Week 7: Baltimore Ravens At Buffalo Bills

[flockfan]

But, on the other hand, the play calling earlier in the 4th quarter got us back in a game that the defense was giving away.

When it is all said and done the end result is what matters!!!!

[baltimoreravens00]

Yes, we may have a tough second-half schedule.

But it's not as if it's impossible to pull out a win.

Each divisional game is definitely bound to be close but winnable, as we've all seen in the past. So no need to examine those games.

Playing in San Diego may be a tough test, but we've held L.T. before and we can do it again. Plus, they're not as cohesive on both sides of the ball as they were last season.

Playing at home against New England on Monday Night Football will arguably be our toughest test. But the home-field advantage will play a factor. And the Patriots are bound to lose at some point, since the talks of them being undefeated is bound to result in an upset like when the Colts had their undefeated streak the past few seasons.

Following that game with another home game against the Colts on Sunday Night Football is bound to be another tough test, but nothing too impossible. We've kept Peyton Manning out of the endzone before, we though we lost last time while doing so, it's rare that lightning will strike twice for them in that department.

The road trip to Miami might be another trap game, but their defense isn't what it used to be, and their offense lacks explosion when they need it the most.

And then traveling to Seattle the following week will definitely be another tough test given their home crowd. But Matt Hasselbeck hasn't been playing like his Pro Bowl self, and Shaun Alexander is definitely missing Mack Strong.

My point is, it's not IMPOSSIBLE to come out of that tough stretch with a winning record.

After all, Ravens football has never been pretty. But it's been effective.

four out of five of those you have claimed to be a tough test. not lookin too good for us right?

[theFRANCHISE]

My thing is, everyone has a right to be angry about the end result of the game.

And yes, I'm disappointed, too.

But just remember that there's still 9 games left to play.

The season's not over yet.

Don't be a bandwagon fan and give up hope when anything can happen in these next 9 games.

[theFRANCHISE]

four out of five of those you have claimed to be a tough test. not lookin too good for us right?

Yes, I said tough.

I didn't say they automatically equaled losses for us.

[flockfan]

Just very annoyed at the play calling!!!! Lets get back to who we are. An old school, smash mouth, RUNNING offense.....The sooner Billick remembers that the better off we will be!!!!!

[theFRANCHISE]

We should be happy about THIS stat, though:

Willis McGahee

19 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD - 6.0 YPC average.

Marshawn Lynch

27 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD - 3.2 YPC average.

So...Buffalo got rid of McGahee again 'cause WHY?

[flockfan]

So...Buffalo got rid of McGahee again 'cause WHY?

Because we needed him. It was great to see him have a Good game,even if we didn't win Team statistics look great. On paper we look pretty good. Much better then we seem. Lets hope the bye gets us heading back in the right direction!!!!!

[flockfan]

So...Buffalo got rid of McGahee again 'cause WHY?

Because we needed him. It was great to see him have a Good game,even if we didn't win Team statistics look great. On paper we look pretty good. Much better then we seem. Lets hope the bye gets us heading back in the right direction!!!!!

[Bullitt]

Hello. My first post. I'm in California with my Direct TV bought strictly to see Ravens games. A few short observations...

Tough loss today. Buffalo beat us at our own game: get a lead early, play conservative, ball control, and eat clock.

I still don't understand why Boller is throwing off his back foot when he doesn't have immediate pressure The lob passes kill me, when he's got a solid arm like that.

I thought for sure he was gonna make that trick play back to the QB TD catch. He always tries, I just don't understand why he isn't more comfortable at this point in his career.

I think many of us thought this was a dangerous game. I know the Ravens knew it was. I don't believe they were overlooking them. Do you?

I don't like McGahee playing only on first and second down. He needs to be in there as much as possible, otherwise we are going nowhere fast. I really don't care if Musa Smith is a better receiver on third down. He doesn't have the gamebreaking speed of Willis.

Yamon Figurs WOW I hope that is the worst game we ever see from him. Hands of butter, speed of Mercury.

I still love our Ravens. Enjoy the bye week get healthy do tons of cardio and kick Pittsburgs a**! That is our #2 matchup this season, #1 will be re-match with the Colts. Screw the Pats they are so darned good they shouldn't be allowed to play.

[theFRANCHISE]

Hello. My first post. I'm in California with my Direct TV bought strictly to see Ravens games. A few short observations...

Tough loss today. Buffalo beat us at our own game: get a lead early, play conservative, ball control, and eat clock.

I still don't understand why Boller is throwing off his back foot when he doesn't have immediate pressure The lob passes kill me, when he's got a solid arm like that.

I thought for sure he was gonna make that trick play back to the QB TD catch. He always tries, I just don't understand why he isn't more comfortable at this point in his career.

I think many of us thought this was a dangerous game. I know the Ravens knew it was. I don't believe they were overlooking them. Do you?

I don't like McGahee playing only on first and second down. He needs to be in there as much as possible, otherwise we are going nowhere fast. I really don't care if Musa Smith is a better receiver on third down. He doesn't have the gamebreaking speed of Willis.

Yamon Figurs WOW I hope that is the worst game we ever see from him. Hands of butter, speed of Mercury.

I still love our Ravens. Enjoy the bye week get healthy do tons of cardio and kick Pittsburgs a**! That is our #2 matchup this season, #1 will be re-match with the Colts. Screw the Pats they are so darned good they shouldn't be allowed to play.

I agree wholeheartedly with virtually everything you said here.

[Ravnet]

Yes, we may have a tough second-half schedule.

But it's not as if it's impossible to pull out a win.

Each divisional game is definitely bound to be close but winnable, as we've all seen in the past. So no need to examine those games.

Playing in San Diego may be a tough test, but we've held L.T. before and we can do it again. Plus, they're not as cohesive on both sides of the ball as they were last season.

Playing at home against New England on Monday Night Football will arguably be our toughest test. But the home-field advantage will play a factor. And the Patriots are bound to lose at some point, since the talks of them being undefeated is bound to result in an upset like when the Colts had their undefeated streak the past few seasons.

Following that game with another home game against the Colts on Sunday Night Football is bound to be another tough test, but nothing too impossible. We've kept Peyton Manning out of the endzone before, we though we lost last time while doing so, it's rare that lightning will strike twice for them in that department.

The road trip to Miami might be another trap game, but their defense isn't what it used to be, and their offense lacks explosion when they need it the most.

And then traveling to Seattle the following week will definitely be another tough test given their home crowd. But Matt Hasselbeck hasn't been playing like his Pro Bowl self, and Shaun Alexander is definitely missing Mack Strong.

My point is, it's not IMPOSSIBLE to come out of that tough stretch with a winning record.

After all, Ravens football has never been pretty. But it's been effective.

If we come out of that with just barely a winning record it will be a stretch to make the playoffs. If it is a stretch to even get in we won't win the superbowl.

[theFRANCHISE]

If we come out of that with just barely a winning record it will be a stretch to make the playoffs. If it is a stretch to even get in we won't win the superbowl.

Steelers barely made the playoffs and didn't seal their fate until the final game of the season in 2005 with a 10-6 record.

They went on to miraculously win the Super Bowl.

It's not too far-fetched to say we can't make it happen.

Again, there's still 9 games left in the season. We all knew we wouldn't go 13-3 again. But that's not to say we still can't have a winning record. It's not like we're in the Dolphins' or Rams' situations where they're all but eliminated from playoff contention with one more loss.

[Guest Birdfan]

We won our first Super Bowl as a wild card team.

[theFRANCHISE]

We won our first Super Bowl as a wild card team.

Exactly.

If we need to be the underdogs again to win games, then so be it.

That was our mentality last season, even when we were bulldozing over opponents and winning handily.

We were underdogs in virtually every single game. Prognosticators refused to believe that Steve McNair would play in all 16 games and play WELL. Critics refused to believe that we could win without pounding the ball. Detractors refused to believe that our defense could still be dominant with an aging Ray Lewis. Everyone refused to believe that we could produce on offense, period.

Yet, Steve McNair started all 16 games. We still won games even with an anemic rushing attack. Ray Lewis helped lead the #1 overall defense in the league in all statistical categories that matter. And we had the 10th-ranked passing offense that resulted in 11 of 16 games with at least 20 points scored.

More importantly, we won the AFC North, decimating the defending Super Bowl-champion Pittsburgh Steelers and unseating the defending division-champion Cincinnati Bengals. We won home-field advantage for the first time in franchise history. And we posted a franchise-best 13-3 record that led to the #2 playoff seed in the AFC, the highest seed we've ever had. Most importantly, we were in the playoffs, period.

But we need to keep 2006 in our rear-view mirrors.

This is 2007. We're not 13-3 anymore. We're the ones with the target on our chest because we're the defending division champions.

And being a champion is hard.

[McBoller]

This is 2007. We're not 13-3 anymore. We're the ones with the target on our chest because we're the defending division champions.

And being a champion is hard.

I dont think we have a target on our backs at all. I think we are a joke at the moment. We have a starting Quarterback that can;t live up to his nickname, a defensive backfield and offensive line that can't stay healthy, and a coach that couldn;t call plays for a middle school rec team. There are too many good wild card type teams out there, both of which could come from the South(Jax and Ten) not to mention KC for us to think we can goo .500 or even 9-6 and be guaranteed a postseason. Unless McNair can SERIOUSLY turn it around and Billick can put together some plays that make sense and our CBs can actually play like they're in the NFL Im not looking forward to any success. I may not even watch the Indy or NE game, and my jersey will go back into storage for awhile. Yes, in case you couldn't tell Im a fair weathered fan. I can't remember the last time I wasn't ASHAMED of the Orioles

[McBoller]

But, on the other hand, the play calling earlier in the 4th quarter got us back in a game that the defense was giving away.

yeah, thank Boller for FINALLY showing up in the 4th quarter. Its not ALWAYS play calling. You;ve gotta be able to complete passes, but mostly it seems like our receivers need to get a little more open, if you know what I mean.

[Ravens#1!]

Just very annoyed at the play calling!!!! Lets get back to who we are. An old school, smash mouth, RUNNING offense.....The sooner Billick remembers that the better off we will be!!!!!

thats when we had pounding-bruising tough Jamal Lewis..

you can't have smash football with a skinny speedy guy like #23...

you catch my drift?

[wndrwmn921]

I would just like to add that I am new to this board (and kind of a football newbie) but I dont see any reason to be all negative on the game.

Yeah we lost but was it a kill? I mean one more touchdown and we could have beat them - to me that isnt that bad of a loss.

And yes, losing is never fun but threw thick and thin you gotta stick with who you back because if you dont then who will? (i know - being all girlie now)

On a more football note - I miss McNair and think when he returns we'll be doing so much better!

So many throws by the QB today were just sad.

[theFRANCHISE]

I would just like to add that I am new to this board (and kind of a football newbie) but I dont see any reason to be all negative on the game.

Yeah we lost but was it a kill? I mean one more touchdown and we could have beat them - to me that isnt that bad of a loss.

And yes, losing is never fun but threw thick and thin you gotta stick with who you back because if you dont then who will? (i know - being all girlie now)

On a more football note - I miss McNair and think when he returns we'll be doing so much better!

So many throws by the QB today were just sad.

I agree with your first point.

If we don't support the team through thick-and-thin, who will?

It is not the fans' responsibility to critique the game so harshly. That's up to the people who are PAID to do so professionally, i.e. the ESPN reporters and national prognosticators and the journalists at the Baltimore Sun.

I'm not saying we have to agree with every single thing this team does. But don't be so negative about a game that had some positive aspects to it, especially considering this wasn't a divisional game.

Look at it like this: If we beat Pittsburgh on November 5th, by virtue of having the most (overall) wins in our W/L record, we'll be on top of the AFC North again with a 5-3 record compared to Pittsburgh's 4-3 record, if Cleveland should lose at least one game these next two weeks. Though even if Cleveland wins both these next two games, we'll technically be tied with them for the AFC North title, even though they temporarily hold the tiebreaker by virtue of their victory over us.

But better to be in a position to contend than at the bottom of the division like Cincy is right now.