Next Up: New England (Merged Threads)

[XxSizzleXx]

I'm curious do you guys think this is a bench mark game for the Ravens to see where we stand?

[hammer]

Yup, this game will surely tell us where the Ravens are as of right now. It doesnt tell us how the season will end. A lot of things can happen to change the power ranking over the course of 13 gameS, such as injuries and players just maturing at different rates. So don't put TOO much emphasis on the Ravens performance as it relates to them winning the Super Bowl, or NOT winning the Super Bowl. The biggest factor pointing to the Ravens being a REAL Superbowl contender is their youth at critical positions on the field. This means that they are only going to get better and not decline ffrom their current talent levels. Older teams can't say this and this gives the ravens an edge. BUT,,,HELLO HOUSTON....THIS IS DEFINITELY A TEST!

[colts2bolts]

[quote name='Sizzle' date='27 September 2009 - 02:08 PM' timestamp='1254089315' post='242886']
i think brady is gonna air it out and unlike the SD game with their monster receivers, we will stop their receivers and get a couple of picks.
[/quote]
Man, I hope you're right!!!

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='flynismo' date='28 September 2009 - 05:04 PM' timestamp='1254171878' post='243803']
Home. Road. Parking lot. Whatever....the W is still going to count the same next weekend.
[/quote]
true! but playin at home makes some of us nervous wrecks feel at ease. Especially those of us who are believers in home field advantage, home is where u'd rather play the so-called tuff opponents

[bmore187]

Ravens have to b able to stop NE in the red zone from getting touchdowns and instead making them kick fgs......We should stop their run game and force them to pass a lot, which can lead to INT's..... Gotta watch the Brady dink n dump pass game cuz he makes his living off of that then likes to take deep shots downfield with Moss and seam routes down the middle with Watson.....with that said we cant have turnovers when we have the ball and we gotta keep NE in unfavorable field position.....all that being accomplished should equal a W............Ravens 24 Patriots 20

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

I believe we can defeat the pats this sunday. The Jets D showed us that the Pats passing game is vulnerable when constant pressure is applied to Brady. I believe our D can stop the run with no problem. Flacco and the O can score points for us. I'm feeling pretty good about a Ravens win this sunday.

[flynismo]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' date='28 September 2009 - 06:05 PM' timestamp='1254175542' post='243887']
I'm curious do you guys think this is a bench mark game for the Ravens to see where we stand?
[/quote]

Not to sound corny, but every game is a benchmark game.

That said, whooping New England will shut up some of the haters.

[samic]

They say Bill Bellichick is a coach with a knack for taking away what your team does best. Well let's look at that argument and see if that is possible with this Ravens team. What have we been good at this season so far.

Offense:
Running the football, passing the ball out to the flats, short and intermediate routes, yards after the catch, 3rd down conversions, first downs, red zone efficiency, putting up points, protecting the QB, TOP, pass plays over 20yds, spreading the ball to various targets.

Defense:
Stopping the run, putting pressure on the QB (not sacks but pressure, TD's allowed, interceptions, sacks, 3rd down conversions, red zone defense, and you may not believe this but total yards allowed.

This appears to be a well rounded team. With so many things that we do well, how does Bellichick negate them? He will not be able to run on our D, so they will have to resort to Brady passing most of the time. Will Brady be comfortable sitting behind that line? He doesn't appear to be fully comfortable with the knee and does not do well outside of the pocket. With guys like Suggs, Ngata, Pryce, Lewis and JJ coming after him, how will he be protected? I also think our DB's do a better job against this receiving corps. My only concern is Welker. Teams have shown that Moss can be stopped. A healthy Welker is just as dangerous as Darren Sproles. But we were able to get a handle on Sproles in the end.

This offense looks unstoppable right now. We are proving to be very difficult to defend. How do you stop the three-headed monster? And it is not about the backs as much as it is about the Offensive Line. Our line is playing phenomenal. They are knocking guys off the ball and opening running lanes for our backs. They are giving Flacco time in the pocket to pick apart opposing defenses and they are playing to the whistle. Flacco is also not dependent on one guy to make plays for him. Heap, Mason, Washington, Clayton, Rice, Mcgahee, McClain and now Smith have all stepped up when needed. And we haven't really unleashed the Suggs package yet!

I'm not saying that the Pats are going to get walked over by any stretch of the imagination. But I feel optimistic that we have the weapons to punish any team and win on against any one in this league. The Pats are going to put up a fight. We are playing in their home and it is always difficult to go into Gillette Stadium and eke out a win. But this is where we can draw from the experience of flying across the country and winning a big game on the road in one of the toughest stadiums in the league.

Do we overwhelm the Pats with our new offense and stifling defense? Are there just too many things for Bellichick to focus on and try to take away from us? Well I gave my reasons. Here's your opportunity to lay out a rebuttal or your agreement.

[Mick0311]

Honestly, I see this being a game more to our bread and butter. I think this is going to be close; we will master TOP, take the turnover battle, and win the old fashion Raven's way. I think it will be a slow and steady win for us. Can't wait.

[CustomUserName]

[quote name='samic' date='29 September 2009 - 01:41 AM' timestamp='1254202886' post='244149']
They say Bill Bellichick is a coach with a knack for taking away what your team does best. Well let's look at that argument and see if that is possible with this Ravens team. What have we been good at this season so far.

Offense:
Running the football, passing the ball out to the flats, short and intermediate routes, yards after the catch, 3rd down conversions, first downs, red zone efficiency, putting up points, protecting the QB, TOP, pass plays over 20yds, spreading the ball to various targets.

Defense:
Stopping the run, putting pressure on the QB (not sacks but pressure, TD's allowed, interceptions, sacks, 3rd down conversions, red zone defense, and you may not believe this but total yards allowed.

This appears to be a well rounded team. With so many things that we do well, how does Bellichick negate them? He will not be able to run on our D, so they will have to resort to Brady passing most of the time. Will Brady be comfortable sitting behind that line? He doesn't appear to be fully comfortable with the knee and does not do well outside of the pocket. With guys like Suggs, Ngata, Pryce, Lewis and JJ coming after him, how will he be protected? I also think our DB's do a better job against this receiving corps. My only concern is Welker. Teams have shown that Moss can be stopped. A healthy Welker is just as dangerous as Darren Sproles. But we were able to get a handle on Sproles in the end.

This offense looks unstoppable right now. We are proving to be very difficult to defend. How do you stop the three-headed monster? And it is not about the backs as much as it is about the Offensive Line. Our line is playing phenomenal. They are knocking guys off the ball and opening running lanes for our backs. They are giving Flacco time in the pocket to pick apart opposing defenses and they are playing to the whistle. Flacco is also not dependent on one guy to make plays for him. Heap, Mason, Washington, Clayton, Rice, Mcgahee, McClain and now Smith have all stepped up when needed. And we haven't really unleashed the Suggs package yet!

I'm not saying that the Pats are going to get walked over by any stretch of the imagination. But I feel optimistic that we have the weapons to punish any team and win on against any one in this league. The Pats are going to put up a fight. We are playing in their home and it is always difficult to go into Gillette Stadium and eke out a win. But this is where we can draw from the experience of flying across the country and winning a big game on the road in one of the toughest stadiums in the league.

Do we overwhelm the Pats with our new offense and stifling defense? Are there just too many things for Bellichick to focus on and try to take away from us? Well I gave my reasons. Here's your opportunity to lay out a rebuttal or your agreement.
[/quote]

As much as I love the Ravens, which ironically is as much as I hate the Pats (I own an 18-1 t-shirt), this isn't going to be a game that is in the tank for Baltimore.

Yeah, Brady looks slow, yeah they lost Seymour, and Wilfork is most likely not going to play. They have NOTHING left of the 2007 secondary, and only AD remains of their 2007 linebacking core. What I am saying is they are no where near the defensely what earned them the undefeated season.

Offensively, they are the same (with the exception of Stallworth). They will most likely play with Welker, Moss will play, and they have the same O-line. Brady and Maroney (imho) lost a step, especially the prior. Brady looks shaky, nothing like the old Brady that would win games and minimize turnovers.

Even though Baltimore should have beating NE in 2007 (when we were at our worst and they were at their best), they are still NE. New England is more than the collective sum of their parts, Bellicheck is still coaching them (and I think still finding a way to cheat). I hate to believe the "any given sunday" philosophy as it narrows the game down to a probability as opposed to a truly dominant team, but with NE (even at NE's worst) the best way to summarize it is "any given sunday" as they can find a way to win against the best of NFL teams.


Not to mention Rivers threw for 400+ against us when we were on the road, we aren't all that invincible. I will say it again, I would LOVE nothing more than a Baltimore win, but this is one team that I can not, under any circumstance, overlook.

[Wacko4Zacko]

Just in case anyone who cares espn.com has a video on Ravens/Pats Analaysis

[TXRaven]

Ravens in a close one. Feeling good about this game.

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='Mick0311' date='29 September 2009 - 02:04 AM' timestamp='1254204271' post='244157']
Honestly, I see this being a game more to our bread and butter. I think this is going to be close; we will master TOP, take the turnover battle, and win the old fashion Raven's way. I think it will be a slow and steady win for us. Can't wait.
[/quote]

I agree take it nice and slow run run run hit them right in the mouth with all 3 running backs but be prepared to go for it on 4th down. We cant trade TDs for FGs in this type of game. Flacco spreading the ball with help keep the defense guessing and screen passes to Rice and McGahee can help as well. These next 3 games we will see how much the Ravens offense has grown and if Mattison can make the adjustments if the secondary struggles.

[Gtown Purple]

I believe we will win this game for 2 main reasons.


1. The Running game- The ravens will run the ball and dominate a weak patriots front 7. We will keep 2nd and 3rd downs manageable to that we have the choice of going short or long on 3rd down if/when we get there. This will allow us to control the clock and make the game short.


2. Pressure on Brady- It has been noted that the patriots offensive line is struggling and our front 7 will take advantage of this. The combination of our physical players and complex blitz schemes will put brady to the ground at least 3 times and harass him constantly.

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' date='29 September 2009 - 11:37 AM' timestamp='1254220643' post='244171']
Just in case anyone who cares espn.com has a video on Ravens/Pats Analaysis
[/quote]

The guy in that video has the worst hairstyle I've ever seen!!

How is he allowed on tv?

[funky141]

[quote]I'm curious do you guys think this is a bench mark game for the Ravens to see where we stand?

Not to sound corny, but every game is a benchmark game.

That said, whooping New England will shut up some of the haters. [/quote]

Beating KC and Cleveland is no way a measurement of how good the Ravens are, those two team will win only 3 games combine in the 2009 season. San Diego was a good win but giving up all the passing yards and points has me concerned that the Ravens defense is a step slower now.

[Ravens549]

I hate to place too much emphasis on a week 4 game, but I think this game is HUGE for the Ravens. Should we lose to the Pats I think this seriously deflates players and fans alike. I could not believe last night how ESPN was literally slobbering all over the Pats win Sunday. Did anyone else notice Boomer did not even talk about the Ravens game??!!! WTH?!

Anyway, I remember that Sunday night Pats game STILL all too well. It was cold as hell, windy, and I think that was the most irate I have ever seen the crowd. Stuff was being thrown all throughout the stadium. When Bart threw the flag into the stands total chaos broke out!!!
Plus the roads froze with black ice and on the way home we were blown off the road into a ditch! Thank-God nobody was hurt. It was just a night with so many memories.

We need to beat the Pats for once and for all and show the world we are a team to be reckoned with. Plus, if at all possible, I can see our team's swagger getting jacked up even more should we beat the NFL PATRIOTS!

[flynismo]

[quote name='funky141' date='29 September 2009 - 10:11 AM' timestamp='1254233462' post='244207']
Beating KC and Cleveland is no way a measurement of how good the Ravens are, those two team will win only 3 games combine in the 2009 season. San Diego was a good win but giving up all the passing yards and points has me concerned that the Ravens defense is a step slower now.
[/quote]

If we lose to them, is that a measurement of anything?

I'm not worried about our defense. They're gelling again....but they don't have to be the best in the league anymore. As long as they create a few turnovers and prevent points from being scored, we'll be fine.

[nevermore defense]

I think we will keep brady under pressure and worrying about that knee..... hell maybe even take him out...lol i see a big W this sunday!!!!

[PIG 20]

[quote name='funky141' date='29 September 2009 - 10:11 AM' timestamp='1254233462' post='244207']
Beating KC and Cleveland is no way a measurement of how good the Ravens are, those two team will win only 3 games combine in the 2009 season. San Diego was a good win but giving up all the passing yards and points has me concerned that the Ravens defense is a step slower now.
[/quote]

Our offense is that much better though!

[baltiMORE RAVENS]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' date='29 September 2009 - 06:37 AM' timestamp='1254220643' post='244171']
Just in case anyone who cares espn.com has a video on Ravens/Pats Analaysis
[/quote]

Can someone post a link to this video please. Thanks

[funky141]

[quote]If we lose to them, is that a measurement of anything?

I'm not worried about our defense. They're gelling again....but they don't have to be the best in the league anymore. As long as they create a few turnovers and prevent points from being scored, we'll be fine. [/quote]

If you lose to the Pats, its a measurement of needing more work to get better. To be the best you need to beat the best.
"They're gelling again" is that because they beat a terrible Cleveland Browns team. A team that didn't have a first down till the 4th Qtr. Don't get me wrong, thats good defense but Cleveland is hardly something to measure your team bye. When the Ravens did play a decent team (SD) they were torched with over 500 yards of offense.
Trust me I want the Ravens to win Sunday but there is a lot of hoopla going around because they beat the Browns and Chiefs. This Sunday is the real test.

[TSizzle00]

[quote name='funky141' date='29 September 2009 - 10:11 AM' timestamp='1254233462' post='244207']
Beating KC and Cleveland is no way a measurement of how good the Ravens are, those two team will win only 3 games combine in the 2009 season. San Diego was a good win but giving up all the passing yards and points has me concerned that the Ravens defense is a step slower now.
[/quote]

The passing yards had nothing to do with the defense being a step slower. The 2 players that gave up the most plays were 2 of the fastest people on the team. Foxworth and Washington we not physical with the tall WRs SD has and it showed.

[FerrariFan87]

Ray Ray has stated that our D plays better on the road because it's quiet when the opposing Offense is on the field, which helps us make calls quicker, etc... that wasn't the case in SD, but hopefully that will change this week.

Honestly though, I don't care if we give up 400 yards and 26 points... as long as we have 27 when the game clock hits 0:00

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='flynismo' date='29 September 2009 - 12:11 PM' timestamp='1254240710' post='244251']
If we lose to them, is that a measurement of anything?

I'm not worried about our defense. They're gelling again....but they don't have to be the best in the league anymore. As long as they create a few turnovers and prevent points from being scored, we'll be fine.
[/quote]
Exaaaaaactly flynismo! i was think the same while reading his post. If we lose to the so-called garbage teams, we are considered bums right along with them, or not on the same level as the Steelers, Colts and Pats. I keep tellin people, We did what we were supposed to do against these teams (Win). And look, He's even makin an excuse for our win vs the Chargers. Every victory is legitimate if you win by 1 or 40 points. Measuring whether a teams victory is legit or not is a matter of personal assessment. It doesn't matter who you beat or how you win, as long as a W is recorded, nuthin else matters.

[wayne]

Will this game be a National televised game?I would love to know so I can found out early will I be going to Buffalo Wild ings this weekend!

[PuRock]

[quote name='wayne' date='29 September 2009 - 05:14 PM' timestamp='1254258841' post='244438']
Will this game be a National televised game?I would love to know so I can found out early will I be going to Buffalo Wild ings this weekend!
[/quote]

No. But it might be broadcasts across a lot of the U.S. Check this website on Thursday to see if it will be on the locals where you live.
http://www.the506.com/nflmaps/

[thewarden86]

Hey, I heard the Falcons got called for roughing Golden Boy by merely tapping him after he threw. I haven't seen any photo's or video but I was curious if anyone here had heard or seen anything.

I can't stand that garbage. [img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif[/img] Protect 'em? By all means! Treat 'em like a peice of china? No. Not having that.

[Wacco4Flacco]

Theres an old saying,, To be the best you have to beat the best.

[jennyfan]

The Ravens have got it - they are a strong, tight team this year.