MERGED: Playoff Watch

[svt2nv04]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1288630144' post='524809']
First bold- ha, okay
Second bold- why are you so sure

Rest of the post....lots of "us" and "we" in there. This is a Ravens board.
[/quote]

It looks to be copied and pasted from the steeleraddicts forum. I think his username there is something like "troyisabeast..."

ETA link: http://www.steeleraddicts.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26506

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1288627201' post='524788']
[b]Im actually glad the Steelers lost this week to the Saints.[/b]
[/quote]

I've never heard of a fan or player being "glad" that their team lost. That's pretty funny. You sure you're a Steelers fan?

[svt2nv04]

I think it's a good post. Thanks for your perspective Polamalu. You do have a point that it is in fact better to have lost to the Saints than to have lost to Miami or lose to the Bengals next week.

[svt2nv04]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1288630312' post='524812']
I've never heard of a fan or player being "glad" that their team lost. That's pretty funny. You sure you're a Steelers fan?
[/quote]

He's just saying that he knows the Steelers aren't going to win every single game. As such, if they have to lose one out of the 3 week period or so that they're in, between Miami, New Orleans, and Cincinnati, he'd rather see the Steelers lose to New Orleans.

But yeah I don't agree with him saying he's "glad" they lost to New Orleans...but I think he meant it to be read differently. He should have used another word besides glad. Unless he really is "glad"

[1/28/01]

[quote name='svt2nv04' timestamp='1288630488' post='524814']
I think it's a good post. Thanks for your perspective Polamalu. You do have a point that it is in fact better to have lost to the Saints than to have lost to Miami or lose to the Bengals next week.
[/quote]
Its also better to lose a regular season as opposed to a playoff game.....this is just dumb and again, its a Ravens board, so why would we care?

[PuRock]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1288630312' post='524812']
I've never heard of a fan or player being "glad" that their team lost. That's pretty funny. You sure you're a Steelers fan?
[/quote]

I guess I can finally say that I have something in common with a Steelers fan. I'm glad they lost too!

[gopurpleandblack]

While it's very early, about the only thing for certain in the AFC Playoff picture is that the Bills aren't going to make it.

Right now, it looks something like this;

New England 6-1
Baltimore 5-2
Kansas City 5-2
Pittsburgh 5-2
NY Jets 5-2
Indianapolis 4-2
-----------------
Houston 4-2
Tennessee 5-3
Miami 4-3
Oakland 4-4
San Diego 3-5

The outcome of tonight's game will move either the Colts or the Texans to 5-2. I put the dashed line in their because I think the Colts will win tonight, but it doesn't matter, the point is, out of those 6 teams, the 5 that will be 5-2 and the Pats at 6-1, I guarantee, at least one of them does not make it.

The Ravens want to make sure that they are not this one team.

But, honestly, all five of the teams [i]below[/i] the dashed line I have put in there, Houston, Tennessee, Miami, Oakland and San Diego are very good football teams. Houston is coming into their own this year with a highly talented offense that features Arian Foster, Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. I would be shocked if the Texans don't rise up and snatch a playoff spot from one of the current "leading six."

Tennessee is another good football team with a stiff defense, anchored by Stephen Tulloch, and great talent at running back with Chris Johnson, and the always dangerous (although sometimes to himself,) Vince young. They have an emerging receivers corps with the likes of speedster Kenny Britt and aren't turning the ball over nearly as much as last year. I'd also wager to say that the Titans have a very good chance of beating either the Jets, Pats, Ravens, Cheifs, Colts or Steelers out of a coveted playoff spot.

And then you get Miami, Oakland and San Diego.

San Diego is talented, but have been hampered by injuries to a typical Chargers slow start. But I look for the Chargers to rebound in the second half of the season, with Malcolm Floyd, Tolbert, Rivers, and great special teams play, they are a legit playoff contender at 3-5.

Ahh, and then there's the Oakland Raiders, sitting at 4-4. Here is a team who is hotter than anyone else in the NFL, having outscored opponents 92-17 over their last 3 games. Darren McFadden is a beast at running back and is hitting is prime, like, right now. Darrius Hayward-Bey, most of us know as a decent wideout, and Louis Murphy is also young and talented. They have a great TE in Zach Miller and Jason Campbell is a HUGE improvement from that pill popping loser JaMarcus Russell who was at the helm the previous two years. The Raiders have a gigantic matchup this coming week at home against the Cheifs, a win in that game, and they also are legit playoff contenders.

Amid all this chaos, the Miami Dolphins come to town. I get the sense that a lot of Ravens fans aren't really amped for this match up as a "HUGE" game, and yes, each and every game is a huge game and a win is a win, but the the playoff picture looking like this in the AFC, the Ravens cannot afford to miss a beat. This is, indeed a HUGE GAME. The Ravens can separate themselves from the pack this Sunday with a win, and equally, discourage the Dolphins playoff hopes. Should Miami win however, their playoff hopes will be looking just about as bright as ours. Of course, this is a team that we have beat repeatedly on the road, in Miami, even in the playoffs, over the last decade, so in our collective mind, it's just "Oh it's just the Dolphins!" and we have the home field advantage. Still, they are a good football team, with two good running backs, a stiff defense and a rifle armed pocket passer in his second year in the league (sound eerily familiar, anyone?) This is a battle for a playoff spot, right here. No doubt about it.

Go Ravens.

[gopurpleandblack]

oops, I meant to say "rifle armed pocket passed in his [i]third[/i] year in the the league..." Henne and Flacco were in the same draft class...

Let's hope Flacco stays healthy. I think that is the key to our season, right there.

Oh, and guess who is leading 4th quarter comebacks in London for the San Francisco 49ers?

Troy Smith.

We absolutely, positively, never should have let him go. He is a great talent and it will come back to haunt us--tremendously should Flacco go down with an injury at this point (or any point) in the season. Flacco is the key to our season, let's hope he can stay healthy. Bulger is a huge step down, who can put up decent numbers in garbage time, but can't make a play when it counts to save his life. He's a "born loser." Flacco, he's a winner.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='gopurpleandblack' timestamp='1288632587' post='524831']
oops, I meant to say "rifle armed pocket passed in his [i]third[/i] year in the the league..." Henne and Flacco were in the same draft class...

Let's hope Flacco stays healthy. I think that is the key to our season, right there.

Oh, and guess who is leading 4th quarter comebacks in London for the San Francisco 49ers?

Troy Smith.

[b]We absolutely, positively, never should have let him go. He is a great talent and it will come back to haunt us--tremendously should Flacco go down with an injury at this point (or any point) in the season. Flacco is the key to our season, let's hope he can stay healthy. Bulger is a huge step down, who can put up decent numbers in garbage time, but can't make a play when it counts to save his life. He's a "born loser." Flacco, he's a winner.[/b]
[/quote]

So one 4th quarter comeback against a terrible team means he's a great talent?

Bulger > Smith

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1288632776' post='524833']
So one 4th quarter comeback against a terrible team means he's a great talent?

Bulger > Smith
[/quote]
Yeah, I liked 95% of his two posts and then I get down to that part

[Terrellb2007]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1288631399' post='524824']
I guess I can finally say that I have something in common with a Steelers fan. I'm glad they lost too!
[/quote]

LOL. That was funny PuRock. We already know his expression when the teams shook hands and he seen the final score he was doing the following:

[PuRock]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1288632776' post='524833']
So one 4th quarter comeback against a terrible team means he's a great talent?

Bulger > Smith
[/quote]

We are also talking about a Broncos team who has struggled on D as the season is progressing. Raiders put up a helluva lot of points on them the week before.

I like Troy Smith and I hope he does well. But its the fan boys that bring it up in Ravens discussion makes it hard to root for the guy. Because I don't (and we shouldn't) have to hear about it.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1288634208' post='524850']
We are also talking about a Broncos team who has struggled on D as the season is progressing. Raiders put up a helluva lot of points on them the week before.

I like Troy Smith and I hope he does well. But its the fan boys that bring it up in Ravens discussion makes it hard to root for the guy. Because I don't (and we shouldn't) have to hear about it.
[/quote]

Exactly.

And I agree with your second point. He's not a Raven anymore; it's time for people to move on.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='svt2nv04' timestamp='1288630488' post='524814']
I think it's a good post. Thanks for your perspective Polamalu. You do have a point that it is in fact better to have lost to the Saints than to have lost to Miami or lose to the Bengals next week.
[/quote]
Thanks SVT and yes that is me on steelersaddicts.com under a similar name. I usually dont copy and paste posts from other sites but I figured I made some good points on there and I wanted to share them with some of the Ravens fans on here. And now I am not "glad" that the Steelers lost to the Saints but I knew the Steelers realistically would not run the table the rest of the way it would be stupid to think that. I said on this board early in the week I thought the Steelers would lose in New Orleans. As you said above though it's better to lose to an NFC team then lose a game within the AFC to someone like Miami as you mentioned or lose a game within the division like the Bengals who the Steelers play next week because it will not count against any tiebrakers within the AFC conference in terms of making the playoffs or winning the AFC North. My point was the loss in New Orleans is not a big deal in terms of still having a chance to win the division over the Ravens as long as the Steelers take care of business and win in Cincinnati. Because as I said even if they lose to the Patriots at home the following week and drop to 6-3 they have games coming up against Oakland and Buffalo before Baltimore which the Steelers should win and better win and can put them at 8-3 overall and 2-1 in the division going into the Baltimore game on December 5th.

So my point was even if the Steelers lose to the Patriots and the Ravens win their next 4 games against the Dolphins,Falcons,Carolina,and Tampa Bay and end up 9-2 and 2-1 in the division going into the Steelers game and the Steelers beat the Bengals,Raiders,and Bills and lose to the Patriots and are 8-3 overall and 2-1 in the division as well they will have a chance to jump the Ravens if they beat them in Baltimore in December because even though they would have the same overall record at 9-3, the Steelers would be 3-1 in the division and the Ravens would be 2-2 in the division and the Steelers would then control their own destiny to win the division the last 4 games with 3 of them being at Heinz Field against the Bengals,Jets,and Carolina before having to close the season out in Cleveland.

The bottom line is it's still going to come down to that game in Baltimore on December 5th I believe despite the loss to the Saints the Steelers suffered last night. The Steelers now have a chance to do something the next 2 weeks that the Ravens didnt do this season and that's gets wins against the Bengals and Patriots, while the Ravens will get a chance to try to do something the Steelers already did this year the next weeks and that's beat Miami and Atlanta...

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='gopurpleandblack' timestamp='1288631834' post='524828']
While it's very early, about the only thing for certain in the AFC Playoff picture is that the Bills aren't going to make it.

Right now, it looks something like this;

New England 6-1
Baltimore 5-2
Kansas City 5-2
Pittsburgh 5-2
NY Jets 5-2
Indianapolis 4-2
-----------------
Houston 4-2
Tennessee 5-3
Miami 4-3
Oakland 4-4
San Diego 3-5

The outcome of tonight's game will move either the Colts or the Texans to 5-2. I put the dashed line in their because I think the Colts will win tonight, but it doesn't matter, the point is, out of those 6 teams, the 5 that will be 5-2 and the Pats at 6-1, I guarantee, at least one of them does not make it.

The Ravens want to make sure that they are not this one team.

But, honestly, all five of the teams [i]below[/i] the dashed line I have put in there, Houston, Tennessee, Miami, Oakland and San Diego are very good football teams. Houston is coming into their own this year with a highly talented offense that features Arian Foster, Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. I would be shocked if the Texans don't rise up and snatch a playoff spot from one of the current "leading six."

Tennessee is another good football team with a stiff defense, anchored by Stephen Tulloch, and great talent at running back with Chris Johnson, and the always dangerous (although sometimes to himself,) Vince young. They have an emerging receivers corps with the likes of speedster Kenny Britt and aren't turning the ball over nearly as much as last year. I'd also wager to say that the Titans have a very good chance of beating either the Jets, Pats, Ravens, Cheifs, Colts or Steelers out of a coveted playoff spot.

And then you get Miami, Oakland and San Diego.

San Diego is talented, but have been hampered by injuries to a typical Chargers slow start. But I look for the Chargers to rebound in the second half of the season, with Malcolm Floyd, Tolbert, Rivers, and great special teams play, they are a legit playoff contender at 3-5.

Ahh, and then there's the Oakland Raiders, sitting at 4-4. Here is a team who is hotter than anyone else in the NFL, having outscored opponents 92-17 over their last 3 games. Darren McFadden is a beast at running back and is hitting is prime, like, right now. Darrius Hayward-Bey, most of us know as a decent wideout, and Louis Murphy is also young and talented. They have a great TE in Zach Miller and Jason Campbell is a HUGE improvement from that pill popping loser JaMarcus Russell who was at the helm the previous two years. The Raiders have a gigantic matchup this coming week at home against the Cheifs, a win in that game, and they also are legit playoff contenders.

Amid all this chaos, the Miami Dolphins come to town. I get the sense that a lot of Ravens fans aren't really amped for this match up as a "HUGE" game, and yes, each and every game is a huge game and a win is a win, but the the playoff picture looking like this in the AFC, the Ravens cannot afford to miss a beat. This is, indeed a HUGE GAME. The Ravens can separate themselves from the pack this Sunday with a win, and equally, discourage the Dolphins playoff hopes. Should Miami win however, their playoff hopes will be looking just about as bright as ours. Of course, this is a team that we have beat repeatedly on the road, in Miami, even in the playoffs, over the last decade, so in our collective mind, it's just "Oh it's just the Dolphins!" and we have the home field advantage. Still, they are a good football team, with two good running backs, a stiff defense and a rifle armed pocket passer in his second year in the league (sound eerily familiar, anyone?) This is a battle for a playoff spot, right here. No doubt about it.

Go Ravens.
[/quote]
The thing that puts the Ravens in good shape to make the playoffs is they have a pretty good conference record now at 5-2 having yet to play any AFC teams. However, that could be bad or good because that means they only have 5 AFC games left to play with all 4 NFC games still to play. Still the Ravens have wins over teams like the Jets and Steelers which will come into play big time when tiebrakers are taken into effect. The Steelers as well at 5-2 are in good shape in the AFC now because they are 3-1 currently and have 8 AFC games left to play and have head to head tiebrakers over potential wild card teams such as Tennessee and Miami. Plus, they have a better conference record then the Colts as well. I still believe that both the Steelers and Ravens both get in the playoffs one as division champ and one as a wildcard team...

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1288640186' post='524954']
The thing that puts the Ravens in good shape to make the playoffs is they have a pretty good conference record now at 5-2 having yet to play any AFC teams. However, that could be bad or good because that means they only have 5 AFC games left to play with all 4 NFC games still to play. Still the Ravens have wins over teams like the Jets and Steelers which will come into play big time when tiebrakers are taken into effect. The Steelers as well at 5-2 are in good shape in the AFC now because they are 3-1 currently and have 8 AFC games left to play and have head to head tiebrakers over potential wild card teams such as Tennessee and Miami. Plus, they have a better conference record then the Colts as well. I still believe that both the Steelers and Ravens both get in the playoffs one as division champ and one as a wildcard team...
[/quote]
I agree, two wildcard spots will goto the AFC East and AFC North. Ive always respected Jeff Fisher as a HC, but with Young's injury problems this year I think defenses can gameplan easier against Collins (minus Philly apparently lol). And with the Colts mad injury problems to his WRs Im interested to see if Manning can do this all on his own, I dont doubt he can.

[JO_75]

This thread should be pinned to the front page so it don't get buried on the second page again lol.

Now let's look at the standings after today heading into Week 10(also consider Steelers-Bengals tomorrow)

1. Ravens 6-2( Win over Miami 26 to 10)
2. Jets 6-2 (Win over Detroit 23 to 20)
3. Titans 5-3 (BYE)
4. Chiefs 5-3( Loss to Oakland 23 to 20)
5. Patriots 6-2(Loss to Cleveland 34 to 14)
6. Steelers 5-2*
____________________

Colts 5-3( Loss to Eagles 26 to 24)
Raiders 5-4 (Win over Chiefs 20 to 23)
Miami 4-4(Loss to Ravens 10 to 26)
Chargers 4-5(Win over Texans 29 to 23)

* = Steelers vs Bengals on Monday Night

[Ravensfan23]

Looks like despite the tough lost to ATL, the Ravens are still in great position in the AFC.

1st place in the North(2-1) and 2nd overall in the conference.

The next 2 weeks will be very important, before having a 3 game stretch with Pitt, Hou, and NO. If the Ravens can pull out wins vs the Panthers and Bucs, it'll put them in a strong position to stay atop the AFC and the North.

I really think the Ravens are one of the best if not the best team in the NFL. The Ravens have had a brutal road schedule where they've had to play 4 teams with a combined record of 27-9, that include the 3 teams with the best record in the NFL at 7-2(NE, NYJ, ATL). Now losing to the 2-7 Bengals on the road doesn't look good, but division games are always tough.

The Ravens have played 5 road games and have 3 remaining. Those 3 games are against Car, Hou,and Cin, teams with a combined record of 7-20 right now. The Texans are the only team out of that bunch that still has a chance, but heading into that week 14 matchup the Texans will play the Jets, Titans, and Eagles so things might be looking really bad for them by the time we face them.

The Ravens are in a really good position to finish the season strong. The Sunday night game vs the Steelers will be huge, it won't be make or break but it could go a long way to us putting a strangle hold on the division and positioning ourselves for a #1 seed.

The next 5 weeks will be huge for the top AFC teams.

[Jamal]

The next 2 weeks should be wins, but you never know...

If we win them as expected, the 3 week stretch when we play Pit, Houston, and NO will be the difference in being another WC team or having a first round bye IMO.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1289954673' post='543081']
The next 2 weeks should be wins, but you never know...

If we win them as expected, the 3 week stretch when we play Pit, Houston, and NO will be the difference in being another WC team or having a first round bye IMO.
[/quote]
The Houston game is going to be a really weird game IMO. They're defense is just flat out bad, but who the hell is going to cover Andre Johnson for us?

[berad]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1289955284' post='543094']
The Houston game is going to be a really weird game IMO. They're defense is just flat out bad, but who the hell is going to cover Andre Johnson for us?
[/quote]

The same guys who covered Roddy White

Hopefully the players who covered Ochocinco, Owens, Welker, and Marshall show up instead.

[Jamal]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1289955284' post='543094']
The Houston game is going to be a really weird game IMO. They're defense is just flat out bad, but who the hell is going to cover Andre Johnson for us?
[/quote]
Plus its a primetime game. I can't remember the last time we've had a good start on the road in a primetime game.

Plus the Texans will most likely be out of the playoff race, so they will be loose, and we'd be fresh out of the Pit game. I hope I'm wrong, but it seems like a recipe for disaster to me.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1289949502' post='543037']
Looks like despite the tough lost to ATL, the Ravens are still in great position in the AFC.

1st place in the North(2-1) and 2nd overall in the conference.

The next 2 weeks will be very important, before having a 3 game stretch with Pitt, Hou, and NO. If the Ravens can pull out wins vs the Panthers and Bucs, it'll put them in a strong position to stay atop the AFC and the North.

I really think the Ravens are one of the best if not the best team in the NFL. The Ravens have had a brutal road schedule where they've had to play 4 teams with a combined record of 27-9, that include the 3 teams with the best record in the NFL at 7-2(NE, NYJ, ATL). Now losing to the 2-7 Bengals on the road doesn't look good, but division games are always tough.

The Ravens have played 5 road games and have 3 remaining. [b]Those 3 games are against Car, Hou,and Cin,[/b] teams with a combined record of 7-20 right now. The Texans are the only team out of that bunch that still has a chance, but heading into that week 14 matchup the Texans will play the Jets, Titans, and Eagles so things might be looking really bad for them by the time we face them.

The Ravens are in a really good position to finish the season strong. The Sunday night game vs the Steelers will be huge, it won't be make or break but it could go a long way to us putting a strangle hold on the division and positioning ourselves for a #1 seed.

The next 5 weeks will be huge for the top AFC teams.
[/quote]

Replace Cin with Cle and your on point. I agree with everything you say for the most part. Im glad we have Pit, Cin, and NO at home,

[FerrariFan87]

This is likely to change every other week.... the NFL this year is wildly unpredictable.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1289955284' post='543094']
The Houston game is going to be a really weird game IMO. They're defense is just flat out bad, but [b]who the is going to cover Andre Johnson for us?[/b]
[/quote]
No one is going to cover him.

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1289959998' post='543165']
Plus its a primetime game. [b]I can't remember the last time we've had a good start on the road in a primetime game.[/b]

Plus the Texans will most likely be out of the playoff race, so they will be loose, and we'd be fresh out of the Pit game. I hope I'm wrong, but it seems like a recipe for disaster to me.
[/quote]
Perhaps Dallas in 2008.

[JO_75]

Here is the Games to Watch for in Week 11:

Bears vs Dolphins

Texans vs Jets

Raiders vs Steelers

Browns vs Jaguars

Redskins vs Titans

Colts vs Patriots

Chargers vs Broncos

[darklight1216]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1289971774' post='543326']
Here is the Games to Watch for in Week 11:

Bears vs Dolphins

Texans vs Jets

Raiders vs Steelers

Browns vs Jaguars

Redskins vs Titans

Colts vs Patriots

Chargers vs Broncos
[/quote]
We're definetly rooting for Oakland and Texas, but I'm not sure about the others. We want the Pats to win the East, so I guess we want a victory for Indy... maybe?

[Bltravens]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1289955446' post='543097']
The same guys who covered Roddy White
[/quote]
lol puke

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='darklight1216' timestamp='1289972510' post='543333']
We're definetly rooting for Oakland and Texas, but I'm not sure about the others. We want the Pats to win the East, so I guess we want a victory for Indy... maybe?
[/quote]

If we win our division, it would actually work in our favor (records being equal) if the Jets win that division. We'd have the tie breaker for home field advantage. Not sure, other than rooting for the Raiders that we can really know for certain what will work in our favor down the road yet.

[JO_75]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1289971774' post='543326']
Here is the Games to Watch for in Week 11:

Bears vs Dolphins

Texans vs Jets

Raiders vs Steelers

Browns vs Jaguars

Redskins vs Titans

Colts vs Patriots

Chargers vs Broncos
[/quote]

I'm thinking...

Bears/Dolphins won't matter unless we lose the division and fight for the wild card as we have the tie breaker over Miami. Texans/Jets will be interesting because even though we have the tie breaker head to head, if the Texans win against the Jets and we beat the Texans that's another tie breaker over the Jets we would have. So either way a Texans win or Jets win would be good. Obviously we of course want the Steelers to lose so we can clinch the division if we beat them at M & T Bank Stadium. Also this is a huge game for both Oakland & Pittsburgh, this could help determine a wild card spot if Oakland does not win the division, and that would jump the Raiders ahead of the Steelers in terms of who would get a wild card spot.

Browns vs Jaguars, not sure if this really matters but a Cleveland win would do wonders in helping Jacksonville start to fall out of the AFC Wild Card Race. A Jacksonville win would only hurt us if we don't win the division. The Titans loss would be great, but a win would keep them within the AFC Race. Colts vs Patriots, we would be better off with the Jets winning the division but a Patriots loss won't hurt us either especially if the Patriots do win the division. Chargers, Broncos well we only have to worry about SD picking up and getting on a roll and making the playoffs as division champs or a wild card team.