James Daulton
Footballguy
This team is not quite ready for prime time.
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*****Official Baltimore Ravens Thread***** (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Uruk-Hai
- Start date
So let's see where we are 11 weeks in, with a big MNF game this weekend:
Had us 7-3 through 10 played games.
Are 6-4 through 10 played games (missed on Bengals beating us twice).
Projected Saints as a loss preseason but it's a total tossup now. They've lost their home mojo losing two in a row (haven't lost 3 home games in a row since 2001), but still very very dangerous. The NFC South appears to be a cluster$#%@ race to Week 17 so we definitely need the win more since we're tied with Cleveland for 3rd/last in the AFC North.
We've got a pretty favorable schedule the rest of the way with home games vs. Chargers, Jags and Browns (at least 2-1, if not 3-0) and road games at Dolphins and Texans (hopefully 2-0, but could go 1-1 or 0-2 even). Saints, Chargers and Browns games will decide if we make the playoffs or not.
CB depth issues projected in preseason have come home to roost with Jimmy Smith injury. Looking at the remaining schedule, Gordon looks like a terrible matchup for Webb, but nobody else really has two quality WR's (Houston?) and definitely not 3 to really stretch the nickle/dime D.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
What the hell has happened to Webb? He couldn't cover me right now.
Winning either of the Cincy games would've made a world of difference going forward.
The game Monday night scares the living crap out of me, I don't care how bad NO has been - and NO is favored with a flipped W/L record over the Ravens. Brees is the kind of QB who kills Baltimore. If Cooks wasn't hurt, I'd be in full-on petrified mode.
Coworker scored tickets to Torrey's benefit dinner/auction at Ruth's Chris the other night. He and his crew had Steve Smith as their table waiter. Anyway, he heard one lady tell Flacco "Joe, I love you - but every time you go back to pass, it scares me to death".
Winning either of the Cincy games would've made a world of difference going forward.
The game Monday night scares the living crap out of me, I don't care how bad NO has been - and NO is favored with a flipped W/L record over the Ravens. Brees is the kind of QB who kills Baltimore. If Cooks wasn't hurt, I'd be in full-on petrified mode.
Coworker scored tickets to Torrey's benefit dinner/auction at Ruth's Chris the other night. He and his crew had Steve Smith as their table waiter. Anyway, he heard one lady tell Flacco "Joe, I love you - but every time you go back to pass, it scares me to death".
James Daulton
Footballguy
A little bitter that Ozzie let the secondary get so thin this year. Also bitter that he passed on all those receivers in the draft.
I think it may be time for Ozzie to step down and let DeCosta take over.
I think the Ravens are looking at another 8 or 9 win season and no playoffs.
I think it may be time for Ozzie to step down and let DeCosta take over.
I think the Ravens are looking at another 8 or 9 win season and no playoffs.
How big of a hit is this to the Ravens run defense? Who is his replacement and how big of a drop off is it?
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
So, here we go again.....down to the wire in December.
on that San Diego game - it's liable to cost them dearly.
In Miami, the defense was fantastic after the first quarter.
Flacco played really well, other than that idiotic INT. I could see throwing a wounded duck (maybe) up to Marlon Brown, but 5'2" Steve Smith?
Going forward, I don't know how they're even going to field a DB squad. They've been playing guys I've never heard of and THEY are dropping like flies. Oh well, at least they've got Matt Elam in coverage
uke:
on that San Diego game - it's liable to cost them dearly.In Miami, the defense was fantastic after the first quarter.
Flacco played really well, other than that idiotic INT. I could see throwing a wounded duck (maybe) up to Marlon Brown, but 5'2" Steve Smith?
Going forward, I don't know how they're even going to field a DB squad. They've been playing guys I've never heard of and THEY are dropping like flies. Oh well, at least they've got Matt Elam in coverage
uke:
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Yep, that is going to end up being the difference.
But I also found it comical earlier this season when all the radio guys were saying going into the second game with Cincinnati that it didn't really matter if they won or lost it. That was the single game that would have made the most difference to them, both because it would have knocked Cincy down a peg and it would have made the Ravens division record more respectable.
If they end up missing out on the playoffs, it will likely be because of the division record tie-breaker.
The_Man
Footballguy
The Ravens will beat Jacksonville this week at home and Cleveland at home in Week 17. That gets them to 10-5. That game at Texas next week will be the decider as to whether or not they make the playoffs.
I think they probably will. Their offense is really starting to click now and their front 7 (even without Ngata) is stout enough to make opponents one-dimensional and let Suggs and Dumervil go wild. That being said, their secondary is a complete debacle. The first legit QB they meet in the playoffs will destroy them, like Rivers and Roethlisberger have done. I couldn't believe what a joke Miami's offensive game plan was - they didn't throw 1 single deep ball to Wallace (or anyone else).
Elam is a wasted draft pick - don't know what happened there, as the Ravens' front office had always been so good at identifying Safeties. I like the future for this team, though - the offensive line is going to be outstanding next year, and Flacco looks like his best football might be ahead of him, at least as long as Kubiak is in town. Jernigan and Williams, plus Mosley, give them great strength up the middle. Need to get Jimmy Smith back and to find a veteran Safety who can play, and this team could be very good next year. Brady and Manning can't last forever!
I think they probably will. Their offense is really starting to click now and their front 7 (even without Ngata) is stout enough to make opponents one-dimensional and let Suggs and Dumervil go wild. That being said, their secondary is a complete debacle. The first legit QB they meet in the playoffs will destroy them, like Rivers and Roethlisberger have done. I couldn't believe what a joke Miami's offensive game plan was - they didn't throw 1 single deep ball to Wallace (or anyone else).
Elam is a wasted draft pick - don't know what happened there, as the Ravens' front office had always been so good at identifying Safeties. I like the future for this team, though - the offensive line is going to be outstanding next year, and Flacco looks like his best football might be ahead of him, at least as long as Kubiak is in town. Jernigan and Williams, plus Mosley, give them great strength up the middle. Need to get Jimmy Smith back and to find a veteran Safety who can play, and this team could be very good next year. Brady and Manning can't last forever!
ESPN has a great playoff possibilities tool that you can play with. But yes, this is true. Also, if the Ravens win out (a very possible scenario) and Pittsburgh and Cincy both lose one game, the Ravens win the division.
Pitts/Cincy play each other week 17, so that's one of the two needed losses right there.
The_Man
Footballguy
This is a fun season, but this team is not going anywhere. With Asa Jackson going down, that's what - four - CBs they've put on Injured Reserve? Good luck winning in today's NFL when you're starting a 5th string CB.
But with Fitzpatrick's injury, it looks like they might be facing a rookie QB next week, and will face the rookie Manziel in Week 17. Can you imagine finishing the season vs. 3 straight rookie CBs with this pass rush?
If the Ravens win out, Cincy loses vs. Denver and then beats Pittsburgh in Week 17, I think we host Cincy in the Wild Card round. That would be a winnable game, but after that, QBs like Ben, Manning, Brady and Luck are going to shred us in embarrassing fashion.
All of that being said, I love watching Flacco right now. He is clearly the team's best player. When Jax committed to 8+ men in the box, the Ravens adjusted their game plan on the fly (which is something that never happened, dating back to Billick days) and Flacco calmly carried them to victory. I literally think this was the first time in my entire life where I was yelling at the Ravens to quit running the ball so much and just keep throwing.
Flacco had a 99.4 QB rating yesterday. So he missed his career's second 4-game streak with a 100+ QB rating by 0.6. His only 4-game streak remains the 2012 playoffs. With his next win, Joe will be in the Top 50 of all-time regular season NFL wins by a QB, while still in his 20s.
At this point, It's actually not that far-fetched to think he'll end up in the All-Time top 10 for wins - averaging 10 wins per year for the next 5 seasons would almost certainly get him there.
On a semi-related note, even though I think this team isn't going very far in the playoffs, I think they will get there and that's something to be celebrated. We are living in a golden era of Baltimore sports. The Ravens are looking for their 6th playoff trip in 7 years, and during that time they've won one title, and gotten to the AFC Championship two other times. That's really not that far off from what the Orioles achieved in the late 60s and early 70s, and they're considered one of the greatest teams ever. We're pretty fortunate that making the playoffs is a baseline assumption for our team, and that we don't really start to get excited until the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Combine that with what the Orioles have done over the last 2 seasons, and it's been a lot of great times.
But with Fitzpatrick's injury, it looks like they might be facing a rookie QB next week, and will face the rookie Manziel in Week 17. Can you imagine finishing the season vs. 3 straight rookie CBs with this pass rush?
If the Ravens win out, Cincy loses vs. Denver and then beats Pittsburgh in Week 17, I think we host Cincy in the Wild Card round. That would be a winnable game, but after that, QBs like Ben, Manning, Brady and Luck are going to shred us in embarrassing fashion.
All of that being said, I love watching Flacco right now. He is clearly the team's best player. When Jax committed to 8+ men in the box, the Ravens adjusted their game plan on the fly (which is something that never happened, dating back to Billick days) and Flacco calmly carried them to victory. I literally think this was the first time in my entire life where I was yelling at the Ravens to quit running the ball so much and just keep throwing.
Flacco had a 99.4 QB rating yesterday. So he missed his career's second 4-game streak with a 100+ QB rating by 0.6. His only 4-game streak remains the 2012 playoffs. With his next win, Joe will be in the Top 50 of all-time regular season NFL wins by a QB, while still in his 20s.
At this point, It's actually not that far-fetched to think he'll end up in the All-Time top 10 for wins - averaging 10 wins per year for the next 5 seasons would almost certainly get him there.
On a semi-related note, even though I think this team isn't going very far in the playoffs, I think they will get there and that's something to be celebrated. We are living in a golden era of Baltimore sports. The Ravens are looking for their 6th playoff trip in 7 years, and during that time they've won one title, and gotten to the AFC Championship two other times. That's really not that far off from what the Orioles achieved in the late 60s and early 70s, and they're considered one of the greatest teams ever. We're pretty fortunate that making the playoffs is a baseline assumption for our team, and that we don't really start to get excited until the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Combine that with what the Orioles have done over the last 2 seasons, and it's been a lot of great times.
Great post The_Man. Agree with everything there.
I'm torn. Since our playoff run will be short lived, would rather rather watch Cincy fade out of playoff contention with consecutive losses to Denver/Pittsburgh. I don't know if I could go on living knowing we lost 3 times to a less talented Cincy team in one season.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
So, we have the Texans with what is essentially a 4th string QB going against what are essentially 4th string DBs (except Webb, and he's playing like one) - the resistible force vs the movable object.
Looks like Foster is playing so, even though the Ravens run D has been fairly stout, I expect him to get his.
I think this one's gonna be ugly from an artistic standpoint - like 13-9 or something - unless Flacco is Good Joe and Foster runs wild.
Looks like Foster is playing so, even though the Ravens run D has been fairly stout, I expect him to get his.
I think this one's gonna be ugly from an artistic standpoint - like 13-9 or something - unless Flacco is Good Joe and Foster runs wild.
Well, that was something.
Would have been one thing if Keenum had channeled his inner-Tannehill and went bonkers to Andre Johnson but that was just a systemic beatdown by FG's. Joe Cool saved up all the "bad Joe" from all season and used it all today. Pressure was non-stop but he was holding the ball sooooooo long. That 2 point conversation towards the end was so painful to watch. Like he had all day to let guys break open. Terrible.
Would have been one thing if Keenum had channeled his inner-Tannehill and went bonkers to Andre Johnson but that was just a systemic beatdown by FG's. Joe Cool saved up all the "bad Joe" from all season and used it all today. Pressure was non-stop but he was holding the ball sooooooo long. That 2 point conversation towards the end was so painful to watch. Like he had all day to let guys break open. Terrible.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Harbaugh can say Flacco was under immense pressure all day (& he was) but even when he had time some of his throws looked like he was using his off arm.
One year in FF I had to play Mark Brunnel (when he was with the Skins) in a late season game. He ended up getting me negative points and was just dreadful (like 4-20 for 60 yards and multiple TOs dreadful). Flacco looked worse yesterday, which I didn't think was possible. He was under 4 ypa
The defense was gassed by halftime, but I thought they played about as well as can be expected given that the Ravens offense gave them nothing to work with.
What the hell was that punt by Koch? I've never seen him do that.
Need help now after laying that atrocious egg. Two Bengals losses or SD losing at schizo KC
One year in FF I had to play Mark Brunnel (when he was with the Skins) in a late season game. He ended up getting me negative points and was just dreadful (like 4-20 for 60 yards and multiple TOs dreadful). Flacco looked worse yesterday, which I didn't think was possible. He was under 4 ypa
The defense was gassed by halftime, but I thought they played about as well as can be expected given that the Ravens offense gave them nothing to work with.
What the hell was that punt by Koch?
I've never seen him do that.Need help now after laying that atrocious egg. Two Bengals losses or SD losing at schizo KC
James Daulton
Footballguy
Eh, at this point I hope they miss the playoffs to get a better draft pick. They need help at receiver, oline, and the defensive backfield. If they can get one quality player at each position and get back their injured players, they'll be in much better shape next year.
Joe seems real gun shy this year. He's gotten beaten up much worse in prior years, but this year the hits seem to be really affecting his progressions.
Joe seems real gun shy this year. He's gotten beaten up much worse in prior years, but this year the hits seem to be really affecting his progressions.
The_Man
Footballguy
Yeesh. What a stinker.
I'm ok with this team not making the playoffs - they're just not very good.
Speaking of the 2-pointer - that was a terrible decision by Harbaugh. If they kicked the PAT, they're down 25-14. They can still tie with a FG and a TD+2-point conversion. Even if they had converted the 2-pointer that they went for, they're still down 10, and would still need a FG and a TD. But by going for it and not getting it, they're down by 12 and now need 2 TDs. Terrible decision.
But that's like arguing about the positioning of the deck chairs on the Titanic.
I will say that I think Houston's D is having a coming out party right now. They're that good. Yesterday's game reminded me a little of the 41-14 beatdown the Ravens put on the Titans late in the 1999 season. The Ravens were still a year away, and the Titans went on to the Super Bowl, but it served notice that the Ravens were an emerging power. If the Texans can get a decent QB this off-season, they are going to be very tough to deal with next year.
I'm ok with this team not making the playoffs - they're just not very good.
Speaking of the 2-pointer - that was a terrible decision by Harbaugh. If they kicked the PAT, they're down 25-14. They can still tie with a FG and a TD+2-point conversion. Even if they had converted the 2-pointer that they went for, they're still down 10, and would still need a FG and a TD. But by going for it and not getting it, they're down by 12 and now need 2 TDs. Terrible decision.
But that's like arguing about the positioning of the deck chairs on the Titanic.
I will say that I think Houston's D is having a coming out party right now. They're that good. Yesterday's game reminded me a little of the 41-14 beatdown the Ravens put on the Titans late in the 1999 season. The Ravens were still a year away, and the Titans went on to the Super Bowl, but it served notice that the Ravens were an emerging power. If the Texans can get a decent QB this off-season, they are going to be very tough to deal with next year.
steelers1080
Footballguy
One of my friends (Giant Ravens Fan) somehow knew this was a trap game. He put $$ against the ravens and took down over $1000. I never saw this coming, but the Texans pass rush smoked you guys this week.
I'm praying you guys don't meet the Steelers the first week of the playoffs. Neither team would leave healthy enough to move on and win.
I'm praying you guys don't meet the Steelers the first week of the playoffs. Neither team would leave healthy enough to move on and win.
fred_1_15301
Footballguy
You did see that Bell had what could be a serious injury? A loss of Bell evens things out significantly (though I think the Steelers may still be the better team right now).I don't even know what to say about that mess yesterday, so best to forget it.
Saturday night playoff football vs the Steelers
I have no idea how the Ravens will stop Big Ben, Brown, and Bell. Good Joe better show up for them to even have a chance.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Yeah, I didn't hear about Bell until after I posted. It'll be a shame if he's out any amount of time - he's really, really good.You did see that Bell had what could be a serious injury? A loss of Bell evens things out significantly (though I think the Steelers may still be the better team right now).I don't even know what to say about that mess yesterday, so best to forget it.
Saturday night playoff football vs the Steelers
I have no idea how the Ravens will stop Big Ben, Brown, and Bell. Good Joe better show up for them to even have a chance.
The_Man
Footballguy
Sure has been quiet for Steelers week - guess the holiday has something to do with that, but I also imagine the reality of how likely the Ravens are to get whipped is also playing into it.
Just not a real inspiring or exciting season, one that has never been able to shake the bad feelings of the Ray Rice debacle, and compounded by all the injuries at CB.
I can't believe it's only a 3-point spread. This has the makings of a 34-13 whipping to me. In the last matchup, the Ravens couldn't cover Pittsburgh's WRs and they couldn't protect Flacco, especially on blitzes up the middle. Their offense has been a disaster since both Tackles went down.
I'll be watching and hoping, but am not optimistic.
Just not a real inspiring or exciting season, one that has never been able to shake the bad feelings of the Ray Rice debacle, and compounded by all the injuries at CB.
I can't believe it's only a 3-point spread. This has the makings of a 34-13 whipping to me. In the last matchup, the Ravens couldn't cover Pittsburgh's WRs and they couldn't protect Flacco, especially on blitzes up the middle. Their offense has been a disaster since both Tackles went down.
I'll be watching and hoping, but am not optimistic.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
Watching Ed Reed in studio on NFL Network right now. He's pretty damned good - more lucid than Simms and not as douchey as Boomer, and has some good insights (as far as you can on these kinds of shows).
I always found his personality fascinating for a modern athlete (especially given the stereotype of the Canes player). It was obvious Reed was intelligent, but he had (it's much less now) that NO kind of patois and the Hatfields/McCoy look - a Bayou Hillbilly. I expected him to fade into retirement, having a hut in the bayou surrounded by alligators and fishing all day while listening to Eddie Money CDs.
The closest recent athlete I can think of to Reed is maybe Karl Malone (another Louisiana dude).
I always found his personality fascinating for a modern athlete (especially given the stereotype of the Canes player). It was obvious Reed was intelligent, but he had (it's much less now) that NO kind of patois and the Hatfields/McCoy look - a Bayou Hillbilly. I expected him to fade into retirement, having a hut in the bayou surrounded by alligators and fishing all day while listening to Eddie Money CDs.
The closest recent athlete I can think of to Reed is maybe Karl Malone (another Louisiana dude).
The_Man
Footballguy
Hey, GB.
So this season is now a success no matter what happens in New England next week. No way I thought the Ravens had this kind of game in them.
Still don't know why Pittsburgh didn't throw deep more often, but thank goodness they didn't. Flacco was probably the best player on the field, though Suggs, Ngata and Brandon Williams were also excellent.
I couldn't believe how physical the Ravens were. I also couldn't believe how every single call went their way.
I loved the Ravens' approach of playing hard, fast and loose, like they had nothing to lose.
So this season is now a success no matter what happens in New England next week. No way I thought the Ravens had this kind of game in them.
Still don't know why Pittsburgh didn't throw deep more often, but thank goodness they didn't. Flacco was probably the best player on the field, though Suggs, Ngata and Brandon Williams were also excellent.
I couldn't believe how physical the Ravens were. I also couldn't believe how every single call went their way.
I loved the Ravens' approach of playing hard, fast and loose, like they had nothing to lose.
James Daulton
Footballguy
Wow, they always play New England tough, who knows from here.
James Daulton
Footballguy
And seriously, people are still on Joe? I just don't get it. He's clearly not consistent nor at his best during the regular season, yet when the bright lights come on, he responds. Isn't this the single most important quality in a qb? Not folding when the pressure is at its greatest?
The_Man
Footballguy
Don't ask me because I predicted a 34-13 loss to Pittsburgh.
I still can't figure out why the Steelers didn't throw more deep balls. They hit the one to Brown and the other could have been called pass interference on the tangled legs.
I remain very suspicious of this secondary and feel like Brady is just the guy to carve it up with lots of quick precise passes that neutralize the pass rush. You can bet he won't be extending the play and risking the big hits like Ben does, and will be able to confuse and victimize our DBs.
But I'm thrilled that the fun continues for at least another week. And I love seeing Suggs play vs. Brady, like I love seeing him play Ben. I wish he played like that every game. But I will say he did his Hall of Fame candidacy a big service last night. He's very much on the borderline in my opinion, and games like that make a difference in voters' minds. If he can do it again next week, I think he suddenly becomes the kind of guy that frequently gets referred to as a "future Hall of Famer."
Along those lines, I think Yanda might also be getting into that conversation. Though I know it's tough for Guards to make the HOF.
I still can't figure out why the Steelers didn't throw more deep balls. They hit the one to Brown and the other could have been called pass interference on the tangled legs.
I remain very suspicious of this secondary and feel like Brady is just the guy to carve it up with lots of quick precise passes that neutralize the pass rush. You can bet he won't be extending the play and risking the big hits like Ben does, and will be able to confuse and victimize our DBs.
But I'm thrilled that the fun continues for at least another week. And I love seeing Suggs play vs. Brady, like I love seeing him play Ben. I wish he played like that every game. But I will say he did his Hall of Fame candidacy a big service last night. He's very much on the borderline in my opinion, and games like that make a difference in voters' minds. If he can do it again next week, I think he suddenly becomes the kind of guy that frequently gets referred to as a "future Hall of Famer."
Along those lines, I think Yanda might also be getting into that conversation. Though I know it's tough for Guards to make the HOF.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I respect your take over everyone's here when it comes to the Ravens, T_M.
But I wonder.............
Pees has really come into his own as a D play-caller this year, and has done so under extreme duress (42,000 DBs on IR, Ngata, etc...). Of course, they have no one who can cover Gronk but they had no one who could cover Brown either.
Dunno, just saying.....
On another note, Daryl Smith has slipped badly. I don't know if he's hurt or if age has gotten him, but he's now BEHIND almost every play instead of in front of it like last year. Still one of OzCosta's best signings, however.
Who draws Revis next week?
James Daulton
Footballguy
The Ravens have played the Pats so many times with so much success in the post season, that I think the Pats lose one of their best weapons, their mystique. Even if the Pats score, the Ravens have been there, done that, and won't panic.
Also, Revis is usually a massive help when you have a team with a true number one receiver, but since the Ravens really don't have one, if he takes away SSS or TS, who cares? Joe will just go to someone else.
I think it's going to be closer than the pundits will predict, but in the end, our secondary is just too beat up. I'll go 31 - 27 Pats.
Also, Revis is usually a massive help when you have a team with a true number one receiver, but since the Ravens really don't have one, if he takes away SSS or TS, who cares? Joe will just go to someone else.
I think it's going to be closer than the pundits will predict, but in the end, our secondary is just too beat up. I'll go 31 - 27 Pats.
The_Man
Footballguy
Thanks, UH. Though I feel like I didn't follow the team as closely as I usually do for much of the season, so my opinions are even more suspect than usual this year.
I will say I saw the Safetys - who seem to be Hill and Stewart now - make more plays last night than anytime all season. So maybe they are finally figuring things out. Webb continues to round into form and gets better each week. And the blitzes are getting more creative as well - the blitz that forced the gamebreaking INT to Suggs would have made Rex proud.
The Revis thing is kind of interesting to me - I feel like having a shutdown CB becomes less of an advantage when an opponent doesn't have a #1 WR. If the Pats use him to take away Steve Smith, it's not like the Ravens need Steve Smith to have a big game to win. I think Flacco completed passes to something like 9 different targets last night.
I loved the way the Ravens played last night - like they had nothing to lose and let it all hang out. I hope they carry that through this week. It's still an uphill battle, but can you imagine this? Beating Ben, Brady, and Manning on the road in consecutive weeks to reach the Super Bowl? That would be the only thing more epic than beating Manning and Brady in 2012.
On a side note, did you know Flacco is the only AFC QB in the last 11 years to reach the Super Bowl, other than those 3? They are 3 legit first ballot Hall of Famers and have dominated this conference for more than a decade.
I will say I saw the Safetys - who seem to be Hill and Stewart now - make more plays last night than anytime all season. So maybe they are finally figuring things out. Webb continues to round into form and gets better each week. And the blitzes are getting more creative as well - the blitz that forced the gamebreaking INT to Suggs would have made Rex proud.
The Revis thing is kind of interesting to me - I feel like having a shutdown CB becomes less of an advantage when an opponent doesn't have a #1 WR. If the Pats use him to take away Steve Smith, it's not like the Ravens need Steve Smith to have a big game to win. I think Flacco completed passes to something like 9 different targets last night.
I loved the way the Ravens played last night - like they had nothing to lose and let it all hang out. I hope they carry that through this week. It's still an uphill battle, but can you imagine this? Beating Ben, Brady, and Manning on the road in consecutive weeks to reach the Super Bowl? That would be the only thing more epic than beating Manning and Brady in 2012.
On a side note, did you know Flacco is the only AFC QB in the last 11 years to reach the Super Bowl, other than those 3? They are 3 legit first ballot Hall of Famers and have dominated this conference for more than a decade.
Just saw this one. He's the reason I'm a Baltimore fan in the deep south. One of my college friends families (the Halls) were his live-in foster family in Destrehan, Louisiana. He had a tough home life and they helped him through high school. Still very close. He's a hellavu guy. Hated to see the Jets/Houston thing and decline but I guess that happens to most of the greats that want to keep going at the end.
Here's a good article from 2005 about their relationship. http://www.si.com/vault/2005/09/05/8272211/look-at-me-now
The_Man
Footballguy
Wow this was a great call. The rest of it was good, too, though it turned out Smith was the CB whose health we had to worry about.
devouredbychaos
Footballguy
devouredbychaos
Footballguy
The_Man
Footballguy
I am starting to become very uncomfortable with the whole "Joe Flacco - Playoff God" storyline. There's no question he's been phenomenal in his last 3 post-seasons - the question is why, and is it sustainable?
It's usually right about the time that the media fastens on to these trends that they suddenly regress to the mean, and something happens to totally counter the storyline they've been peddling. In this case, I can see Flacco's historic steak of playoff play vanish in a 3-turnover puff of smoke.
Not to mention the other emerging storyline that Flacco has outduelled Brady in recent playoff meetings. If Brady had gotten to go up vs. some of those lousy Pats' Defenses, while Flacco had to face the Ravens, those numbers would have been very different. This year - especially with the Ravens' secondary - the roles are kind of reversed, and Brady for once gets to face a cream puff D.
On the positive side, I really like what I'm seeing from Baltimore's D line right now. They are big, strong and deep. Canty has given Brady previous post-season nightmares, and he's starting to play really well. Brandon Williams is making the leap right before our eyes - he's becoming a mini-Wilfork. Ngata looks extremely fresh and motivated. McPhee is a tough match-up and even D'Angelo Tyson is playing well. Would love to see Jernigan come back, but I don't know if he'll be ready.
Against Pittsburgh, the Ravens basically dared the Steelers to run every down and - without Bell - they couldn't do it. The play where Suggs made the Thigh Interception was a third and four where the Ravens basically had 5 or 6 LBs/DBs standing at the line to blitz, with 0 or 1 D lineman, and Pittsburgh still wouldn't run. New England will run more and better than the Steelers, but I think the Ravens can still effectively stop them while playing 2 safeties deep. Every time the Pats run the ball for less than 6 or 7 yards, I count that as a win for Baltimore. I would rather see a bunch of 5-yard runs than see Brady throwing the ball vs. this crew.
I still think Brady will carve up our mediocre pass defense with a bunch of quick, accurate passes that negate our pass rush. Baltimore's #1-ranked red zone D will have to hold an opponent to FGs again, and count on Flacco to continue his playoff magic.
It's usually right about the time that the media fastens on to these trends that they suddenly regress to the mean, and something happens to totally counter the storyline they've been peddling. In this case, I can see Flacco's historic steak of playoff play vanish in a 3-turnover puff of smoke.
Not to mention the other emerging storyline that Flacco has outduelled Brady in recent playoff meetings. If Brady had gotten to go up vs. some of those lousy Pats' Defenses, while Flacco had to face the Ravens, those numbers would have been very different. This year - especially with the Ravens' secondary - the roles are kind of reversed, and Brady for once gets to face a cream puff D.
On the positive side, I really like what I'm seeing from Baltimore's D line right now. They are big, strong and deep. Canty has given Brady previous post-season nightmares, and he's starting to play really well. Brandon Williams is making the leap right before our eyes - he's becoming a mini-Wilfork. Ngata looks extremely fresh and motivated. McPhee is a tough match-up and even D'Angelo Tyson is playing well. Would love to see Jernigan come back, but I don't know if he'll be ready.
Against Pittsburgh, the Ravens basically dared the Steelers to run every down and - without Bell - they couldn't do it. The play where Suggs made the Thigh Interception was a third and four where the Ravens basically had 5 or 6 LBs/DBs standing at the line to blitz, with 0 or 1 D lineman, and Pittsburgh still wouldn't run. New England will run more and better than the Steelers, but I think the Ravens can still effectively stop them while playing 2 safeties deep. Every time the Pats run the ball for less than 6 or 7 yards, I count that as a win for Baltimore. I would rather see a bunch of 5-yard runs than see Brady throwing the ball vs. this crew.
I still think Brady will carve up our mediocre pass defense with a bunch of quick, accurate passes that negate our pass rush. Baltimore's #1-ranked red zone D will have to hold an opponent to FGs again, and count on Flacco to continue his playoff magic.
