MERGED: Playoff Watch

[Ravensfan23]

Ok so it's the Bye week and despite all the negative talk, the Ravens are still sitting at 5-2 and in the thick of the elite AFC teams.

It's week 8 which means the season is half way done give or take a game. So at what point do you start watching the other teams around the Ravens in hopes that they drop a game here or there?

So this will just be a Thread were we as Ravens fans can keep tabs on the AFC teams surrounding us from week to week.

I'll only focus on the top 8 teams, because technically every team is still alive, but only 6 teams make it so, keeping the watch to the top 8 teams will keep it sensible.

Right now in week 8 the Ravens are sitting at the #5 seed in the AFC and if the Playoffs were to start today, we'd be on the road. Sound familiar? The Ravens are only a 1/2 game out of 1st place, and own the tie breakers over the Jets, Steelers, and Titans, but because all 3 of those teams are either division leaders or have one less loss, they are above the Ravens.

[b]The AFC Standings through Week 16:

1. New England Patriots 13-2
2. Pittsburgh Steelers 11-4
3. Kansas City Chiefs 10-5
4. Indianapolis Colts 9-6
5. Baltimore Ravens 11-4
6. New York Jets 10-5
[/b]

[JO_75]

This is a good thread. When you look at the standings, things are so close that it's not funny. I mean look at our division and the AFC East. If the Jets slip up the Patriots move atop the AFC East as one of the top 2 seeds while the Jets slip back to fighting for a Wild Card, and the same with our division. If the Steelers slip up, we move to the top of the North and the second seed. Or if the Jets keep it up and we have the same record, we would have the # 1 Seed and the Jets would be # 2. Leaving the Patriots fighting for a WC spot. It's going to come down to the very end of the year to figure out who is seeded where.

All I know is if we sweep Pittsburgh we will be guaranteed one of the top 2 seeds, because I can't see the Chiefs winning more than 10 games, and with Pittsburgh as a WC, whoever wins the East will have the other spot while the other East Team will be battling for a WC spot.

Edit: I just saw a flaw in your playoff system. The Pats would be the 5th Seed because the Titans would be the 3rd Seed followed by the Chiefs with the 4th seed. Remember the Top 4 Seeds go to Division Winners. Meaning NE and us would be the 5th & 6th seeds.

It should be:
1. Jets
2. Steelers
3. Titans
4. Chiefs
5. Patriots
6. Ravens

[Bltravens]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1288205469' post='522291']
This is a good thread. When you look at the standings, things are so close that it's not funny. I mean look at our division and the AFC East. If the Jets slip up the Patriots move atop the AFC East as one of the top 2 seeds while the Jets slip back to fighting for a Wild Card, and the same with our division. If the Steelers slip up, we move to the top of the North and the second seed. Or if the Jets keep it up and we have the same record, we would have the # 1 Seed and the Jets would be # 2. Leaving the Patriots fighting for a WC spot. It's going to come down to the very end of the year to figure out who is seeded where.

All I know is if we sweep Pittsburgh we will be guaranteed one of the top 2 seeds, because I can't see the Chiefs winning more than 10 games, and with Pittsburgh as a WC, whoever wins the East will have the other spot while the other East Team will be battling for a WC spot.
[/quote]
Dont forget the Titans, Fischer has revived that team and it looks like Kerry Collins still knows whats up. CJ had only 60 yards against the Eagles and the Titans still won.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

I'm really interested in how the West and South end up. The West because I have two friends who are fans of Denver and San Diego respectively and I keep letting them know that none other than the Kansas City Chiefs will be taking their playoff spot at this rate, needless to say they aren't particularly appreciative! The South because I thought that Indy would run away with it again and Texans and Titans would probably not have a good enough record for the playoffs, what with there being so many teams playing at a high standard this season. However that obviously hasn't happened (yet) and we also have the chance to turn up the heat there with a very intriguing match in Houston. My main concern though is obviously that we win AFC North and perhaps get the Wild Card bye.

[Ravensfan23]

Ok so in week 8, the Ravens could either drop to #7 or move up to #2 without even playing a game. If both the Jets and Steelers lose the Ravens move up to #2 in the AFC and gain control in the AFC North. If the other 6 teams win(Ind and Hou plays each other) then the Ravens will drop down to #7, but if the Steelers lose the Ravens move up to #3. It doesn't really mean much right now, but it's fun to watch.

GB at NYJ will be a interesting match-up because the Packers haven't been as consistent this year, but we all know Rodgers could explode at anytime. As highly hyped as they are, the Jets are currently the 22nd ranked pass defense, but the Packers are ranked 23rd vs the Run. Which unit will be able to gain the edge? The Jets have been lucky to have all their seemingly tough playoff type games at home so far, Bal, NE, Min, and this is no different.

Minn at NE will be hyped by the return of Moss, but with a beat up Favre, I'm sure the Pats will find a way to win this game. Even if the Pats lose this game they will still be ranked above the Ravens, because of a head to head win.

NO at Pit is the game I'm most interested in seeing. NO hasn't been playing well at all this season, but the potential is there. Losing to the Browns has to hurt, and I'm sure Brees will be looking to make a statement against the 24th ranked pass defense of the Steelers. The Steelers will look to get pressure on Brees and continue to force him into game changing mistakes. It's always fun to watch the Steelers game and hope they get killed, so Sunday night will be no different.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1288205469' post='522291']
This is a good thread. When you look at the standings, things are so close that it's not funny. I mean look at our division and the AFC East. If the Jets slip up the Patriots move atop the AFC East as one of the top 2 seeds while the Jets slip back to fighting for a Wild Card, and the same with our division. If the Steelers slip up, we move to the top of the North and the second seed. Or if the Jets keep it up and we have the same record, we would have the # 1 Seed and the Jets would be # 2. Leaving the Patriots fighting for a WC spot. It's going to come down to the very end of the year to figure out who is seeded where.

All I know is if we sweep Pittsburgh we will be guaranteed one of the top 2 seeds, because I can't see the Chiefs winning more than 10 games, and with Pittsburgh as a WC, whoever wins the East will have the other spot while the other East Team will be battling for a WC spot.

[b]Edit: I just saw a flaw in your playoff system. The Pats would be the 5th Seed because the Titans would be the 3rd Seed followed by the Chiefs with the 4th seed. Remember the Top 4 Seeds go to Division Winners. Meaning NE and us would be the 5th & 6th seeds.

It should be:
1. Jets
2. Steelers
3. Titans
4. Chiefs
5. Patriots
6. Ravens
[/quote][/b]

I was going by the official standing of the NFL, not a playoff seeding so to speak. As you said those seeding won't be played out until the very end of the season. Right now the Pats are above the Chiefs because the Pats only have one loss.

But you are right, if the playoffs were to start today, that would be the way it stacked up.

The next 9-10 weeks will be really fun to watch.
With the Ravens still having to play the Steelers and Hou.
The Steelers still having to play the Ravens, Jets and Pats.
The Jets still have to play the Pats, Steelers, and Hou
The Pats still have to play the Jets, Steelers, and Indy

Then the Titans, Colts, and Texans will continue to battle each other all season for top spot in the South.

So it'll be fun to watch, someone will either pull away and take command of the AFC #1 seed, or this thing will stay bunched up and it will be a great thing for the NFL.

[organizedchaos007]

Playoffs?..... Playoffs???... nah just kidding lol. Great thread... and honestly, I've been paying attention to teams ahead of us, or close to us in terms of record in the AFC, especially our division. This could be potentially a great bye week for us, if..

1. NO beats the steelers which is highly possible
2. The vikings beating NE which is highly possible
3. GB beating the Jets which is also highly possible
4. I have a feeling SD breaks their curse this year and demolish the titans

If all this happens, we jump into a 4 way tie and only NE has the tie-breaker over us.

Also Pittsburgh has a tough stretch over the next few weeks, I think it will be important to try and lock up our division first and foremost and let the rest play out.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1288207740' post='522319']
[/b]

I was going by the official standing of the NFL, not a playoff seeding so to speak. As you said those seeding won't be played out until the very end of the season. Right now the Pats are above the Chiefs because the Pats only have one loss.

But you are right, if the playoffs were to start today, that would be the way it stacked up.

The next 9-10 weeks will be really fun to watch.
With the Ravens still having to play the Steelers and Hou.
The Steelers still having to play the Ravens, Jets and Pats.
The Jets still have to play the Pats, Steelers, and Hou
The Pats still have to play the Jets, Steelers, and Indy

Then the Titans, Colts, and Texans will continue to battle each other all season for top spot in the South.

So it'll be fun to watch, someone will either pull away and take command of the AFC #1 seed, or this thing will stay bunched up and it will be a great thing for the NFL.
[/quote]

As long as the Steelers can go 2-1 in their next 3 games against the Saints,Bengals,and Patriots and as long as that loss does not come against the Bengals in Cincinnati they are going to be in great shape to go into December with not only a chance to win the AFC North but also get the #1 seed in the AFC. The Steelers have 5 of their last 8 games at Heinz Field and while they do have to play both the Patriots and the Jets still both of those games are in Pittsburgh which I believe gives the Steelers the edge and a good chance to at the very worst split both of those games.

The Steelers only remaining road games after they play in New Orleans Sunday night and in Cincy next Monday night are at Buffalo,at Baltimore,and at Cleveland to close out the year. Other then playing the Ravens on the road playing Buffalo and Cleveland on the road doesnt scare me at all. The Steelers also still get Oakland,Cincy,and Carolina at home as well in 3 games they have a pretty good chance of winning. While the Ravens still have to play a tough Miami team that has not lost on the road yet, at Atlanta where Matt Ryan is 15-1 lifetime in the dome, at Houston in December which is always a tough place to play and win, and then come right back after playing Houston on a short week and play the Saints which I dont care how bad they are playing and look now will not be a walk in the park for the Ravens.

The bottom line is it's going to be a fight until mid-December to see who is going to win the AFC North and be the 1 and 2 seeds in the AFC. I still think it's all going to come down to that Steelers Ravens rematch on Sunday night December 5th in Baltimore to determine who is going to win this division and be that 1 or 2 seed in the AFC. That game will absolutely huge...

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='organizedchaos007' timestamp='1288211947' post='522375']
Playoffs?..... Playoffs???... nah just kidding lol. Great thread... and honestly, I've been paying attention to teams ahead of us, or close to us in terms of record in the AFC, especially our division. This could be potentially a great bye week for us, if..

1. NO beats the steelers which is highly possible
2. The vikings beating NE which is highly possible
3. GB beating the Jets which is also highly possible
4. I have a feeling SD breaks their curse this year and demolish the titans

If all this happens, we jump into a 4 way tie and only NE has the tie-breaker over us.

Also Pittsburgh has a tough stretch over the next few weeks, I think it will be important to try and lock up our division first and foremost and let the rest play out.
[/quote]
The Steelers do have a tough stretch over the next 3 weeks no doubt but they are getting their tough stretch of games out of the way now I believe when they are still ahead of the Ravens while the Ravens will have a tougher stretch then the Steelers come December then the Steelers will have. The Steelers still have 2 games left with Cincy,and one game each left with Buffalo,Oakland,and Carolina and Cleveland all whom have losing records. So while the Steelers do have a tough stretch upcoming here with the Saints,Bengals,and Patriots as I said up above getting out of it at 2-1 which is highly possible without that 1 loss being to the Bengals would set them up great playing the Raiders and Bills back to back weeks before going into Baltimore the first week of December...

[Bltravens]

[quote name='organizedchaos007' timestamp='1288211947' post='522375']
Playoffs?..... Playoffs???... nah just kidding lol. Great thread... and honestly, I've been paying attention to teams ahead of us, or close to us in terms of record in the AFC, especially our division. This could be potentially a great bye week for us, if..

1. NO beats the steelers which is highly possible
2. The vikings beating NE which is highly possible
3. GB beating the Jets which is also highly possible
4. I have a feeling SD breaks their curse this year and demolish the titans

If all this happens, we jump into a 4 way tie and only NE has the tie-breaker over us.

Also Pittsburgh has a tough stretch over the next few weeks, I think it will be important to try and lock up our division first and foremost and let the rest play out.
[/quote]
Devils Advocate time
-NO beats the Steelers, if NO gets their heads out of their butts
-Vikings beat the Pats if Favre actually lets AP dictate a game one time
-GB beats the Jets if GB had Finley, the Jets safeties are not good in coverage and Heap had his way with Leonhard, imagine Finley on Leonhard.
-SD...what can I say lol

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1288212661' post='522385']
The Steelers do have a tough stretch over the next 3 weeks no doubt but they are getting their tough stretch of games out of the way now I believe when they are still ahead of the Ravens while the Ravens will have a tougher stretch then the Steelers come December then the Steelers will have. The Steelers still have 2 games left with Cincy,and one game each left with Buffalo,Oakland,and Carolina and Cleveland all whom have losing records. So while the Steelers do have a tough stretch upcoming here with the Saints,Bengals,and Patriots as I said up above getting out of it at 2-1 which is highly possible without that 1 loss being to the Bengals would set them up great playing the Raiders and Bills back to back weeks before going into Baltimore the first week of December...
[/quote]

I have to agree that in the long run, you prob do have the easier schedule. However,

~~@ NO (a mad Saints team at that)
~~@ CIN (a team who is likely to string together acouple wins sooner than later).. oh and a division game
~~NE (will be a tough game, but think PIT pulls it out at home)
~~OAK (.... no contest for you)
~~@BUF (dont sleep on them lol.. Fitzy is no slouch)
~~@BAL (division game, Ben back, Reed back, no excuses)
~~CIN (division game again)
~~NYJ (good game)
~~CAR (no contest for you)
~~@CLE (divisin game)

IMO you have 2 stretches where you play (NO, CIN, NE) then (CIN, NYJ, BAL)... not an easy task either.

I think we all know our division will come down to the wire, and either team will be deserving. So we will see

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1288212665' post='522386']
Devils Advocate time
-NO beats the Steelers, if NO gets their heads out of their butts
-Vikings beat the Pats if Favre actually lets AP dictate a game one time
-GB beats the Jets if GB had Finley, the Jets safeties are not good in coverage and Heap had his way with Leonhard, imagine Finley on Leonhard.
-SD...what can I say lol
[/quote]
I agree lol, but ill be routing for each and every one of them lol.

[edreedfromtheu]

The Ravens last game of the regular season is what scared me the most. Against the Bengals, who will probably have nothing to play for except to ruin the Ravens season. The Ravens seem to always find a way to lose against the Bengals, and the officials always seem to make sure even if the Ravens do happen to do enough to win, that the Bengals still win.

Hopefully they have a playoff spot locked up before Week 17, but I have a feeling it's going to come down to that game.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1288204838' post='522284']
Week 8 Schedule:

BUF @ KC 1pm
[b]GB @ NYJ 1pm[/b]
[b]TEN @ SD 4pm[/b]
[b]MIN @ NE 4pm[/b]
[b]PIT @ NO 8pm[/b]
[b]HOU @ IND Mon 8:30[/b]

Bye: Ravens
[/quote]

Those are the only games we really have to watch for, I'm not too worried about the KC/BUF game. The reason I say that is that along as the Titans win, Steelers lose Jets lose, and NE win KC will realistically be at most the 4th seed meaning we would be the 2nd seed and NE would be the 1st seed. Houston the only worry with them is if Pittsburgh wins the North and we are fighting for a wild card spot meaning the Texans would be going for a WC spot and that game could determine who is the 5th/6th seed.

[quote name='organizedchaos007' timestamp='1288211947' post='522375']
This could be potentially a great bye week for us, if..

[b]1. NO beats the steelers which is highly possible
2. The vikings beating NE which is highly possible
3. GB beating the Jets which is also highly possible
4. I have a feeling SD breaks their curse this year and demolish the titans[/b][/quote]

NO beating the Steelers.. maybe.
Vikings are a complete mess, NE is getting hot.
Hopefully GB can beat the Jets.
SD beating the Titans would be helpful but the Titans are coming around.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1288212423' post='522383']
The bottom line is it's going to be a fight until mid-December to see who is going to win the AFC North and be the 1 and 2 seeds in the AFC. I still think it's all going to come down to that Steelers Ravens rematch on Sunday night December 5th in Baltimore to determine who is going to win this division and be that 1 or 2 seed in the AFC. That game will absolutely huge...
[/quote]

The AFC North will definitely be decided in the rematch at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens are in a much better, well maybe not much better but better position right now to win the North moreso then the Steelers.

The reason i say this is because for the Ravens it's simple, beat the Steelers and split between the Browns/Bengals and we win the North. Period. At that point the worse the Ravens could go is 4-2 in the North, while the best the Steelers could go is 4-2, while having both losses coming at the hands of the Ravens. Advantage Ravens.

The Steelers on the other hand would still need to win the next 3 division games or get help with tie breakers. That's not unlikely at all.

As far as the difference between our schedules, you guys may very well have what seems to be a easier schedule, but as we've seen with you guys in recent years, nothing is a easy win.

You look at last year alone. You guys dropped games against a poor Bears team, a poor Chiefs team, a poor Raiders team, a poor Browns team, and struggled to handle a poor Lions team. So by no means will any of the games that seem to be easy be a cake walk.

For the Ravens, what appears to be our toughest part of the schedule is over with. Having 4 of our first 6 games coming on the road, all against Super Bowl/playoff caliber teams. To come out of that stretch with a 5-2 record, and holding tie breakers over the Jets and Steelers is impressive.

Our toughest games now, we'll have the luxury of playing at home. Since Harbaugh has taken over, the Ravens are 7-2 at home in the months of Nov, Dec, Jan. In that time frame the Ravens have outscored opponents 280-88, averaging 31.1 ppg and allowing only 9.7 ppg.

So imo it works out well for the Ravens that we have tough games against Mia, No, Pitt, and Cincy all at home. If we can go 3-1 in that stretch, we'll be in really good position to win the North and lock up one of the top 2 seeds in the AFC.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1288214205' post='522411']
The Ravens last game of the regular season is what scared me the most. Against the Bengals, who will probably have nothing to play for except to ruin the Ravens season. The Ravens seem to always find a way to lose against the Bengals, and the officials always seem to make sure even if the Ravens do happen to do enough to win, that the Bengals still win.

Hopefully they have a playoff spot locked up before Week 17, but I have a feeling it's going to come down to that game.
[/quote]

The Ravens have the luxury of controlling their own destiny in the AFC North. If the Ravens can win a tough battle at home against the Steelers and go on the road and beat the Browns, then the Bengals game won't matter. At that point we'll be 4-1 in the AFC North

At that point the only way the Bengals game will matter is if, the Bengals sweep the Steelers and Browns again. If they lose any one of those games, it would give them 2 losses and the Ravens would have the tie breaker.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1288215468' post='522419']
Those are the only games we really have to watch for, I'm not too worried about the KC/BUF game. The reason I say that is that along as the Titans win, Steelers lose Jets lose, and NE win KC will realistically be at most the 4th seed meaning we would be the 2nd seed and NE would be the 1st seed. Houston the only worry with them is if Pittsburgh wins the North and we are fighting for a wild card spot meaning the Texans would be going for a WC spot and that game could determine who is the 5th/6th seed.



NO beating the Steelers.. maybe.
Vikings are a complete mess, NE is getting hot.
Hopefully GB can beat the Jets.
SD beating the Titans would be helpful but the Titans are coming around.
[/quote]

I wouldn't be so sure about NE getting hot, their success over the last 2 weeks has had just as much to do with the other teams as much as it had to do with the Patriots being good.

I take nothing away from them for beating us, but the Ravens dominated that game for 3 quarters and a few unfortunate missed plays prevented the Ravens from putting that game away.

As far as the Chargers game, nobody in the Chargers organization deserved to get paid for that game, because they made mistake that would make pop Warner plays question them.

5-1 is 5-1 regardless of how you get there, but the Vikes could very well win that game, and it shouldn't surprise anyone.

[Jamal]

Ironically the 3 best AFC teams will face what should of been the 3 best teams in the NFC.

I'll be pulling for the NFC this weekend.

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1288217284' post='522431']
The Ravens have the luxury of controlling their own destiny in the AFC North. If the Ravens can win a tough battle at home against the Steelers and go on the road and beat the Browns, then the Bengals game won't matter. At that point we'll be 4-1 in the AFC North

At that point the only way the Bengals game will matter is if, the Bengals sweep the Steelers and Browns again. If they lose any one of those games, it would give them 2 losses and the Ravens would have the tie breaker.
[/quote]


Ummm... what if the Steelers lose to the Ravens in December, but don't lose any other games? That means they have 2 losses. The Ravens ALREADY have 2 losses. So that Bengals game would matter a whole lot. I don't mean to get into every single scenario that can play out, because a LOT of things could happen. But please don't act like there is no way a division and conference game doesn't matter in determining playoff situations.

[bmorefan444]

If the NFC has a good week, this could be the Ravens best week of the year. lol

[bmorefan444]

I was hoping for a Reggie Bush return this week, but its unlikely.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1288216770' post='522427']
The AFC North will definitely be decided in the rematch at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens are in a much better, well maybe not much better but better position right now to win the North moreso then the Steelers.

The reason i say this is because for the Ravens it's simple, beat the Steelers and split between the Browns/Bengals and we win the North. Period. At that point the worse the Ravens could go is 4-2 in the North, while the best the Steelers could go is 4-2, while having both losses coming at the hands of the Ravens. Advantage Ravens.

The Steelers on the other hand would still need to win the next 3 division games or get help with tie breakers. That's not unlikely at all.

As far as the difference between our schedules, you guys may very well have what seems to be a easier schedule, but as we've seen with you guys in recent years, nothing is a easy win.

You look at last year alone. You guys dropped games against a poor Bears team, a poor Chiefs team, a poor Raiders team, a poor Browns team, and struggled to handle a poor Lions team. So by no means will any of the games that seem to be easy be a cake walk.

For the Ravens, what appears to be our toughest part of the schedule is over with. Having 4 of our first 6 games coming on the road, all against Super Bowl/playoff caliber teams. To come out of that stretch with a 5-2 record, and holding tie breakers over the Jets and Steelers is impressive.

Our toughest games now, we'll have the luxury of playing at home. Since Harbaugh has taken over, the Ravens are 7-2 at home in the months of Nov, Dec, Jan. In that time frame the Ravens have outscored opponents 280-88, averaging 31.1 ppg and allowing only 9.7 ppg.

So imo it works out well for the Ravens that we have tough games against Mia, No, Pitt, and Cincy all at home. If we can go 3-1 in that stretch, we'll be in really good position to win the North and lock up one of the top 2 seeds in the AFC.
[/quote]
Sure anything can happen any given week especially this year I am with you there. But this Steelers team this year compared to last years team that lost all those games is not the same team this season. This defense is better,the secondary with Polamalu back is much better and just the defense as a whole is a lot better. So while the Steelers very well could lose to teams like the Raiders,Bills,Carolina,and the Browns the odds are they probably wont. If Im a Ravens fans after what almost happened this past week with a winless Bills team almost coming into Baltimore and pulling off a shocker nothing is a sure thing with the Ravens for the rest of the season. That is one thing we have seen this year more with the Ravens then the Steelers is that they have struggled a lot more with the teams they are supposed to beat like the Browns and Bills in Baltimore. And they lost to a Cincinnati team that is not playing very well right now either. The Steelers have played probably 2 games that they should have had no problem winning in Tampa and with Cleveland a few weeks ago and won both of those games without any problems at all.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1288217284' post='522431']
The Ravens have the luxury of controlling their own destiny in the AFC North. If the Ravens can win a tough battle at home against the Steelers and go on the road and beat the Browns, then the Bengals game won't matter. At that point we'll be 4-1 in the AFC North

At that point the only way the Bengals game will matter is if, the Bengals sweep the Steelers and Browns again. If they lose any one of those games, it would give them 2 losses and the Ravens would have the tie breaker.
[/quote]
The Steelers control their own destiny as well to win the North even if they lose to New Orleans this Sunday which I have a feeling might happen. I would much rather lose this game Sunday then lose to the Bengals in Cincinnati on Monday night in 12 days. Here is why I say this if the Steelers lose to the Saints and beat the Bengals in Cincy they will be 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the division which will be the same division record the Ravens will have going into their game December 5th in Baltimore because the Ravens are currently 2-1 in the division and play their final 3 division games in December and January like the Steelers do. So if the Steelers do what I say the next 2 weeks lose in New Orleans and beat the Bengals then all they have to do is find a way to beat the Patriots here at Heinz Field the following week before they get a break in the schedule the next 2 weeks when they play the Raiders and Bills in 2 games they definitely should win and had better win. The Ravens in that same stretch have to go to Atlanta which wont be easy, play at Carolina which they probably will win but still isnt an absolute gimmie game, and Tampa Bay in Baltimore who is playing better and is a pretty decent team. So it's still very possible for the Steelers to be 9-2 going into their rematch with the Ravens and for the Ravens to be 8-3 going into that game with the same division record and a game back in the standings looking at the way the schedule is set up for both teams...

[Alexir]

Ah yes, we get screwed out of division lead because of some homer ref from pittsburgh couldn't keep the whistle out of his mouth....

[Romo Ravens]

I want the division this year, and I want home field throughout the playoffs. I don't want to sneak in because another AFC team lost and be on the road. I really hope our boys step up and bring the playoffs to the Bank.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

Sunday games and future picture:

BUF @ KC - if Fitz can continue to air it like in Baltimore, I can see them at least going to play another over-time, I can still see Chargers winning the AFCW, Chiefs only played one divisional game so far!

GB @ NYJ - if Rogers gets good protection, then I see the pack winning the game; the pack running game started to move a little bit last week so it's a head scratcher; Jets will win division, already have one win over the Pats!

TEN @ SD - Charges will get this one, Rivers will trow about 400 yards and this time the WRs will catch the ball not like last week; Titans going down the ranking after this one, can't see them winning their division (only one divisional game played so far)!

MIN @ NE - if Favre plays, Moss will sink the Pats, kind of last train for vikings if they want a wild card spot this year (Pack will win that division); Pats will get a wild card and come to play Ravens in Baltimore in the playoffs!

PIT @ NO - same train for the champs as with the vikings, but their's is for division; can't see Falcons going all the way (Tampa is just a fluke); second game for the squelers vs an air bomber qb (Joe was their first); I predict a Saint riot; squelers will give us a long run for the divisional title and then visit us for the AFC Championship game again in January!

HOU @ IND - no way Manning is losing this game; Texans will finish third in their division!

[Kwothdaraven]

Our game against the texans is going to be huge, and we will want the titans to start faultering with collins because i just dont see the colts missing the playoffs so those will be strong wild card contenders along with the jets

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1288223625' post='522485']
Ummm... what if the Steelers lose to the Ravens in December, but don't lose any other games? That means they have 2 losses. The Ravens ALREADY have 2 losses. So that Bengals game would matter a whole lot. I don't mean to get into every single scenario that can play out, because a LOT of things could happen. But please don't act like there is no way a division and conference game doesn't matter in determining playoff situations.
[/quote]

If the Steelers lose to the Ravens in December, that would give the Steelers 2 losses in the AFC North with both losses coming by the hands of the Ravens, which would give us the tiebreaker for the North because of head to head wins.,

My post said IF not when or it's guaranteed, yes that Bengals game could mean a lot, even if the Ravens already have the North won, because it could determine playoff seeding.

But again, if the Ravens are good enough to beat the Steelers at M&T in December and we can defeat a tough Browns team, that would mean the worse the Ravens could finish is 4-2 and at that point the best the Steelers could finish is 4-2.

Because both of the Steelers losses would be to the Ravens, the only way they would be able to win the division above the Ravens would be to have an overall better record then the Ravens.

Could that happen? of course, but again, I'm not sitting here saying the Bengals game will definitely not matter, because it could easily be our biggest game of the year or it could be a game where we see a lot of Marc Bulger and other backups, because the Ravens have things locked up. That's what will make the next 9-10 weeks so fun.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1288231421' post='522565']
The Steelers control their own destiny as well to win the North even if they lose to New Orleans this Sunday which I have a feeling might happen. I would much rather lose this game Sunday then lose to the Bengals in Cincinnati on Monday night in 12 days. Here is why I say this if the Steelers lose to the Saints and beat the Bengals in Cincy they will be 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the division which will be the same division record the Ravens will have going into their game December 5th in Baltimore because the Ravens are currently 2-1 in the division and play their final 3 division games in December and January like the Steelers do. So if the Steelers do what I say the next 2 weeks lose in New Orleans and beat the Bengals then all they have to do is find a way to beat the Patriots here at Heinz Field the following week before they get a break in the schedule the next 2 weeks when they play the Raiders and Bills in 2 games they definitely should win and had better win. The Ravens in that same stretch have to go to Atlanta which wont be easy, play at Carolina which they probably will win but still isnt an absolute gimmie game, and Tampa Bay in Baltimore who is playing better and is a pretty decent team. So it's still very possible for the Steelers to be 9-2 going into their rematch with the Ravens and for the Ravens to be 8-3 going into that game with the same division record and a game back in the standings looking at the way the schedule is set up for both teams...
[/quote]

I understand what you are saying, but the situations you describe isn't considered the Steelers "controlling their own destiny". Controlling you own destiny means, if all things stay the same or equal. You're banking on the Ravens not being able to win a few tough games, or having a let down.

Controlling you own destiny, or you season mean not needing help for anyone else. Right now the Ravens don't need help from any other team to win the North right now, all they would need to do is win games against the Steelers, Browns and Bengals. If that happens the Ravens win the division.

However on your side of things, even if you beat the Ravens that would put you into a tie atop the division and would need tiebreakers and outside help to decide the division, which is something that is out of both teams hands.

Now where you guys do control your own destiny is that you only have one loss right now, so if you win all of your reminding game, you win the division outright.

By the same definition the Ravens don't control their own destiny in the AFC right now because we dropped that game to the Pats. So even though we own tiebreakers over the Jets and Steelers if both those teams win out(which is impossible) then they would be above the Ravens.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1288230493' post='522557']
Sure anything can happen any given week especially this year I am with you there. But this Steelers team this year compared to last years team that lost all those games is not the same team this season. This defense is better,the secondary with Polamalu back is much better and just the defense as a whole is a lot better. So while the Steelers very well could lose to teams like the Raiders,Bills,Carolina,and the Browns the odds are they probably wont. If Im a Ravens fans after what almost happened this past week with a winless Bills team almost coming into Baltimore and pulling off a shocker nothing is a sure thing with the Ravens for the rest of the season. That is one thing we have seen this year more with the Ravens then the Steelers is that they have struggled a lot more with the teams they are supposed to beat like the Browns and Bills in Baltimore. And they lost to a Cincinnati team that is not playing very well right now either. The Steelers have played probably 2 games that they should have had no problem winning in Tampa and with Cleveland a few weeks ago and won both of those games without any problems at all.
[/quote]

Right now you really can't compare the Ravens and Steelers by schedule. The Ravens have had the toughest schedule of any of the top AFC teams. Counting the last preseason game, the Ravens have been on the road 5 out of the last 8 weeks. Now i don't care who you are, having to travel 5 times in a 2 month span takes it toll on anyone. Add that to the fact that those men had to play physical football games, added to the fact that every game was again a potential Playoff/Super Bowl caliber team, you can kind of understand why the Ravens' players looked sluggish against the Bills.

The Ravens would never make any excuses and i don't wanna make any for them, but even a blind man could see how necessary this bye week is for them. Did they play as well as many people expected vs teams like the Browns and Bills? No but they found a way to win.

As for you guys, lets not act like you didn't have your problems with the Browns led by a rookie making his first start. You guys scored a garbage TD, where you could have just tried to run the clock out, but i guess they wanted to pad Ben's stats, and it was a muffed punt by a Cleveland return, not named Cribbs, that gave you guys the ball on the 13 yard line. That was a 14-3 game late and McCoy was finding ways to move the ball on that 24th ranked secondary.

Now just like the Ravens you guys found a way to win, but lets not act like everything has been smooth sailings for you guys this year. I don't wanna make it seem like I'm saying you're not a good team because you are, but your schedule is about to get a bit tougher and the Steelers will have to prove that they are as good as everyone thinks. Because up to this point, you guys haven't really be playing any elite teams other then us and Ten.

The Steelers are about to be forced to play 3 straight road games, have 3 straight night games, and even though the Bengals don't appear to be good this year, we all know how tough AFC North games are. I'm sure nothing would make their season better then to get their passing attack going vs your seemingly weak secondary and get back into the AFC picture.

It's gonna be fun to see how things play out between the Steelers and the Ravens before the December showdown.