Are The Ravens [4-1] The Team To Beat In The AFC?

[JamesRules]

Though we might not have the biggest name, we have the most solid game. I think everyone can agree on that.

[wizard1]

If we had a consistent QB there is no doubt we would be THE Team-but is there a better QB in the AFC than Tom Brady. Therefore I think it's sad to say but the Patriots are the team to beat. They have the tougher schedule.

[wizard1]

[quote name='-Nevermore-' timestamp='1319251487' post='830404']

Seems like the story of our life with Flacco. Can the offense do anything in the playoffs consistently so our defense doesn't have to hold teams to less than 14 points.
[/quote]
Unfortunately I think we are seeing the best Flacco has to offer and he has proven that he is inconsistent-I am so thankful for our defense. If we had a defense like say the Browns or Dolphins we could never expect Joe to take us to the playoffs. Joe is rated 23rd in the league-that stat speaks for itself.

[jdynamite]

I hate when we become "the favorites " because it almost seems like the team hears all the rumblings from ESPN, NFL Network, etc just like us fans then we lay an egg.....
It happen last yr against Falcons, Steelers playoff game , 2 yrs ago vs colts playoffs...
I just rather we continue to be disrespected ( with the Flacco talk etc ) so the team keeps that chip on it's shoulder to take victories by force...

[marylandmike12]

i like staying under the radar while people look at the chargersand steelers

[-Nevermore-]

[quote name='marylandmike12' timestamp='1319297722' post='830581']
i like staying under the radar while people look at the chargersand steelers
[/quote]

It's pretty much been the Chargers labeled as favourites the last few years, and look where that's got them. I also relish the underdog role, makes it more fun when the media has to eat crow the next day.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

Gots a question for all you fine folk. Why is NE getting all this respect. They have whooped cream puff teams, and eeked out wins against DECENT opposition.

Their defense is trash

Tom only has 1 WR and 2 TE's

No running game.

O line is skectchy

Where are people getting scared of this team from.

May be being a homer (although I doubt it) but I think they are EXTREMELY overrated, I think if they played us it would get ugly for them.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='wizard1' timestamp='1319255001' post='830442']

Unfortunately I think we are seeing the best Flacco has to offer and he has proven that he is inconsistent-I am so thankful for our defense. If we had a defense like say the Browns or Dolphins we could never expect Joe to take us to the playoffs. Joe is rated 23rd in the league-that stat speaks for itself.
[/quote]

Browns defense currently ranked highly in NFL. All afc north defenses are ranked like Top 12 right now. Surprised me in espn article

[jdynamite]

[quote name='ArmyRaven52' timestamp='1319309648' post='830703']
Gots a question for all you fine folk. Why is NE getting all this respect. They have whooped cream puff teams, and eeked out wins against DECENT opposition.

Their defense is trash

Tom only has 1 WR and 2 TE's

No running game.


O line is skectchy

Where are people getting scared of this team from.

May be being a homer (although I doubt it) but I think they are EXTREMELY overrated, I think if
they played us it would get ugly for them.
[/quote]

Well although their defense has been garbage....fact is the defense can afford to make mistakes when u are in the lead most of the time. New England usually has a big lead which leads to teams passing more on them ( collecting some garbage yds in the process )
Their weapons now ( should not be mentioned ) because new England has always had no name guys with exception of Moss as it's WRs that just means defenses have multiple people to gameplan for... Their short passing game is an extension of run game....
( I personally don't fear new England even before 2009 playoffs , I've always hated facing Steelers and colts in playoffs )

[Free Agent]

The only AFC team that I consider a challenge would be the Patriots, and matchups with the Chargers or Bills could possibly be challenging, but the AFC does not have nearly as many contenders as the NFC this year.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='ArmyRaven52' timestamp='1319309648' post='830703']
Gots a question for all you fine folk. Why is NE getting all this respect. They have whooped cream puff teams, and eeked out wins against DECENT opposition.

Their defense is trash

Tom only has 1 WR and 2 TE's

No running game.

O line is skectchy

Where are people getting scared of this team from.

May be being a homer (although I doubt it) but I think they are EXTREMELY overrated, I think if they played us it would get ugly for them.
[/quote]

As the saying goes: good teams find a way to win. At the end of the day they are winning games and deserve to be touted as one of the top players in the AFC. In my opinion they are the only team that we haven't played/won't play this regular season that are in our league.

You say Tom only has one receiver and two TEs but that's a great receiver and probably the best pair of TEs in the league. Not to mention Brady is capable of carrying the offense, like he did last year. I disagree about the running game. They aren't spectacular but they are 8th in the league in rushing yards/game, it's just overshadowed by the fact that Brady throws for 300 or more pretty much every week. Their O-line is sketchy but they are also getting the job done. Their offense is good enough to carry their defense through most games.

I don't think people are scared of them, just giving them their props because they are a good team.

[CapoRocky]

We need to finish the season without any major injuries before I can answer this with confidence. Right now, we have shown flashes of brilliance, but I'm not yet convinced that we are ready to hoist the Lombardi.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1319366534' post='831023']

As the saying goes: good teams find a way to win. At the end of the day they are winning games and deserve to be touted as one of the top players in the AFC. In my opinion they are the only team that we haven't played/won't play this regular season that are in our league.

You say Tom only has one receiver and two TEs but that's a great receiver and probably the best pair of TEs in the league. Not to mention Brady is capable of carrying the offense, like he did last year. I disagree about the running game. They aren't spectacular but they are 8th in the league in rushing yards/game, it's just overshadowed by the fact that Brady throws for 300 or more pretty much every week. Their O-line is sketchy but they are also getting the job done. Their offense is good enough to carry their defense through most games.

I don't think people are scared of them, just giving them their props because they are a good team.
[/quote]


Maybe so but you said it they are a good team, nowhere close to the great team so many want to put them in. Right now I am not sure they are in my top 5 personally, if so they are on the cusp of being taken over.

GB
Us
49ers
Giants
Chargers

The last 2 depending on the game are better than the patriots.

They are all hype in my opinion, if they have to play us No amount of arrogance or being a jerk will save Bellichik.

[Clutch Ravens]

[quote name='ArmyRaven52' timestamp='1319385132' post='831095']


Maybe so but you said it they are a good team, nowhere close to the great team so many want to put them in. Right now I am not sure they are in my top 5 personally, if so they are on the cusp of being taken over.

GB
Us
[b]49ers[/b]
[b]Giants[/b]
Chargers

The last 2 depending on the game are better than the patriots.

They are all hype in my opinion, if they have to play us No amount of arrogance or being a jerk will save Bellichik.
[/quote]

Really? I'd put money on the Patriots against either of those teams.

The Giants aren't even a top 10 team. Eli Manning is too inconsistent and they have no corners left.

[#1RavenFan]

I do believe we are the top dog in the AFC, with the Pats and pittsburgh right behind, but there is one team that scares me more than any other team, and that is the packers.....

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='ArmyRaven52' timestamp='1319385132' post='831095']


Maybe so but you said it they are a good team, nowhere close to the great team so many want to put them in. Right now I am not sure they are in my top 5 personally, if so they are on the cusp of being taken over.

GB
Us
49ers
Giants
Chargers

The last 2 depending on the game are better than the patriots.

They are all hype in my opinion, if they have to play us No amount of arrogance or being a jerk will save Bellichik.
[/quote]

The 49ers belong in the top five but I wouldn't pick against them in a match against the Pats. The Giants and the Chargers aren't top five teams.

GB
Us
Pats
49ers
Detroit

This is based on a "who would beat who" format.

[The Raven]

I think that we're definitely the "team to beat". We are by far the most complete team in not only the AFC, but the NFL as well. What other team can say they have a solid passing offense, rushing offense, run defense, and pass defense? I can't think of a better all around team than us. Sure, GB is amazing, but what running game do they have? Their defense is not nearly as great as it was last season. If we were to play the Pack, we could beat them, with a run game and smashmouth defense.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

[quote name='Clutch Ravens' timestamp='1319385584' post='831100']

Really? I'd put money on the Patriots against either of those teams.

The Giants aren't even a top 10 team. Eli Manning is too inconsistent and they have no corners left.
[/quote]

Eli has the 3rd highest passer rating in the league, and the giants secondary is in the top half of the league which is impressive considering 4 of the 6 teams are in the top half of the NFL.

[wizard1]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1319348728' post='830999']
The only AFC team that I consider a challenge would be the Patriots, and matchups with the Chargers or Bills could possibly be challenging, but the AFC does not have nearly as many contenders as the NFC this year.
[/quote]
Are you kidding the Bills shredded us the last time we played them-The AFC has some of the leagues premier talent Pats,Chargers, Bills,Steelers and Ravens and of the 5 I think we line up best against the Packers!

[The Raven]

[quote name='wizard1' timestamp='1319394380' post='831208']
Are you kidding the Bills shredded us the last time we played them-The AFC has some of the leagues premier talent Pats,Chargers, Bills,Steelers and Ravens and of the 5 I think we line up best against the Packers!
[/quote]

Not exactly, the Bills shredded Fabian Washington the last time we played them. And remember, that was last year. And last year is last year. It doesn't matter this year.

[XxSizzleXx]

We have the only defense in the league this year that can win a game by itself.

[wizard1]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1319394511' post='831210']

Not exactly, the Bills shredded Fabian Washington the last time we played them. And remember, that was last year. And last year is last year. It doesn't matter this year.
[/quote]
The Bills are better this year and that just wasn't Fabian Washington - he shredded our defense for 382 yards-we would have lost that game if it wasn't for Ray Lewis' great play! But at least we don't have to play them again! Our defense is the reason we win 75% of our game-woo woo woo woo

[The Raven]

[quote name='wizard1' timestamp='1319395991' post='831220']
The Bills are better this year and that just wasn't Fabian Washington - he shredded our defense for 382 yards-we would have lost that game if it wasn't for Ray Lewis' great play! But at least we don't have to play them again! Our defense is the reason we win 75% of our game-woo woo woo woo
[/quote]

Fabian - singlehandedly - allowed 3 touchdowns to Lee Evans. The game isn't even close if not for that.

[codizzle]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1319394769' post='831211']
We have the only defense in the league this year that can win a game by itself.
[/quote]
this ^ is truth

[Free Agent]

[quote name='wizard1' timestamp='1319394380' post='831208']
Are you kidding the Bills shredded us the last time we played them-The AFC has some of the leagues premier talent Pats,Chargers, Bills,Steelers and Ravens and of the 5 I think we line up best against the Packers!
[/quote]
The Chargers arent that great this year. The Bills are certainly looking off since losing to the Bengals. We beat the Steelers once and we can beat them again. I think the only real challenge in the AFC is the Pats.

[wizard1]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1319402330' post='831277']
The Chargers arent that great this year. The Bills are certainly looking off since losing to the Bengals. We beat the Steelers once and we can beat them again. I think the only real challenge in the AFC is the Pats.
[/quote]
Well you know as well as I do our biggest problem is the Steelers, once again they have the No. 1 rated defense and after the Cardinals the meat of our schedule starts. With the rollercoaster Flacco my stomach is already churning. Steelers half game behind[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/bitenails.gif[/img] at least we don't have to play the Pats.

[RivenHale]

[quote name='wizard1' timestamp='1319414119' post='831405'] at least we don't have to play the Pats.
[/quote]

Steelers do, though - and Tom Brady OWNS the Steelers.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='RivenHale' timestamp='1319414497' post='831410']

Steelers do, though - and Tom Brady OWNS the Steelers.
[/quote]

I was actually looking at that myself. They play the Pats right before they play us. If Pats-Steelers goes the way I think it will, we might have a chance of gaining a huge divisional lead the following week, provided we take care of business in our next 2 games.

[colljb9]

I think we'll get a really good read after this week. Flacco has yet to have 2 outstanding games in a row but if he follows up his above average effort against houston with a really good effort against jacksonville then we may have something here. Jacksonville is a top 10 defense so the score may appear more lopsided because our defense should dominate their offense but i want to see consistency and scoring from our offense this game. If we show these signs then yes we are the best [b]team[/b] in the AFC, and maybe even the NFL. Obviously teams like the patriots and packers have a better offense, but with our improving offense and our nearly impassible defense we may in fact be looking at the best overall[b] team[/b] the ravens have ever had. This obviously cant be the case unless we win the superbowl of course

[Free Agent]

[quote name='wizard1' timestamp='1319414119' post='831405']
Well you know as well as I do our biggest problem is the Steelers, once again they have the No. 1 rated defense and after the Cardinals the meat of our schedule starts. With the rollercoaster Flacco my stomach is already churning. Steelers half game behind[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/bitenails.gif[/img] at least we don't have to play the Pats.
[/quote]
My gut says the Steelers lose to the Pats next Sunday, come into the Ravens-Steelers game drained, and get beat, perhaps badly, by us.