Game Thread W3 - Cleveland V Baltimore (1 Viewer)

[roadkill1292]

Again, hard to evaluate the Ratbirds since neither team they've beaten has won a game yet. But it's interesting that after running out the last 7 minutes of the game against the Bengals in Week 1, today they essentially killed the last 11 minutes of the game against the Browns.

Ray Ray's hit on Winslow and the ensuing INT was the play that turned today's game around, IMHO. That got the defense running on all cylinders.

AgreedWith the AFC North and the NFC East, this team's schedule is pretty tough. I don't see playoffs on the immediate horizon, but they are clearly better. The running game looks good so far, and the defense looks awesome.

No, no playoffs this year, I'm afraid. It's still an offensively limited team, though tough as nails to play against if they have a lead. They'll just pound those big backs at you till you say "uncle." But, Jeebus, that's two straight games where they've been able to get out of their own way and that was an item in short supply last year.

The Ravens went 13-3 two years ago, and then fell apart last year. Which team are they closer to in 2008?

Well, nine is the midpoint number between the two seasons and I don't think they'll get there this year. Of course, I had the under on the Vegas preseason win totals of six, too, and I could very well be wrong there.

I'd say as a team they're closer to the 13-3 2006 team, which overachieved in the W column and was exposed in the playoffs, than to last year's team, which was absolutely horrid. This team seems to be gelling for the most part. If the O-line can keep holding its own, and the rookie QB can keep his chin up, they'll be a respectable 8-8 with more than a glimmer of hope.

I would agree that the O line bludgeoning the opposition, especially late in the game with a lead, has been one of the early surprises with this team. They were so dinged up in preseason that we weren't able to figure out what they could do. Whether they can pass block when they have to is a question yet unanswered.I like the assessment of the '06 squad as overachievers (though they got beat in the playoffs by the ultimate Super Bowl champs) and I think this year's team can surprise with the final record as well. But 8-8, respectable as I would find it, is still closer to 5-11 than it is to 13-3.

I'm just hoping for a year where the national tv announcers won't be calling a 3-and-out a "good possession" for the Ravens. That was so On to second place Pittsburgh.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Again, hard to evaluate the Ratbirds since neither team they've beaten has won a game yet. But it's interesting that after running out the last 7 minutes of the game against the Bengals in Week 1, today they essentially killed the last 11 minutes of the game against the Browns.

Ray Ray's hit on Winslow and the ensuing INT was the play that turned today's game around, IMHO. That got the defense running on all cylinders.

AgreedWith the AFC North and the NFC East, this team's schedule is pretty tough. I don't see playoffs on the immediate horizon, but they are clearly better. The running game looks good so far, and the defense looks awesome.

No, no playoffs this year, I'm afraid. It's still an offensively limited team, though tough as nails to play against if they have a lead. They'll just pound those big backs at you till you say "uncle." But, Jeebus, that's two straight games where they've been able to get out of their own way and that was an item in short supply last year.

I don't think they're playoff-bound, either - but this has been a whacky season already. Just about all of the preseason faves in the AFC are struggling & some have huge ? marks. I think most of you that have suffered through my posts over the years know that - though I'm a fan - I'm not a blind homer & will readily admit the Ravens flaws. However, if Tennessee is considered a legit playoff contender (in a tougher division, mind you) why not the Ravens? The only big edge I'd give to the Titans would be coach (which can be huge). I think the Ravens have more talent on offense, though they have a big wild card in Flacco. And I don't know that they're much behind the Titans on D. I think the next two games will give us a truer picture (on the road in Pitt & at home against the Titans). Their margin for error is small & they need to stay close to have a chance, but if the D can keep making big plays they should be in most games. I wouldn't be shocked if they're somewhere around .500 at Thanksgiving.Ok, enough dreaming for now. As for the game yesterday, I liked the way they handled adversity. Flacco didn't play great but also didn't fall apart when he made mistakes. The defense didn't get that "oh jeez, we have to carry the offense again" look, though they certainly turned the game around. McGahee looked really good. It's a shame his eye kept getting cut because I think he'd have put up some big numbers. The Browns fell apart in the 3rd with penalties & turnovers (reminded me of Baltimore last year, as a matter of fact) & once the Ravens got the lead they started throwing those large bodies at Cleveland to wrap it up.