MERGED: Playoff Watch

[berad]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1289974111' post='543355']
Colts vs Patriots, [b]we would be better off with the Jets winning the division[/b] but a Patriots loss won't hurt us either especially if the Patriots do win the division.
[/quote]

Really? Even with the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jets? I'm just curious - these dang playoff scenarios get so convoluted.

[Elmo]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1289974258' post='543360']
Really? Even with the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jets? I'm just curious - these dang playoff scenarios get so convoluted.
[/quote]

Under the assumption we win the division, we want Jets to win theirs, as that gives us the tie breaker for the seeds (if pats win division, they have the tiebreaker) If Pits win the division, and we're fighting for a wildcard, we want Pats to win their division, for the same reasons... Confused yet?

Bottom line... Just win out ;););)

[berad]

[quote name='Elmo' timestamp='1290005799' post='543452']
Under the assumption we win the division, we want Jets to win theirs, as that gives us the tie breaker for the seeds (if pats win division, they have the tiebreaker) If Pits win the division, and we're fighting for a wildcard, we want Pats to win their division, for the same reasons... Confused yet?

Bottom line... Just win out ;););)
[/quote]

Hahah okay, assuming winning the division makes it sense.

I agree, Ravens should win out, Jets and Pats can go 0-7 from here on out.

[UMDan]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1290021141' post='543613']
Hahah okay, assuming winning the division makes it sense.

I agree, Ravens should win out, Jets and Pats can go 0-7 from here on out.
[/quote]

So Buffalo is still in the running then?!

[berad]

[quote name='UMDan' timestamp='1290021972' post='543624']
So Buffalo is still in the running then?!
[/quote]

I'd rather play them than the other two. Larger margin of victory in that game haha, how sad is that?

I wish there was a way, when the Jets and Pats played each other, that both teams could lose. Wouldn't that be lovely?

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1290021141' post='543613']
Hahah okay, assuming winning the division makes it sense.

I agree, Ravens should win out, Jets and Pats can go 0-7 from here on out.
[/quote]

I don't know about the Jets and Pats going 0-7, even though i don't think either of those 2 teams are as good as their record, they are still among the best teams in the NFL. For either one of them to go 0-7 it would be a huge shocker to me.

Now with that said, I can easily see those 2 teams losing 3 out of the final 7 games of the season.

Pats final 7 games

IND: Even though the colts are beat up right now, I'd take my chances with Peyton against that secondary any day.

@Det: This should be a win for the Pats, but so should the Browns game.

NYJ: This game will take place the same weeks as the Pit @ Bal game. It could go a long way to determining division winners and separation in the top 2 seeds.

@CHI: At Solider field in a mid December game, weather could be a huge factor. Add that to the fact that the Bears seem to be a strong team(when Cutler plays well) and this could be a major showdown.

GB: Again just like Manning, I'll take my chances with Rodgers against that secondary. The Pack also has a Defense that could really test that Pats offense. It won't be easy

Buf: Even though it's a division game, the Pats should win. However with a inconsistent team this year, which Pats team will show up.

MIA: by this point MIA could be out of it or fighting for a wild card spot. One way or another this game will probably be tough.

So with Indy, GB, NY, CHI and MIA still on the schedule I wouldn't be shocked to see them drop 3 games.

As for the Jets, well personally i think they are the most overrated over-hyped team in the NFL.

With games remaining with the Texans, Pats, Steelers, Bears, and Dolphins I could definitely see the inconsistent Jets dropping 3 or 4 games to close out the season. I can even see Cincy giving them trouble next Thursday night.

I could be wrong, but i don't see the Ravens finished tied with either the Jets or Pats when the season is done.

[JO_75]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1290022168' post='543629']
I'd rather play them than the other two. Larger margin of victory in that game haha, how sad is that?

I wish there was a way, when the Jets and Pats played each other, that both teams could lose. Wouldn't that be lovely?
[/quote]

Like I said last week, about the Pat-Steelers, we can hope the Pats-Jets ends in a TIE. Actually what would be better for us is that we win out and the Pats drop 1 or 2 games, where it won't matter about the tie breaker of the Pats beating us, I'd much rather win out hope the Pats lose to void the tie breakers so either way regardless who wins the division we can be the top seed.

Berad is right though, all this playoff talk is so confusing. Team A has to win out, while Team B has to drop a few games, who has the head to head tie breaker, etc. That's why this Oakland-Pittsburgh game is so critical. I mean yes right now Oakland is a division leader but if they don't win the division and Oakland wins, they jump ahead of the Steelers in terms of who gets one of the final wild card spots, and because of the head to head tie breaker the 6-4 Raiders would jump the 6-4(who if Pittsburgh loses would end up at 6-4 and Oakland moves to 6-4 by beating Pittsburgh) Steelers and knock them down.... ahhh it's so confusing. Why is the AFC so jumbled up, I thought it was the NFC's job to be all confusing not the AFC!

[berad]

I was only joking about the Jets/Pats losing out.. like, entirely.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1290025617' post='543674']
I was only joking about the Jets/Pats losing out.. like, entirely.
[/quote]

yea i figured, that, but i'm sure we all would love to see it happen.

[Ravensfan23]

Here is a breakdown of the [color="#4B0082"][url="http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures"]NFL Tiebreaking Procedures[/url][/color]. I'm sure it'll still be confusing, as the simplest thing the Ravens could do is win out and hope that 13-3 is good enough to make the road to the Super Bowl come through M&T.

NFL Tiebreaking Procedures

The six postseason participants from each conference are seeded as follows:

1. The division champion with the best record.
2. The division champion with the second-best record.
3. The division champion with the third-best record.
4. The division champion with the fourth-best record.
5. The Wild Card club with the best record.
6. The Wild Card club with the second-best record.

The following procedures will be used to break standings ties for postseason playoffs and to determine regular-season schedules.

NOTE: Tie games count as one-half win and one-half loss for both clubs.
TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISION

If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.
Two Clubs

1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
12. Coin toss

Three or More Clubs

(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated during any step, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format).

1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games among the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
12. Coin toss

TO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAM

If it is necessary to break ties to determine the two Wild-Card clubs from each conference, the following steps will be taken.

1. If the tied clubs are from the same division, apply division tie breaker.
2. If the tied clubs are from different divisions, apply the following steps.

Two Clubs

1. Head-to-head, if applicable.
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
4. Strength of victory.
5. Strength of schedule.
6. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
7. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best net points in conference games.
9. Best net points in all games.
10. Best net touchdowns in all games.
11. Coin toss.

Three or More Clubs

(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of applicable two-club format.)

1. Apply division tie breaker to eliminate all but the highest ranked club in each division prior to proceeding to step 2. The original seeding within a division upon application of the division tie breaker remains the same for all subsequent applications of the procedure that are necessary to identify the two Wild-Card participants.
2. Head-to-head sweep. (Applicable only if one club has defeated each of the others or if one club has lost to each of the others.)
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in conference games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
12. Coin toss

When the first Wild-Card team has been identified, the procedure is repeated to name the second Wild-Card, i.e., eliminate all but the highest-ranked club in each division prior to proceeding to step 2. In situations where three or more teams from the same division are involved in the procedure, the original seeding of the teams remains the same for subsequent applications of the tie breaker if the top-ranked team in that division qualifies for a Wild-Card berth.
DETERMINING HOME-FIELD PRIORITY

1. To determine home-field priority among division titlists, apply Wild-Card tie breakers.
2. To determine home-field priority for Wild-Card qualifiers, apply division tie breakers (if teams are from the same division) or Wild-Card tie breakers (if teams are from different divisions).

TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION MEETING

If two or more clubs are tied in the selection order, the strength-of-schedule tie breaker is applied, subject to the following exceptions for playoff clubs:

1. The Super Bowl winner is last and the Super Bowl loser next-to-last.
2. Any non-Super Bowl playoff club involved in a tie moves down in drafting priority within its tied segment as follows:
* For a loss inthe Wild-Card playoffs, a plus factor of one-half.
* For participation, win or lose, in the Divisional Playoffs, a plus factor of one.
* For a loss in the conference championship Game, a plus factor of one.
3. Clubs with the best won-lost-tied records after these steps are applied will drop to their appropriate spots at the bottom of the tied segment. In no case will the above process move a club lower than the segmentin which it was initially tied.
4. Tied clubs will alternate priority throughout the 7 rounds of the draft. In case of a tie involving three or more teams, the club with priority in the first round will drop to the bottom of the tied segment in the second round and move its way back to the top of the segment in each succeeding round.

If any ties cannot be broken by strength of schedule, the divisional or conference tie breakers, whichever are applicable, are applied. Any ties that still exist are broken by a coin flip.

[UMDan]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1290023498' post='543645']

As for the Jets, well personally i think they are the most overrated over-hyped team in the NFL.
[/quote]

YES! Thankyou. Seriously it irks me how they sit atop the power rankings week after week and people call them a superbowl contender. They got lucky last year and they're getting lucky again this year. Their wins over the Browns and Lions were not deserved. And how does anyone justify them being above us? We beat them. Granted it was by a point but we won.

[Romo Ravens]

It feels like yesterday I was sitting in Lander, Wyoming, with my grandparents watching the Ravens and Panthers preseason game. Now I'm back in California and we're at week 11 talking about the playoffs.

Sorry for my reminiscence, but this season is going by way to fast.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1290026311' post='543688']
Here is a breakdown of the [color="#4B0082"][url="http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures"]NFL Tiebreaking Procedures[/url][/color]. I'm sure it'll still be confusing, as the simplest thing the Ravens could do is win out and hope that 13-3 is good enough to make the road to the Super Bowl come through M&T.

NFL Tiebreaking Procedures

The six postseason participants from each conference are seeded as follows:

1. The division champion with the best record.
2. The division champion with the second-best record.
3. The division champion with the third-best record.
4. The division champion with the fourth-best record.
5. The Wild Card club with the best record.
6. The Wild Card club with the second-best record.

The following procedures will be used to break standings ties for postseason playoffs and to determine regular-season schedules.

NOTE: Tie games count as one-half win and one-half loss for both clubs.
TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISION

If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.
Two Clubs

1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
12. Coin toss

Three or More Clubs

(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated during any step, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format).

1. Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games among the clubs).
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in common games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
12. Coin toss

TO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAM

If it is necessary to break ties to determine the two Wild-Card clubs from each conference, the following steps will be taken.

1. If the tied clubs are from the same division, apply division tie breaker.
2. If the tied clubs are from different divisions, apply the following steps.

Two Clubs

1. Head-to-head, if applicable.
2. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
4. Strength of victory.
5. Strength of schedule.
6. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
7. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best net points in conference games.
9. Best net points in all games.
10. Best net touchdowns in all games.
11. Coin toss.

Three or More Clubs

(Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated, tie breaker reverts to step 1 of applicable two-club format.)

1. Apply division tie breaker to eliminate all but the highest ranked club in each division prior to proceeding to step 2. The original seeding within a division upon application of the division tie breaker remains the same for all subsequent applications of the procedure that are necessary to identify the two Wild-Card participants.
2. Head-to-head sweep. (Applicable only if one club has defeated each of the others or if one club has lost to each of the others.)
3. Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
4. Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
5. Strength of victory.
6. Strength of schedule.
7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
9. Best net points in conference games.
10. Best net points in all games.
11. Best net touchdowns in all games.
12. Coin toss

When the first Wild-Card team has been identified, the procedure is repeated to name the second Wild-Card, i.e., eliminate all but the highest-ranked club in each division prior to proceeding to step 2. In situations where three or more teams from the same division are involved in the procedure, the original seeding of the teams remains the same for subsequent applications of the tie breaker if the top-ranked team in that division qualifies for a Wild-Card berth.
DETERMINING HOME-FIELD PRIORITY

1. To determine home-field priority among division titlists, apply Wild-Card tie breakers.
2. To determine home-field priority for Wild-Card qualifiers, apply division tie breakers (if teams are from the same division) or Wild-Card tie breakers (if teams are from different divisions).

TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION MEETING

If two or more clubs are tied in the selection order, the strength-of-schedule tie breaker is applied, subject to the following exceptions for playoff clubs:

1. The Super Bowl winner is last and the Super Bowl loser next-to-last.
2. Any non-Super Bowl playoff club involved in a tie moves down in drafting priority within its tied segment as follows:
* For a loss inthe Wild-Card playoffs, a plus factor of one-half.
* For participation, win or lose, in the Divisional Playoffs, a plus factor of one.
* For a loss in the conference championship Game, a plus factor of one.
3. Clubs with the best won-lost-tied records after these steps are applied will drop to their appropriate spots at the bottom of the tied segment. In no case will the above process move a club lower than the segmentin which it was initially tied.
4. Tied clubs will alternate priority throughout the 7 rounds of the draft. In case of a tie involving three or more teams, the club with priority in the first round will drop to the bottom of the tied segment in the second round and move its way back to the top of the segment in each succeeding round.

If any ties cannot be broken by strength of schedule, the divisional or conference tie breakers, whichever are applicable, are applied. Any ties that still exist are broken by a coin flip.
[/quote]

................... my head hurts. After Head to Head Tie breaker I'm confused. Let's hope we have no other tie breakers other than head to head influence where the Ravens are seeded in the AFC. Other wise I think we'll all be panicking trying to figure out the tie breakers for teams we didn't face this season.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1290028511' post='543713']
................... my head hurts. After Head to Head Tie breaker I'm confused. Let's hope we have no other tie breakers other than head to head influence where the Ravens are seeded in the AFC. Other wise I think we'll all be panicking trying to figure out the tie breakers for teams we didn't face this season.
[/quote]

Yea, i know how u feel. Like i said, the best thing for the Ravens to do is win out. At the very least, win the remaining 4 AFC game. That would put us at 10-2 and only the Jets who have just one loss would be able to have a better division record then us.

Our focus right now should be winning the division. Win the AFC North and alot of that tie breaker stuff will be useless to us.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1290030918' post='543748']
Yea, i know how u feel. Like i said, the best thing for the Ravens to do is win out. At the very least, win the remaining 4 AFC game. That would put us at 10-2 and only the Jets who have just one loss would be able to have a better division record then us.

[b]Our focus right now should be winning the division.[/b] Win the AFC North and alot of that tie breaker stuff will be useless to us.
[/quote]

Exactly. Winning the division gets us in automatically. If we have to fight for a Wild Card, it's not a guarantee like in the past that 10 wins gets you in whether you won your division or not. I mean look at 2008, Patriots were 11-5 and missed the playoffs. Yep as long as we win the division we'll be good. Though I can't figure out who I would like to see miss the playoffs more, The Jets, Steelers or Patriots.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1290024387' post='543657']
Like I said last week, about the Pat-Steelers, we can hope the Pats-Jets ends in a TIE. Actually what would be better for us is that we win out and the Pats drop 1 or 2 games, where it won't matter about the tie breaker of the Pats beating us, I'd much rather win out hope the Pats lose to void the tie breakers so either way regardless who wins the division we can be the top seed.

Berad is right though, all this playoff talk is so confusing. Team A has to win out, while Team B has to drop a few games, who has the head to head tie breaker, etc. That's why this Oakland-Pittsburgh game is so critical. I mean yes right now Oakland is a division leader but if they don't win the division and Oakland wins, they jump ahead of the Steelers in terms of who gets one of the final wild card spots, and because of the head to head tie breaker the 6-4 Raiders would jump the 6-4(who if Pittsburgh loses would end up at 6-4 and Oakland moves to 6-4 by beating Pittsburgh) Steelers and knock them down.... ahhh it's so confusing. Why is the AFC so jumbled up, I thought it was the NFC's job to be all confusing not the AFC!
[/quote]
I agree with you completely and this game with the Steelers and Raiders is a huge game and will grossly improve the Steelers chances of at the very worst if they dont win the AFC North over the Ravens it will improve their chances of making the playoffs and getting one of those 2 wildcard spots. Right now the Steelers despite their loss to the Patriots are still in good shape to gain a playoff spot. They are 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Conference and have head to head tiebrakers over AFC Wildcard Contenders Miami and Tennessee who are both at 5-4. And as you mentioned by beating the Raiders Sunday who are another wildcard contender they earn the head to head tiebraker over them and move to 7-3 and 5-2 in the conference and drop the Raiders 2 games behind them at 5-5. The other wildcard contenders in the AFC the Chiefs are 5-4 and 4-4 in the conference, the Jags are 5-4 and 4-3 in the Conference,and the Chargers and Texans are both 4-5 right now with 4 conferences losses as well.

The Steelers cant earn any head to head tiebrakers over those teams because they dont play them. But it's real simple here for the Steelers if they win the next 2 games against Oakland and Buffalo and improve to 8-3 and 6-2 in the AFC they will be in excellent shape going into the Baltimore game to still win the division and going into December to make the playoffs at the very least as a wilcard. These are 2 games the Steelers absolutely MUST win coming with the Raiders and the Bills because if they dont they are going to have a hard time I believe not only still winning the North but making the playoffs as well. You cant sqaunder opportunities against teams like the Raiders and Bills you gotta win those games plain and simple...

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1290034719' post='543805']
Exactly. Winning the division gets us in automatically. If we have to fight for a Wild Card, it's not a guarantee like in the past that 10 wins gets you in whether you won your division or not. I mean look at 2008, Patriots were 11-5 and missed the playoffs. Yep as long as we win the division we'll be good. Though I can't figure out who I would like to see miss the playoffs more, The Jets, Steelers or Patriots.
[/quote]
All 3 of those teams are most likely getting in. I dont see teams like the Raiders,Jags,Chiefs, and even the Titans and Dolphins being able to overtake those teams by winning enough games to get in it's just going to be too difficult for them I think.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1290036171' post='543829']
I agree with you completely and this game with the Steelers and Raiders is a huge game and will grossly improve the Steelers chances of at the very worst if they dont win the AFC North over the Ravens it will improve their chances of making the playoffs and getting one of those 2 wildcard spots. Right now the Steelers despite their loss to the Patriots are still in good shape to gain a playoff spot. They are 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the Conference and have head to head tiebrakers over AFC Wildcard Contenders Miami and Tennessee who are both at 5-4. And as you mentioned by beating the Raiders Sunday who are another wildcard contender they earn the head to head tiebraker over them and move to 7-3 and 5-2 in the conference and drop the Raiders 2 games behind them at 5-5. The other wildcard contenders in the AFC the Chiefs are 5-4 and 4-4 in the conference, the Jags are 5-4 and 4-3 in the Conference,and the Chargers and Texans are both 4-5 right now with 4 conferences losses as well.

The Steelers cant earn any head to head tiebrakers over those teams because they dont play them. But it's real simple here for the Steelers if they win the next 2 games against Oakland and Buffalo and improve to 8-3 and 6-2 in the AFC they will be in excellent shape going into the Baltimore game to still win the division and going into December to make the playoffs at the very least as a wilcard. These are 2 games the Steelers absolutely MUST win coming with the Raiders and the Bills because if they dont they are going to have a hard time I believe not only still winning the North but making the playoffs as well. You cant sqaunder opportunities against teams like the Raiders and Bills you gotta win those games plain and simple...
[/quote]
With that said, GO RAVENS!!

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1290036434' post='543832']
With that said, GO RAVENS!!
[/quote]
The Ravens for all practical purposes have an absolute gimmie game this week against Carolina with Tony Pike starting at QB for the Panthers,and DeAngelo Williams being out for the entire season. So the Steelers had better take care of the Raiders at home on Sunday because they sure as hell are not going to get any help from Tony Pike and the Carolina Panthers against the Ravens Sunday in Charlotte...

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1290037417' post='543847']
The Ravens for all practical purposes have an absolute gimmie game this week against Carolina with Tony Pike starting at QB for the Panthers,and DeAngelo Williams being out for the entire season. So the Steelers had better take care of the Raiders at home on Sunday because they sure as hell are not going to get any help from Tony Pike and the Carolina Panthers against the Ravens Sunday in Charlotte...
[/quote]
I agree with you fine sir!

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1290037532' post='543848']
I agree with you fine sir!
[/quote]
Wow that's twice in a span of a week you sure youre feeling okay lol...

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1290037624' post='543849']
Wow that's twice in a span of a week you sure youre feeling okay lol...
[/quote]
I know, right? Weird....

You know im just messin with ya due to you spelling out how, when and why the Steelers can make the playoffs on a raven forum. All in good fun

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1290037729' post='543851']
I know, right? Weird....

You know im just messin with ya due to you spelling out how, when and why the Steelers can make the playoffs on a raven forum. All in good fun
[/quote]
I hear ya it's all good, and plus JO was talking about the Steelers Raiders matchup being critical for this week in terms of playoff positioning so I figured I would jump in the convo as well and give my usual breakdown...

[Ravensfan23]

I don't think anybody saw this Steelers Raiders game being this big about 5 weeks ago. I'm still not sure if many people realize how close this game could be.

Even though the Steelers were embarrassed at home last week, they could be in for a shocker this week. If the Steelers loss this game, i think it's safe to say that the Steelers aren't the team that many people thought they were. This is the type of game you must win if you are the Steelers, regardless of how well the Raiders have been playing and the fact they are coming off a bye week.

If the Steelers drop this game, it's not only huge for the Ravens, it's huge for all those borderline AFC teams.

[Bltravens]

The Bears putting Miami firmly out of the playoff picture would be nice this weekend as well.

[JO_75]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1290041995' post='543900']
I don't think anybody saw this Steelers Raiders game being this big about 5 weeks ago. I'm still not sure if many people realize how close this game could be.

Even though the Steelers were embarrassed at home last week, they could be in for a shocker this week. If the Steelers loss this game, i think it's safe to say that the Steelers aren't the team that many people thought they were. This is the type of game you must win if you are the Steelers, regardless of how well the Raiders have been playing and the fact they are coming off a bye week.

If the Steelers drop this game, it's not only huge for the Ravens, it's huge for all those borderline AFC teams.
[/quote]

Yep especially if the borderline teams win this week, like I said Raiders beating the Steelers mean both the Raiders & Steelers would be 6-4 and a head to head tie puts Oakland ahead of Pittsburgh. The Titans have somewhat of a easy matchup playing the Redskins, SD has Denver and the real game that the Steelers will have to watch if they lose, the Colts/Patriots game.

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1290041995' post='543900']
I don't think anybody saw this Steelers Raiders game being this big about 5 weeks ago. I'm still not sure if many people realize how close this game could be.

Even though the Steelers were embarrassed at home last week, they could be in for a shocker this week. If the Steelers loss this game, i think it's safe to say that the Steelers aren't the team that many people thought they were. This is the type of game you must win if you are the Steelers, regardless of how well the Raiders have been playing and the fact they are coming off a bye week.

If the Steelers drop this game, it's not only huge for the Ravens, it's huge for all those borderline AFC teams.
[/quote]
The Steelers MUST win these next two games they have coming up with the Raiders and the Bills the next 2 weeks. Ive said exactly what you just said that I dont care how improved or how much better the Raiders are this year if youre a team like the Steelers you gotta be able to take care of them in your own backyard. The Raiders are still not a very good road team they are 1-3 on the road this season so far. They got blown out in the opener in Tennessee and lost on the road to a bad Arizona team and the 49ers got their first win of the year against the Raiders in San Francisco this year. The bottom line is you gotta win the games youre suppose too win and this is one of them on the Steelers schedule plain and simple. West coast teams dont play well on the East Coast at 1 o clock games so there whether the Raiders are improved or not there will be absolutely no excuses what so ever for the Steelers not to win this game and then go up to Buffalo next Sunday and take care of the Bills and be 8-3 and 6-2 in the conference going into Baltimore on December 5th...

[UMDan]

Go Raiders...

[Ryan561]

Do we want miami to win tonight?

[PuRock]

[quote name='Ryan561' timestamp='1290105533' post='544333']
Do we want miami to win tonight?
[/quote]

It isn't that big of a game in terms of who we want to win. But in this case we'd want the NFC team to beat the AFC team. Just so there are less Wildcard hopefuls in the AFC.