MERGED: Playoff Watch

[flynismo]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291069974' post='554341']<br />What's that have to do with what I said here?? The Steelers won dude that's all that matters. I looked at the standings today and guess what it said the Steelers 8-3 and the Ravens 8-3 and tied for first in the division. Whether the Steelers won 19-16 in OT and needed Johnson to completely gag on that guaranteed TD pass in OT, or won 95-0 it all counts the same way. They found a way to win period that's what the good teams do...<br />[/quote]

my point is, if Johnson doesn't drop the game winning TD for no apparent reason, you wouldn't be sitting here talking about how invincible Big Jen is.
All the talk about how we beat you without Big Jen means nothing.
All the talk about how he beat us IN THE PAST when our offense was inept means nothing.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1291070061' post='554342']
Ravens are, as of today, first in the division. There is no tie. Hasn't been since Week 4.
[/quote]
That game in week 4 doesnt mean anything now come Sunday especially if the Steelers win. The bottom line is the Ravens wont have the tiebraker anymore if they dont beat the Steelers Sunday period...The Steelers did what they had to do they found a way to stay game for game with the Ravens in the win and loss column so that they would have a chance to get back that game the Ravens won from them in Pittsburgh on October 3rd. It's up to the Steelers now to take advantage of the opportunity they have in front of them Sunday. If they do they most likely will win the AFC North, if they dont they will be on the road for the entire AFC playoffs and their Super Bowl chances will take a major major hit...We'll see what happens.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1291070265' post='554348']
my point is, if Johnson doesn't drop the game winning TD for no apparent reason, you wouldn't be sitting here talking about how invincible Big Jen is.
All the talk about how we beat you without Big Jen means nothing.
All the talk about how he beat us IN THE PAST when our offense was inept means nothing.
[/quote]
Yes just like the game back in week 4 means nothing now either. Yes techinally the Ravens are still in first because they beat the Steelers head to head but their overall record is still the same. If the Ravens were 8-3 and the Steelers were 7-4 and you were up an entire game it would be a more valid point but since they are both 8-3 and are meeting again that game gets tossed out the window for now. And since they are playing this week and the Ravens already have another loss in the division to a pathetic Bengals team if the Ravens dont beat the Steelers the game the Ravens won here in Pittsburgh will be irrelevant...

[flynismo]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291070597' post='554353']<br />Yes just like the game back in week 4 means nothing now either. Yes techinally the Ravens are still in first because they beat the Steelers head to head but their overall record is still the same. If the Ravens were 8-3 and the Steelers were 7-4 and you were up an entire game it would be a more valid point but since they are both 8-3 and are meeting again that game gets tossed out the window for now. And since they are playing this week and the Ravens already have another loss in the division to a pathetic Bengals team if the Ravens dont beat the Steelers the game the Ravens won here in Pittsburgh will be irrelevant...<br />[/quote]



really? I didn't realize that. Thanks.

[berad]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291070353' post='554350']
That game in week 4 doesnt mean anything now come Sunday especially if the Steelers win. The bottom line is the Ravens wont have the tiebraker anymore if they dont beat the Steelers Sunday period...The Steelers did what they had to do they found a way to stay game for game with the Ravens in the win and loss column so that they would have a chance to get back that game the Ravens won from them in Pittsburgh on October 3rd. It's up to the Steelers now to take advantage of the opportunity they have in front of them Sunday. If they do they most likely will win the AFC North, if they dont they will be on the road for the entire AFC playoffs and their Super Bowl chances will take a major major hit...We'll see what happens.
[/quote]

I said "as of today". What I wrote was a fact, not an opinion. It's not up for debate. You admitted as much in your last post, so I don't know why you took offense to what I said.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1291070779' post='554356']
really? I didn't realize that. Thanks.
[/quote]
Good glad I could help you out there then lol...I honestly believe the Ravens will have more pressure on them to win this game this week because they are playing at home and the majority of the experts for that fact alone will pick the Ravens to win because they are so good at home. The Ravens also now know that instead of being on the road for the entire playoffs like they have been for the last 2 seasons, that if they win this game for the first time since Harbaugh was named the coach in 2008 they will most likely win the AFC North and lock up a bye week and possibly home field. I think for that reason alone the Ravens could make this game out to be bigger then it really is. The Steelers have been here before and have played in bigger games and will treat this game just as that and nothing else more then just a big game...

[JO_75]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291063319' post='554198']
[b]I dont think any of those teams you have in the hunt have an actual shot of getting a wildcard spot over the either Ravens/Steelers or Patriots/Jets whoever doesnt win their division.[/b] Teams like the Colts or Jags or Chargers and Chiefs are either going to win their division in the South and West of they arent getting in a wildcard. They have too many losses in the conference working against them and have lost way too many head to head tiebrakers as well. The Dolphins while they are 6-5 and have some winnable games have lost head to head tiebrakers to all 4 of those teams the Jets,Ravens,Pats,and Steelers and just will not be able to make that up.
[/quote]

Really.... Really?

Since you like using a bunch of "What Ifs" in your threads.. here is one for you. The Steelers are 8-3, Chargers and Colts are all 6-5. If the Steelers lose to Baltimore, they drop to 8-4, if Chargers and Colts win their games on Sunday, that moves them to 7-5 a piece essentially behind the Steelers by 1 game of the Wild Card spot. Now I do agree with you in that overall it will be hard for any team to catch whoever doesn't win the division in the North & East, but as a Ravens fan I would love to see KC win the West and SD topple Pittsburgh as the 6th & final seed in the AFC and no Steelers in the playoffs. So the Steelers are very well not safe in the playoffs just yet.

[Ed_Reed20]

Liking the purple background.

[jaege]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291069974' post='554341']
What's that have to do with what I said here?? The Steelers won dude that's all that matters. I looked at the standings today and guess what it said the Steelers 8-3 and the Ravens 8-3 and tied for first in the division. Whether the Steelers won 19-16 in OT and needed Johnson to completely gag on that guaranteed TD pass in OT, or won 95-0 it all counts the same way. They found a way to win period that's what the good teams do...
[/quote]


Well if that is the case that the win is what counts, then what is all the talk about winning or losing because Ben is or is not there. We won the only game we played this season, you LOST. Suck it up.

By the way, there is no tie, we are ahead. Bone up on the math skills.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1291071828' post='554376']
Really.... Really?

Since you like using a bunch of "What Ifs" in your threads.. here is one for you. The Steelers are 8-3, Chargers and Colts are all 6-5. If the Steelers lose to Baltimore, they drop to 8-4, if Chargers and Colts win their games on Sunday, that moves them to 7-5 a piece essentially behind the Steelers by 1 game of the Wild Card spot. Now I do agree with you in that overall it will be hard for any team to catch whoever doesn't win the division in the North & East, but as a Ravens fan I would love to see KC win the West and SD topple Pittsburgh as the 6th & final seed in the AFC and no Steelers in the playoffs. So the Steelers are very well not safe in the playoffs just yet.
[/quote]
Yea but the Steelers have a 6-2 conference record right now and Indy has 4 losses in the AFC and plays an NFC game this week with Dallas. And the AFC West I just cant see them producing a wildcard team. The Chargers play the Chiefs in 2 weeks as well so right there again the Steelers are going to get a lot of help because the loser of that game will either have 5 or 6 losses and one more loss in the AFC as well. The same thing could happen to the Ravens too dude because they have tougher games left then the Steelers do seeing that they have to play on the road at Houston who is back in contention in the AFC South and play 6 days later on a short week against the Saints. The Steelers while they do have a tough game with the Jets at Heinz Field still get to play the Bengals and Panthers at home who are 2 of the worst teams in football.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1291071964' post='554379']
Well if that is the case that the win is what counts, then what is all the talk about winning or losing because Ben is or is not there. We won the only game we played this season, you LOST. Suck it up.

By the way, there is no tie, we are ahead. Bone up on the math skills.
[/quote]
I know that but if you dont beat the Steelers this Sunday in 6 days then the Ravens wont own any tiebrakers and be in big trouble in the division just like the Steelers will as well if they dont win. If you want to keep saying your in first place for another 6 days until the game on Sunday if it makes you feel better and sleep better at night then by all means do so...

[flynismo]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291072392' post='554398']<br />Yea but the Steelers have a 6-2 conference record right now and Indy has 4 losses in the AFC and plays an NFC game this week with Dallas. And the AFC West I just cant see them producing a wildcard team. The Chargers play the Chiefs in 2 weeks as well so right there again the Steelers are going to get a lot of help because the loser of that game will either have 5 or 6 losses and one more loss in the AFC as well. The same thing could happen to the Ravens too dude because they have tougher games left then the Steelers do seeing that they have to play on the road at Houston who is back in contention in the AFC South and play 6 days later on a short week against the Saints. The Steelers while they do have a tough game with the Jets at Heinz Field still get to play the Bengals and Panthers at home who are 2 of the worst teams in football.<br />[/quote]


one thing you and I can both agree on is that BAL/PIT is fighting for home field advantage, with the loser making the playoffs as a WC.

But I think our schedules are pretty even here on out...you have the Jests, and pathetic as they may be, the pussycats from Ohio is still a divisional game, and they would love nothing more than to beat the crap out of both of us all things considered. Hopefully, you learned your lesson from the BUF game and realize your game against Cincy is anything but a gimme.

[Jabara]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291069464' post='554332']
Yea the Steelers have lost a whopping 1 more game with Ben as the QB this year. Youre sitting there acting like the Steelers have lost 5 more games with Ben Roethlisberger as their QB then they won. And the two losses with Ben were to two of the best teams in the NFL in the Saints and Patriots. You can sit here and say what you want about the Steelers not having Ben but Ben is 7-2 lifetime against the Ravens and the last 2 times the Ravens have beaten the Steelers he didnt play and the Ravens had to win a game in overtime in Baltimore with Dennis Dixon as their QB, and win a game in the last 40 seconds with washed up Charlie Batch as the Steelers QB. Ben Roethlisberger is a difference maker under center period no matter how many times he gets sacked or makes mistakes. The guy knows how to win and perform under pressure. And if the game is close and it comes down to the QB's on each team having to make a big play to win the game Ill take Ben Roethlisberger anyday of the week over Joe Flacco because he has done it and done it more consistently then Flacco has in big time games...
[/quote]
And to think I actually defended you on here before...

You are condescending, while you might say it's you being passionate, or whatever you want to name it, but it shows me that you are more fearful for this upcoming game than you'd admit, by being so...[i]sure of yourself.[/i]

Of course Ben has had more come from behind wins that Joe, because he's been in the league longer.
You can't really compare the two.
In fact, when we beat you on your own turf, Joe had the come from behind game winning TD.

You're a guest in our house, show some respect.
I know you are passionate about your team, and that's a good thing, but show a little restraint and clarity when you rant.

[berad]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291072569' post='554401']
[b]I know that but if you dont beat the Steelers this Sunday in 6 days then the Ravens wont own any tiebrakers[/b] and be in big trouble in the division just like the Steelers will as well if they dont win. If you want to keep saying your in first place for another 6 days until the game on Sunday if it makes you feel better and sleep better at night then by all means do so...
[/quote]

That's not the argument or the point he or I have been making. The Ravens are ahead of the Steelers in the AFCN right now - period. Not a "if", "but", or "then" about it.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1291073013' post='554411']
one thing you and I can both agree on is that BAL/PIT is fighting for home field advantage, with the loser making the playoffs as a WC.

But I think our schedules are pretty even here on out...you have the Jests, and pathetic as they may be, the pussycats from Ohio is still a divisional game, and they would love nothing more than to beat the crap out of both of us all things considered. Hopefully, you learned your lesson from the BUF game and realize your game against Cincy is anything but a gimme.
[/quote]
It isnt a gimmie division games never are but one difference this game with Cincinnati is at home and the game with the Bills was on the road. Carson Palmer has been a turnover machine on the road this season, and the Bengals have been horrible on the road this season period no matter who they play. I still think having to play at Houston on a Monday night and turn right back around 6 days later and play the New Orleans Saints albeit in Baltimore is a lot tougher then the Steelers having to play the Jets at home and at Cleveland just my opinion of course...The Texans are desperately going to need to win that game to stay in contention in the whacky AFC South,and the Saints are going to need to win that game to keep pace with the Falcons in the NFC South.

[bmorefan444]

Win or lose, I just want fair calls. I don't want to hear Pittsburgh fans complain over a bad call if they lose, and I don't want to be complaining to a Pittsburgh fan either. lol

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291072569' post='554401']
I know that but if you dont beat the Steelers this Sunday in 6 days then the Ravens wont own any tiebrakers and be in big trouble in the division just like the Steelers will as well if they dont win. If you want to keep saying your in first place for another 6 days until the game on Sunday if it makes you feel better and sleep better at night then by all means do so...
[/quote]

You are right it doesnt matter who is in first place right now. Just because it doesnt matter doesnt mean you can discount the fact that the Ravens beat the Steelers in Heinz Field. As of right now, the Ravens hold the advantage, and to be perfectly honest the Ravens have looked better than the Steelers have in recent weeks.

Feel free to bring up all your stats about how Flacco has never beaten Ben blah blah blah, you act like Pitt has owned Baltimore at M&T. Every single game between these two teams is close. You can act like home field advantage doesnt matter all you want. We will just have to wait and see what happens Sunday night.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='Jabara' timestamp='1291074029' post='554421']
And to think I actually defended you on here before...

You are condescending, while you might say it's you being passionate, or whatever you want to name it, but it shows me that you are more fearful for this upcoming game than you'd admit, by being so...[i]sure of yourself.[/i]

Of course Ben has had more come from behind wins that Joe, because he's been in the league longer.
You can't really compare the two.
In fact, when we beat you on your own turf, Joe had the come from behind game winning TD.

You're a guest in our house, show some respect.
I know you are passionate about your team, and that's a good thing, but show a little restraint and clarity when you rant.
[/quote]
That's fine and you can say what you want but it still doesnt change the fact that with the game on the line Ill put my money on and take my chances more often with Ben Roethlisberger then I will with Joe Flacco to come through in the clutch.

[Jabara]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291074324' post='554426']
It isnt a gimmie division games never are but one difference this game with Cincinnati is at home and the game with the Bills was on the road. Carson Palmer has been a turnover machine on the road this season, and the Bengals have been horrible on the road this season period no matter who they play. I still think having to play at Houston on a Monday night and turn right back around 6 days later and play the New Orleans Saints albeit in Baltimore is a lot tougher then the Steelers having to play the Jets at home and at Cleveland just my opinion of course...The Texans are desperately going to need to win that game to stay in contention in the whacky AFC South,and the Saints are going to need to win that game to keep pace with the Falcons in the NFC South.
[/quote]
I agree that the Ravens have a more difficult schedule than the Steelers, mainly, as you said, because we have a short week and two strong teams, strong, yet not playing up to their potential, but strong.
On the other hand, the Steelers will struggle against the Jets, and if you recall, the Browns beat the Steelers late last season.
Not that that means a lot, but it doesn't mean it's a gimme by any stretch.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291074324' post='554426']
It isnt a gimmie division games never are but one difference this game with Cincinnati is at home and the game with the Bills was on the road. Carson Palmer has been a turnover machine on the road this season, and the Bengals have been horrible on the road this season period no matter who they play. I still think having to play at Houston on a Monday night and turn right back around 6 days later and play the New Orleans Saints albeit in Baltimore is a lot tougher then the Steelers having to play the Jets at home and at Cleveland just my opinion of course...The Texans are desperately going to need to win that game to stay in contention in the whacky AFC South,and the Saints are going to need to win that game to keep pace with the Falcons in the NFC South.
[/quote]

arguing who has the toughest schedule is silly. This season has proven over and over that any team can win on any given Sunday. The Ravens in my opinion are better than the rest of the teams on their schedule and if they play well, should win out. To be honest, I think the Steelers are better than the teams they are going to play as well (minus the Ravens of course). The only team that should give Pittsburgh trouble is the Jets, and I think they are way overrated. What it comes down to is execution.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291074324' post='554426']
It isnt a gimmie division games never are but one difference this game with Cincinnati is at home and the game with the Bills was on the road. Carson Palmer has been a turnover machine on the road this season, and the Bengals have been horrible on the road this season period no matter who they play. I still think having to play at Houston on a Monday night and turn right back around 6 days later and play the New Orleans Saints albeit in Baltimore is a lot tougher then the Steelers having to play the Jets at home and at Cleveland just my opinion of course...The Texans are desperately going to need to win that game to stay in contention in the whacky AFC South,and the Saints are going to need to win that game to keep pace with the Falcons in the NFC South.
[/quote]

Oh I wouldn't count those Browns as a gimmie game either. They are actually playing some good football. Though, not sure when McCoy would be ready to go again. I seem to recall you kind of dismissing the Bills game in the same manner earlier in the week and all but for a dropped pass, Steelers would have lost.

[flaccopoe]

[color="#4B0082"]Flacco's ready to take on the Steelers! In the Bucs game, he was 25/35, 289 YDS, 2 TD, 1 INT. He's been really good the past few games (and no, the Bucs aren't an easy team to play by any means). The raucous home-crowd at M&T should push the re-invigorated QB to a win! Go Ravens! [/color]

[flaccopoe]

The Steelers sure have a comfortable schedule (after Week 13) I'm sure you'll give the crowd at the New Meadowlands Jet-lag!

[JO_75]

Saw this on ESPN and it's similar to Yahoo where you pick the scenarios and see what the playoffs would look like. You go through the remaining weeks, and pick a winner and see what the playoffs would look like. I think it's cool, and it's interesting the scenarios I have gone through that sees the Steelers & Jets miss the playoffs and where the Ravens have the # 1 Seed.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/machine

Have Fun!

Edit: After further study with this.... I have come to the conclusion the best bet to the get the # 1 Seed is for the Jets to beat the Patriots... since the Jets have more losable games over the final games than the Patriots. If the Pats win, we will need 2 upsets for us to have a shot at the # 1 Seed.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1291408305' post='558545']
Saw this on ESPN and it's similar to Yahoo where you pick the scenarios and see what the playoffs would look like. You go through the remaining weeks, and pick a winner and see what the playoffs would look like. I think it's cool, and it's interesting the scenarios I have gone through that sees the Steelers & Jets miss the playoffs and where the Ravens have the # 1 Seed.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/machine

Have Fun!

Edit: After further study with this.... I have come to the conclusion the best bet to the get the # 1 Seed is for the Jets to beat the Patriots... since the Jets have more losable games over the final games than the Patriots. If the Pats win, we will need 2 upsets for us to have a shot at the # 1 Seed.
[/quote]

Yeah, I think we just need as many NE losses as possible, and an equal or better record to the Jets. That would wrap up the number 1 seed. Of course, we need to practically seal the division with a win over the Steelers first.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1291412592' post='558598']
Yeah, I think we just need as many NE losses as possible, and an equal or better record to the Jets. That would wrap up the number 1 seed. Of course, we need to practically seal the division with a win over the Steelers first.
[/quote]
Correct, all depends on what we do in 48 hours.....we win, we want the Jets (gross) to win! We (gulp) lose, we want the Pats to win! Simple as that

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1291415205' post='558643']
Correct, all depends on what we do in 48 hours.....we win, we want the Jets (gross) to win! We (gulp) lose, we want the Pats to win! Simple as that
[/quote]


Simple... Yeah!

Always good to work out ways in which teams can/cannot make the playoffs this time of year. I waste no time in telling a friend of mine (Broncos fan) that his team is done however he wants to look at it.

[Ravensfan23]

The Ravens just need to take care of business on Sunday Night and i think the rest will work itself out. I think despite the records of the Jets and Pats that the Ravens are in a prime position to gain the #1 seed in the next 3 weeks.

Yes the Ravens will have tough games vs Pit and NO and @Hou, but I believe all of those games are winnable and being at home will home us tremendously against the Steelers and Saints. The Ravens could be 11-3 going into the Browns game.

Looking at the Jets and Pats over the next weeks, they have a schedule just as difficult if not harder then the Ravens.

Jets:
MIA
@PIT
@CHI

Pats:
@CHI
GB
@BUF

Both the Jets and Pats spend 2 out of the next 3 weeks on the road. Thus far this season the Jets just haven't played well in big games against good teams, so they could very well lose to the Steelers and Bears on the road. As for the Pats, it's hard to find a team playing as well as them right now, however, that defense is still a liability. Cutler, Rodgers and Fitzpatrick all have the capability to torch that Patriots secondary and in the Bears and Packs case, they have defenses that can handle Brady.

So if the Ravens take care of business Sunday Night and continue to do so, against a poor Texans defense and a really good Saints team, then we'll be in prime position for that #1 seed. The winners of the NYJ@NE and PIT@BAL will be in a battle for the #1 seed. The winners of those games will be 10-2 and 9-3, the Jets and Pats could very well lose 2 out of the next 3 to teams that are just as good as them.

[Juviebest]

We need to win out...a Jets victory over the Pats...and then a Pitt victory over the Jets...

This assuming those 3 teams (Jets, NE, Pitt) don't lose anymore games...Jets own the tie breaker over the Pats at 13-3...we own the tie breaker over the Jets at 13-3. Thus we get the #1 Seed, Jets #2, Pats #5, Pitt #6.

This of course is my dream scenario which I can totally see playing out. I think we handle our business against the Saints at home, which will be our toughest game after the Pitt one tommorow.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Juviebest' timestamp='1291477419' post='559149']
We need to win out...a Jets victory over the Pats...and then a Pitt victory over the Jets...

This assuming those 3 teams (Jets, NE, Pitt) don't lose anymore games...Jets own the tie breaker over the Pats at 13-3...we own the tie breaker over the Jets at 13-3. Thus we get the #1 Seed, Jets #2, Pats #5, Pitt #6.

This of course is my dream scenario which I can totally see playing out. I think we handle our business against the Saints at home, which will be our toughest game after the Pitt one tommorow.
[/quote]

Here's what I would like to see... and this is scenarios I test out on the Playoff Machine:

Jets:
Win vs Patriots
Win vs Dolphins
Loss vs Steelers
Loss vs Bears
Win vs Bills

Patriots:
Loss vs Jets
Loss vs Bears
Win vs Packers
Win vs Bills
Win vs Dolphins

Ravens:
Win vs Steelers
Win vs Texans
Win vs Saints
Win vs Browns
Win vs Bengals

1. Ravens 13-3
2. Jets 12-4
3. Chargers 11-5
4. Jaguars 11-5
5. Patriots 12-4
6. Steelers 12-4