Baltimore Ravens Week 14 Rooting Guide

by math_geek on Dec 1, 2008 5:01 PM EST Comment 26 comments

While the Ravens win was great, it's safe to say that last week did not go as well as we would have hoped. Indy, Miami, and Pittsburgh all won, although we still gained some distance in the playoff hunt due to NE losing to Pittsburgh. If we could find a way to make those two play every week, that would be great. We are now essentially holding onto a 1.5 game lead for the sixth seed, with NE and Miami trailing.

1) New England @ Seattle - It's not likely to happen, but getting distance between us and New England would be huge for our playoff chances.

2) Miami @ Buffalo - Slightly less big of a deal because Buffalo is also in WC contention and has better tiebreakers, although they are a game behind. Nonetheless, i'd rather see Miami lose and let the tiebreakers fall where they may.

3) Cincinatti @ Indy - Right, this won't happen in a million years, and it will be difficult to pull ahead of Indy regardless as they have the tiebreaker and the easier schedule. However, and upset by Cincy will be a great boost at helping us pull ahead of them and get some more distance in the Wild Card race.

4) Dallas @ Pittsburgh - Obviously we really want Dallas to beat Pittsburgh, but that still doesn't help us much in the Division race. The Ravens have to win out to have a shot at the division and I don't really see that happening. Alternatively, the Steelers have to lose 3 of the next 4 games (presumably Dallas, Baltimore, and Tennesee), and while they could easily lose any of those games they are just too good of a team to lose them all. Nevertheless, a Dallas victory is probably necessary for us to win the division, but it wouldn't be close to sufficient.

5) New York Jets @ San Francisco - San Francisco was the only team that gave us help last week, knocking Buffalo back a game in the standings. The Jets probably have the division title in hand , and have worse tiebreakers with four AFC conference losses (the Ravens only have 3), but if the Jets do fall back into the Wild Card hunt for some reason, they will be the most dangerous team from the AFC East against us matchup wise. A loss to SF helps us pull ahead of them as well, but doesn't hurt their tiebreakers at all.

6) Cleveland @ Tennessee - Again, TN is clearly going to win that division, but an upset loss to Cleveland keeps them fired up to play hard in the last two weeks of the season, against Pittsburgh and Indy. It's worth something, but not much. Cleveland, incidentally, were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to Indy. We know they will be behind Baltimore, Pitt, Indy, and TN due to record and head to head tiebreakers. This also means that the Ravens by default will be the 1st or 2nd place finish in the division. Most likely second, unfortunately.

Denver will win the AFC West, and SD will come nowhere close to sniffing a WC, so we can stop thinking about those teams.

The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!

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Not so fast

Seattle, Buffalo, Dallas and SF all have a shot of knocking off our competition. The Jets went west and lost at Oakland and certainly looked pedestrian this past Sunday. Buffalo or Miami are inconsistent, while the Pats looked horrible and can throw another stinker in the misty northwest. As far as the Steelers, all they seem to do is win. However, the Cowboys will give them a fight and we’ll get a chance to see what we’ll be going up against in three weeks. For now, we have the Skins, who should roll over like they have so far when anyone physical hits them (Giants, Steelers). For us, we need to beat the Steelers and have them lost twice, to us and either Dallas or Tennessee, while we win out, including an upset at Dallas. We start the hunt Sunday night!

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 1, 2008 6:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What im rooting for

The only game i care about this weekend is ours. this is 13 long years coming. ive waited for this game from the day we got this team. I hate washington redskins and im so glad theyre coming here

by Ravensfan52 on Dec 1, 2008 8:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Haha, that's a valid sentiment

and certainly if the Ravens win out and go 12-4 they’ll make the playoffs guaranteed. I’m just keeping track of this stuff because I’d still want the Ravens to make the playoffs if they go 10-6.

by math_geek on Dec 1, 2008 10:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I sat in the pouring rain

a few rows from the top of the upper deck in FedEx Field years ago to watch my Ravens defeat the Redskins, I think the final score was 19-14. I know they beat us during our Super Bowl year 10-3. This time it’s finally in our crib and we’re going to smack them but good, and I will love every second of it.

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 2, 2008 9:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ed Reed

On one play in that game Ed sacked Brunell, got a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a TD. One of my favorite Ed Reed plays of all time.

by DT711 on Dec 3, 2008 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He also had a punt return for a TD, which was the main reason we won!

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 3, 2008 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Billick passes 3 time on 1 yard line..INT..Ogden throws his helmet

That was the 10 – 3 game when Tony Banks threw the pick just before half. Honest to gosh, I knew Billick was a poser..I also realized that Ogden had no faith in his coach from then on..like most of the team.

by raven on Dec 4, 2008 12:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rivalry

We Beat them in 97 with Bam Morris 20-17 when it was JackKentCooke stadium
in the rain. I have sport section from the sun paper laminated

by Ravensfan52 on Dec 2, 2008 5:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe that’s the game I went to. It is a horrible stadium, even though it was built at the same time as ours, which is a great football stadium.

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 3, 2008 9:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that sounds so biased

The stock market will never recover, our armies will never again be #1, and our children will drink filthy water for the rest of their lives - HST

by the fix is in on Dec 6, 2008 1:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

raven

So Raven I called you out a couple of weeks ago who will you be rooting for? You were a Redskin Fan before a Raven fan. Will you be wearing your Portis Jersey under your # 39 Ray Rice Jersey? Please let all of us RAVENS fan know so I can send them to see you. Also e-mail me your address I want to mail you some cash.

by section117 on Dec 2, 2008 9:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

section 117

in order to have people read your smack you have to write something football related once in a while…i’ve mentioned before the only games I got on my rabbit ears in the old days was Skins games..my mom got me a Sonny Jurgenson shirt when I was a little dude..I did actually go to a 1988 Skins-49ers game and saw Montana. Skins won 10-7 or something. It’s strange because ever since the Ravens came along i don’t even have the slightest feeling to keep track of the skins..very bizarre after all those childhood memories..you’ll really appreciate that my folks got my brother and i Steeler uniforms and almost real helmets one christmas…best gift ever-because it was a real uniform. could have been Mannings Saints for all i cared.

by raven on Dec 4, 2008 12:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i have $80 seats and i asked all my other “friends” to fork up $100 this week because its a huge game and i need the big games to help pay for the PSL/pre-season/all games etc…But when I ask for a simple $20 over cost to help pay the bills everyone freaks like i’m jipping them…cheap MFers! Nice to be a cherry picker..Try getting tickets anywhere else and tell me if $100 LL for the skins game is too much. unreal..

I thought it would be nice to take my friends and give them a great price for a once in 13 years type game during a playoff chase..but noooo. They’ll let $20 stand in the way of that. I make all the arrangements, deliver the tickets, get them in any game they want and can’t get any help asking a few bucks over…what the F. trust me folks-having a PSl is not all its cracked up to be. You have to buy everything and screen anyone who might buy your ticket and pray he doesn’t act like a jerk. you’d be crazy to let strangers sit in your seats with the possibility of losing your PSl.

What ticket issues to other Beatdown members have? How do you feel about the very real issue of losing a PSL if ANYONE acts up in your seat. Bullshit. I’d sooner throw my tickets away then let someone i don’t know sit in my seat- screw Craigslist, Ebay and scalpers. All i need is some jackass getting warned and i could be out of 12 years of loyalty. it doesn’t take much these days to draw the eye of ushers..they jump the gun pretty quick..I already won’t take some friends who cheer too crazily because they draw attention and get complained on by people who don’t like to stand up or have their little, little kids witness the occasional F word. i miss Memorial Stadium at times….

I once passed a ticket through the gates in the stadium to a friend. My friend was running late and I was already inside watching. An usher from another planet followed us to our seats and radioed 2 police officers. He said I gave my friend my ticket to get in..It took us 20 embarassing minutes to explain to the foreign usher that it isn’t possible. Each ticket is scanned. We also presented the 2 tickets. Unreal. The scary part was my friend got real pissed and started yelling at the usher in front of the crowd. I thought my PSL was gone. Pins and needles at times with PSL’s. Might be safer to sell them and be a cherry picker like everyone else.

Lastly, its the tickets people get from the ravens or brokers that have the real trouble makers/visiting fans..I wonder if the Ravens fine themselves when they let in a drunk.

by raven on Dec 4, 2008 1:31 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My seats are in Club Level

and since they cost a ton for each game, including the pre season, it is virtually impossible to sell them and even break even. However, I do not miss a game and haven’t since I had ACL surgery five years ago. I give my exhibition tickets to my kids because I pretty much am bored to death by them. I try to take my kids first, then close friends, but careful not to give those friends the impression that it’s “their” ticket, as I’m paying for it. I expect you to behave as I do and if you’re a good guy, you’ll know you’re sitting in $200+ seats and buy lunch, booze, etc. One of my guests brought his own food to tailgate w/ us, never bought me anything and pissed me off. He also complained when we bought food at a local deli and split it evenly, because he said he only had a sandwich and drink and shouldn’t have to pay more than that. I told him a sandwich, drink and $200 Ravens ticket for $15 was a pretty good deal, eh!?

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 4, 2008 8:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rexx

Not all people you take to games are as cool and awesome as me. I know I set a high standard to live up to, but give those other guys a break. If you compare them to me your setting yourself up for disappointment.

by DT711 on Dec 4, 2008 12:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

that is kind of asinine. I’ve been taken out to cool places by friends with a lot more money than me, and although I can never financially return the favor (poor student and all), I always at least make an attempt to show some gratitude.

by math_geek on Dec 4, 2008 3:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

do they refuse those "attempts to show some gratitude? lol

by raven on Dec 5, 2008 12:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

i’ve never had a problem with bad behavior in 12 years but i also eat a lot of bad game tickets because of the fear factor. i remember at Barry Sanders last game i sold my extra seat for a beer. it was rainy/cold and the last game of a losing season. there i was sitting next to a guy who paid $5 bucks..i actually encouraged him to buy me a second coldie because i couldn’t sit there and take getting ripped off so bad…

i also used to stand outside memorial so i could get $10-15 bucks for my extra..if i could. i’ve lost my ass over the years…

it may get lost in my bitching this week but i wouldn’t want to spend my weekend any other way than watching the ravens sipping an $8 large Bud.

by raven on Dec 5, 2008 12:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

most of the games look to be in our favor…in a hopeful way:
miami is weak when going to buffalo but the game is in Canada- indoors! right?
TO is my favorite player this week and the match up with steeler DBs will be something to watch. hopefully it’s sunny and 60 for dallas.
Seattle and the 12 man (or acoustics of stadium) is tough at home.
Cleveland is hard luck but have play makers-might be upset of week.

by raven on Dec 3, 2008 12:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, yeah...

Detroit might win, too.

Kevbo: [to George Sherrill] George, you look a lot like Vin Diesel...

Flatbill: Let's get somethin' straight... Vin Diesel looks like me.

-From "The Making of Orioles Magic"

by dayzd toe on Dec 3, 2008 8:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Pittsburgh weather is calling for low 30’s w/ snow showers for Dallas game. Not good for pretty boy Romo and company!

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 3, 2008 9:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

With new sod

by archon095 on Dec 3, 2008 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

punt sticks in mud steelers game-

WHAT is the worst weather game yall have been to? For me it was the Ravens-Steelers at Memorial in ’97. Poured like hell. We are pretty lucky in B-more…we have been blessed with decent weather- this season has been sunny every home game.

by raven on Dec 4, 2008 12:26 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I was sick and missed that Steelers game

I think that was the only one I ever missed in Memorial Stadium. The Redskins game I went to in ’97 was horrible weather, pouring rain and I was stuck two rows from the top of that monstrosity in Landover!

I also went to a couple of Baltimore Colts games that I remember because of the weather. One was the Bills game when Unitas threw his final TD pass in a 17-17 tie. I actually just bought a photo of that pass. OJ Simpson played and we sat in the Mezzanine Level which was small and real cramped. It was freezing and once the wind gets in there, it never stops blowing. I also was at the 1970 AFC Championship Game when we beat the Oakland Raiders 27-17 to go to Super Bowl V, where we beat the Cowboys (16-13). It had snowed the day before so when we sat in the metal, freezing bleachers, we had to stamp down the snow so we had a little bit of foot room where we sat. We froze our asses off. Yes, I am old (50), but very immature, as you can probably notice!

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 4, 2008 9:04 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

*REXX, REMEMBER THIS: LOL ******

Bengal fan after game 1-

“Enjoy your only win of 2008
The Bengals were terrible yesterday. To be serious, however, Cincinnati will still have a better record than the Rat Birds in 2008. If history serves, the Bengals offense will score points and the defense, though not spectacular, will be effective enough to steal a few games.
For the Ravens, however, Joe Flacco will make mistakes. The aging Ravens defense will get injured. PK Sams will drive drunk. (oh wait, he’s no longer on your team…that’s too bad) Maybe the Ravens will win one more against Houston (who looked awful) and another at home against Cleveland (because Cleveland sucks), but I don’t see any more than that.
It’s a travesty that the Bengals lost to the Ravens yesterday, but I chalk it down to a poor gameplan and horrible execution more than the Ravens’ bright prospects in ’08.
I’ll give you credit; your post is just about the most intelligent thing I’ve ever seen from a Ravens fan. You have basic noun-verb agreement, several adjectives used correctly, and do not have expletives embellishing your points. One point of contention, however, sentences should not end in prepositions. Bravo, young sir!
Seriously, however, good luck this season – but not too much luck.”

“Ryan, Things in here don’t react too well to bullets.” – Marko Ramius
by TarZander on Sep 8, 2008 5:44 PM PDT actions 0 recs

by raven on Dec 5, 2008 2:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I posted that quote

just before this past Bengals game. Hilarious & classic quote! For some reason, he never responded to my posting that on their site as well. Wonder why? Hmmm…

Rexx

by Rexx on Dec 5, 2008 8:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs