Do You Believe

[Sovereignty]

Believe we will make it deep into the playoffs? As in Conference, or possibly even Superbowl?

Honest opinions.

I personally believe we'll make it to the playoffs..just not sure how deep. But I really do want to see us get revenge on the Patriots, so, in that sense, I hope they make it along with us and we meet each other

[mhead66]

Off the top of my head, I see a repeat of last year's Championship Game.

Ravens vs. Steelers.

Defense wins, and I don't believe in the Broncos or the Bengals. Not yet.

Just a hunch.

[Sovereignty]

To be fully honest - I see us facing either the Steelers as you said, or possibly the Broncos, or the Patriots. But most likely the Steelers. But if the Steelers are the ones to face again, I expect us to win. I think Ravens learn from mistakes, as was observed last year compared to the year before, and I think we might have a real chance at, well, actually MAKING it to the Superbowl. Question is - if we get there...how will we do? And who might we face?

And I'm a bit frightened at how next year's going to play out, also.

[NC Ravens Fan]

if defense wins championships then i guess we better start playing some

i like the colts right now. their receivers are stepping up and peyton is well peyton

[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/Giant.gif[/img]

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

I am going to answer this very carfully by saying that I feel like we are a good enough team to return to the playoffs. Im not going to say that I expect (meaning: it is not a given) them to make it back.

If you look back to the start of last season, we only hoped that we could achieve an 8-8 record. Obviously we achieved much more than that. This year everyone has automatically assumed that we would return to where we left off.

We have a long season ahead of us with a lot of tough matchups. Yes I feel we will get back to the playoffs but it is not a given. It will take more discipline than what we have seen to date. One game at a time!

[Sovereignty]

[quote name='Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan' date='13 October 2009 - 04:29 PM' timestamp='1255469341' post='256383']
I am going to answer this very carfully by saying that I feel like we are a good enough team to return to the playoffs. Im not going to say that I expect (meaning: it is not a given) them to make it back.

If you look back to the start of last season, we only hoped that we could achieve an 8-8 record. Obviously we achieved much more than that. This year everyone has automatically assumed that we would return to where we left off.

We have a long season ahead of us with a lot of tough matchups. Yes I feel we will get back to the playoffs but it is not a given. It will take more discipline than what we have seen to date. One game at a time!
[/quote]
I FULLY agree. We need good discipline to beat the match-ups this season and to even make it there. Since we're on the subject of our tough match-ups this season(well, sub-subject), is anyone ELSE worried about this week-end? I sure am.

Also - I really like John Harbaugh to deliver the discipline that we need.

[Ed_Reed20]

The Ravens will make the play-offs. far they go in the play-offs though is impossible to tell. To me, the past two games will force the coaches to make adjustments. The good thing is, the team is talented enough to make those adjustments and be successful doing it.

[Ravenite]

Yes we can make the playoffs. Like Ed_Reed20 said, this team is to talented but for me, it's a little impossible. We are still trying to see the real and pretenders right now in the AFC.

[jschultz]

To be honest, I'm not overly confident we will make it back to the playoffs.

Our weakness on defense has been and continues to be against accurate passing teams, especially if they run a hurry up offense. I don't feel confident against Steelers, Vikings, Colts or Green Bay. We beat San Diego because they had so many injuries that day.

Our offense has shown strong flashes, but we still haven't settled on an identity for ourselves, so I don't know what to think about them week in week out. Also, as the league adjusts to a more high powered offense coming from the Ravens we should expect them to become more effective against us.

My best guess at our ending record right now would be somewhere between 8-8 and 10-6.

Even still, the AFC North is up for grabs right now, so we certainly have a decent shot at winning our division, unless the Bengals unexpectedly go 12-4, 11-5, etc. Both the Ravens and Steelers are not playing the kind of defense they have in the past. On the other hand, they have shown pretty potent offenses. The Bengals have beaten both the Ravens (in our house!) and the Steelers, which is no small feat. On the other hand, the Bengals almost lost to the Browns! So, I don't know what to think about them either.

If we don't win our division, then I doubt we have a strong enough record to get into the playoffs unfortunately.

[BMOREHAWAII]

We shouldnt even be talking about the playoffs right now. We have to get past Favre next week, then we can even ponder about play-offs. Especially the way we are playing not only on defense but on offense, look at what were doing. We went to the play-offs last year thanks to a strong D, run first, pass when needed to offense. Look at Ray Rice's number for goodness sake, GIVE HIM THE ROCK!

[jschultz]

I will say that if we manage to beat or even strongly compete with the Vikings next week (and it's not due to Favre reverting to his old poor decision ways), then I will feel MUCH more confident about our team moving forward.

I fear we may get embarrassed next week, especially if Favre plays anything like he did on Monday night.

[Sovereignty]

[quote name='Ravenite' date='13 October 2009 - 04:38 PM' timestamp='1255469909' post='256390']
Yes we can make the playoffs. Like Ed_Reed20 said, this team is to talented but for me, it's a little impossible. We are still trying to see the real and pretenders right now in the AFC.
[/quote]I can't wait to see the end of the season to be honest. It should be exciting. Just my prediction

[McBoller]

[quote name='mhead66' date='13 October 2009 - 05:13 PM' timestamp='1255468425' post='256369']
Off the top of my head, I see a repeat of last year's Championship Game.

Ravens vs. Steelers.

Defense wins, and I don't believe in the Broncos or the Bengals. Not yet.

Just a hunch.
[/quote]
Yeah, defense does win...following that formula you're looking at Giants vs Broncos in the SB thus far.

[Sovereignty]

[quote name='jschultz' date='13 October 2009 - 05:53 PM' timestamp='1255474417' post='256428']
To be honest, I'm not overly confident we will make it back to the playoffs.

Our weakness on defense has been and continues to be against accurate passing teams, especially if they run a hurry up offense. I don't feel confident against Steelers, Vikings, Colts or Green Bay. We beat San Diego because they had so many injuries that day.

Our offense has shown strong flashes, but we still haven't settled on an identity for ourselves, so I don't know what to think about them week in week out. Also, as the league adjusts to a more high powered offense coming from the Ravens we should expect them to become more effective against us.

My best guess at our ending record right now would be somewhere between 8-8 and 10-6.

Even still, the AFC North is up for grabs right now, so we certainly have a decent shot at winning our division, unless the Bengals unexpectedly go 12-4, 11-5, etc. Both the Ravens and Steelers are not playing the kind of defense they have in the past. On the other hand, they have shown pretty potent offenses. The Bengals have beaten both the Ravens (in our house!) and the Steelers, which is no small feat. On the other hand, the Bengals almost lost to the Browns! So, I don't know what to think about them either.

If we don't win our division, then I doubt we have a strong enough record to get into the playoffs unfortunately.
[/quote]I fully agree with that there. Everything about it. I think we went in thinking the Bengals were soft. We were showing pretty well at first. The D went out overconfident around second half in my opinion due to the nice showing in the first half. I think we can straighten up, though...I hope, at least.


[quote name='BMOREHAWAII' date='13 October 2009 - 05:58 PM' timestamp='1255474721' post='256432']
We shouldnt even be talking about the playoffs right now. We have to get past Favre next week, then we can even ponder about play-offs. Especially the way we are playing not only on defense but on offense, look at what were doing. We went to the play-offs last year thanks to a strong D, run first, pass when needed to offense. Look at Ray Rice's number for goodness sake, GIVE HIM THE ROCK!
[/quote]I agree Ray Rice should be given more attention; I think the run should be given more attention altogether. Flacco is a great QB, but the WR's we have aren't the greatest. They can run routes, but they can't seem to hold onto the ball directly after it meeting their hands in a pass (Example: Mark Clayton at the end of the game against the Patriots. Ugh, disappointing)


[quote name='jschultz' date='13 October 2009 - 06:05 PM' timestamp='1255475102' post='256439']
I will say that if we manage to beat or even strongly compete with the Vikings next week (and it's not due to Favre reverting to his old poor decision ways), then I will feel MUCH more confident about our team moving forward.

I fear we may get embarrassed next week, especially if Favre plays anything like he did on Monday night.
[/quote]I know what you mean. I have that same fear, but, I've also got this deluded sense of optimism. I might just want to see AP torn up, though. He's an amazing running back, but not my favourite. Just my personal wishes

[Shawn`]

Defense wins championships, penalties lose games.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

We'll be there, I'm confident of that. We'll work through the growing pains and be ready to go in the post season. Once we make it, anything can happen. I would fancy us over most teams!

[Steelerkillers]

[quote name='NC Ravens Fan' date='13 October 2009 - 05:25 PM' timestamp='1255469153' post='256379']
if defense wins championships then i guess we better start playing some

i like the colts right now. their receivers are stepping up and peyton is well peyton

[img]http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/public/style_emoticons/default/Giant.gif[/img]
[/quote]
Right! I would only hope for a wildcard spot and 1st round appearance if we keep this up. If we turn things around, Skys the limit

[flygunit88]

ravens never make back to back playoff appearances...but hopefully we can get a good position in the draft...sorry you guys...i know its early but it looks like the ravens have been exposed....too easy to pass over the middle its always wide open...so right now im hopeing we can get a top ten draft pick....imo

[mhead66]

[quote name='flygunit88' date='13 October 2009 - 09:05 PM' timestamp='1255482334' post='256570']
ravens never make back to back playoff appearances...but hopefully we can get a good position in the draft...sorry you guys...i know its early but it looks like the ravens have been exposed....too easy to pass over the middle its always wide open[u]...[b]so right now im hopeing we can get a top ten draft pick[/b[/u]]....imo
[/quote]
You're hoping the Ravens get a top 10 pick?

Right now, there are nine teams with one or less wins, after 5 games. So, you want the Ravens to duplicate their failure, to get a high pick... after a 3-2 record?

Last year, the Ravens were 2-3 after 5 games, and played in the Championship Game...

[flynismo]

[quote name='Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan' date='13 October 2009 - 05:29 PM' timestamp='1255469341' post='256383']
I am going to answer this very carfully by saying that I feel like we are a good enough team to return to the playoffs. Im not going to say that I expect (meaning: it is not a given) them to make it back.

If you look back to the start of last season, we only hoped that we could achieve an 8-8 record. Obviously we achieved much more than that. This year everyone has automatically assumed that we would return to where we left off.

We have a long season ahead of us with a lot of tough matchups. Yes I feel we will get back to the playoffs but it is not a given. It will take more discipline than what we have seen to date. One game at a time!
[/quote]


Who's this "we" that thought we'd only go 8-8? Many of us here predicted a 10 to 11 win season for us last year.

[Dan The Man Ravens #1 Fan]

[quote name='flynismo' date='13 October 2009 - 09:33 PM' timestamp='1255484033' post='256611']
Who's this "we" that thought we'd only go 8-8? Many of us here predicted a 10 to 11 win season for us last year.
[/quote]
My mistake, I had meant to say the so called experts predicted us to go 8-8. But yes there were still fans that said the same thing. If the shoe fits. Know what I mean...
Yeah I was one who took a realistic look at what we were working with. They made me proud and proved me wrong.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

The undefeated predictions sure seem terrible two weeks further down the track.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='flygunit88' date='13 October 2009 - 09:05 PM' timestamp='1255482334' post='256570']
ravens never make back to back playoff appearances...but hopefully we can get a good position in the draft...sorry you guys...i know its early but it looks like the ravens have been exposed....too easy to pass over the middle its always wide open...so right now im hopeing we can get a top ten draft pick....imo
[/quote]
hopefully that changed or changes.... and there was at least 1 time after the 2000 superbowl victory (the 06-07 steelers where the first superbowl victors to not return to the playoffs the following year, or something like that), but my point... hopefully billick took that with him

[quote name='flynismo' date='13 October 2009 - 09:33 PM' timestamp='1255484033' post='256611']
Who's this "we" that thought we'd only go 8-8? Many of us here predicted a 10 to 11 win season for us last year.
[/quote]
wagon hoppers?

[McBoller]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='13 October 2009 - 11:38 PM' timestamp='1255491493' post='256725']
The undefeated predictions sure seem terrible two weeks further down the track.
[/quote]
yeah, i think we jinxed ourselves there.

[Virginia Ravens Fan]

It's about time Harbaugh and McAllister made up. The Ravens are going nowhere without a solid secondary. Even with Samari Rolle, he is not Chris McAllister.

Also the Ravens need to shake up their backfield. I watched the Dolphins tear it up with the WildCat. I suggest Ozzie get on the phone with Dan Snyder(Redskins)and work out a trade for Antawn Randel El. Maybe they can unload Chris Carr, Foxworth, and Parmalee at the same time. Heck the Ravens should throw in Troy Smith as a sweetner. With Randel El you add a new dimension in the backfield. Why in the world are the Ravens paying LJ Smith 4 Million?? Bad pickup unless the crybaby starts playing!!

Also on the Ray Lewis hit, Ocho had it coming. Brett Favre goes into retirement after this weekend!!

God Bless from Iraq!!

[Virginia Ravens Fan]

Heck while were on the subject of the secondary, how about a trade with Tampa. Ozzie picks up the phone with Raheem and goes Foxworth, Carr, and Troy Smith for Aqib Talib. That's even better than the Atwan Randel El trade!!

Out here!!

[hammer]

I don't think many people understand that this is an incredibly important week for the Ravens. If they are able to re-compose themselves after two heart-breaking losses, then there is no doubt in my mind that this team can make the playoffs.

However......however, if they continue to linger around the bottom of the league in pass defense...and if they don't recover their steel curtain against the run... and if they don't return to the "60 minutes of hell offense" that averaged 31 ppg?

Harbaugh is facing a tough test this week. I am praying that the players respond. If they do,,,, then people it is clear that the Ravens have as much talent as anyone in the league. If they don't.....well?

[Purple-Haze]

I wouldnt be disapointed if we didnt win our division. Even if we JUST make it into the playoffs I'll be happy. That being said I honestly think if the secondary is fixed and our WRs step up we can go far. But if we dont fix our problems, it looks like wildcard.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='hammer' date='15 October 2009 - 06:29 PM' timestamp='1255588142' post='257493']
[b]I don't think many people understand that this is an incredibly important week for the Ravens.[/b] If they are able to re-compose themselves after two heart-breaking losses, then there is no doubt in my mind that this team can make the playoffs.

However......however, if they continue to linger around the bottom of the league in pass defense...and if they don't recover their steel curtain against the run... and if they don't return to the "60 minutes of hell offense" that averaged 31 ppg?

Harbaugh is facing a tough test this week. I am praying that the players respond. If they do,,,, then people it is clear that the Ravens have as much talent as anyone in the league. If they don't.....well?
[/quote]
I think the number of people that freaked out after a second loss indicates quite to the contrary; imagine the reaction with three straight losses.

[robbcs3]

If we can beat the Vikings I would say we'll make the playoffs. There are too many good teams in the AFC right now, and we are not even in control of our own division. We have a lot of tough games left this year. Without showing we can beat a good team, are chances are slim. I would feel better if we had beaten the Pats and Cincy.