Rejoice in Ravens Victory, Then Move On
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 14, 2009 9:22 AM EST
Email
PrintHow many times have you already heard the phrase "Well it was only the Lions" after the Baltimore Ravens pounded the Detroit Lions 48-3 yesterday? What did you expect, with one of the worst teams in the league looked like they didn't want to be out there any more than many of the fans felt in the cold and wet at M&T Bank Stadium in downtown Baltimore? The only reason a little worry crept into peoples' minds was that if the Pittsburgh Steelers could lose at home to Oakland one week then at Cleveland the next, gasp could it then happen to us? Nope.
The Ravens did what they needed to do and that was just not to win to stay alive in the hunt for a Wild Card playoff spot. They needed an easy win, one that didn't have to wait until the game's final moments for a change and that they did, pretty much ending the game by halftime, and certainly putting it out of reach right out of the box to start the second half.
However, that has been the trend for this team most of the season. The Ravens beat the teams they are supposed to, but can't seem to bet the teams that they are not supposed to. Taking the San Diego Chargers game out of that trend is due to the Chargers not being looked at as a big force a the same time the Ravens were being considered one of the better teams in the league at the time. You can also take the Denver Broncos out of that group as well, as even though they were undefeated, many true Ravens fans knew we were the better team and certainly showed the league what pretenders the Broncos were in our decisive win over them. The Pats, Vikings, Colts and Packers as the teams that were "supposed" to beat us and did, while the Chiefs, Browns (twice), and Lions fit into the category of teams we were supposed to beat. That leaves the two games with the Cincinnati Bengals and the with the Pittsburgh Steelers as the games that were up in the air. The win over the Steelers was satisfying despite Pittsburgh not being at full strength. However, the two losses to the Bengals, especially the first one here in Baltimore, were very unsettling and the Ravens have a very good chance of seeing the Bengals again for another shot in the playoffs if we make it in as a Wild Card.
For now, the team can revel in it's return to "power." Beginning tomorrow, however, the team needs to focus its attention on the Chicago Bears next Sunday at home. Not until that game is in the win column can the team face the fact that it appears that the Pittsburgh Steelers are once again between them and continuing into the post season. When that game comes up, throw out all the records and stats, as this backyard brawl will be another street fight, as Pittsburgh knows they're out of the playoffs and would like nothing better than to force us to join them on the sidelines.
"Play like a Raven" did yesterday and that is a very reasonable possibility.
49 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
this means nothing...
It’s Detroit…this victory means nothing…we have to win out and pray for others to lose…we’re still looking in from the outside…this team has serious flaws…why is everyone hurt all the time??
It's a long season
and every team ha its share of injuries and players breaking down. It’s just that as Ravens fans, it seems like more guys on our team are hurting, which is definitely not true. Look at the Steelers!
This game did mean something and the extent of which our offense moved the ball was encouraging. Had we won 17-14, that would have meant something very bad. We just did what we were supposed to do and need to continue.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 14, 2009 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
I think it’s vital to have games like these; games that emotionally don’t drain the shit out of you. Outside of this game, the two against the Browns, and the one against Denver, both the team and us as fans have just been mentally fucked. It’s good to sit back and have an easy win every now and then (even though I wish every game was like this).
"Alex Ovechkin makes Chad Johnson look like he's reading the paper."
Wait and see this Thursday...
If the Jags get beat by the Colts then the picture does start to get a little clearer. I do still believe we need to win out regardless. 10-6 can get us in but we’ll need some help. As crazy as it sounds we’ll need to keep an eye on Miami. They are 1 game back of the Pats right now. Why would this concern me? All things being equal, the Pats have been miserable on the road this season. Throw out the game in London and they are in fact winless on the road. This Sunday they play Buffalo in Buffalo. If the Pats drop that game and Miami beats the Titans, Miami then moves into the AFC East lead by virtue of better division record. That also means the Pats would drop to 8-6. If we beat the Bears, we’ll move to 8-6, which is great, but the Pats would hold the head to head tie breaker over us if that happens. Yes I realize it seems convoluted right now, but I don’t think it can be overstated that we need to win out and hope for more than just a little help. First things first, the Ravens need to focus on the Bears this coming Sunday and take care of business.
Root for Titans this weekend
over the Dolphins to put that issue out of the question. Bad news about Thursday is that rumor has it the Colts will only play stars a little and are not looking to go 16-0.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 14, 2009 12:51 PM EST up reply actions
Would it be too much to ask....
…for Indy to beat the Jags? Tennessee to blow out the Fins? Oakland to upset Denver? Atlanta to dominate the Jets? And maybe throw in a Cincy loss to the Chargers? I don’t think that’s too greedy to ask for, do you?
by StuckInUtah on Dec 14, 2009 1:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Pretty much happened last week, so....
….why not this week? At least a Titans win over Miami and a Jacksonville loss to Indy sounds realistic, if Colts play to win.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 15, 2009 9:07 AM EST up reply actions
Playoffs?
Dont talk about playoffs? you kidding me? playoffs?…lets just take on the Bears and worry about them right now. None of these three games are a lock, and even if they were 10-6 still might not get us in. Remember, all those teams listed above are playing for their playoff lives as well. They are no different from us. I’m just afraid if we talk about all this playoff, tiebreaker, 10-6, Jags, Broncos, Miami, Pats, Titans stuff we are gonna show up Sunday and play like crap and lose. I’d love to go to the playoffs but I’ll only be thinking about it if there is a minute left in the Oakland game and we are 9-6 and are up 27-10 and Flacco is taking a knee for us to go 10-6 while knowing we are in if we win.
by ShaneOmacDaddy on Dec 14, 2009 12:38 PM EST reply actions
That's the stance the coaches and players
should take. We, on the other hand, are fans are will always examine the possibilities until they are no longer possible.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 14, 2009 12:53 PM EST up reply actions
call me crazy...
But I would not be shocked if the Bengals lose the rest of their games…although losing to the chiefs would still be a big upset. That would put them at 9-7. Its not like we still couldn’t win the division still.
"The ball always seems to find Ed Reed...The man is a menace"
by UMBC Oriole fan on Dec 14, 2009 12:44 PM EST reply actions
I pegged them to go 1-3 in their last four
which would make the Bengals 10-6 and still AFC North champs. If they lost KC game, and we win out and steal the division, I’d just plotz!
Of course the Ravens will use this scenario to justify sending out invoices for huge playoff bucks in advance any day now!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 14, 2009 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
We needed this number in wins. That’s all Detroit was- win number 7. I can’t take anything away from this game at all. It was cold and rainy and they were the last place Lions without their startting QB. They wanted to go home during warmups. All teams get cupcakes.
It was a great stat day for Rice and his 1/2 of play. 166 in basically a 1/2. I watched all the ESPN shows waiting for a little extra on Rice’s day but the media was in the middle of Moss-gate and the Marshall love fest. 166 yards on 13 carries? That’s nuts. Maybe ESPN will give him some props today after everyone digests that feet. Do you think Rice would of taken Lewis’s single game rushing record?
Suggs was again slow and outplayed by his senior counterpart Trevor Pryce. I wish they would move him to the interior. Ray Lewis is still a fish out of water on 3rd and long with Detroit making an easy toss over his head on 3rd and 14. That is a HUGE concern. Lewis does not belong on the field on 3rd and longs. Our pressure was weak. It looked even weaker with Sluggs back. Kruger makes us quicker.
good points...
I agree…thank goodness for Ray Rice…amazing day! Even D. Williams caught some balls…Clayton is sooo average…I’d give the taller and faster Demetrius Williams some downfield plays!
get real people...
This was like playing a high school team…the Ravens are not a very good team…period…take a look at the class of the AFC and NFC…we are very far behind…how many sacks in the last 3 games?
We need to rebuild for next year…how about some tall receivers and a better rehab. department!
I think you need to get real if you don't think this is a good team.
Take a look at the Steelers, they are not a good team. We are winning the games we are supposed to be winning and because of 1 or 2 things not going our way, we are 7-6. Think about it, if Hauschka makes that kick, we are 8-5 and you are loving life.
This is a good team, a very good team. There just happens to be some other very good teams in this league.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
You are correct MaLor
I am not writing off the Ravens as a dark horse. They need a win in Pittsburg. They can handle the other two. The Bengals are in trouble. Injuries are stacking up and I am pretty concerned. We have the Chiefs at home and we should win there but hey this is Cincinnati and anything can happen. You told me earlier not to get your hopes up but I think your chances are pretty good. I find myself in the unenviable position of rooting for the Steelers against you.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
I still have a bad feeling
Just don’t know, I usually never have this feeling. But I just cannot see us in the playoffs this year. Something tells me we get screwed over somehow, whether it’s our fault or someone else’s (refs).
Again John, you have absolutely not idea how badly I want to see you in the 1st round of the playoffs. That game would 100% show me what type of team we had this year. Either we beat you when it matters and we are good, or we lose to you 3 times, respectably, and were just another average contender.
God, you really get me thinking ahead sometimes.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Well Malor maybe you can explain to me....
how looking ahead and being hopeful is a bad thing. You have 3 teams to beat to make it there. The Bears, Steelers and Raiders. You guys can beat all of them. I feel the same way about the Bengals. We have the Chargers, Chief and Jets. We can beat all of them. Of course the Chargers and Steelers are going to be tough games. For you a divisional game on the road against a struggling but solid team in the Steelers is going to be rough. For the Bengals a west coast game against a, frankly, very good team will be a great challenge. But let me ask you this, what the hell do you want in life other than the challenge? If I were you I would be focusing on the feeling you will have when the Ravens are announced as a WC team.
I know you want to face us again. I want it too, hopefully in the 2nd round. It will be a great game and a great source of discussion on this board. My dream senerio would be to beat you guys, then beat the Colts and then have another crack at the Vikings. Do I think this will happen? No! The Bengals are probably just not good enough yet. Next year, maybe. But not now. Could it happen? Yea, I suppose but I won’t disappointed too much as long as we make the playoffs and play strong. We have come a long way and I will settle for that without too much angst.. Next year I see us as the team to beat in the division with the Ravens right there.
Now, get behind your team and go out and beat the damn Steelers. I’m not greedy. We will beat the Chiefs at home and probably the Jets if it means anything. Just so you know, I root for the Bengals first, the division second and the conference third. If you guys go past us I will root for you to go all the way. Then I root for the AFC champ. Hopefully the Bengals. Hopefully.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
I get it
See, with the state our franchise is in right now record wise, I cannot possibly look ahead of the game that is in front of us. Right now, I am focused on the Bears and the Bears only. I like to think how the players and coaches think, and that is focus on the task at hand. I cannot start getting all worked up about possible playoff games when we still have to win our next 3 games. I dont care who you are playing, you never overlook any team in this league. Look at what Chicago and Oakland were able to do to Pitt. Those two teams beat the Superbowl champions, they could very, very well beat us.
If I were you telling me what I should be doing, I would be telling me to focus on Chicago honestly. I cannot think about the wildcard right now because one slip up and it is over. We need to take it one game at a time. Once we beat the Bears, then yes we will take it to Pitt.
Dude, I am always behind my team. I think we are one of the best teams in the league, but just haven’t shown everyone that we are this year. Dude, please don’t tell me you were actually rooting for the Steelers last year in the playoffs and Superbowl.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Sorry if my response above is weird. God damn Adderall and haven’t slept since Monday night cause of finals.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
I get it too MaLor
I totally see your point. I asked you to explain it to me and you did – very well. I also must say I had little intent to lecture you but rather encourage you.
Listen MaLor, we have had our go arounds but my time spent on this board have led me to a strange kind of affinity for your team and their fans as well. Don’t ask me to explain it because I can’t. I am a fan of the AFCN. I am proud we are in this division. If this division had the Bengals, Lions, Browns & Chiefs what pride could you take in winning the division title? The Steelers and Ravens forced us to get better. Yea, I rooted for the Steelers even though I knew I would have to deal with the aftermath. They represented our division and did it well as did the Ravens. It is ok for we fans in the division to slap each other around but outsiders doing it are out of line IMO.
I want 2 teams in the playoff from our division and 3 if it is possible. You should welcome an improvement by the Bengals as well. We will only make you work to get better. This goes for the Browns and Steelers as well. I want all teams in all of the other divisions to remember the games they play with an AFCN team as a bad day. If you win the AFCN I want it to mean that every one else in the playoffs needs to get ready to play or get their asses handed to them. Our team is young and built in the AFCN mold. Next year whatever division has the AFCN on their schedule is in trouble because the Steelers and Ravens will be better as well. The Bengals are climbing up and frankly I welcome the Browns getting it together. Next year could be a real fun time.
BTW Good luck with your finals. Study hard and do well.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
"Think about it, if Hauschka makes that kick"
Think about it if ravens girlfriend had balls he would be gay.
Think about it if all of my megamillion numbers would come out on Tuesday II would be a rich a-hole and someone else could type this crap for me.
IF is the story of the season. Though I agree with you MaLor you can’t look back we need to look forward.
I understand
Just putting the Hauschka kick out there because it was the farthest thing from a team loss we had this year. The team really rallied together in that 4th quarter and we set ourselves up perfectly to win that game. It came down to a kicker losing it in the end. Just trying to make a point that IF that kick was good, we would be 8-5 at worst and none of this talk is going on.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Not true
If we had won the Viking game and were 8-5, everyone would be saying that if we won the Pats game we’d be 9-4. We’ll always thirst and complain about that one we didn’t win, not the ones we did.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 15, 2009 9:09 AM EST up reply actions
Also
raven’s girlfriend doesn’t have ball? I am surprised.
You have to hate losing more than you love winning.
Canned food?
NO MORE canned food please!! They left the collection truck unattended at the main gate and I scored 2 cases Americas Choice Chicken Noodle. Man, I hauled ass back to my bike, bungeed it up and got back to the Coldspring underpass in no time!
RC Cola
I remember growing up on Liberty Road and we would have hotdogs w/ beans and Utz’s chip w/ RC Cola bottles. We’d save some and use these plastic snap on caps to save it for a day or so then drink it flat. RC Cola ruled back then!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 15, 2009 9:11 AM EST up reply actions
My mom was quite the cook as you can see – and that was our special Saturday night dinner!
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 15, 2009 9:12 AM EST up reply actions
Wild card contenders.
Den (8-5) – Games against Philly, Oak, and KC. The division games could be tougher than people expect and they could end up losing 2 of 3 – but I think they’ll make it to 10-6.
Mia (7-6) – 3 other wild card wannabes in TEN, HOU, and PIT (all 6-7) If they could run the table, they would close it out. All these teams are so inconsistent though anything could happen
NYJ (7-6) – 3 playoff contenders in ATL, Indy and Cincy – They may not win another game.
Jax (7-6) – NE and Indy before finishing with the brownies – they should go 8-8 and be out of the playoffs
For reference: Ravens play Chi, Pit, Oak
Wannabes (6-7) teams:
PIT – GB, Ravens, Mia
Hou – StL, Mia, NE
Ten – Mia, SD, Sea
Any of these teams could get hot and win out. Whether 9-7 would be good enough to get into the playoffs is questionable.
Of course, NE could continue to meltdown, lose all three remaining to go 8-8 (Buf, Jax, Hou – doubtful), and make things REALLY interesting! :-)
Although some feel its too early to talk about playoffs
This post goes to show that as long as we can win these last three games, we really wouldn’t need that much help. With Jacksonville playing against the Colts & Pats, and the tie-breaker over Denver, really the Ravens fate is in their own hands.
by StuckInUtah on Dec 15, 2009 10:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
It does look like we have the easiest schedule
of all the contenders. Let’s re-look again after this weekend’s games as it will become even clearer.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Dec 15, 2009 10:58 AM EST up reply actions
good job peyton
well the mannings helped out the ravens last night now take care of the circus bears, then pittsburgh our fate is in our hands.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
