Merged: Playoffs Threads

[MsMarvel73]

I'm not going to say yes or no to the playoffs. No matter what, I'm going to watch the rest of the season and have fun doing so.

[flynismo]

[quote name='PurpleChaos' date='08 November 2009 - 09:16 PM' timestamp='1257729382' post='278010']
LOL @ 7-1
[/quote]

The way we played the last few weeks, it will be very hard to do 7-1. Sometimes I'm more optimistic than realistic, but that's a general trait I have. I don't care who you are, when you want something bad enough, you will almost always achieve what you set after. And that seems to be a big problem with our team all year, even when we win. Where's our "fire" and intensity? Where's our swagger and us against the world mentality? To me, that's what "Play like a Raven" is supposed to mean.

Our backs are against the wall now. In a way, that's a good thing, because these guys have always played at their best when faced with adversity.
But we should never have gotten ourselves two games behind.
Do I think we can make up those two games and win the division? It's unlikely, especially if Pittsurgh wins tomorrow night.
Do I think we'll make the playoffs? That is still a very strong possibility. Assuming neither Pitts or Cincy doesn't choke, it is even possible that the AFCN sends three teams to the playoffs this year. But right now, I just don't know that this defense has what it takes to get us there. It's no sure thing by any stretch. Point is, we are far from out of the picture; we just have a lot of work to do.

[Flacco-the-Unitas]

They were covered in grease or something. I can't figure out why they keep falling.

[PurpleChaos]

Not that it would ever happen but just for fun imagine if we made it to Miami and faced New Orleans. We would get smoked, torched, and burned to a crisp like no tomorrow. I would rather not even make it to the big show if that was on the menu LOL Oh damn the Colts are on the horizon imagine that

[flynismo]

[quote name='ravensfolife' date='08 November 2009 - 09:20 PM' timestamp='1257729643' post='278017']
I think we can do it, but those guys act like we were ever in the game. send fly the gametape please
[/quote]


I saw the game. After they went up 17, I knew we didn't have much of a chance. No need for a game tape here. I just don't incessantly mope about it.

[PuRock]

[quote name='PurpleChaos' date='08 November 2009 - 09:04 PM' timestamp='1257732251' post='278088']
Not that it would ever happen but just for fun imagine if we made it to Miami and faced New Orleans. We would get smoked, torched, and burned to a crisp like no tomorrow. I would rather not even make it to the big show if that was on the menu LOL
[/quote]

C'Mon, a shot is better than no shot at all. So the Giants should have not claw their way to the Superbowl a few years back? Because they weren't given an ounce of chance against the undefeated Patriots.

[flynismo]

[quote name='PurpleChaos' date='08 November 2009 - 10:04 PM' timestamp='1257732251' post='278088']
Not that it would ever happen but just for fun imagine if we made it to Miami and faced New Orleans. We would get smoked, torched, and burned to a crisp like no tomorrow. I would rather not even make it to the big show if that was on the menu LOL Oh damn the Colts are on the horizon imagine that
[/quote]

that's fine. Just don't watch the game if we make it to Miami. I'm not nearly as convinced as you seem to be that ANYONE would blow us out in the SB. If we're in the SB, that means our defense got it's act together between now and then, and in that case this team is damn near unbeatable.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='flynismo' date='08 November 2009 - 07:59 PM' timestamp='1257731955' post='278076']
Where's our swagger and us against the world mentality? To me, that's what "Play like a Raven" is supposed to mean.
[/quote]
Harbaugh did away with that, he wants us to become the "respectable, good guys that teams look up to, and play with stoic fire" for whatever reason this team has always thrived as the bad boys of the NFL with a "you dont like it then you can shove it" attitude. Harbaugh got rid of that, Rex was the last coach we had with that kind of attitude and he left. Think about it, Cam is prob the calmest person alive, which is great for Joe because they fit. Mattison is like that old tired Grandpa you had who just sat in his chair and was like "hey now dont do that." It used to be us against the world cuz the NFL hated the way we played football and we were unmarketable to the mass fanbase. Add to that Rays legal problems, Jamals problems, and I dont know about anyone else here but it doesnt seem like we talk near as much s*** as we used to. I know its tough to do when your D gets punched in the face every week but damn, even at the start of the game give me something. Ray doesnt even look half as fired up as he used to because he knows the next play is going for 20 yards over his head and theres nothing he can do about it.

[PurpleChaos]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='08 November 2009 - 09:17 PM' timestamp='1257733079' post='278118']
Harbaugh did away with that, he wants us to become the "respectable, good guys that teams look up to, and play with stoic fire" for whatever reason this team has always thrived as the bad boys of the NFL with a "you dont like it then you can shove it" attitude. Harbaugh got rid of that, Rex was the last coach we had with that kind of attitude and he left. Think about it, Cam is prob the calmest person alive, which is great for Joe because they fit. Mattison is like that old tired Grandpa you had who just sat in his chair and was like "hey now dont do that." It used to be us against the world cuz the NFL hated the way we played football and we were unmarketable to the mass fanbase. Add to that Rays legal problems, Jamals problems, and I dont know about anyone else here but it doesnt seem like we talk near as much s*** as we used to. I know its tough to do when your D gets punched in the face every week but damn, even at the start of the game give me something. Ray doesnt even look half as fired up as he used to because he knows the next play is going for 20 yards over his head and theres nothing he can do about it.
[/quote]
The sad truth is nobody fears our D anymore and there is no guy in our WR core that puts the fear in another teams secondary.

[ravensfolife]

[quote name='flynismo' date='08 November 2009 - 09:04 PM' timestamp='1257732285' post='278089']
I saw the game. After they went up 17, I knew we didn't have much of a chance. No need for a game tape here. I just don't incessantly mope about it.
[/quote]


so in one post you say we arent playing like a raven, then if someone says the same thing in different words there wrong. So only you can question the team?

[RavensAllTheWay]

We just haven't gotten hot yet. Question is: Will we? I'm beginning to doubt it but I don't think our season will be over until we play all 16 games. Whether or not we make it to the playoffs wil be close and I mean down to the wire. Lets just let the Bengals have their win and play their season out. Let em' go. We won't play this bad every single week but let's make sure we actually show up for the Colts and Steelers games. Today's game was the biggest of the season so far and we didn't even SHOW UP???? Despicable

[darklight1216]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' date='08 November 2009 - 10:39 PM' timestamp='1257737960' post='278236']
We just haven't gotten hot yet. Question is: Will we? I'm beginning to doubt it but I don't think our season will be over until we play all 16 games. Whether or not we make it to the playoffs wil be close and I mean down to the wire. Lets just let the Bengals have their win and play their season out. Let em' go. We won't play this bad every single week but let's make sure we actually show up for the Colts and Steelers games. Today's game was the biggest of the season so far and we didn't even SHOW UP???? Despicable
[/quote]
We've been hot during the first three or four games, now we're not. Our season will not technically be over until we face Oakland, as you said, but we all know that we cannot possibly lose more than six games and still keep the playoff hopes alive.

[Ravenite]

This lost was a big indicator of what this team needs to work on and so fourth in the future.

To me, I saw a win over the Broncos more than the Bengals simply because of the offenses. The Broncos kept everything simple with no deep threat and that's why our defense was effective for the most part. They had no worries whatsoever about someone throwing over their head.

However, we've seen it with Rivers, Brady, Favre, Palmer and even Croyle for that matter, they had effective ways to throw on this team and right now, this team isn't ready for the playoffs. I don't think no team should be thinking about the playoffs right now because we are at the midpoint of the season.

The offense stunk today and like Flacco said, "They didn't do anything complicated, they played their technique well." That's what this team doesn't have, TECHNIQUE or DISCIPLINE and that's not gonna cut it in the playoffs whatsoever.

To me, the bye didn't do a thing. Our defense played well on the second half mostly because of adjustments but those adjustments should've been made prior to the game as a whole.

I don't usually get mad at the Ravens but they pissed me off today.

[whaven]

Nope...our team has some major problems, that will take some personnel changes to fix and that won't happen till next season..............


Who let Matt Stover go?

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='flynismo' date='08 November 2009 - 09:59 PM' timestamp='1257731955' post='278076']
The way we played the last few weeks, it will be very hard to do 7-1. Sometimes I'm more optimistic than realistic, but that's a general trait I have. I don't care who you are, when you want something bad enough, you will almost always achieve what you set after. And that seems to be a big problem with our team all year, even when we win. Where's our "fire" and intensity? Where's our swagger and us against the world mentality? To me, that's what "Play like a Raven" is supposed to mean.

Our backs are against the wall now. In a way, that's a good thing, because these guys have always played at their best when faced with adversity.
But we should never have gotten ourselves two games behind.
Do I think we can make up those two games and win the division? It's unlikely, especially if Pittsurgh wins tomorrow night.
Do I think we'll make the playoffs? That is still a very strong possibility. Assuming neither Pitts or Cincy doesn't choke, it is even possible that the AFCN sends three teams to the playoffs this year. But right now, I just don't know that this defense has what it takes to get us there. It's no sure thing by any stretch. Point is, we are far from out of the picture; we just have a lot of work to do.
[/quote]No we really haven't done well against adversity this season. That is one thing about us which is all too noticeable. Every mistake we've made this year (whether it's a huge defensive penalty, missed field goals, dropped passes, etc...) we've paid a price for it. We haven't bailed ourselves out of tough situations.

Stover, one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history leaves the team, now a much less experienced Hauschka misses two big 4th quarter field goals this season, one of which literally cost us a win. Defense committs 3 big penalties in the 1st meeting against CIN on the games last drive. Eventually, CIN scored and won. A 4th down penalty on D last week and this week both led to TDs. These are just a few examples.

Here's the bottomline:

We don't recover from anything. I haven't seen any resiliency at all so far

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' date='09 November 2009 - 12:03 AM' timestamp='1257739403' post='278255']
No we really haven't done well against adversity this season. That is one thing about us which is all too noticeable. Every mistake we've made this year (whether it's a huge defensive penalty, missed field goals, dropped passes, etc...) we've paid a price for it. We haven't bailed ourselves out of tough situations.

Stover, one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history leaves the team, now a much less experienced Hauschka misses two big 4th quarter field goals this season, one of which literally cost us a win. Defense committs 3 big penalties in the 1st meeting against CIN on the games last drive. Eventually, CIN scored and won. A 4th down penalty on D last week and this week both led to TDs. These are just a few examples.

Here's the bottomline:

We don't recover from anything. I haven't seen any resiliency at all so far
[/quote]
In the past, we've had the mentality of being against the world. We still do, but the difference is, back then, we would beat the world. Now the world's beating us.

So here's the next story. Our backs are against the wall again. 2 or 3 games behind the Bengals, 1 and 1/2 behind the Steelers. Get this, WERE THE 10TH SEED IN THE AFC RIGHT NOW!!!

This is another tough spot, so can we FINALLY bail ourselves out of it? Can we FINALLY show some resiliency, enough to get in as a wildcard?

[neepo13]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='08 November 2009 - 09:17 PM' timestamp='1257733079' post='278118']
Harbaugh did away with that, he wants us to become the "respectable, good guys that teams look up to, and play with stoic fire" for whatever reason this team has always thrived as the bad boys of the NFL with a "you dont like it then you can shove it" attitude. Harbaugh got rid of that, Rex was the last coach we had with that kind of attitude and he left. Think about it, Cam is prob the calmest person alive, which is great for Joe because they fit. Mattison is like that old tired Grandpa you had who just sat in his chair and was like "hey now dont do that." It used to be us against the world cuz the NFL hated the way we played football and we were unmarketable to the mass fanbase. Add to that Rays legal problems, Jamals problems, and I dont know about anyone else here but it doesnt seem like we talk near as much s*** as we used to. I know its tough to do when your D gets punched in the face every week but damn, even at the start of the game give me something. Ray doesnt even look half as fired up as he used to because he knows the next play is going for 20 yards over his head and theres nothing he can do about it.
[/quote]

You know I was all for Harbaugh doing away with that crap because the team was so undisciplined. I thought getting rid of that attitude would make the team more disciplined but it hasnt. Maybe its time to change personal on the defensive side of the ball.

The other thing that kind of ticks me off is that no one seems to one take responsibility for their horrible play. They all say the right things in the press confrence but they are just words. I dont see a desire to be better in any of them. There is no passion or anything. Like its not that bad and everything is going to be ok. Like they dont care that they stink.

[jschultz]

It certainly looks like we aren't going to win our division, so that leaves a wildcard birth. Other posters have correctly pointed out that we will probably need to go 7-1 or 6-2 to get a wildcard birth based on past history.

With the weakness we've had in our secondary, I fear that Manning is going to tear this team a new one. Last year, when we were playing much better D he tore us a new one. I think this one will be an even bigger one.

Beyond that, sad to say, Pittsburgh has had our number for quite some time now. We are 1-4 against them over the last two years. Maybe Rice can change that, but I'm not terribly optimistic given the drubbings that Cincy gave us.

Add in games against Rodgers, Cutler and even Det's QB and I'm not optimistic in the least, given the way we've been playing.

We were supposed to pick up at least a couple of the games we already lost this season. The fact that we didn't makes us getting to the playoffs now a considerable long shot.

[Shawn`]

There's always 2010.

2009 is just a victim of "The Pattern". Look at my sig.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

As bad as 4-4 seems, at least other teams in the running for the Playoffs aren't taking off well ahead. Indianapolis, New England, Denver will all win their divisions. Unless Cincinnati collapses, we're probably playing for the Wildcard.

I think we can still win 10 games, but we need to get back on track fast. Today was a huge set back though.

[BmoreFlacco]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='08 November 2009 - 09:17 PM' timestamp='1257733079' post='278118']
Harbaugh did away with that, he wants us to become the "respectable, good guys that teams look up to, and play with stoic fire" for whatever reason this team has always thrived as the bad boys of the NFL with a "you dont like it then you can shove it" attitude. Harbaugh got rid of that, Rex was the last coach we had with that kind of attitude and he left. Think about it, Cam is prob the calmest person alive, which is great for Joe because they fit. Mattison is like that old tired Grandpa you had who just sat in his chair and was like "hey now dont do that." It used to be us against the world cuz the NFL hated the way we played football and we were unmarketable to the mass fanbase. Add to that Rays legal problems, Jamals problems, and I dont know about anyone else here but it doesnt seem like we talk near as much s*** as we used to. I know its tough to do when your D gets punched in the face every week but damn, even at the start of the game give me something. Ray doesnt even look half as fired up as he used to because he knows the next play is going for 20 yards over his head and theres nothing he can do about it.
[/quote]
...So True Thats a valid point about this team not having the same 'attitude'from the coaches that inspired and related with the players.. You cant go from the Bullies of the NFL to wanting to have the most desirable character models without changing the culture and attitude... maybe that has more to do with our inconsistency than any player specific reasons...

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='ravens_4life' date='08 November 2009 - 05:46 PM' timestamp='1257720373' post='277781']
we went right back to the boring 4-3. like someone else said we used 3-4 last week and blew out the best team in football last week.[/quote]

I would be the man who said that. God oh God its the truth!

[Radinho84]

maybe that´s just the mistake. we shouldn´t care about playoffs or els right now. we should care about our play and how we can get our stuff together to be a good team again and not an average one.
we were all freakin´about our offense for the whole season. don´t blame the defense that much. we gave only 17 points this week. we had the chance again to win this one but we didn´t do it. that´s just what we do this season: we don´t win clutch games!!!
in my opinion we really have to figure out where the problems really are. thinkin we played 4-3 because ngata was not on the field.


bottom line: we still can beat every team in this league but as sad as it is we also can loose against every one of them!!!! we need to bring a little more to the table every weak than we did on those 4 losses. i love this team and i believe in this team. bring out your very best performance every sunday and there will not be that much we can complain about!!!!

[Radinho84]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' date='09 November 2009 - 03:53 AM' timestamp='1257753209' post='278426']
I would be the man who said that. God oh God its the truth!
[/quote]

i am totally with u!!!

[smashmouth]

[quote name='PurpleChaos' date='08 November 2009 - 09:04 PM' timestamp='1257732251' post='278088']
Not that it would ever happen but just for fun imagine if we made it to Miami and faced New Orleans. We would get smoked, torched, and burned to a crisp like no tomorrow. I would rather not even make it to the big show if that was on the menu LOL Oh damn the Colts are on the horizon imagine that
[/quote]
[font="Arial Black"]Funny thing is that NO's can easley get burnt also, they lead the league in INT's but thats because its a shootout every game they play. Colder wheather they plat the worse they will get.[/font][quote name='Ravenite' date='08 November 2009 - 10:53 PM' timestamp='1257738805' post='278243']
This lost was a big indicator of what this team needs to work on and so fourth in the future.

To me, I saw a win over the Broncos more than the Bengals simply because of the offenses. The Broncos kept everything simple with no deep threat and that's why our defense was effective for the most part. They had no worries whatsoever about someone throwing over their head.

However, we've seen it with Rivers, Brady, Favre, Palmer and even Croyle for that matter, they had effective ways to throw on this team and right now, this team isn't ready for the playoffs. I don't think no team should be thinking about the playoffs right now because we are at the midpoint of the season.

The offense stunk today and like Flacco said, "They didn't do anything complicated, they played their technique well." That's what this team doesn't have, TECHNIQUE or DISCIPLINE and that's not gonna cut it in the playoffs whatsoever.

To me, the bye didn't do a thing. Our defense played well on the second half mostly because of adjustments but those adjustments should've been made prior to the game as a whole.

I don't usually get mad at the Ravens but they pissed me off today.
[/quote]
I think your right, but they diddnt put up anymore points in the 2nd half, if only Flacco and company stepped it up we could have easley pulled this one off.
We beat Denver because there strngth on offense is the short passing attack and thats our strength on D. Cinci is a mid to deep passing team and thats where we suck. And not having Ngata in hurt us bad.

The bye diddnt do anything for the defense thats for sure.

[Tighthead420]

No wa

[ZRayvenZ]

[b]

NO,,, We suck!!!

[bauer77]

i love my ravens but we played horribly yesterday. allowed yet another 100 yard rusher. they got numerous 4th down conversions. flacco threw 2 picks and rice couldnt get anywhere. and did i mention CEDRIC BENSON ran over us AGAIN?? Cedric Benson?? wow. i really pray we go to the playoffs. idk if we do or not. but ill still watch every game and support my team. i aint gonna whine if we dont make it. thats why there is 2010 and 2011 and so on. there will be more football in the future its not like there isnt next year. stop complaining and jus enjoy the season.

[Twoo]

We'll need to win at least 6 of our last 8 to even be in contention. 7/8 probably gets us in if we finish well in the division.

We're tied for 8th place in the AFC right now. 2 games behind 5th (4-4 compared to 5-2). Look at the schedules of the teams who are in the wildcard situations right now- Chargers/Steelers/Texans.

Steelers: unbelievably easy schedule
Chargers: Mid level schedule- hard teams but also cake walks
Texans: BEAST of a schedule for the remaining season

If we win 6/8 or 7/8 we can pretty much guarantee ourselves a playoff spot. The Steelers will clinch a wildcard- 99% sure about that- so it's up to the Chargers, Texans and... hopefully us. If the Chargers and Texans fare well then we're done. Harb knows this, everyone knows this.

We need the Texans and Chargers to drop at least 3 games and we'll take a wildcard spot. Remember, if we end up with the same wins as the Chargers we get the spot over them because of our win earlier this season.

DONE.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='flynismo' date='08 November 2009 - 09:14 PM' timestamp='1257729252' post='278003']

I think we need to go 7-1 from here on out to be sure. 10-6 isn't a guaranteed playoff spot anymore. It's doable. We can afford one more loss, so if we do lose to Indy, or if we beat them and split with Pitts, we're still in good shape. If we go 6-2, that's leaving too much to chance, and as we all know, that isn't a position we want to be in.
[/quote]

It's always better to control your own destiny, as it were... leaving it up to chance or other teams is never good.