Will Our Close Finishes Help Or Hurt Us?

[bdravens]

As we all know, almost all of our games have been close, with the exception of Denver, and Carolina. My question is, do you think these games will help or hurt us? Some teams that blow people out on a regular basis can get overconfident, which could lead to losing. Although I would LOVE to see our team start putting the opponents away instead of sticking around, I feel that these games will help us. The guys will learn to play with an edge, knowing that any mistake could cost us. The teams that learn to win these tough and physical games often go a long way. What is your opinion on this?

[Polamaluisabeast_43]

Speaking from a Steelers fans perspective I feel winning close games more so then blowing teams out does more in terms of learning how to overcome adversity and building character and trust in your football team. I believe all the close finishes the 2008 Steelers team had during the regular season in the final minutes was a big big reason they were able to finish that drive off against the Cardinals and go onto win the Super Bowl. I think winning close hard fought games are huge for playoff success and how far your team can truly go...The wins both the Ravens and Steelers had over the Bills this season as bad as they have been are good examples of games that can get you over the hump and help you build character and learn how to win come playoff time...

[rlh445]

[quote name='bdravens' timestamp='1291255133' post='556841']
As we all know, almost all of our games have been close, with the exception of Denver, and Carolina. My question is, do you think these games will help or hurt us? Some teams that blow people out on a regular basis can get overconfident, which could lead to losing. Although I would LOVE to see our team start putting the opponents away instead of sticking around, I feel that these games will help us. The guys will learn to play with an edge, knowing that any mistake could cost us. The teams that learn to win these tough and physical games often go a long way. What is your opinion on this?
[/quote]

I think your assessment concerning mistakes leading to losses can never be understated and that although as fans we hate them, the players probably do gain some sort of inherent urgency in every down, whether it be the first down of the first play of the game, or the last down of the game. I think they help more than they hurt, but damn if they're not killing off the fanbase, lol.

[bdravens]

[quote name='rlh445' timestamp='1291256064' post='556881']
I think your assessment concerning mistakes leading to losses can never be understated and that although as fans we hate them, the players probably do gain some sort of inherent urgency in every down, whether it be the first down of the first play of the game, or the last down of the game. I think they help more than they hurt, but damn if they're not killing off the fanbase, lol.
[/quote]
Lol, this is true.

[Malkavian Raven]

[font="'Century Gothic"]A close finish will always help you. Look at the Atlanta game, we came back from a 3 score deficit. If the defense had held up and a few officials weren't falling asleep... that game would've been all Ravens.[/font]
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[font="'Century Gothic"]We'll be tough in the playoffs. We always seem to crank it up in the post season with our run game and we've got three of the best backs in the league (even if McClain is hurt).
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[font="'Century Gothic"]I like the idea of close wins, means you're doing just enough to squeak by without really beating your team up, or revealing too many of your schemes. But, you play it close to the chest and eventually you'll be biting one of those bullets.[/font]
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[font="'Century Gothic"][i]~ Malkavian Raven[/i][/font]

[funky141]

close finish builds character.....Thats what the pros say at least.

[mdrsharon]

aside from giving me a heart attack, I would always prefer a nice lead straight up in the first quarter.
not to burn themselves out, as they are conditioned to go the whole game, but, those games that go to last seconds are too much.
get a good lead early and try to coast, making it a little easier on the players, and fans.
I know how hard this is in the NFL, but when we get a little cushion,the more points, the better.
Points win games.

[TSizzle00]

playoff games and SBs are usually close games and the Ravens are winning close games so I would say no.

[big hits and ball hawks]

Close games are good. Like everyone else said it builds character and as Polamaluisabeast_43 said they also help you overcome adversity and build trust in one another. It also puts us or anyone else who wins in that fashion under the radar a little. I've noticed that recently not a lot of the "experts" have been considering us as SB contenders, which I'm fine with, and I believe this is because the large majority of our games have been close.

Though, I also think it's good to have those games were we blow out the other team and as a fan of a team who's constantly in nail biters I'd like to see a couple more.

[Purple Punishment]

It will help us by having the frame of mind that we can stay in any game.

It will hurt us because we usually give up the big play and our offense goes stagnant near the end of close games

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

So long as those close finishes end up with us winning, they won't hurt us. At the end of the day, the line is drawn at win or lose. If we win, I don't really care how it's done.

On the other hand, I think knowing how to grind out the tough wins is probably beneficial. It builds character in the players, and they all realise that its a 60 minute game, and sometimes you have to fight in all of them.

[Finally]

In this year's NFL aren't almost all finishes close?

[AsianRice]

[quote name='Polamaluisabeast_43' timestamp='1291255934' post='556877']
Speaking from a Steelers fans perspective I feel winning close games more so then blowing teams out does more in terms of learning how to overcome adversity and building character and trust in your football team. I believe all the close finishes the 2008 Steelers team had during the regular season in the final minutes was a big big reason they were able to finish that drive off against the Cardinals and go onto win the Super Bowl. I think winning close hard fought games are huge for playoff success and how far your team can truly go...The wins both the Ravens and Steelers had over the Bills this season as bad as they have been are good examples of games that can get you over the hump and help you build character and learn how to win come playoff time...
[/quote]

good point and that's what I was thinking too....

PS: Dropped ball from Stevie >>>luck than stripped fumbled by Ray from the Bills in the OT drive

[Tiznut]

I say they help because joe had developed such great poise that I don't get nervous if the game is in his hands late and it helps with play calls

[thewarden86]

IMO, there is nothing wrong with finding ways to win the close ones. I think both of our teams have a history of doing just that.

The Jets "ability" to do this however, does not impress me in the least.

[darklight1216]

Just win, baby.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1291478264' post='559156']
IMO, there is nothing wrong with finding ways to win the close ones. I think both of our teams have a history of doing just that.

The Jets "ability" to do this however, does not impress me in the least.
[/quote]
I agree with you 100 percent. Winning ugly is still winning at the end of the day, and we have seen both the Steelers and Ravens win ugly all the way to a Super Bowl Championship.

Also, as far as the Jets are concerned they in my mind are still a cheap facsimile of the Steelers and Ravens.

[JEEPercreepermd]

As far as the Ravens are concerned, I think the biggest difference is in Flacco. He has shown that he can take the offense down the field for a touchdown in crucial moments as he did against Pittsburgh and Atlanta.