Saturday's Predictions

[ravenswoman]

[quote name='xen-uno' timestamp='1294950029' post='603026']
With all [b]due respect[/b] ...

Steelers 27
Ravens 17

.. and hopefully the Jets won't lay down for Patsies
[/quote]
Yeah, hahahaha, that score does not show "due respect"

[A Fish Called Yanda]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1294950683' post='603038']
The Steelers will have Ben, Troy, Ward, Wallace, Mendenhall, Timmons, Harrison, etc., for a lot more seasons, so you're saying we won't beat them until they all retire? Get real
[/quote]

Extrapolation to the maximum here.

The same team that we lost to a few weeks ago is now rested and we have to play them again. I will agree that the addition of Heap and McClain do give us a better chance, but I still feel like the fact that the Steelers are rested trumps that.

[52BirdsOfPrey20]

WE [u][b]WILL[/b][/u] WIN!
Thats what I think.

[numbah58]

I think there will be more scoring than history indicates.

Steelers 27
Ravens 17

I'm predicting a nail-biter down to the end with the final 7 pts coming on a defensive score late.

Steeler fan here with much respect for your guys. I hope whoever wins this match-up represents the AFC. Good old AFC North slobberknockers!

[PuRock]

[quote name='terpsnation' timestamp='1294950389' post='603031']
Pitt having the bye makes me say "very little chance." I never said the Raven's can't win the game, nor did I call people crazy for thinking that they can, but realistically looking at it, Pittsburg has got the edge.

I pray that I'm wrong. I will be devastated with a loss, but nonetheless, the Steelers have the upper hand.
[/quote]

Blah. Two years ago against Pitt in the AFCCG they had a bye in the playoffs, we didn't get a bye the entire year and had a rookie QB AND STILL KEPT THE GAME CLOSE.

So to say we have "very little chance" because the Steelers have had two weeks off, is UNREALISTIC.

[A Fish Called Yanda]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1294952067' post='603064']
Blah. Two years ago against Pitt in the AFCCG they had a bye in the playoffs, we didn't get a bye the entire year and had a rookie QB AND STILL KEPT THE GAME CLOSE.

So to say we have "very little chance" because the Steelers have had two weeks off, is UNREALISTIC.
[/quote]

Score I gave was close was it not? 17-13 Pitt. You can still have a very little chance of winning in a low scoring game.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='terpsnation' timestamp='1294952591' post='603073']
Score I gave was close was it not? 17-13 Pitt. You can still have a very little chance of winning in a low scoring game.
[/quote]

But if the score is close then you likely have more than a "very little chance of winning". Simply looking at past Ravens/Steelers match-ups and the overall abilities of the teams currently suggests both teams have close to an equal shot at getting the W.

Even with the bye, the Steelers don't have any major advantages.

[PuRock]

[quote name='terpsnation' timestamp='1294952591' post='603073']
Score I gave was close was it not? 17-13 Pitt. You can still have a very little chance of winning in a low scoring game.
[/quote]

That's fine. The point being the extra rest isn't going to be a deciding factor in this game. The Ravens have vets on this team that are determined to get to the next round. Even in the past when we have been dog tired and leading the league w/ players on IR, we still made it close.

This game can go either which way. But I just can't accept the fact that we would have a very little chance of winning because the Steelers got the bye.

Maybe the Steelers will be sluggish with the extra rest. While we are coming off a five game win streak and can jump out early. That's a possibility as well.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='terpsnation' timestamp='1294951609' post='603056']
Extrapolation to the maximum here.

The same team that we lost to a few weeks ago is now rested and we have to play them again. I will agree that the addition of Heap and McClain do give us a better chance, but I still feel like the fact that the Steelers are rested trumps that.
[/quote]

Touché, but no matter how rested they may be, heart and desire trumps rest, and our team has a lot of it. I think we'll win this game.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Ravens make a 2 minute drill drive to win 13-10. We will all be calling HEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAP with 20 seconds to go when he scores the TD. Heap heap hooray!

[Twoo]

Ravens: 24
Steelers: 20

[HaX]

all I'm saying is I DARE ben to throw a deep ball with reed lurking

[berad]

[quote name='terpsnation' timestamp='1294951609' post='603056']
Extrapolation to the maximum here.

The same team that we lost to a few weeks ago is now rested and we have to play them again. I will agree that the addition of Heap and McClain do give us a better chance, but I still feel like the fact that the Steelers are rested trumps that.
[/quote]

We were supposed to beat the Colts in 2006, too. The only thing our rest did, that time, was cause our team to come out rusty and soft.

[PuRock]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1294957575' post='603159']
We were supposed to beat the Colts in 2006, too. The only thing our rest did, that time, was cause our team to come out rusty and soft.
[/quote]

Or what about all the rest that San Diego had last year before getting sent home because they couldn't get anything going against the Jets.

[berad]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1294957904' post='603161']
Or what about all the rest that San Diego had last year before getting sent home because they couldn't get anything going against the Jets.
[/quote]

Indeed. Having a bye does not ensure a win.

[HaX]

I'd take a blowout win momentum rather than a bye week

[PuRock]

[quote name='HaX' timestamp='1294958127' post='603165']
I'd take a blowout win momentum rather than a bye week
[/quote]

Same here. The way that we blew out KC last week was a godsend after the crappy performance against Cincy. Imagine if we had a bye week after that performance. Nah, this is exactly what the doctor ordered.

So we had a great win, have a win streak which is a perfect combo to match up against a rested team.

[JEEPercreepermd]

Let's not forget that our Defense was only on the field for 18mins last week, and the Chiefs weren't even running at them in the 2nd half of the game. That is about as close to a bye as you can get. Offensively, I'm actually glad that we didn't get a bye (did you notice how Flacco was still in late in the 4th even though the game was put away already?) That game may have been what they needed to finally get some sort of rhythm going.

So really, at the end of the day there are just as many pros and cons to having a bye vs playing the week before. Here's one thing that I think is noteworthy, yes the Steelers have had the bye but their last two games were against Carolina and Cleveland..they haven't played a highly contested game in a while so while I doubt this will happen, it COULD take Pittsburgh a little while to get back to speed. While the Ravens are riding high off of a dominant performance.

To win the game, the Ravens #1 have to keep their emotions in check. They can not take the dumb penalty in the crucial moment that costs them critical field position, extends a drive for Pittsburgh or kills a drive for them.

#2 They can not make the big mistake in the crucial moment that gives Pittsburgh the chance to win the game. I have no doubts that the Ravens can defend the Pittsburgh offense. The difference in these games has been the Ben has regularly been able to cash in on his opportunity to win the game, while Joe has fallen short. In the last meeting, Ben would have made that 4th down pass for the first down. Joe has to be able to make that one play that changes the game.

[PuRock]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' timestamp='1294958323' post='603168']
[b]Let's not forget that our Defense was only on the field for 18mins last week, and the Chiefs weren't even running at them in the 2nd half of the game. That is about as close to a bye as you can get.[/b]
[/quote]

Not for the O-Line which is probably the area that needs the most rest.

[hawkprey]

17-9 (Ravens).


The Ravens have been playing better D since last time we met and we now have Heap and McClain to help the O-line out. That is, an O-line that suffered tremendously when counting on our backup TE's to pick up blocks out of LeBeau's crazy schemes. They will still get good pressure on us, but 17 offensive points is a good estimate for me.

Really, what do the Steelers have on their offense going for them? Ben "extending the play"? Please! If anyone is used to covering targets for long, drawn out plays, it's our CBs.

[AsianRice]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1294958245' post='603166']
Same here. The way that we blew out KC last week was a godsend after the crappy performance against Cincy. Imagine if we had a bye week after that performance. Nah, this is exactly what the doctor ordered.

So we had a great win, have a win streak which is a perfect combo to match up against a rested team.
[/quote]
Another "same here."


Momentum, chemistry, and confidence are more important than extra week of rest. Besides, wouldn't our defense rest well enough after the blowout in KC?

Call me crazy our offense with the support of our stellar defense will control the clock with scores and keep big Ben sitting cold on the bench.

No score prediction for me but we will win.....

[berad]

[quote name='AsianRice' timestamp='1294960558' post='603194']
Another "same here."


Momentum, chemistry, and confidence are more important than extra week of rest. [b]Besides, wouldn't our defense rest well enough after the blowout in KC? [/b]

Call me crazy our offense with the support of our stellar defense will control the clock with scores and keep big Ben sitting cold on the bench.

No score prediction for me but we will win.....



[/quote]

LOL good point. That was only like half a game for them.

[Yatagarasu]

Ravens: 24
Steelers: 13

I believe the Cam is going to bring out all the plays to win this game.

Short passes over the middle are going to be the beard and butter.

Won't be surprised to see some deep bombs to Stallworth for six

Also with the defense finally clicking together, they're going to gamble a lot to get turnovers rather than going conservative. Bring out the zone blitzes, overload blitzes, press coverages, and organized chaos.

I wish we can beat them in a blowout, but this rivalry will take it to the last straw.

It's all or nothing. No excuses...

[CapoRocky]

I love the Ravens. I predict that we will win by 7 points on Saturday. Let's say 24 to 17. The Steeler fans will cry like little babies. Let's hear some other predictions.

[ravensdfan]

Scores are tough to predict. Especially in this match-up. Usually these games come down to a FG in the last minutes of the game or OT. I just have this feeling about this one though. I think the Ravens pull this win off by more than 3 pts.

[CapoRocky]

Honestly, I think that game will be close, but with the new rules for OT it will be decided by a TD not a FG. Someone called 105.7 and predicted the Ravens will win 31-0. I am not that confident that we can shut out the Steelers.

[CapoRocky]

How about this one: We go to overtime 17-17. The Steelers win the toss but can't score. Flacco drives 80 yards and completes a 34 yard pass to Housh in the endzone for the victory. Uh, wait a minute, didn't I see this before?

[thewarden86]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1294968133' post='603333']
How about this one: We go to overtime 17-17. The Steelers win the toss but can't score. Flacco drives 80 yards and completes a 34 yard pass to Housh in the endzone for the victory. Uh, wait a minute, didn't I see this before?
[/quote]

Wasn't 80 yards; wasn't OT and it's only happened once.

[cuervodoro]

Prediction all previous markers or indicators will quickly lose relevance. As Ray Lewis stated, all teams making it this far are worthy of championship, and are to be taken seriously. The final outcome will rest upon preparation, determination and will and endurance.

This will not necessarilly be low-score as usual.
Ravens/Flacco are good for at least 2 TDs, and Cundiff putting up 2 FGs.

Ravens: 20

Steelers will be frustrated at 1 TD, and settling for 2 FGs.

Steelers: 13

[funky141]

Some bad news to relay but wish it was not true but the Steelers are 8-0 against division opponents in the playoffs.