HoldingCall

Denver learned from their loss to the Seahawks in their previous Super Bowl appearance.

It's just interesting how the coin has flipped from 2013. Then it was the super offense of the Broncos against the Seahawks' defense and most chose the NFL record setting offensive prior to the game.

Here is a good refresher going into the draft. Be careful forming opinions following what some scouts may say.

Has Ozzie lost his touch? I don't think so. As seen this past season with Dumervil, and even J. Reid, and M. Oher, most performance depends on how one fits into a team's system; who plays beside (with) him; and whether he is being (successfully) coached and used to his strengths. On drafting: Moving up or down the draft board is a gamble too, as no one can predict how talent will translate from college to a particular team (I used the words "particular team" because a young player can fail with one team but succeed with another). In some cases, the team where a drafted player lands has some to do with the amount of success, or not. On FAs: Not having cap space mostly controls (affects) this area and the personnel the team gets. But looking at the team secondary problems early on, we see an adjustment in player position was needed before success was found later, which leads back to the sentence on Dumervil, Reid and Oher. On hits and misses: It's going to happen! In my opinion the team hit on the selection at GM, assistant GM, Coach, and many players. Oh, and the owner too. I will never expect them to no make mistakes, it happens.

All RBs could remain through workouts and practice. Then they have the opportunity to earn a spot for the next season. I don't see them earning their future based (entirely) on past performance. So I believe it depends on how they perform when the new practice season gets underway. PS: past reliability and injury history may also play in the decision, or even contracts to so extent when players are close in what they show.

Agreed! Lack of turnovers, very important. Lack of red-zone TD scoring, also.

Work is needed this off season on the run game, 2 Minute drill, and red-zone plays. I think once a stable list of starters at RB and WR is established things should go much smoother.

No player, in my opinion is worth 20% of cap. NFL teams have created a monster by paying such a high percentage of cap to certain players. That's just me!

The lack of turnovers may have been the (yardage) difference but on offense there was an apparent weakness in red zone scoring, plus a weaker than usual run game. The changes at OL can be cause for the shortfall, too.

True! The ability to avoid, while creating (takeaway) turnovers directly affects this (OL,DL).

Good call to the few who suggested during last off season that Webb be switched to Safety. It was more than one of you but I don't remember who. I expressed neither for nor against but do recall some suggested it. I want to acknowledge you here. Good Call, whoever you were!

The team has a long list of F/A (30) and decisions to make along the way. http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/baltimore-ravens/

I think he was more effective last week against a weaker secondary. As for his future, we will see whether he improves. It would be nice if the team knows they don't need to be concerned with finding a quality backup QB.

Turnovers! The interception followed by a touchdown by the Bengals is the difference in the game. Plus the 3rd down PI on Hill became a touchdown too.

He is what he is! I am not sure of the need for criticism. All QBs have good and bad games. Last week Mallett looked better than usual. This week he looked about average for a qb in his situation. The Bengals are one of the better defenses in the league and has beaten the Ravens many times in recent years and has a streak going even with Joe.

I agree! A blow out or even a loss could mean more players and/or coaches lose jobs. Who would even suggest that after seeing what happened to Chip Kelly in Philly? Losing is the quickest way to create job vacancies from top to bottom.

Yeah, who ever the QB, Green is a major thorn and challenge. Problem is, the Bengals have lots of weapons on the ground as well as in the air and a tough defense. All three phases will need to perform well this week and avoid committing needless, ill-timed penalties. That's something they haven't done in a long time.

Stopping AJ Green has been the Ravens' unsolved problem, but maybe the Bengals backup QB won't have the chemistry with Green that Dalton has. Separate note: If anyone could have imagined back in week #1 that the team will be playing the final regular season game without Flacco, Forsett, Zuttah, Monroe, Gillmore, and SSS on offense, one would think the season went so well that the team decided to rest those guys. It's been a ride!

Good: Suggs on the sideline.Offense was much more versatile than at anytime this season. No single receiver had more yards than all the rest combined. The offense spent more time on the field thus keeping the defense off. No interceptions or turnovers. Special teams contained a dangerous return man. The pass rush applied pressure and the CBs did a better than usual job overall. The after game interviews with a positive ending. Bad: Penalties keep nullifying gains, sustaining opponent's drives and in the case yesterday, call back a touchdown. Secondary continues to create fouls and not search for the ball. Ugly: The neutral zone penalty that cost an interception-TD to be nullified. It made me suddenly forget all other previous penalties.

I was most impressed by how the ball was spread around and no single receiver had more yards than all of the rest combined which was a major problem early in the season. It made the offense much easier to shut down. The defense in general had a decent game with a few exceptions. The defense is what it is, the offense was much more versatile enough to beat a good team.

Yep! I was a little surprised too but coaches watched him in practice and decided he gave the team the best chance to win. Today they were right!

I think the question on whether Mallett starts this game depends on how he's performed in practice and if they believe he gives the Ravens the best chance to win. However, I think he will probably start the final game for sure given unforeseen circumstances like injury or poor performance issues. If he doesn't start we could still see him in this game at some point, especially if the game gets out of hand.

Of course, he would like to beat the Ravens and make the playoffs at the same time. He is saying that his "focus" has to be on the game and not what happens beyond that. Clearly, he's aware of the implications.

He knows, not to take the game for granted. Big Ben has to focus on the game; not the opposing team's record.

Quitters? You're kidding right? There are players playing for their jobs, there future and for the future of their families. Please tell me you made that statement out of frustration, verified.