Next Game: Vs New Orleans Saints

[bornnraisedwhodat]

Keys to beating the Saints:

[b]Pressure up the middle.[/b] If Drew doesn't have a pocket to step into that throws him off a lot. We have an O-line that can handle most stout defenses but it will be a challenge..and our O-line has been a tad inconsistent this year. If our good offensive line shows up, we will do go, but if our penalty prone, push over O-line shows up, Brees will have problems.

[b]Keep everything in front[/b] Playing 2 deep zone against the Saints is something a lot of times try to do against us to prevent the big play. Brees will adjust and dink and dunk you to death, see the Super Bowl, but this causes long sustain drives and although Drew is great at it, it opens up opportunities for mistakes to happen. Especially if we become 1 dimensional and cant get a run game going.

[b]Play it SAFE[/b] Brees is the master at manipulating Safeties. He did it to Troy Polomatu when we played the Steelers. You best bet is to play it safe and try not to take many gambles, because Drew is a student of the game and he studies tendencies all day, and he loves to use it to his advantage.
[b]
Pick up the blitz[/b] Gregg Williams defense lives and dies by the blitz. With a good secondary, Gregg has no problem sending a saftey or corner or a linebacker to rush the QB. Matter of fact, he does it most of the time. The hard part is picking it up, they disguise a lot and when you think they will blitz they don't, and when you think they will go into coverage, they blitz. Sometimes they blitz just to force you to throw in a certain direction. Flacco will have to do his best picking up the blitz, if he can, he can exploit the opportunities that open up by buying him enough time.

[b]Special Teams: [/b] All 3 of New Orleans' losses have come partly due to special teams, either missed field goals, field position, missed tackles, trick plays, etc. They have bit us in the *** all year. So taking advantage of the Saints special teams is key to beating them.


[b]Be aggressive[/b] Go for it on 4th and short, take shots to the endzone, come up with some trick plays, try to score TD's, not field goals. New Orleans will put up points, no matter who they are playing..you will not beat them with field goals.

[LickenKittens]

Bornraisedwhodat hit the nail on the head. The big piece you guys have to beat us is your big d-linemen. If they're able to collapse the pocket consistently we'll be hurting.

[cjjr72984]

I see we have some fellow Saintsreport.com members here

We over at that site are a bit worried about this game. But we've been on a roll so you never know. If Brees stays comfortable in the pocket the Ravens will have problems.

We have so many weapons that I'm not sure how the Ravens secondary will keep up.

[PuRock]

[quote name='bornnraisedwhodat' timestamp='1292347885' post='575029']

[b]Be aggressive[/b] Go for it on 4th and short, take shots to the endzone, come up with some trick plays, try to score TD's, not field goals. New Orleans will put up points, no matter who they are playing..you will not beat them with field goals.
[/quote]

That's easier said than done with this team.

[Alexir]

IF we play zone and prevent, the surgeon is going to cut us bad.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1292346478' post='574985']
I still think we can win. But Cam and our offense (that's Joe, and the o-line ) needs to step it up in 2nd half.
[/quote]
The offense definitely needs to at least attempt to play during the second half. Zero points in two quarters and overtime against Houston, three points in the second half against Pitt, zero points against the Buccs, and six (?) against Carolina.

Fun fact: the Payton led Saints are 1-4 when the weather is below 40 degrees.

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1292345577' post='574956']
The Saints have a 4-3 defense. Uh-oh.....
[/quote]

[Romo Ravens]

I'm a major homer, love the Ravens, obviously. But Brees is my favorite QB ever. I've been looking forward to this game ever since our schedule came out. The one advantage that we have is that it's at home in cold weather. Pressure Brees, force some turnovers, stop Pierre, double the slots with Moore, Henderson and Meachem, let Flacco do his thing, hopefully get Rice established early on, and try to attack their secondary even if they have one of the best, if not the best, secondaries in the league.

It should be a high scoring affair, and we can make a statement by beating the defending championships with two games left riding on some momentum. Should be a damn good one.

[bornnraisedwhodat]

[quote name='cursona pirate' timestamp='1292356164' post='575362']

[/quote]

Do the Ravens tend to have trouble with 4-3's? I know the Saints tend to have trouble with 3-4 defenses.

[ravensfan160]

If we want to have a chance to win this game someone better tell Mattison its better to go down swinging than just going down. If he thinks Matt Schaub picked us apart with the 3 man rush, he hasn't seen anything yet.

Our corners played well yesterday despite the stats. Show some confidence in your players Mattison and bring pressure on Brees. We don't have to all our blitz but at least send 4 or 5 on a regular basis. How about a delayed blitz every once and a while.

[cursona pirate]

let it snow let it snow let it snow

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='bornnraisedwhodat' timestamp='1292357048' post='575396']
Do the Ravens tend to have trouble with 4-3's? I know the Saints tend to have trouble with 3-4 defenses.
[/quote]


Joe can't take the pressure of front blitz. And Saints are perhaps one of the best blitzers in NFL imo. If anything Joe and the offense wont be in playtime a lot, and our defense will have to exhaust themselves again. Something big needs to happen.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1292357673' post='575408']
[b]Joe can't take the pressure of front blitz. [/b] And Saints are perhaps one of the best blitzers in NFL imo. If anything Joe and the offense wont be in playtime a lot, and our defense will have to exhaust themselves again. Something big needs to happen.
[/quote]

The o-line can't pick it up either and Cam refuses to call plays that require quicker routes from the WRs.

[LickenKittens]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1292357025' post='575393']
I'm a major homer, love the Ravens, obviously. But Brees is my favorite QB ever. I've been looking forward to this game ever since our schedule came out. The one advantage that we have is that it's at home in cold weather. Pressure Brees, force some turnovers, stop Pierre, double the slots with Moore, Henderson and Meachem, let Flacco do his thing, hopefully get Rice established early on, and try to attack their secondary even if they have one of the best, if not the best, secondaries in the league.

It should be a high scoring affair, and we can make a statement by beating the defending championships with two games left riding on some momentum. Should be a damn good one.
[/quote]

I live in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia and I've had the pleasure of seeing Brees play twice up in DC. It's amazing watching him play live. He's not fast like Vick, but he's really underrated as an athlete. He's limber and he just moves smoothly in and out of the pocket. What is most impressive about him is his ball placement. I doubt he'll ever be consider one of the greatest unfortunately, but I think you could make a case he's one of the most accurate qbs ever.

I wish I could come up for the game, but with two kids and money tight, it's not really an option.

I am looking forward to seeing the cat and mouse between Brees and the Ravens defense. I love how you guys have played defense over the past decade. Even though it may be a slight down year for your defense, it's still head and shoulders above most of the defenses in the NFL.

[Finally]

[quote name='cjjr72984' timestamp='1292350316' post='575129']
I see we have some fellow Saintsreport.com members here

[/quote]



I'd expect to see 2/3s of the NFCS here this week since TB needs a Raven's victory too as it is one of their avenues back into the playoffs. Falcons only really need it for insurance since we hold the tie-breaker, however, for some reason I am a regular here now.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Finally' timestamp='1292359580' post='575452']
I'd expect to see 2/3s of the NFCS here this week since TB needs a Raven's victory too as it is one of their avenues back into the playoffs. Falcons only really need it for insurance since we hold the tie-breaker, however, for some reason I am a regular here now.
[/quote]

Yea! I'm looking foward to some Falcons-Saints scuffles. I'm glad we have the endorsement of the Falcons and Bucs fans. The Saints will have just the Steelers fans. But who'd want those dirty losers anyways.

[Ed_Reed20]

Colston, Bush, Thomas, Moore, Shockey, Meache and Graham. It's going to be very interesting to see the Ravens try and match-up with all those players. The secondary is obviously going to be tested but the LBs(specifically the young guys) need to deliver huge games. I know Suggs will provide pressure and so will other guys but Brees has such a quick release, sound coverage will be more important this game.

Good thing Brees chucks so many interceptions.

[omar586]

did anyone notice the offense in the second half on MNF, they arrived in B-more while the game was still going in the 3rd qt, b/c they didn't do anything in the 2nd half, we better tell them its 60min game, not 30.

[hawkprey]

Anyone know Heap's status? We need him to help block on the O-line because... well obviously.

[flynismo]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1292340477' post='574762']<br />We have to pick up their blitz, they send 5-6 all the time.<br />[/quote]


thats going to be their downfall.

They'll get a few sacks and force some throwaways, but it's going to come at the cost of some big plays.

[ravens_4life]

after last nights 2nd half performance i am really worried about this game. we need to do something about our o-line. houston registered 5 sacks last night. saints defense is ranked 6th and there pass defense is better than ours. our run game has been hit and miss all season. saints have scored 30+ there last 5 games. if we play like we did in the first half we will win, but if our performance continues from the 2nd half we dont have a chance. the saints are on fire right now. people tend to forget that houston has a stout offense. if there defense was better they would be very scary. we held them in check for the first half going into the third quarter. josh wilson mvp of the game imo. bottom line is we cant play a complete game. the saints are going to go deep early if not the first play of the game.

[Jamal]

I got one word for Cam: shotgun.

[Ed_Reed20]

I've got two words for Cam: quick routes.

[PuRock]

Get this guys.

I have a friend who works at NOAA and they say they are watching a system that could produce 7 inches of snow this Saturday/Sunday. Weather outlets haven't started reporting as it isn't finally accepted yet. But looks like it could very well be.

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1292365303' post='575585']
Anyone know Heap's status? We need him to help block on the O-line because... well obviously.
[/quote]
i would feel 10 million times better with heap in the line again!
Tomorrow i will post my stats prediction and make more realistic.

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1292367045' post='575638']
Get this guys.

I have a friend who works at NOAA and they say they are watching a system that could produce 7 inches of snow this Saturday/Sunday. Weather outlets haven't started reporting as it isn't finally accepted yet. But looks like it could very well be.
[/quote]
yes! hopefully it will be so cold drew brees cant even throw the ball.

[big hits and ball hawks]

I'm confident and optimistic about the Ravens being able to come out with a win on Sunday. I think we need to let Joe go from the shotgun more because he's just better in shotgun than from under center, especially when dealing with blitzes. He seems to be more comfortable from shotgun and it gives him that extra time. Our Oline needs to figure it out, like toughen up or something. I'm more concerned with the lack of push for the run game.

I'm confident in our D's ability as long as the offense can give them some longer breaks on the sideline. Oh yeah and if we don't jump into a prevent if we're up, no matter how much we're up by. I'm also confident that the Special Teams will do a great job at giving our offense and defense the advantage, and can do their own damage besides field position.

By no means do I think this will be an easy game. Sometimes I think people on here think just because others are confident that we can beat any team that means we're completely overlooking the opposing team. Anyway, that's just my opnion and this post just got longer than I originally intended it to.

[CorvusCorax]

I think this can be a real confidence builder and motivator for our team. This could be the game that sparks what we've been lacking in our game play.

I saw a team that performed terrific the first half yesterday. I then saw a team start to fall apart. Then I saw that same team (especially the defense) pull it together and take one to the house. Bottom line is that our playmakers made plays when they needed to. They can win this. That's what they proved to me last night.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1292367045' post='575638']
Get this guys.

I have a friend who works at NOAA and they say they are watching a system that could produce 7 inches of snow this Saturday/Sunday. Weather outlets haven't started reporting as it isn't finally accepted yet. But looks like it could very well be.
[/quote]
Good, I hope it's too cold and too windy for Drew, but I hope it's a breeze for Flacco.

Seriously, this simply cannot come down to the running game.

[SmartGuy]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1292367045' post='575638']
Get this guys.

I have a friend who works at NOAA and they say they are watching a system that could produce 7 inches of snow this Saturday/Sunday. Weather outlets haven't started reporting as it isn't finally accepted yet. But looks like it could very well be.
[/quote]

That would have been more believeable this morning. However, throughout the day the more reliable guidance has trended away from that solution and now show a sunny and breezy day on Sunday with low pressure staying well off shore (west side being the dry side is common with baroclinic low pressure systems) with temperatures in the 38-42F range in the afternoon. Your only hope at this point is to count on the GFS model with has stuck with the blizzard solution on Sunday.

[img]http://www.nco.ncep.noaa.gov/pmb/nwprod/analysis/namer/gfs/12/images/gfs_ten_126m.gif[/img]