AFC Playoffs (1 Viewer)

[Craig]

The Ravens have have a brutal schedule.

6 Oct 14 STL @ BAL - Win

7 Oct 21 BAL @ BUF - Win

8 Bye

9 Nov 05 BAL @ PIT - Lose

10 Nov 11 CIN @ BAL- Win - they could lose this on as the Bungles already spanked them 27-20

11 Nov 18 CLE @ BAL - Win - they could lose this on as the Brownies already spanked them 27-13

12 Nov 25 BAL @ SD - Lose

13 Dec 03 NE @ BAL - Lose

14 Dec 09 IND @ BAL - Lose

15 Dec 16 BAL @ MIA - Win

16 Dec 23 BAL @ SEA - Win

17 Dec 30 PIT @ BAL - Lose

This would put them at 9-7. Hell, they only scored 9 points against the 49'ers, got lucky to beat the cards and only beat the jets by 7. That's bad.

AFC Playoff teams will be as follows:

New England

Indianapolis

Pittsburg

San Diego

Wild cards:

Tennesse

Jacksonville

Your thoughts ?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

and you have them winning at Seattle.

I find it hard to believe that Baltimore makes it as well.

 

[Craig]

and you have them winning at Seattle.

I find it hard to believe that Baltimore makes it as well.

Just being kind to prove my point.

 

[Godsbrother]

On the other hand you have the Steelers sweeping them. I think the Steelers are the better team this year but the Ravens almost always play the Steelers tough every year. That final game against the Steelers (in Baltimore) could be huge.

 

[Craig]

On the other hand you have the Steelers sweeping them. I think the Steelers are the better team this year but the Ravens almost always play the Steelers tough every year. That final game against the Steelers (in Baltimore) could be huge.

Point noted. However, I think the Browns have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Ravens. The Brownies already beat them handily and have a much easier schedule.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

I don't think the Steelers will sweep the Ravens. Baltimore beats Pittsburgh at least once every season. They beat San Diego last season. I think they can do it again.

The Ravens aren't as good as last season but they aren't terrible either. If they can get healthy I think they'll be alright.

 

[Craig]

I don't think the Steelers will sweep the Ravens. Baltimore beats Pittsburgh at least once every season. They beat San Diego last season. I think they can do it again.The Ravens aren't as good as last season but they aren't terrible either. If they can get healthy I think they'll be alright.

The Cleveland Browns. Their schedule is a joke. double digit wins guaranteed. I can't say that for the Ravens.6 Oct 14 MIA @ CLE - Win7 Bye8 Oct 28 CLE @ STL - Win9 Nov 04 SEA @ CLE - Win10 Nov 11 CLE @ PIT - lose11 Nov 18 CLE @ BAL - lose - already beat them 27-1312 Nov 25 HOU @ CLE - win13 Dec 02 CLE @ ARI - Win14 Dec 09 CLE @ NYJ - Win15 Dec 16 BUF @ CLE - Win16 Dec 23 CLE @ CIN - lose - already beat them once in a shoot out 51-45.17 Dec 30 SF @ CLE - WinIf the above happens, that gives the Browns 10 wins even though I am saying they lose two games to teams they already beat. Interesting.

 

[Godsbrother]

On the other hand you have the Steelers sweeping them. I think the Steelers are the better team this year but the Ravens almost always play the Steelers tough every year. That final game against the Steelers (in Baltimore) could be huge.

Point noted. However, I think the Browns have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Ravens. The Brownies already beat them handily and have a much easier schedule.

I see the Browns finishing 8-8:MIA - WIN@ STL - WIN SEA - LOSS @ PIT - LOSS@ BALT - LOSS HOU - WIN @ ARZ - LOSS@ NYJ - WINBUF - WIN@ CIN - LOSSSF - WIN

 

[The_Man]

There's no question the Ravens need to win their next 2 to reach the bye at 5-2.

However, this is also a team whose best football very likely lies ahead of it.

Ogden has missed all but one quarter of the first game -- compare how the Ravens have handled his absence to what the Rams have done without Orlando Pace. Mark Clayton has been bascially a decoy all season as he recovers from a sprained ankle. Samari Rolle has missed three games, and Trevor Pryce will end up missing 5-6 games before he returns after the bye. McNair is dinged up, and Heap missed last week's game.

Last week and again this week, they're starting 3 rookies on the offensive line. They only had 1 active TE on the roster last week, and that might be the case again depending on Heap. I think the Ravens will try to eke out victories the next two games in a defensive crouch, just like they did vs. SF, and then try to relaunch their season after the Bye when (with Ogden's return) they will presumably be healthier than they've been all year.

Under Billick, the Ravens are traditionally very strong late in the season and they'll need to be this year, but there's still a chance it will happen.

 

[Craig]

On the other hand you have the Steelers sweeping them. I think the Steelers are the better team this year but the Ravens almost always play the Steelers tough every year. That final game against the Steelers (in Baltimore) could be huge.

Point noted. However, I think the Browns have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Ravens. The Brownies already beat them handily and have a much easier schedule.

I see the Browns finishing 8-8:MIA - WIN@ STL - WIN SEA - LOSS @ PIT - LOSS@ BALT - LOSS HOU - WIN @ ARZ - LOSS@ NYJ - WINBUF - WIN@ CIN - LOSSSF - WIN

That's why they play the games Mr. Disney. Trivia; What year did Disneyland open and the Dodgers move to Los Angeles ?

 

[AB in DC]

I'd flip-flop the last two games (lose at Seattle, win at home vs. Pitt), but otherwise your thoughts are valid.

Bottom line is that they need to beat either NE or Indy at home or else they'll be home for the playoffs.

 

[The Jerk]

The Cleveland Browns. Their schedule is a joke. double digit wins guaranteed.

Easy there! You're talking about the Cleveland Browns here. You know, the team that has averaged five wins per game the past eight years. They have looked better than most thought, especially after Week 1, but that may be more to the Bengals and Ravens being weaker than expected than anything the Browns have done. They did lose to the Raiders.I expect the Browns to lose at Arizona and the Seattle game is far from a lock. You can look at the Browns' schedule and see victories based on the opposition. However, you can look at these same teams and visualize wins where you see CLE on their schedule, too.

 

[nxmehta]

The Cleveland Browns. Their schedule is a joke. double digit wins guaranteed.

Easy there! You're talking about the Cleveland Browns here. You know, the team that has averaged five wins per game the past eight years. They have looked better than most thought, especially after Week 1, but that may be more to the Bengals and Ravens being weaker than expected than anything the Browns have done. They did lose to the Raiders.I expect the Browns to lose at Arizona and the Seattle game is far from a lock. You can look at the Browns' schedule and see victories based on the opposition. However, you can look at these same teams and visualize wins where you see CLE on their schedule, too.

Slow down there people. Even the most rabid homers won't project double digits wins for the Browns this season. There's no way they're a lock to have a better record than the Ravens.

 

[Craig]

The Cleveland Browns. Their schedule is a joke. double digit wins guaranteed.

Easy there! You're talking about the Cleveland Browns here. You know, the team that has averaged five wins per game the past eight years. They have looked better than most thought, especially after Week 1, but that may be more to the Bengals and Ravens being weaker than expected than anything the Browns have done. They did lose to the Raiders.I expect the Browns to lose at Arizona and the Seattle game is far from a lock. You can look at the Browns' schedule and see victories based on the opposition. However, you can look at these same teams and visualize wins where you see CLE on their schedule, too.

Slow down there people. Even the most rabid homers won't project double digits wins for the Browns this season. There's no way they're a lock to have a better record than the Ravens.

If I was a betting man, which I am, I would bet that the Ravens will not have a better record than the Browns

 

[The Jerk]

On the other hand you have the Steelers sweeping them. I think the Steelers are the better team this year but the Ravens almost always play the Steelers tough every year. That final game against the Steelers (in Baltimore) could be huge.

The Ravens have won five of their past seven meetings with the Steelers, and one of the games the Ravens lost was by one point on a Monday night in Pittsburgh on a field goal by Jeff Reed inside of two minutes remaining in the game.

 

[timschochet]

Isn't it ironic that when Billick was hired, he was supposed to be an offensive genius, because of his time as the Vikings OC when they scored all those points? Has Billick EVER had even a GOOD offense at Baltimore?

 

[The Jerk]

Isn't it ironic that when Billick was hired, he was supposed to be an offensive genius, because of his time as the Vikings OC when they scored all those points? Has Billick EVER had even a GOOD offense at Baltimore?

It's the same story with defensive genius Marvin Lewis. Maybe it's the division.

 

[The_Man]

Isn't it ironic that when Billick was hired, he was supposed to be an offensive genius, because of his time as the Vikings OC when they scored all those points? Has Billick EVER had even a GOOD offense at Baltimore?

Last year they finished right around #10 I think -- the only time they've had a remotely decent offense.Also ironic that Marvin Lewis was supposed to be a defensive genius, and has never had even a good defense at Cincy. I think the two teams should trade coaches.

 

[Craig]

Isn't it ironic that when Billick was hired, he was supposed to be an offensive genius, because of his time as the Vikings OC when they scored all those points? Has Billick EVER had even a GOOD offense at Baltimore?

NO! And there supposedly great defense has given up more than they have scored. Scored 88 - given up 97.

 

[Godsbrother]

On the other hand you have the Steelers sweeping them. I think the Steelers are the better team this year but the Ravens almost always play the Steelers tough every year. That final game against the Steelers (in Baltimore) could be huge.

Point noted. However, I think the Browns have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Ravens. The Brownies already beat them handily and have a much easier schedule.

I see the Browns finishing 8-8:MIA - WIN@ STL - WIN SEA - LOSS @ PIT - LOSS@ BALT - LOSS HOU - WIN @ ARZ - LOSS@ NYJ - WINBUF - WIN@ CIN - LOSSSF - WIN

That's why they play the games Mr. Disney. Trivia; What year did Disneyland open and the Dodgers move to Los Angeles ?

A lot of the Browns matchups look like pickem's at this point. I could see them going anywhere from 6-10 to 10-6. At any case they definitely look to be on the right track.Trivia answer: 1955.

 

[Craig]

On the other hand you have the Steelers sweeping them. I think the Steelers are the better team this year but the Ravens almost always play the Steelers tough every year. That final game against the Steelers (in Baltimore) could be huge.

Point noted. However, I think the Browns have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Ravens. The Brownies already beat them handily and have a much easier schedule.

I see the Browns finishing 8-8:

MIA - WIN

@ STL - WIN

SEA - LOSS

@ PIT - LOSS

@ BALT - LOSS

HOU - WIN

@ ARZ - LOSS

@ NYJ - WIN

BUF - WIN

@ CIN - LOSS

SF - WIN

That's why they play the games Mr. Disney. Trivia; What year did Disneyland open and the Dodgers move to Los Angeles ?

A lot of the Browns matchups look like pickem's at this point. I could see them going anywhere from 6-10 to 10-6. At any case they definitely look to be on the right track.Trivia answer: 1955.

Correct. The same year I was born. yeah, I'm an old fart

 

[Godsbrother]

Correct. The same year I was born. yeah, I'm an old fart

You are old -- even older than me (born in '59)!

 

[timschochet]

On the other hand you have the Steelers sweeping them. I think the Steelers are the better team this year but the Ravens almost always play the Steelers tough every year. That final game against the Steelers (in Baltimore) could be huge.

Point noted. However, I think the Browns have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Ravens. The Brownies already beat them handily and have a much easier schedule.

I see the Browns finishing 8-8:

MIA - WIN

@ STL - WIN

SEA - LOSS

@ PIT - LOSS

@ BALT - LOSS

HOU - WIN

@ ARZ - LOSS

@ NYJ - WIN

BUF - WIN

@ CIN - LOSS

SF - WIN

That's why they play the games Mr. Disney. Trivia; What year did Disneyland open and the Dodgers move to Los Angeles ?

A lot of the Browns matchups look like pickem's at this point. I could see them going anywhere from 6-10 to 10-6. At any case they definitely look to be on the right track.Trivia answer: 1955.

Correct. The same year I was born. yeah, I'm an old fart

Never would have guessed from your photo, Craig. You look young and pretty hot...

 

[BoltBacker]

This would put them at 9-7. Hell, they only scored 9 points against the 49'ers, got lucky to beat the cards and only beat the jets by 7. That's bad.

So they went 3-0 vs that group? PIT went 1-1 if I recall. Maybe BAL sweeps PIT.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Baltimore just isn't good enough to make the playoffs in the AFC this year. Their offense has gotten slightly worse and their defense has dropped an entire notch.

With the caliber of teams in their division and being unfortunate enough to play NE and Indy on your schedule, it'll be enough to keep them out of the playoffs this morning.

I was thinking this morning on the way to work.........why hasn't their offense gotten any better what seems to be like forever. They've had such a great defense, it seems like it has now just gone to waiste. They had that one unbelievable year where they had one of the top 5 defenses of all time and a mediocre offense and that was it. They never really made a serious run after that.....maybe it was just the emergence of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning but I don't understand how the offense never progressed when you had that kind of talent on defense.

 

[BoltBacker]

I was thinking this morning on the way to work.........why hasn't their offense gotten any better what seems to be like forever. They've had such a great defense, it seems like it has now just gone to waiste. They had that one unbelievable year where they had one of the top 5 defenses of all time and a mediocre offense and that was it. They never really made a serious run after that.....maybe it was just the emergence of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning but I don't understand how the offense never progressed when you had that kind of talent on defense.

IMO they handled the Boller situation all wrong. They should have brought in an aging McNair-type when they drafted Boller so Boller would be able to start right now. Instead they push Boller into the starting lineup before he was ready, he predictably struggles early(22yo) and everyone declares Boller a bust at the age of 24 when he wasn't exactly surrounded by the best weapons in the first place. Most of his poor play took place when he was 22/23yo. After week #12 in '05 he had really started playing much better imo but like I said everyone had decided he was a journeyman by that time.... at the ripe old age of 24.