Week 4: Baltimore Ravens At Pittsburgh Steelers

[theFRANCHISE]

It's hard to look at this game objectively and take away the positives, considering the circumstances in which the game was lost. But, after sleeping on it, I'll probably feel a lot better about it later.

2-1 in the division isn't so bad, and Flacco's performance wasn't nearly as bad as people I've been talking to, expected. This only gives further incentive to come back home and beat the undefeated Titans.

I like the headline on NFL.com: "Steelers need OT to hand Ravens first loss of season."

They NEED OT to hand us our first loss. They could've taken that momentum in the third quarter and turned it into a K.O. in the fourth -- but they didn't. It was a hard-fought game to the end, and there's not much more I could've asked.

I said earlier that I'd be happy regardless of the outcome if this game proved to the nation that the Ravens can flat-out PLAY -- and I think I was right. The team played well, and that's all that matters right now.

It's a young season, and there's still three more divisional games to play. It'll be a tough road ahead, but if this team deserves to make the playoffs, it'll overcome adversity and get the job done, period.

14 games in a row left; if the team can fight through it, then the team deserves all the respect in the world. After all, isn't that what a lot of you wanted: respect?

[BuckWilds]

I'm sorry I don't feel the same way many of you do. I'm not at all happy we lost, but we showed enough for me to be happy about. Clean up the mistakes and we're no-joke scary - the way we haven't been in a long time.

I believe now more than I have all season. We'll get our shot at the Steelers again down the road. Get some sleep and look at the good stuff in the morning.

[kze]

What would we do without Mason? He's so incredibly reliable... too bad he doesn't have break away speed or he'd be a dangerous threat.

[Bosanac]

ANYBODY ELSE BREWING INSIDE WITH THE COMMENTS OF THE ESPN REPORTERS ON THE RAVENS?

not ONE positive remark towards the offense.

[JimJ]

Damn it, the same damn thing happened with the New England game last year. I went in expecting us to lose, then they go and get my hopes up only to blow it. Makes it that much f'n harder to take. 2-1 isn't bad but the 3-0 division record would've been HUGE. Just a huge disappointment and I REALLY hope this isn't the start of the decline the way the Monday night Steeler game was last year. FWIW, obviously we did much better than we did in that game last year and I think despite the loss we proved that we've got the talent, we just need to work on discipline and teach Flacco to hold on to the damn ball.

[Ravens52]

Ah, whatever..

At least this showed we're a tough team. Ughhhh

We gotta travel too the Titans next week... that hurts




Yes, can our team win on primetime and not beat itself? They love to break our hearts on primetime..

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Bosanac' post='70625' date='Sep 30 2008, 12:31 AM']ANYBODY ELSE BREWING INSIDE WITH THE COMMENTS OF THE ESPN REPORTERS ON THE RAVENS?

not ONE positive remark towards the offense.[/quote]

That's why I'm watching the press conferences on NFL Network instead.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='Ravens52' post='70627' date='Sep 30 2008, 12:32 AM']Ah, whatever..

At least this showed we're a tough team. Ughhhh

We gotta travel too the Titans next week... that hurts[/quote]

No, the Titans game is at home in Baltimore next week.

[foreversunny23]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='70620' date='Sep 29 2008, 11:29 PM']It's hard to look at this game objectively and take away the positives, considering the circumstances in which the game was lost. But, after sleeping on it, I'll probably feel a lot better about it later.

2-1 in the division isn't so bad, and Flacco's performance wasn't nearly as bad as people I've been talking to, expected. This only gives further incentive to come back home and beat the undefeated Titans.

I like the headline on NFL.com: "Steelers need OT to hand Ravens first loss of season."

They NEED OT to hand us our first loss. They could've taken that momentum in the third quarter and turned it into a K.O. in the fourth -- but they didn't. It was a hard-fought game to the end, and there's not much more I could've asked.

I said earlier that I'd be happy regardless of the outcome if this game proved to the nation that the Ravens can flat-out PLAY -- and I think I was right. The team played well, and that's all that matters right now.

It's a young season, and there's still three more divisional games to play. It'll be a tough road ahead, but if this team deserves to make the playoffs, it'll overcome adversity and get the job done, period.

14 games in a row left; if the team can fight through it, then the team deserves all the respect in the world. After all, isn't that what a lot of you wanted: respect?[/quote]

Very true, a lot of people had written us off for this game. Up until midway through the 3rd quarter, the impossible seemed possible. Breaking a 13 game win streak in MNF with a rookie coach and a rookie QB, how sweet would that have been. I'm glad we fought and sent this game to OT. I'm still optimistic about this season despite the loss.

[Bosanac]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='70628' date='Sep 29 2008, 11:32 PM']That's why I'm watching the press conferences on NFL Network instead.[/quote]


;\

"Embarrassing to see a team start off that good, and just blow it the last 3 quarters"

now we got the titans next week, bring on the insults.

I'm done with sportscenter.

[Ravens52]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='70629' date='Sep 30 2008, 12:32 AM']No, the Titans game is at home in Baltimore next week.[/quote]

Thank god

Anyway, peace everyone

[Bosanac]

yea, even though i'll have a hard time getting to sleep.

I'm out, laters

[JoeCool#5]

[quote name='foreversunny23' post='70597' date='Sep 29 2008, 11:22 PM']It was a tough loss, but we can take some positives from this game. That scoring drive from Flacco to tie the game up in the 4th quarter was nice. Flacco played well enough in such a hostile environment.

Of course Flacco showed us his rookie mistakes by holding on to the football too long. That turnover killed us.

Is anyone else worried that Derrick Mason is our entire receiving corps? Where is Heap, Clayton, and Williams?

This game brought us back down to earth. We still have a long ways to go, but I like where it's going.[/quote]

Flacco did well considering. He led us down for the tie score and give us a chance to win in overtime. I can really complain. He was a rookie. Yeah.. He did great considering. That personal foul cost us to set up the Steelers score.
But at the beginning of the season. I really didnt think we put 20 points on the scoreboard and lose the game. Its painful to watch... I think the Ravens defense did great, I just would like more from the running game..

[Guest Moderator8]

[quote name='Ravens52' post='70627' date='Sep 30 2008, 12:32 AM']We gotta travel too the Titans next week... that hurts[/quote]

Uh...no, The Ravens play the Titans in Baltimore next week....sunday Oct 5th...at least that is what it says on my season ticket.

[Sam]

Just seems like many times we we were loosing battles on both lines. Too much pressure on Flacco with our young line not picking things up & at times Ben seemed to have too much time.

Thoughts?

[JimJ]

Certainly a good thing that we're playing the Titans at home, but that's still going to be another ROUGH game. A hard hitting game at Pittsburgh, followed by a short week due to Monday night and then have to face another one of the toughest defenses in the league and a team that's on a roll.

[WashingtonStreetBully]

[quote name='Sam' post='70655' date='Sep 30 2008, 12:42 AM']Just seems like many times we we were loosing battles on both lines. Too much pressure on Flacco with our young line not picking things up & at times Ben seemed to have too much time.

Thoughts?[/quote]

I wouldnt say ben's protection was much better he just did a good job of keeping the play alive and eluding our heat coming off the edge, i hate the guy but you gotta give him credit he made the plays late in the game when they counted. We should of got him for a few more sacks but we couldnt finish the play and ben took advantage.

[theFRANCHISE]

At the end of the day, the Steelers may have won the battle -- but the Ravens might just win the war.

Look at the damage that's been done so far: Kendall Simmons and Rashard Mendenhall are out for the season; Ben Roethlisberger is even more sore heading into this next game against Jacksonville, which is expected to be VERY physical; the Steelers' offensive line's confidence might be even more shaken once they look at the film and see how often Roethlisberger was touched; their defense was nearly embarassed by a rookie QB in their own home; they were, at one point, BOOED by their own fans; they gave up a couple of false start penalties that NEVER should've happened at home.

Though the Ravens LOOK to get the shorter end of the stick since they still have 13 games in a row left to play, Pittsburgh won't be the same for the rest of this season with virtually no healthy running backs, a shuffling offensive line, and a defense that has to be a little slighted that they allowed 103 rushing yards with a fullback as the leading rusher.

More importantly, the Ravens gained A LOT of respect (remember that word?) that a lot of you had been looking for -- not just from the media, but from other fans and other teams.

There are enough positives to take away from this game that should take away the sting of the loss by the time October 5th rolls around and the Titans come to Baltimore.

[Ravensfan420]

im only mad because i knew a few key penalties from our D cost us the game.. #95(Jaret Johnson) had a late hit on someone who was OUT OF BOUNDS. that led the steelers to an easy TD.. Also when number 50 or 51 slapped that guy in the face mask.. totally pointless stuff loses the game. Hines Ward just smiles as we look like fools tryna act tough. great job on the D for the most part except for the inexcusable penalties. Flacco did okay but they didnt use Ray Rice enough. Mason had a great night. we should of won that game but we have to move on.

[CARavensFan]

[quote name='Ravensfan420' post='70885' date='Sep 30 2008, 07:10 AM']Also when number 50 or 51 slapped that guy in the face mask.. totally pointless stuff loses the game.[/quote]

Well when I saw the replay on that call I wasn't sure how that was a penalty, it looked like when guys pat each other on the helmet after a play, though I think Barnes (No. 50) might have just tapped the Steeler a little too hard and the referees took that to be a hit rather than a tap. Might have just been a cause of being too pumped up at the time.

[quote]Flacco did okay but they didnt use Ray Rice enough. Mason had a great night. we should of won that game but we have to move on.[/quote]

Did you see what happened the few times Rice was in the game? The Steelers ate him up, against the Steelers we need to have a big back like McClain or McGahee in there. Don't get me wrong Rice is a good back, but in this time of a game we needed a power back up the middle (where the Steelers defense was more vulnerable without Casey Hampton) because trying to send Rice on the edges was getting us no where.

[Ravens52]

I also gotta admit I loved McClain's poise too and the fact he didn't back down from the Steelers defense. He ran hard at them, slammed into them, ran them over, and hit there defense in the face. He truly looked great out there.

The scouting department did a spectacular job finding McClain in the draft. Fast feet, big body, and runs with power.

[thewarden86]

Heck of a game. Both sides fans experienced every emotion you can think of (I know I did). Many of us Steelers fans were extremely impressed with Flacco. Can't say enough about his poise. The thought of him getting better is kind of scary (albeit, only a little bit. and that'st all I'll admit too). I think this rivalry just became a little more intense for the next few years. :Cheers:

[BigDawg]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='69412' date='Sep 29 2008, 07:09 PM']Those Steelers throwback uniforms make me want to vomit...

Not just because of the bad memories associated with them, but because of how awful they look. Ugh.[/quote]
I love those uniforms. You guys are 0-2 against them.