (with the triple option) but neither ran it. I mean it's usually a given if a player or coach does X well in college then they'll do that in the pros. It was like a definite roadblock five years ago. Mariota has the speed and is so smooth running it. He doesn't at all have the (part RB) running toughness Lamar does. Is that it? That Lamar's got some RB to him?

In this copycat league, is there a special college athlete at QB that will intrigue them on draft day? 

(Sidenote- Baltimore should totally sign Mariota to be their backup QB if he doesn't get starting job offers. What a nice fit.)

 

[Bri]

Exactly. Lamar is a rare human capable of being a pocket passer and taking off for 80 yards on any given play. And Harbaugh and co deserve tons of credit for catering to the strengths of his qb. 

For so long I've been like psssh when people said he's bound to get hurt and have a short career. Now that I've watched a ton of Ravens highlights this week, it's making me understand where they're coming from. Whew does he take some hits. There have been guys like Welker and Proehl that get shellacked and get up like it's nothing-maybe Lamar has that gift but geesh I don't think I've ever seen a QB smashed so much and be unaffected by it. It's amazing

 

[Manster]

Nice insight Bri. 

Tannehill is going to have to pull some stuff out of his butt for the Titans to have a shot.  Also, keeping Lamar off the field will help.  I really hope the Titans can make this a game.  I've enjoyed watching them a lot this season.

 

[Manster]

For so long I've been like psssh when people said he's bound to get hurt and have a short career. Now that I've watched a ton of Ravens highlights this week, it's making me understand where they're coming from. Whew does he take some hits. There have been guys like Welker and Proehl that get shellacked and get up like it's nothing-maybe Lamar has that gift but geesh I don't think I've ever seen a QB smashed so much and be unaffected by it. It's amazing

He's a big, strong dude.  Definitely able to take a hit, but it only takes one......there's a reason RG3 was drafted in both my playoff leagues.

The Ravens are gonna ride this wave for as long as they can.  The way things are going, I can't imagine Lamar will have a long career.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

He's a big, strong dude.  Definitely able to take a hit, but it only takes one......there's a reason RG3 was drafted in both my playoff leagues.

The Ravens are gonna ride this wave for as long as they can.  The way things are going, I can't imagine Lamar will have a long career.

Why?

 

[Manster]

Why?

The hits will add up

 

[The_Man]

Lamar has taken 4 or 5 big hits all year, including in the pocket. 

 

[IHEARTFF]

is this the game thread or no?

 

[Kwai Chang Caine]

Football is something else. A handful of you in here had the Titans with a chance but who could foresee an actual demolition of a one seed by a six?

 

[AAABatteries]

Football is something else. A handful of you in here had the Titans with a chance but who could foresee an actual demolition of a one seed by a six?

Agree - I’m amazed that the Titans can pass for less than 100 two weeks in a row and win.  You could easily see them doing it again next week.  The only team left that I think can slow down Henry is SF.