2009 Afc North Crown

[Steelerkillers]

We Haven't been wearing that Afc North Championship Crown since 2006. This Year, we appear to be better than we were in the previous two years. Will we silence the Steeler fans this year and take the division title? I know some will say that it's too early to bring this up. But, it's never too early to talk about beating our hated rival.

[darklight1216]

You should add a poll to this thread.

I don't think we'll win the division this year, personally...

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='02 August 2009 - 12:12 AM' timestamp='1249186347' post='214139']
You should add a poll to this thread.

I don't think we'll win the division this year, personally...
[/quote]

Thanx for the headz-up on adding a poll! But, is there any reason in particular you don't see us overcoming them this year?

[F1stRaven]

I picked that we will win the division. However I am not 100% sure that we will but I think that we are capeable of winning it. We have our normal great defense, solid running game, and a second year QB who I believe will be vastly improved. Do I think we can win! Yes. Do I think that we will win for sure! Not sure yet.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Steelerkillers' date='02 August 2009 - 12:28 AM' timestamp='1249187306' post='214147']
Thanx for the headz-up on adding a poll! But, is there any reason in particular you don't see us overcoming them this year?
[/quote]
I think we'll probably split with them and they will probably have more non-divisional wins (easier schedule and all)so I think they will have the most over-all wins and therefore take the division.

Lol, there's two teams in the AFC North now; when did that happen?

[ZIBBY28]

the steelers are still the world champs and didnt lose much via FA.. im not so sure this is our year for the division title, but come the playoffs if both teams make it again, its anyones game to win

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='F1stRaven' date='02 August 2009 - 12:45 AM' timestamp='1249188358' post='214149']
I picked that we will win the division. However I am not 100% sure that we will but I think that we are capeable of winning it. We have our normal great defense, solid running game, and a second year QB who I believe will be vastly improved. Do I think we can win! Yes. Do I think that we will win for sure! Not sure yet.
[/quote]

I can respect that! Our success will rely on our offense and what we do with our redzone opportunities. In addition, we need to close games that we dominate. No team is immune to having their opponent stealing a game after being pushed around 3 quarters. But, we gave away some crucial games last year to the steelers. The bottom line is-our offense has to be consistant enough to allow our defense to finish games.

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='02 August 2009 - 12:57 AM' timestamp='1249189037' post='214152']
I think we'll probably split with them and they will probably have more non-divisional wins (easier schedule and all)so I think they will have the most over-all wins and therefore take the division.

Lol, there's two teams in the AFC North now; when did that happen?
[/quote]

Well, theres only two teams who seem to win and determine who's the division champ. When the two ohio squads decide that they wanna start winning, they will be involved in the debate.lol

[20ravens52]

I believe the Ravens will win the AFC North because we have gotten back so many players that we lost due to injuries last year. We were one game away from the Super Bowl like that. We had an excellent draft and the Steelers did as well.

But what else have they done this offseason? They signed all those O-lineman that gave up so many sacks last year. I mean Ben is good under presure most of the time but he can do it all 16 games...Meanwhile the Ravens added Foxworth, and Chris Carr to strengthen the Defensive backfield and a athelete of a Tackle to the Right side of the line (which is already one of the best and youngest)that will help nulify the Steelers pass rush and give Flacco the time to pick apart weaknesses in defenses. Meanwhile Big Ben will give up riding his motorcycle because he will see enough pain on the field.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Steelerkillers' date='02 August 2009 - 01:06 AM' timestamp='1249189581' post='214157']
Well, theres only two teams who seem to win and determine who's the division champ. When the two ohio squads decide that they wanna start winning, they will be involved in the debate.lol
[/quote]
I was just messing with you; we all know they aren't really going to be contenders.

[20ravens52]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='02 August 2009 - 01:19 AM' timestamp='1249190353' post='214163']
I was just messing with you; we all know they aren't really going to be contenders.
[/quote]


You never know...anything can happen in this league.


But your probably right about this year.

[tweety]

I give us benefit of the doubt. Our loses were close and I didn't see Steelers improve. Ravens have taken a step up from last year and I think that will be the difference.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='20ravens52' date='02 August 2009 - 01:21 AM' timestamp='1249190496' post='214164']
You never know...anything can happen in this league.


But your probably right about this year.
[/quote]
We, the Fish, and the other birds have proven that anything can happen...
But let's face it; the Bengals have had 2 winning seasons in two decades and the Browns are the Browns.

[quote name='tweety' date='02 August 2009 - 01:22 AM' timestamp='1249190541' post='214165']
I give us benefit of the doubt. Our loses were close and I didn't see Steelers improve. Ravens have taken a step up from last year and I think that will be the difference.
[/quote]
I'm choosing to err on the side of caution and give the Steelers the benefit of the doubt. They have essentially the same team that won it all last year plus draft picks, an easier schedule than we do, and they swept the division. We have improved but I'm going to vote conservatively on this one.

[tweety]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='02 August 2009 - 01:28 AM' timestamp='1249190931' post='214167']
I'm choosing to err on the side of caution and give the Steelers the benefit of the doubt. They have essentially the same team that won it all last year plus draft picks, an easier schedule than we do, and they swept the division. We have improved but I'm going to vote conservatively on this one.
[/quote]
Very much true, but we were with-in a touchdown of sweeping the division. I think this off-season we made the difference but the Steeler may be thinking the same thing.

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='tweety' date='02 August 2009 - 01:22 AM' timestamp='1249190541' post='214165']
I give us benefit of the doubt. Our loses were close and I didn't see Steelers improve. Ravens have taken a step up from last year and I think that will be the difference.
[/quote]

Me too! That's the truth. Plus Mason returning is a Consistant Plus+ for the offense. And Kelly Greg most definitely will give us an edge we didn't have last year on the D-Line. I'm super excited about this year!

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='02 August 2009 - 12:57 AM' timestamp='1249189037' post='214152']
I think we'll probably split with them and they will probably have more non-divisional wins (easier schedule and all)so I think they will have the most over-all wins and therefore take the division.

Lol, there's two teams in the AFC North now; when did that happen?
[/quote]
ever since we were put into the AFC North

honestly idc if we win or lose the division, as long as we win the SB or even make the AFCCG again

[JEEPercreepermd]

I'm going to have to say the I think the Steelers will win the division this season. However, I think it will be a close race coming down to the last game or two to decide. That being said, I'm happy with what I'm hearing so far out of camp, Mason returning ect...and IMO we will win one (finally) against the Steelers.

[Ravensfan23]

For the people that say the steelers are still the Champs, I say last year was last year. We went 13-3 in 06 and with pretty much the same team, we were terrible in 07'. So every year is a new challedge.

As for the Ravens. I feel we improved, but I'm sure Steelers' fan feel the same about there team

This is how I see it. In the 2 regular season games last year, I think we out played them. However at the time we were a pretty young team still trying to find out how to win tough games. If you think back to both games, game 1 after the Steelers took the lead, the offense came back and tied the game. In overtime figurs got us out to the 50 yardline before a penalty took us back to the 15 yardline. You could see that Cam really didn't want expose his young passing attack to that blitzing Pittsburg D late in that game.
Game 2 saw us dominate in field position early and often but a young offense could only come away with field goals despite having the ball inside the 15.
In both games it came down to the Steelers veteran offense being able to make clutch plays, that the young Ravens couldn't.

I think the Ravens will improve for two reason. 1. Health 2. Experience

Dawan Landry, kelly gregg, Washington,McGahee,Mason,DWill,dawan edwards Barnes and Todd Heap are all guys who battled injury last year and now seem 100%

Gaither,Grubbs,yanda,chester,Flacco,rice,Nakamura,Zibby,Ngata,McKinney,L. McClain, J. McClain, and Marcus Smith are all young guys who will only get better because of experience.

So I see the Ravens being a better team overall this year. Having Cam, Hue, and possibly Al masterminding this offense, Flacco's Flock has the chance to really be explosive this year.

This team came about 3 mintues away from the big game. The younger guys on the team might not undetstand what that means, but you can bet the vets know and are even hungier. Guys like Ray,Trevor, Mason,Reed,Gregg,Birk,Rolle,Heap, know that the window for them to get another or that 1st ring is closing.

I think we will see this Ravens team place itself amongst the elite this year. People say we have a tough schedule because of teams like the Colts, Chargers, Patirots, and Steelers, but I think we will be just as tough for them.

The Ravens and Steelers don't play until towards the end of the season, so both games will hold a lot of weight, divison and playoff wise. Just thinking back last year and how we've improved, I want to say we sweep them. However that might just be pride talking. I do feel we will sweep but realisticly we might split and have the Divison decided by tie beakers.

[Steelerkillers]

The truth in a nutshell is that we were minutes away from a superbowl with injured players and inexperienced QB and Coach. Plus, nobody really expected us to beat the Titans and have the priviledge to play in the Afc Championship game. So, given the major fact that we have improved,Mason has returned because his eye is on the prize,Kelly Greg is 100%,and Ray's time is almost up. I believe the players feel the same way because of the success they had last year. Those guy's are mad hungry!!!

Major wins for the steelers were last minute,come from behind victorys. And harrison had the best season of his life, played like a mad-man. We played 2 out of 3 games on their homefield. So, I don't see Harrison doin that again, i don't think they will have the come from behind victory magic this year, Well,the homefield advantage,-dominating the division will determine that!

[plesiosaur]

I'd have to give the edge to Steelers too. They have Parker back, apparently at full speed and it wont be until week 12 until Mendenhall gets to say hello to Ray again.

They appear to have an easier schedule and our tough road is pretty much the second half of the season.

Otherwise, I believe the Ravens and Steelers are pretty well-matched teams.

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='plesiosaur' date='02 August 2009 - 10:48 AM' timestamp='1249224488' post='214229']
I'd have to give the edge to Steelers too. They have Parker back, apparently at full speed and it wont be until week 12 until Mendenhall gets to say hello to Ray again.

They appear to have an easier schedule and our tough road is pretty much the second half of the season.

Otherwise, I believe the Ravens and Steelers are pretty well-matched teams.
[/quote]

Well, us having a tuff schedule should be the reason for proving that we are a good team. I wouldn't have it any other way. Having a tuff schedule is good for us. Especially this year! We get to play the teams we hate,(colts,patriots,steelers).Thats an excellent opportunity to prove ourselves to gain sum bragging rights. We don't need any hand-outs(easy schedule).So, if their schedule is easier, good for them!! If in the event that they don't succeed this year, we will have plenty to tease their fans about.

Oh,about Parker,He's the last person on the field we will be concerned about. I would rather you mention Troy or Harrison. Nobody Runs On Us!!!!!!!!!

[meckman71]

I think the Ravens will surprise a lot of teams this year and I would put our talent right up there with the Pittsburgh's BUT . I think this year will follow last years with Pit winning the AFC title. I still hope we can pound them in Pit and at home . That would be fantastic.

[Corvus]

The Steelers are the reigning champs of not only our division but the league so props must be given to them and what they accomplished last year.

That said, this is a new year and we have two things that I think at the moment give us the edge over the Steelers for this season: a running game that was 4th in the league last year and is returning all of its runners as well as one of the top 10 offensive lines in the league (that will only get better as Oher progresses). I will give the Steelers running games and offensive lines the benefit of the doubt right now because we don't truly know how any team really stacks up at this time of the year, but those were two glaring weaknesses on that team last year and in all honesty I'm really impressed that they won the Super Bowl on the backs of only their defense and a lot of Roethlisberger heroics. If their running game struggles again this year and their o-line doesn't show any improvement, they will be hard pressed to win the division again this year.

EDIT: also, sans our kicker I give our special teams the edge over them as well. We all know Koch is one of the best punters in the league and the Steelers punting last year was either average or atrocious on any given day. Sepulveda's return will definitely help strengthen that for them, but Koch showed last year he is right up there with Lechler, Scifres and all of the best punters. Jeff Reed's clutch kicks definitely give them the edge over Gano and Hauschka, but I also think we have many more capable return men and special teams gunners than they do. I will take Carr, Webb, Zbikowski, and Nakamura over Mike Wallace and Carey Davis any and every day.

[YABOY]

i think we win the afc north but the steelers get in as a wildcard & i hope we beat them in the afc championship game so they know how it feels

[Steelerkillers]

I see alot of raven fans stating that the steelers will win the division, but are voting for the ravens on the poll. That's crazy and double-minded. I respect everybody's opinion. But, you can't serve 2masters! You say one thing in the poll supporting the ravens, but feel differently in your reply message. However you vote in the poll, your reply message should be an expression of that vote.

[Steelerkillers]

a lot of Roethlisberger heroics. If their running game struggles again this year and their o-line doesn't show any improvement, they will be hard pressed to win the division again this year.

I agree! the only thing i seriously doubt is the big-Ben heroics this year. He pulled a rabbit out of a hat in some crucial, seed-deciding games. The chances of that happening again I believe are next to none. Plus they most definitely aren't sweeping the division this year. Any team who sweeps their division deserves to win it all. They did everything right last year to win it all. The best thing they have goin for themselves to Repeat is the easier schedule. Other than that, our chances of supremacy are a few touchdowns better than last year.

[plesiosaur]

[quote name='Steelerkillers' date='02 August 2009 - 12:17 PM' timestamp='1249229858' post='214242']
Well, us having a tuff schedule should be the reason for proving that we are a good team. I wouldn't have it any other way. Having a tuff schedule is good for us. Especially this year! We get to play the teams we hate,(colts,patriots,steelers).Thats an excellent opportunity to prove ourselves to gain sum bragging rights. We don't need any hand-outs(easy schedule).So, if their schedule is easier, good for them!! If in the event that they don't succeed this year, we will have plenty to tease their fans about.[/quote]

I completely agree about our proving our salt on a tough schedule, I'm just saying the Steelers have a better chance of winning the division because of their scedule. Of course, we don't know how well all of the NFL is going to do this year, I'm basing it on what happened last year.

[quote name='Steelerkillers' date='02 August 2009 - 12:17 PM' timestamp='1249229858' post='214242']
Oh,about Parker,He's the last person on the field we will be concerned about. I would rather you mention Troy or Harrison. Nobody Runs On Us!!!!!!!!!
[/quote]

I meant that he (and Mendehall) give them a better chance of doing well [i]before they get to us.[/i]

[knowledge124]

[quote name='Steelerkillers' date='02 August 2009 - 12:04 AM' timestamp='1249185862' post='214137']
We Haven't been wearing that Afc North Championship Crown since 2006. This Year, we appear to be better than we were in the previous two years. Will we silence the Steeler fans this year and take the division title? I know some will say that it's too early to bring this up. But, it's never too early to talk about beating our hated rival.
[/quote]


I believe we will win the division and more, the last time we played them we had been playing every straight game since week two, an we were just to injured an you could tell since they had two byes they were just healthier, and the pervious times we lost was one a blown replay that we should have taken a look at which was a clear touchdown even john madden agreed and a fluck play and that was all with a rookie coach who really didnt no the intesity of this rival and a rookie quaterback and a new offensive coordinator to the team, so yeah i think we have probably the most improved team in the league so look out steelers. o yeah and afc north lol

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='plesiosaur' date='02 August 2009 - 03:04 PM' timestamp='1249239864' post='214286']
I completely agree about our proving our salt on a tough schedule, I'm just saying the Steelers have a better chance of winning the division because of their scedule. Of course, we don't know how well all of the NFL is going to do this year, I'm basing it on what happened last year.



I meant that he (and Mendehall) give them a better chance of doing well [i]before they get to us.[/i]
[/quote]

Oh,ok.well, when they do get to us,Ray and the linebacker gang will dominate and has been controlling anybodys rushing attack. Concerns about teams racking up rushing yards on us is the least thing we worry about. We live and breath stopping the run. We have been consistant over the years with doing that very well. Our secondary is another story. Our pass Defense is our biggest concern. Besides the titans and the Giants last season,teams just aren't successful against our rush "D". But, i clearly understand your point though!!!! I just hope some of those easy opponents upset them and break their confidence.

[knowledge124]

I believe we will when the last time we played them we had been playing every straight game since week two, an we were just to injured an you could tell sice they had to byes the were just healthier, and the pervious times we lost was one a blown replay that we should have taken a look at which was a clear touchdown ever john madden agreed and a fluck play and that was all with a rookie coach who really didnt no the intesity of this rival and a rookie quaterback and a new offensive coordinator to the team so yeah i think we have probably the most improved team in the league so look out steelers. o yeah and afc north lol