Who Would You Rather Face Next Weekend?
by lastcallbmore on Jan 6, 2012 7:02 AM EST
Email
PrintSitting pretty as the second seed, the Baltimore Ravens have the luxury of sitting back and watching four teams battle it out in the divisional round of the playoffs this weekend. There are several scenarios that could play out and each one produces a different challenge for the Ravens.
The game that should mean the most to fans here in Baltimore is the Cincinnati Bengals vs. the Houston Texans. If Houston wins then it does not matter who wins the other game because they are the highest seed in the wild card round and will be heading to Charm City for sure.
If Cincinnati is to win then it would be the winner of the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Denver Broncos that would face the Ravens. Because Cincinnati is the lowest seed they would automatically head to New England to play the number one over all seed Patriots.
Baltimore has a 5-0 record against the teams playing this weekend. they have beaten the Steelers and Bengals twice and also beat the Texans earlier this year when they still had all-pro quarterback Matt Shaub at the helm. The only team Baltimore has not faced is the Denver Broncos who they have owned over the past few years.
Although the Ravens won these games only one of them was a dominant win, week one against the Steelers in Baltimore. Each one of these teams will present a major challenge for them.
The Steelers know the Ravens well and play them hard every time they match up. If Houston loses and Pittsburgh wins you know we will be in for a dog fight once again in the playoffs and many fans wouldn't have it any other way.
The Texans boast the 2nd ranked defense in the NFL and have a nasty pass rush if they were to come to Baltimore I don't think it would be the cake walk many fans would expect just because they have their third string quarterback starting. Houston is built very much like the Ravens in that they have a dominant run game and physical, run stopping defense.
The other option would be Denver and I don't think that anyone wants to see any Tebow magic here at M&T Bank Stadium. It would seem that the Ravens and Steelers are built to stop a team like Denver with Tim Tebow at the helm but if they are able to beat the Steelers anything is possible.
In my opinion the best Scenario would be if Houston and Pittsburgh both won. Not because I'd rather see the Texans than the Steelers but because I think the Steelers have a better chance of going into New England and winning. We all saw how well the Broncos matched up against the Patriots earlier this season. If that were to happen and we beat the Texans then Baltimore would host it's second playoff game this season and Pittsburgh would have to come here for the AFC Championship.
33 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Who would be an "easier" matchup
in Baltimore? The Orioles. Zing! In all seriousness none of the three possible teams that the Ravens could face (Texans, Steelers, Broncos) can be taken lightly. I am reminded of a SURE thing last season when Seattle never stood a chance against the mighty Saints. Even at home. Who would I rather come to Baltimore? Denver. As mentioned above, the Ravens have dominated the Broncos at home for a long time and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. Plus it would mean that the Steelers lost in the opening round which would be fine with me.
You like Thai? Tie good. You like shirt?
I have a basketball game to go to when the ravens play
Does anyone know any iPhone radio apps that would play the game
by spazerson on Jan 6, 2012 9:06 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I’m all for Cincy and Denver winning, although I doubt either one will. Ideally it would be nice to see Cincy travel to New England and pull off the upset, and then return to Baltimore for the AFCCG, but that’s very unlikely.
by StuckInUtah on Jan 6, 2012 9:37 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I would love a rematch part 2
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
We both know that’s probably going to happen, I just hope its in the AFCCG, and not next week. Do us a favor and go knock off the Pats for us real quick.
by StuckInUtah on Jan 6, 2012 10:01 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I’d love to do that too. We need Cortez Allen healthy for that game though.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Jan 6, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
I absolutely want to see the Ravens-Steelers in the AFCCG.
Beating the Steelers thrice on the way to a Super Bowl victory is the perfect way to avenge 2008.
I wouldn’t want to exit the playoffs to any other team. But, it would be the sweetest victory if the Steelers could pull it out.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Jan 6, 2012 10:13 AM EST up reply actions
That's a great way of putting it.
Hope we see you in the championship game!
(Do us a favor and just annihilate the Broncos please. Enough of this Tebow talk)
Even Skip Bayless thinks the Broncos have no shot. Then again he’s had the Steelers’ nuts in his mouth since the dawn of time…
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Yeah, but it's his weird way of using reverse psychology
He didn’t pick a winner in most of the Bronco games, so that whenever they won, he was like “this is unbelievable! Tebow is God!”
Although, funnily enough, the only two games he did pick Tebow to win (Buffalo and KC), they lost!
Best bet for an AFCCG in Baltimore is Pittsburgh beating New England.
So I’m pulling for Pittsburgh and Houston.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
I want the easiest road to the Super Bowl
Prefer to watch and laugh Pittsburgh go down to Denver and Cincy beat Houston and then upset the Pats and come here for the AFCCG.
aka 'Rexx'
I think we'd only be able to truly enjoy our Super Bowl trip
if WE are the reason the Steelers go home. It’d be great to get that “we can’t beat the Steelers in the post-season” crap out of the way. Notice how when it comes to the Ravens-Steelers, we’re not talking about Flacco not being able to beat Big Ben anymore? I want the same thing for the postseason.
I think we’d only be able to truly enjoy our Super Bowl trip if WE are the reason the Steelers go home.
I’m sorry, but that’s just dumb. Do you want to win a SB or do you want to have “revenge” on the Steelers? It’s just stupid to take the hardest road available just to prove something to someone. If we HAVE to beat the Steelers to get through, then so be it, but if you only want to play a team you know will be hard for us to beat (especially a third consecutive time in one season) just to prove something to yourself or to somehow minimize Baltimore’s inbred inferiority complex, then you don’t truly want a championship. You just want to beat the bully that harassed you on the playground.
NE will be bad enough to beat (in NE), why make it even harder?
Cam Cameron - the creator of the Prevent Offense™, and best-selling author of "150 Short Runs Into the Line on 3rd and 10"
re: Big Ben - "God can have his soul. His ass is mine." - Terrell Suggs
by GrumpyOldBird on Jan 6, 2012 11:17 AM EST up reply actions
We can't control anything, so it's not like I'm making it happen lol
I’m only talking about the AFC Championship game btw. I do NOT want to have to play the Steelers in the divisonal, and then the Pats. I’d rather play the Texans and then the Steelers, both at home.
This is my mindset: For the AFC Championship, would you rather play the Patriots on the road or the Steelers at home? I’m going with the latter because if we’re at home, Flacco plays better and our defense plays better.
Playing the Steelers at home just presents an opportunity to send them home, so it’s an added perk is all I’m saying.
It’s just stupid to take the hardest road available just to prove something to someone.
The EASIEST road possible is through Baltimore, and the only way that happens is if New England loses. You really think Denver or Cincy can beat New England at home? I’m telling you right now it’s not going to happen. The ONLY way for us to get a home game in the AFC Championship Game is for Pittsburgh to beat New England, and that is a much better matchup for us
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Gotta agree
no game in the playoffs is a definite win or loss, but I’m hoping to get 2 games at M&T, where we play best. While that can happen without facing the Steelers, it’s unlikely. Right now, getting Houston then Pitt looks like our best realistic option.
Steelers: With Pouncey possibly being injured and missing this coming up game on Sunday and possibly more time, I’d love to play the Steelers next week while they are their most damaged. I think its a game that is the easiest one we could face to be honest. I truly think that with them being so damaged, coming to Baltimore, it could be another 35-7 game that fires us up. It could also be an emotional letdown type of game for the AFC Championship game.
Houston: While they have a rookie, there is a chance that Delhomme comes in and while he’s been horrible, I’d hate to face the guy with Arian Foster and Andre Johnson in the lineup.
Broncos: Not a horrible defense, decent running game and a wildcard in Tebow. I think we’d easily beat them, but we also though the same thing a few times this year. Plus I couldn’t take it if we lost to Tebow
I think that Cincy will beat Houston and I think they have the type of offense and defense to possibly get the job done in New England next week. I think there is a good chance we play Cincy in the Championship game and I’m OK with that since it means we play at home.
Monkey Feces for OC!
Delhomme is my favorite type of QB to face. He’s super aggressive, not that athletic, and has weak arm.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
The guy got it done for a bit, then fell off the face of the planet. I think he’s primed for a pretty solid game somewhere and I think it will be in the playoffs. But you are completely right, the guy is probably going to have a 4INT game and tear his ACL at some point and call it a career.
Monkey Feces for OC!
by Mstevens_Design on Jan 6, 2012 3:09 PM EST up reply actions
I think he’s primed for a pretty solid game somewhere and I think it will be in the playoffs.
LOL no way dude. He is old as the salt of the earth and he hasn’t had a good game—period—since before the Cardinals raped his face in the 2008 playoffs. If he wins, he’ll win ugly.
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
So you mean the 99QB rating he had against Tenn meant nothing? He had respectable numbers for a guy that hasn’t played at all with the starters against a pretty solid pass defense.
He had 1 horrible year in Carolina, then got shipped to Cleveland (nobody wins there). So his last 2 starting seasons are a little tainted. Before that, he had a solid few years with Carolina (mid 80s QB rating every year). They guy isnt Brady, but he is a decent QB that I think got rattled after getting beat by the Cardinals. I think it shook his confidence, but I do think he’s primed for at least 1 surprising game if someone gives him a chance.
But Yates is looking pretty good, so I don’t think we’ll see him anytime soon.
Monkey Feces for OC!
by Mstevens_Design on Jan 11, 2012 3:47 PM EST up reply actions
We want Bengals and Pittsburgh to win so Pittsburgh comes to Baltimore next weekend! Am I correct?? :-)
by bshagagi on Jan 6, 2012 6:01 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Yes! It’s my wish lol
I don’t think I’ll have the time to closely follow next season because we’re working on buying a house so I want everything to go my way this season! So far so good!
by bshagagi on Jan 6, 2012 7:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Well this is tough but entertaining...
I’m a Pats fan and Ravens are my second favorite team in the league…can’t wait to see a Pats-Ravens title game!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Baltimore Beat Down
Related FanShots on Baltimore Beat Down
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
- Adrian Peterson blows teammates away in footraces; appears to be on the mend
- UPDATE: Charlie Sheen didn’t buy Lawrence Taylor’s Super Bowl ring
- Alex Smith gets blown up by Jon Beason over Cam Newton comments
