nextgen_RavensFan

See this is why i do not understand why folks say the AFC is the weakest division. We have the toughest style of ball in the league. As far as i can see Dallas has had some big plays but have been man handled a lot.

10 minutes ago, FlocksGottaFeed said:

Dallas rushing yards at the half 42 yd could be a good indicator - Ravens ranked 1st against the run.

The Steelers kept the Offense off the field, that is the ticket. But now i can see they are going pass crazy on Brown. 

Did anyone else here the announcers say that Ben was being reigned in during our game because it was his first game back ? 

They have 4 penalties on their Oline already. The pressure up front has them jumping and the stiff D on the run has them holding. The game against us looks to be a very interesting one..

Watching the Steelers Cowboys game now and i already feel good about our matchup. They are not used to our physical type of play. They look intimidated. They are a bundle of nerves along the Oline.

7 minutes ago, DomMcRaven said:

Hopefully in a good one. Our pass-rush needs to play the game of their lives. 

If we can manage a modest run game just to keep the defense honest then we will get plenty of chances middle to deep down field. We faced a much much tougher defense when we played the Raiders. I too am very excited about this game. If for no other reason then to show we can compete and win against the best teams which we can.

3 minutes ago, Ravensfan23 said:

The thing about that is that all of those plays came when the Ravens moved to more of a Tampa 2 defense and played more conservative in the back end. Dez being back changes some things but I don't really worry about their WRs on the outside especially if the Ravens stop the run and take away the play action. I like the Ravens matched up on those guys. Jimmy, Young and Powers matched up with Dez, Beasly and Williams is good. I think the biggest thing is the LBs and Safeties taking Witten out of the game. As you said I don't think Dak has the arm strength to continuously attack the Ravens deep and wide without play action. So it'll be interesting to see if the Ravens can take away the middle of the field and force tight window throws for Dak instead of allowing the offense to just flow for him. 

If the Cowboys can press the edges and get play action going it'll be a long day for the Ravens because there is still a lack of speed on the back end of this defense and RAC yards could pile up if the Cowboys are allowed to have space. I will say I think the tackling has improved so far this year and that'll be a huge factor as well. Should be a great matchup, if the Ravens record was a game or 2 better this would easily be a flexed game for SNF game of the Week. 

That post put me at ease a bit because in the middle of the defensive field we have a monster in Mosley who has a great nose for being around the football. His hands are not great but he usually does get to the ball.. You are also right in that the TE's and the short passing game could peck away at us though as they happen so fast and is a huge part of the Cowboys offense. To get Elliot outside with a short pass we will indeed need to stop him quick before he gets that power in full swing. lol

I think we match up very well.

Against the Steelers a few of the biggest plays came from Big Ben scrambling to the outside but the big difference to me is the arm strength. I know Dak is younger but i do not think he has the strength that Big Ben has nor the aim while on the move. So at best it is of course a 50/50 that any scramble to go deep will end up in our hands as long as it is NOT Weddle LOL as he has god awful hands...j/k

2 hours ago, Ravensfan23 said:

Wanna be careful in saying this because the Ravens are by no means a top tier team as it stands right now. But i'll ask the question of who have the Cowboys played thus far this season that can match the physicality and aggressive nature of the Baltimore Ravens defense? Other than maybe the Raiders, the Ravens haven't faced off against a Oline like the Cowboys have so it should be a great matchup with those 2 units on the field. 

As many others have said that's the key to the game for both sides. Can the Cowboys do what they do or will the Ravens stop them? The Ravens have faced some good rushing offenses and shut them down. The Raiders game I mentioned, it was basically mistakes from the ST and Offense that led to short fields for the Raiders to score. The Ravens basically forced Carr to beat them that game and he did, but I wouldn't say he put the offense on his back to do so. Also I think this secondary is playing much better right now than probably any time over the last 2 years, so if this game does come down to Dak having to put the game on his shoulders I like the Ravens chances. How does Zeke handle a knock down drag out type of game? Is he the type of back that presses when things don't go his way or does he stay patient? 

Now on the flip side, will we finally see a Ravens offense that can put everything together? They seem able to move the ball well against most of the defenses they've faced, but mistakes and poor redzone usually results in no points or a FG at most. The Ravens must score TDs to put pressure on that Cowboys offense. Can the offense have a clean game, no turnovers, minimal mistakes? We'll see. 

 

I think our corners will be the biggest key as to how we hold up. I know getting pressure is important but can the corners cover for a good 3 to 4 seconds to give Suggs and company time to cause havoc. And if Dak does get outside the box i want to see CJ just smother him. 

You are exactly right, we do need 7 in the red zone every time. No more settling for 3 points. Happened way to often so far.

2 hours ago, usmccharles said:

9-7 could win the division this year.   I think we finish between 7-9 to 9-7

The ones i think we lose are the Steelers, Bengals in their home and the Patriots. Miami i put in our favor because i am of course a homer and well i want 9-7 so badly...

10 minutes ago, usmccharles said:

This is the issue I see.  With that offensive line,  I think it'd going to be very hard to get to the QB.  We are going to need Suggs to be in point and try to sniff out those dump offs too Elliot.   Pees is going to have to be creative,  I like the pressure we got on the Browns,  but that was the Browns.  I fear this will be like Oakland, no pressure at all. 

When Dallas played Denver they had a decent game against the run and i think our guys do a better job swarming towards the ball. To me the issue is that the first guy contacting Elliot has to bring him to a stop enough for others to pound into him. After a full half of being battered by our guys Elliot will a sore and very tired guy in the second half. And that is where we have vastly improved from last year. Rarely do our guys miss tackles and usually it is more then one guy on you in the end. 

Oh and hood call on the Brows game score usmccharles, you just about nailed it my friend.

On 11/10/2016 at 4:19 PM, usmccharles said:

It's not like anyone here is saying we are superbowl contenders,  or at least no one better.   Everyone knows we have work to do,  take the win and try to get better next week, that's all you can do.  Everyone has a right to their opinion,  but the way things are said change perception.  In no way am I happy with how Joe is playing,  how the run game looks,  how BP is developing,  but I also now it takes time to work things out and that's what they are doing.  

 

Well said friend. it is fun being in our teams position. No matter what we do it is a surprise. We all expect better than last year of course but as of right now i honestly expect a 9 - 7 outcome for us. The schedule ahead is tough but we always play up or down to our opponents until Thursday. Our D did not call off the dogs at all. And that is what sways me. If our D is allowed to play the full 60 and not go into "just save the lead" mode we can demoralize a bunch of teams.

2 hours ago, Davesta said:

How had Webb been graded out recently?

I can tell you that his tackling has improved and from the looks of Thursdays game his speed is back where it was. Being moved from the CB has helped him a lot. I can see him here for a while now as before at CB he was a year to year maybe at best.

Very true, i watched the last 2 games and if we can keep the runs minimal and our corners can stay on their receivers for 4 to 5 seconds then he will find it a to be a very long night. He does try to force it in as it seems after a while he becomes impatient. I think we will edge them out and Flacco will have a better night passing then Dak as no one will match Wallaces speed down the field.

1 hour ago, Militant X 1 said:

Pitta just watched a defender run by him towards Joe last night.  I was like what the....

He also missed a block or two for the run game as well.

1 hour ago, Rav'n Maniac said:

I know many here feel the 1st half O was bad. I don't feel the same. Yes every drive stalled for one reason or another but, we moved the ball well and we had 0 three and outs. The biggest difference between the 1st and 2nd halves was in the 2nd, no turnovers and we punched the ball in. I agree that I like the up tempo offense of the 2nd half better but, I don't feel we did bad overall in the 1st half imo.

Exactly, i feel that no matter that in any time period of the game that we can win as long as we keep it within a 10 deficit. We have speed, power and a ton of X factors from where to create points. I only really worry when they show flacco and he just has his head down but not really looking through play shots. As long as his head is in the game we have a chance.

14 hours ago, K-Dog said:

Lets see what our o-line looks like.

How is the Cowboys d-line and pass rush ?

From what i have seen their pass rush is almost non existent and the rush defense is not anywhere near our level or even in the top 10

I thought Vladimir Ducasse had a decent first game, any thoughts ?

If we win this game and we can it would boost the entire team to a new level and could really put them in a play off mindset. Personally i would rather face Romo the Dak. Romo is not the best decision maker and Dak is a pretty decent game manager. 

Just had a very funny thought. Can you imagine Tavon trying to cover Dez Bryant ? A true Power verses speed competition there. 

2 hours ago, 0_o said:

This is a game that puts the media on our bandwagon again. Which will be important moving forward because this team is a team that's exceptionally responsive to criticism. We're a young, inexperienced but gifted defense that's waiting to be acknowledge. We have a "we want to be recognized as great" defense. Which is great because it translates into "we must do what has to be done" mentality. This is a game that can elevate that mentality and really take us to the next level. This is a defense where the greater the expectation the greater the focus. These players want to be a part of "the ravens way" no matter what we have to do type defense. I'm not worried about the Cowboys, their hype or their running game and here's why: Timmy Jernigan, Brandon Williams, CJ Mosely, Terrell Suggs, Michael Pierce, Lawrence Guy,  Zachary Orr, Eric Weddle. Our front seven is savage. No one team is going to dominate them. No one. The more a team tries to run against us the better we become, the better chance we have at winning and that's telling because the Cowboiys currently have the #1 ranked rushing attack.

 

However,

 

the outcome of this game will be determined by the Quarterback play.

 

If Romo were playing paired with this rushing attack, I would be concerned. But Dak Prescott Is their Quarterback and he's not a player that comes to mind when I think of "Ravens beater". I see an inexperienced rookie Quarterback who has executed well to this point but isn't expected to win 'by himself' and immediately I'm reminded of Dean Pee's strengths. Quarterbacks that can single handedly beat the Ravens are the seasoned, instinctive, accurate type Quarterbacks that excel in offensive philosophy and execute well in the passing game. Ben Roethlisburger, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning....quarterbacks that have that killer instinct to move the ball at will. Dak Prescott screams rookie QB who has exceeded expectations because 'he's not required' to win games on his own but rather let the run offense carry the burden. I believe this game plays right into our hands on multiple levels and might be the exact game we need if we want to develop a championship mentality...but here's what has to happen for us to win.

 

Joe Flacco.

 

Joe Flacco has to wake up and realize his Superbowl MVP potential all over again. Joe is the type that plays his best when he feels slighted and over the last 2 years I think he's been playing too "content". He needs to play like he has something to prove again.

We need our offensive line to play well but more importantly I think it's time for one of those "clutch Joe Flacco games". And by that I don't mean the 30 of 50 for 175 yards, with 2 interceptions and 0 TD...3 of 17 first downs type games. I mean the 22 of 30, 300 yds,  2 td, 0 interception type games where we're converting those key 3rd downs and keeping the opposing defense in suspense.

 

Call a spade a spade.

 

Enough with the excuses. Enough in waiting for this offense to find it's groove. Joe Flacco needs to be called out. This guy has to step up and get over that knee injury. He needs to be the definitive leader. He has to be the one that brings the champion mindset to this offense. As someone who has experienced an ACL tear and ACL surgery, I can tell you it is an injury that really tests the confidence you put into your recovery. It is without a doubt the biggest obstacle in Joe Flacco's way right now. There is a mental roadblock that he hasn't fully overcome yet and it's clear it's interfering with his throwing mechanics. But you know what? He's being paid bazooka mullah right now..and needs to realize, so what if I get hurt a second time I need to play like bazooka Joe again. He needs to abandon that fear of stepping up and stepping into whatever a defense throws at him. Once that mentality clicks we're good. How long will it take? I have no idea. But we have too much talent on this team to be limited to this bull ship anemic offense that we've been forced to settle with.

 

Step it up Joe. It's time!

 

...and if you do sooner than later,  by the time the playoffs come around we will be the team no one wants to see again. We will become the Ravens of old and if we can reestablish THAT...there will always be a chance to win no matter who the opposition is.

You have to admit Joe showed signs of returning to form last night. He scrambled well to extend plays, sure he made a few bad decisions but compared to earlier in the season he looked strides better. I mean, even Rodgers has had very horrid games this season. We are just going to have to wait it out and by the looks of it the dry spell may be nearing an end.

6 hours ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

He was taking a shot. Steve didn't win and then pulled off his route. He's got to at least continue running and make a play to break it up. 

He and the DB were hip to hip when Joe made the throw. If the defender could get there to make a play SSS could've gotten close enough to at least make it a tougher catch. 

He straight stopped running. When you take a shot like that you're throwing the ball a good 20 yards before the spot you're hitting. Joe can't anticipate Steve getting beat and completely stopping. 

QBs at times have to put it up and just give the receiver a chance to make a play. You can argue that wasn't the time/place to take a shot... but you had your most trusted target 1on1 with a young backup CB. Joe liked the matchup and you gotta give it to the defender... he flat beat Steve and made a play. 

Its not entirely on Joe there. 

Am so glad someone else see SSS just give up the route. A few well liked players made some bad mistakes. Pitta is not good at all as a run blocker. Weddle cannot cover and of course the SSr and you just know the guys calling the game would replay them for our pleasure.. lol

LOL, knew i had it wrong. I also kept calling Tavon Travon. I am so bad with names..

4 minutes ago, usmccharles said:

And when/if we beat the Browns there will be some that point out that If it wasn't for this one play,  or if they catch this one pass or if that call was made... It'd be a different story.  But yet they refuse to do that when we lose by the same Circumstances.   Some people need negativity Im their life

Most NFL games come down to who makes the fewest mistakes right ? I do know what you mean by needing the negativity. I was that way and decided to stay away for awhile as i figured why should i ruin the forum topics with my comments. Now i think more along your lines usmccharles. A win is a win and always welcomed.

We have the talent to compete with most teams in the NFL and i think the season no matter what the record states they have shown they can stay in any game. When we have lost we have beaten ourselves for the most part. 

One thing is bugging me though. On our own fan forum folks make excuses for why we beat other teams. Be happy we won. 

6 minutes ago, Edug27 said:

I had thoughts of Joe throwing a pick as I read this... 

Noooo  lol.. I want to see Breshard start to fight for the ball. I have hopes that his routes get crisper and he shows how badly he wants to bring in the passes.

For some reason i want to see Breshard try to beat Haden. If anytime is a good time to let Breshard try to have a breakout game this would be it i think. I want so badly for this kid to shine so brightly. I hope the world for him.