My Grade On The Ravens 4-2 Season So Far

[Joe5Flacco]

Through our 1st 6 games this is how I grade the Ravens and their 4-2 record:

Pass O: A-

Pass D: A+

Rush O: B

Rush D: A-

[u]Game vs NY:[/u] [b]A[/b]

Great start, Flacco and Boldin looked to have great chemistry, Defense played extremely well and although we lost the field position battle badly(starting a few times at our own 1 yard line and the Jets starting at their own 40 or on our side of the field constantly) we fought through on both D and with the ball to get the close win.

[u]Game vs Cincinatti:[/u] [b]B-[/b]

Joe had a rough game in Cinnci, the Offense didn't quite click and of course the 4 INT performance was tough to overcome, although or D played great and gave our Offense a chance.

[u]Game vs Cleveland:[/u] [b]A-[/b]

Joe and the Offense had a huge comeback game in the Ravens home opener! 3 Flacco to Boldin TD's later and the D finding a way to stop Peyton Hillis late helped the Ravens leave with a big victory.

[u]Game vs Pittsburgh:[/u] [b]A+[/b]

A huge statement game for the Ravens. Smash mouth football even with the injured Ray Rice watching from the sidelines for most of the game. Willis played great(except the fumble) the D played great and Flacco(who was having a great game already) led the game winning drive with under a minute to go throwing the pretty TD to Housh(a drive/play Ravens fans will most likely never forget). The game being sealed with a Ray Lewis INT was very nice as well. Great to win in hostile Steel City in that fasion.

[u]Game vs Denver:[/u] [b] A[/b]

The run game made a huge impact in this game. Ray Rice and his 2TD's led the way with the secondary shutting down Orton and the #1 passing game in the NFL(for the most part) in the nice home win.

[u]Game vs NE:[/u] [b]A[/b]

Joe and the passing game played very well in this game. A dropped TD which led to a FG hurt and the Ravens could not close out the Pats. Brady being the QB he is brought his team back for the OT vicorty. The loss was a tough pill to swallow but the team should grow from this game.


So I hope you guys enjoyed this and lets go Ravens!

[XxSizzleXx]

Considering we've had the toughest schedule in the entire NFL so far and have come out better in the first 6 games than we did last year, I think you have to be pleased. Although we certainly could of had that New England game I think going 2-2 in the games AT New England, Pittsburgh, New York and Cincinnati puts us in a really good spot to finish off the season strong. Of our last 10 games, 6 of them are at home. The 4 remaining road games come against Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Cleveland which are all very winnable. Can anyone deny that besides the Cinci game the offense has improved each week?

Can't look back, have to look forward, and I see the Ravens having a helluva run to finish the year.

[Jamal]

I am pretty happy with the record, although we had no business losing the Bengals.

Happy with the record, but not with the offense so far.

[Alexir]

The Bengals game was a fluke in my opinion. They lost to the Browns and Bucs and we gave them the game. I want that one back. Other than that im happy with what we did, but I really want that game back.

[Jamal]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1287716938' post='516180']
The Bengals game was a fluke in my opinion. They lost to the Browns and Bucs and we gave them the game. I want that one back. Other than that im happy with what we did, but I really want that game back.
[/quote]
Its not a fluke when you do it 3 straight games.

I wont really get into the game though. We should move on, and try to win as many games as possible, seeing as how we'll need them all to have a shot to win the division.

[Romo Ravens]

Very good post, I agree with all of the grades and statements.

The point is, man we we had one hell of a schedule to start out the year. We should be proud we've only lost two games, and even better, they were away games. I look back at this moment, and it's really kind of astonishing that we're sitting at 4-2, only having a miniscule, two home games out of 6 weeks. If you look into the future, we have the Bills at home, the Dolphins at home, Atlanta in primetime (we seem to do really well on Thursday nights, see Dallas, lol), the Panthers and the Buccaneers at home. We could easily go 9-2 from here on out, and not to mention after Tampa Bay, we have the Steelers at home.

I'm over this NE loss, and I can't wait to see how our boys respond in the next coming weeks. It could be an epic finish to the season, and I just hope we hit it off on both sides of the ball, namely on offense.

[purple.n.black]

Definitely two losses that I would like back. Especially Cincy, because we really had opportunities to win. And they have not played well this year, so I would prefer not to lose to them. NE we really tried. We missed some opportunities, but that is almost granted to happen. Just REALLY horrible timing of our mistakes. Can't say we beat ourselves though. We went into a tough place to win, and the opponent brought their A+ game and beat us by a FG in OT. Our B+/A- game was just not enough.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

If we finish 12-4 or better than 4-2 is a very good start.

[Trilogique]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1287716334' post='516174']
Considering we've had the toughest schedule in the entire NFL so far and have come out better in the first 6 games than we did last year, I think you have to be pleased. Although we certainly could of had that New England game I think going 2-2 in the games AT New England, Pittsburgh, New York and Cincinnati puts us in a really good spot to finish off the season strong. Of our last 10 games, 6 of them are at home. The 4 remaining road games come against Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Cleveland which are all very winnable. Can anyone deny that besides the Cinci game the offense has improved each week?

Can't look back, have to look forward, and I see the Ravens having a helluva run to finish the year.
[/quote]
agreed, though the Falcons game will be tough. we have like no time to rest.

[Guest RBates]

I beleive that if you play two close games you should win won. but looking forward we will be a much better team with ED Redd back. Zibby was the weakest link sorry guys. Watching him play let me know that we still need a safety when ed is gone. But barring injury we will only get better. I hope Jared makes it back though that would help restore confidence in all our fans and in Ray Rice. Don't care about the negative rep points for the Zibby comment, i call it like i see it.

[757RavensFan]

I don't agree w/ your following grades for the Bengals, Steelers, or Pats.


- There's no way you can have that many TO against the Bengals and get a B-.
- We had so many stalled drives in the Steelers game. We could have put them
away early, but didn't and had to fight to win in the last minute.
- Lack of execution and play calling prevents them from getting an A vs the Pats.

One grade I think you overlooked was the pass rush. In my opinion I would give it a C.

[Gtown Purple]

Here is my take.


Through our 1st 6 games this is how I grade the Ravens and their 4-2 record:

Pass O: A- I'll agree with you here

Pass D: A+ I'd give them an A-. They have done better than most thought they would but they need to tighten up some things

Rush O: B- I'll agree here too, we've run when we really needed too but far from our dominant run days

Rush D: A- I'd only give them a B. They've had a couple games like Cleveland where they got it taken to them.

Game vs NY: B

The defense played well and the offense made plays when they absolutely had too. Turnovers kept the Jets in the game.

Game vs Cincinatti: D

Offense was horrible and the only reason we even had a chance was becasue of the defense. Defense missed a couple opportunities to spark the offense and team as a whole with dropped int's.

Game vs Cleveland: B+

Offense finally looked something like we thought it would. Defense got roughed up on the ground by a physical back in Peyton Hillis

Game vs Pittsburgh: A-

We got the win in a hostile environment and we saw Joe come through in the clutch. Only reason I give an minus is the turnovers and lucky breaks with 2 missed Pitt fg's.

Game vs Denver: A

I'll agree with you here. We dominated in all factes. Only reason it looked as close as it did were 2 lucky long td's.

Game vs NE: B

The inconsistency bug hit us in the 4th quarter. We couldn't adjust on both sides of the ball and let a win slip through our grasp. This team needs to develop a killer instinct and step on the throat late in games and put up key points to ice a game.

[CorvusCorax]

I think your grading is a little generous. Gtown is a tad more appropriate.

[Jamal]

NYJ - C+ : Offense made enough plays against a very good defense, but turnovers kept them in the game. Defense was bailed out with Jets handcuffing Sanchez.

Cincy - D- : Worst game of Flacco's career. Rice was doing good when given the ball, but that wasn't very much. D played a very good game, but Reed's playmaking ability was missed.

Cleveland - B: Offense looked good, but the d got out-physicalled by Hillis and Browns o-line.

Pittsburgh - B: Clutch performance from Flacco, but it shouldn't have been that close.

Denver - A: Flacco started off hot, and sputtered. But it didn't really matter as Willis and Rice took over in the 2nd half. D had a great game against a top 3 pass offense.

NE - I (incomplete) : Great game all the way though the 3rd, but a different team showed up in 4th and OT. Almost like they were absent.

Overall - B- : Offense has looked about average, but that shouldn't be the case with the talent. Run d shouldn't be giving up so many yards with all the run stuffer in the d-line. The only reason I wont give a C is because the pass D has been a very pleasant surprise, and it should only get better with Reed's return.

[MagicianCamille]

Don't see how the passing offense is playing at an A level with all the talent it has and all the points it's failed to score. The defense has saved us in some of these games. The offense is playing way below it's potential.

[Ngata92NT]

Passing Offense: B Flacco is progressing no matter what people say, he's got a LOT of new things to learn with all the new targets he has. He's gone against some vicious defenses. I think the chemistry between Joe, the O-Line, and the receivers will continue to improve and by the end of the year this could be an A.

Rushing Offense: C- Our rushing offense has been stagnant so far. The O-Line is not getting enough push in the running game and Ray Rice hasn't really gotten rolling (Broncos game aside). Again, we've faced some brutal run D and Rice has been a little banged up. But we need to be way more consistent and get our run game back to its 2009 form. IMO we need to get McClain and McGahee involved a lot more, especially when Rice is having trouble (Anyone remember Oakland last year?).

Rushing D: C We have gotten manhandled a couple times this season. Against Hillis and Woodhead especially we got absolutely burnt. Any other team I would give them a B but this is the RAVENS and there are no excuses for not dominating with the personnel we have out there.

Passing D: A We've held up phenomenally well without our best corner back and our HoF/GOAT FS Ed Reed. With Reed returning sometime soon we're in fantastic position for the rest of the year. We've got Atlanta and New Orleans to look forward too but other than that we don't face a lot of explosive passing teams. If Fabes and Webb continue to recover and improve and Carr maintains his level of play we could be dangerous.

But... I'd give our pass rush a D. We NEED to find a way to get more pressure. Ngata and Suggs are playing great but we need to get more inside push from Gregg and Redding and hopefully some heat off the other edge from Kruger. I don't care if we have to blitz more, we can't let Brady, Ben, Manning, or Brees have that much time in the pocket.

Overall: B We've done very well to have a winning record through the first (and hardest) stretch of the season. But we're WAYYY better than we've been playing and if we can get all the pieces together (including play-calling CAM and GREG) we're the best team in the NFL hands down.

[purple.n.black]

[quote name='Trilogique' timestamp='1287737722' post='516308']
agreed, though the Falcons game will be tough. we have like no time to rest.
[/quote]
They don't either right? I'm pretty sure they aren't on a bye week prior to that. That would just be awful of the NFL to do

[omar586]

good start, NE game was good loss, so we can beat their butt in playoffs, so far i give cam c- for play calling, mattison b- for not being creative blitzes on defense, d for special teams for not doing anything so far, overall give the team an A- for a good start, and NE loss was good so we dont all the attentions all the time , we rather be the underdogs heading to playoffs.

[Joe5Flacco]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1287755332' post='516378']
I don't agree w/ your following grades for the Bengals, Steelers, or Pats.


- [b]There's no way you can have that many TO against the Bengals and get a B-. [/b]- We had so many stalled drives in the Steelers game. We could have put them
away early, but didn't and had to fight to win in the last minute.
- Lack of execution and play calling prevents them from getting an A vs the Pats.

One grade I think you overlooked was the pass rush. In my opinion I would give it a C.
[/quote]
Im giving the B- minus because the D gave us a chance to win, was on the field all day and shutdown Cinnci. But I understand what you mean(and I agree with your grade on the pass rush)

[Joe5Flacco]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1287728422' post='516267']
Very good post, I agree with all of the grades and statements.

The point is, man we we had one hell of a schedule to start out the year. We should be proud we've only lost two games, and even better, they were away games. I look back at this moment, and it's really kind of astonishing that we're sitting at 4-2, only having a miniscule, two home games out of 6 weeks. If you look into the future, we have the Bills at home, the Dolphins at home, Atlanta in primetime (we seem to do really well on Thursday nights, [b]see Dallas[/b], lol), the Panthers and the Buccaneers at home. We could easily go 9-2 from here on out, and not to mention after Tampa Bay, we have the Steelers at home.

I'm over this NE loss, and I can't wait to see how our boys respond in the next coming weeks. It could be an epic finish to the season, and I just hope we hit it off on both sides of the ball, namely on offense.
[/quote]
That Dallas game was Saturday night(if your talking about the game we closed the stadium out with) but I understand what you mean haha. Looking ahead we are in great shape!

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='omar586' timestamp='1287763199' post='516445']
good start, NE game was good loss, so we can beat their butt in playoffs, so far i give cam c- for play calling, mattison b- for not being creative blitzes on defense, [b]d for special teams for not doing anything so far[/b], overall give the team an A- for a good start, and NE loss was good so we dont all the attentions all the time , we rather be the underdogs heading to playoffs.
[/quote]

The return game has been very poor but Koch and Cundiff have performed well most of the year.

[Perfekt]

I agree with your our ST hasnt been bad but our return game has been terrible.

[purple.n.black]

And our coverage on punts has been... undependable at times. Only tackling really. And whoever is down there first, usually Reed or someone else small, is too easily blocked out of way before they can make a move on the ball carrier.

[reediddy]

I agree, we competed very well in the losses to NE and Cincy, and that's what makes the losses sting more, because we had the opportunity to win and couldn't finish it. Those are great learning experiences though, so in the future we know how to close out games

[DevilsLuck]

I'm sticking with my prediction of the Ravens going 14 and 2. Gonna be a rough road for that to come to fruitation now. GO RAVENS!!! I have faith in this team.

[CustomUserName]

I give the team an A- and not to get as in depth as other posters, we had a tough 6 game opening stretch highlighted by playing ESPN's current top 3 on the rough and going 2-1 against ESPN's top (Pit and NYJ). Even the "easy" games weren't that easy as Denver had the best passing offense. I would give it an A, but not with losses in games we could have easily won in Cincinnati and New England.

But just to point out the stark differences in the season, according to ESPN power rankings, of the first 6 games, half of them were on the road against top 3 teams. Of the remaining 10 games, we face 1 team ranked higher than us and in Baltimore no less (Pit). We face only 4 top 10 teams (Hou, Atl, NO, and Pit) with only one more team in the top half of the league (Mia). To highlight another stark difference, we have three games against teams rated as 30th, 31st, and 32nd (Cle, Car, Buf respectively). So I'm pretty glad to go 4-2 with a rough starting schedule that eases into the final 10 games.

Another interesting thing I've noticed is that of the AFC playoff race, there are 3 teams ahead of Baltimore (record wise) at 4-1 (NE and Pit) and 5-1 (Jets). Each of those 3 teams have to play each other down the road, resulting in losses for at least two of them. Then we hold tie breakers with NYJ and Pit (at the moment), so in the playoff race, Baltimore has some lucky breaks for catching up.

Realistically, we should be no less than a 10-6 team, and that is if we have a complete meltdown.

[steeldude]

It's very easy to grade the Ravens thus far -- C. They are average-middle of the road-mediocere. Under achieving. For all the talent you guys have on this team you should own the AFC. And yet here you sit in the middle of the division-in almost every stat this team is 16 or under. I see everyone pointing fingers looking to blame someone. So much talent here and nobody knows how to use it!

[Hjulmann]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1287716334' post='516174']
Considering we've had the toughest schedule in the entire NFL so far and have come out better in the first 6 games than we did last year, I think you have to be pleased. Although we certainly could of had that New England game I think going 2-2 in the games AT New England, Pittsburgh, New York and Cincinnati puts us in a really good spot to finish off the season strong. Of our last 10 games, 6 of them are at home. The 4 remaining road games come against Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Cleveland which are all very winnable. Can anyone deny that besides the Cinci game the offense has improved each week?

Can't look back, have to look forward, and I see the Ravens having a helluva run to finish the year.
[/quote]


Amen, couldn't agree more.

[jusraven]

You all need a reality check. The Ravens have managed to make each game close. They have redzone issues and the defense never plays well with a lead causing the ability to finish games to become a question mark. The team could easily have losses to the Jets and Pittsburg making them 2-4. A total of 4 points separate us from having the Bengals record. Presently, the team is fighting like a boxer who lacks a knockout punch.

[Clutch Ravens]

I honestly believe that with effective offensive play-calling we'd be 6-0, which is why I continue to have a problem with Cam Cam as our offensive coordinator.

You could blame defense, offensive execution, whatever. An offense can only execute a play to perfection. If a play is flawed then it will always be ineffective unless the Defense makes a massive mistake.

It emphasises the problem when your franchise QB can't audible and is complaining about play-calling.