I Think We'll Be Alright

[RavensAllTheWay]

What a bad loss today, and what a bad performance. BUT, I see this team being as prepared as any in the league for big games. Especially after a loss. This team is going to come out pissed off next week. Yes, I'm tired of saying that too. But I'm not sure we'll have to say it again this year because this team has shown up ready for each and every game we've played against teams with winning records (4-1 actually, losing to the Titans).

We're 0-2 in games following wins over Pit. Well we're out of Pit games. And as I said in another thread, we still control our own fate. If we win out, we go 13-3 and get at least a second seed (the only team that MIGHT be able to catch us is NE, but only if they beat NYJ tonight and win out).

Our Cincy game next week is at home. Show those Bengals who's boss. Show them who's more pissed off and who is better. I know they run a similar style defense as TEN, JAX and SEA, but utimately, we were able to move the ball on Seattle. We've seen that we CAN move on that cover 2. Our problem on offense is simple. We have to sustain drives better. We have to have a better plan inside the redzone, and we have to give the ball to Rice a lot more on the ground game. Our San Fran game is at home on a short week. We have a better QB in Flacco than they do in Smith. I think travelling to the East coast from the West coast to Baltimore could be a lot for them to overcome to begin with. Our Colts game is at home. So there's not enough for me to believe that we're going to drop it too.

What worries me most about the offense is when our receivers go up against big and physical CBs, like Mathis and the dudes Seattle fielded today. Cincy has one that I am aware of in Leon Hall, but if we can continue to use Dickson and Pitta down the seams to free up Torrey on the outside, we might just have the answer to solving that mystery.

On defense, we just need to get our swagger back. Start getting turnovers again, stop Benson and get the pressure we got the first 7 games minus Tennessee. We can only hope that the D is embarrassed and disgusted by allowing Lynch to do what he did today.

I don't know how many times we're going to let a weaker team beat us, but I look at our schedule and see plenty of wins to come.

[Crabcakes&Football]

It just feels terrible. I felt awesome last week, this week, I will feel like crap. Love the Ravens, but hate the way we are playing this year!

[OUravensfan]

I hope to god we beat the Bengals or it will be close to panic mode.

[H8R]

Growing pains, this team will get better. Only the Ravens beat the Ravens. This will get better. Perfect storm today, tunrovers, missed FG'S and poor defense..... too much to overcome.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1321238698' post='869368']
Growing pains, this team will get better. Only the Ravens beat the Ravens. This will get better. Perfect storm today, tunrovers, missed FG'S and poor defense..... too much to overcome.
[/quote]

Yeah way too much. Those early fumbles seemed to deflate the entire team.

I think we'll be fine too though. A win vs the Bengals next week and we are right back on top of the Division and the AFC. We are still in the drivers' seat here.

Harbaugh does have to deal with the Cam issue though. I'm sorry, we all know the run game wasn't working but you have to get creative and find ways to make it at least serviceable. You cannot leave your QB out there with absolutely nothing to keep the opposing defense honest. Seattle didn't even have to think about the run. That is not the sign of a good OC and he does it quite often.

[The Raven]

The post loss forum status has come full circle now. We have the fans jumping ship, we have the blame the HC thread, blame the OC, blame the QB, etc theads, and now we have the optimistic thread. I could've predicted this an hour ago. Lol, just kidding dude.

Joking aside, yeah. I agree. We played a good game today, we just didn't start the game strong. That's really the problem

And we haven't been good at coming from behind.

[The Raven]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1321239044' post='869397']

Yeah way too much. Those early fumbles seemed to deflate the entire team.

I think we'll be fine too though. A win vs the Bengals next week and we are right back on top of the Division and the AFC. We are still in the drivers' seat here.

Harbaugh does have to deal with the Cam issue though. I'm sorry, w[b]e all know the run game wasn't working [/b]but you have to get creative and find ways to make it at least serviceable. You cannot leave your QB out there with absolutely nothing to keep the opposing defense honest. Seattle didn't even have to think about the run. That is not the sign of a good OC and he does it quite often.
[/quote]

I beg to differ man. 5.4 YPC for Rice is great. Keep in mind he only got 5 carries or so. He abandoned the run in the first quarter, when we were down by [u][i][b]3[/b][/i][/u].

[bauer77]

I understand (obviously) the frustrations everyone have. But people are giving up on this team like we are 3-6 when we are actually 6-3. These frustrations go through all of us, and most of the fans will NEVER give up on this team. We have been here through tougher days then this.

We are still very much in the drivers seat of not only the division, but the AFC. We obviously hold the tie-breaker over the steelers, and that could just be enough to win the division.

You can't tell me we all know the "run game wasnt working". We ran the ball 5 times with Rice. FIVE. Thats nowhere near enough to decide. " Ok, well thats not working. Lets just throw the ball 50+ times." That doesn't happen in the AFC North, let alone the Ravens. We need to [u][b]establish[/b][/u] the run. And then go to the passing game.

[The Black Bird]

Yea I think we be good to. I'm not even mad at this game because it was the talk all week about us avoiding another let down. We all should have expected the worse of the worse or the good. Unfortunately we got the worse lol. Yea we win as a team and lose as a team, but the 3 turnover killed us. David reed took 2 offensive drives away from us and the 2 missed FGs didn't help either. These next 2 games do worry me. The Bengals to me is a must win I think and the 49ers is playing Damn good football. The good thing is that they are both home games so our home field should help out.

[Ravenslifer]

Well, we are undefeated against playoff teams and people with winning records, so maybe that is a sign about our chances if we make the postseason this year.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='bauer77' timestamp='1321239626' post='869456']
I understand (obviously) the frustrations everyone have. But people are giving up on this team like we are 3-6 when we are actually 6-3. These frustrations go through all of us, and most of the fans will NEVER give up on this team. We have been here through tougher days then this.

We are still very much in the drivers seat of not only the division, but the AFC. We obviously hold the tie-breaker over the steelers, and that could just be enough to win the division.

[b]You can't tell me we all know the "run game wasnt working".[/b] We ran the ball 5 times with Rice. FIVE. Thats nowhere near enough to decide. " Ok, well thats not working. Lets just throw the ball 50+ times." That doesn't happen in the AFC North, let alone the Ravens. We need to [u][b]establish[/b][/u] the run. And then go to the passing game.
[/quote]

Well okay, poor choice of wording on my part. I agree 100% that we abandoned the run way too early. What I meant by it not working was that it seemed to be stalling our drives early in the game. And while we ran the ball 5 times with Rice, Williams got some carries in there so it wasn't like we only ran the ball 5 times. Still, I am not arguing the issue, I agree that Cam gave up on the run wayyyyy too early.

[bauer77]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1321239889' post='869478']

Well okay, poor choice of wording on my part. I agree 100% that we abandoned the run way too early. What I meant by it not working was that it seemed to be stalling our drives early in the game. And while we ran the ball 5 times with Rice, Williams got some carries in there so it wasn't like we only ran the ball 5 times. Still, I am not arguing the issue, I agree that Cam gave up on the run wayyyyy too early.
[/quote]


Yeah definitely. You and I (and everyone else on here for that matter) both know that isnt "Baltimore Raven" style of football. I guess nobody ever gave Cam the memo though...

[T3hRaven]

If we win out, assuming the Texans and Steelers do as well, the Ravens will still be the number one seed in the AFC. Both of those teams are 7-3 with a Bye next week. As long as the team doesn't lay an egg against the Bengals, this team is back in control of their own destiny.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1321241118' post='869552']
If we win out, assuming the Texans and Steelers do as well, the Ravens will still be the number one seed in the AFC. Both of those teams are 7-3 with a Bye next week. As long as the team doesn't lay an egg against the Bengals, this team is back in control of their own destiny.
[/quote]

Yeah, we just need to hide Cam's headset and bench him. At this point, I don't really care who calls the offensive plays.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='Crabcakes&Football' timestamp='1321238463' post='869350']
It just feels terrible. I felt awesome last week, this week, I will feel like crap. Love the Ravens, but hate the way we are playing this year!
[/quote]

This.... was the problem just like U felt awesome about a comeback win to Pitts ( the players too felt awesome ) and never regained focus....

I wrote last week that game was over after that Torrey Smith catch now the seahawks is here, it's almost like the Raven Players hung on to that victory all week just like most of the fans on here did with the various threads about " the Steelers" that part of the season is over and done with...
The only way the Steelers portion of the season comes back to life is if we meet in the playoffs for a 3rd time in 4 years, both teams still have to win and make capture a playoff spot so that should not be a thought at this point......

[jdynamite]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1321239889' post='869478']

Well okay, poor choice of wording on my part. I agree 100% that we abandoned the run way too early. What I meant by it not working was that it seemed to be stalling our drives early in the game. And while we ran the ball 5 times with Rice, Williams got some carries in there so it wasn't like we only ran the ball 5 times. Still, I am not arguing the issue, I agree that Cam gave up on the run wayyyyy too early.
[/quote]

I don't think the gameplan ever embraced Ray Rice to begin with because we opened up with Gimmick End around plays which worked and let Cameron think he was "an offensive genius" ..

[jdynamite]

In all Honesty we had a 08' Saints Gameplan throw throw ( in this episode Ray Rice stars as Reggie Bush the magnificent RB Decoy that we throw check-downs, swing passes, and screens to)......

Then it was even crazier to see play-action passes called that didn't work because ummmm we never ran the ball Maybe hmmmmm lol

[jdynamite]

Overall I think next game Ray Rice we get at least 20 Carries... With no L.Hall the Bengals are minus their best CB.....
Not sure how important this is since I just witness some young slow Over-sized corners shutdown Boldin....

I'm hoping that we do more run plays, I at least want to see more balanced gameplan with about 35 passes 30 runs ( or vice-versa depending on level of success of each ) i would also like to see Boldin line up in the slot or motion to Slot at times to create matchup problems ( similar to end of Steeler game and some spots in Cardinal Game )....

[H8R]

Keep things in perspective.... the Super Bowl winners last year went 10-6 and had losses to the Redskins, Dolphins and Lions....

[chesapeakeaviator]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1321294341' post='870724']
Keep things in perspective.... the Super Bowl winners last year went 10-6 and had losses to the Redskins, Dolphins and Lions....
[/quote]

That is very true. This loss was a huge setback but it doesn't have to be the harbinger of doom if we don't let it become so. Champions lose to bad NFL teams. The thing that makes them champions is how they adjust when they've been exposed.

[TDubbs]

Im not worried at all to be honest. I know our players and coaches are feeling this loss more then any of us. I also know our team will rebound like no other team can. Any team can be beat on any Sunday, theres a reason they play the games and get paid. Thats the same Seattle team that beat the Saints in the playoffs last year. We dont fumble and get the ball back only down 7-0 it would be a totally different game.

There were some positives though. I thought our offensive line played an outstanding game collectively for the most part. Also, I love the progression of our second year Tight Ends, these guys are going to be studs on this team for a long time. Lastly I thought Cary Williams had one heck of a game. Hes been on of the more consistent players since training camp, and that play on Sidney Rice was just beast like.

[bpytnjr58]

[quote name='chesapeakeaviator' timestamp='1321298113' post='870838']

That is very true. This loss was a huge setback but it doesn't have to be the harbinger of doom if we don't let it become so. Champions lose to bad NFL teams. The thing that makes them champions is how they adjust when they've been exposed.
[/quote]
I do recall the Packers being 4-3 at one point last season and they are the defending Champions.

[757RavensFan]

[quote name='bpytnjr58' timestamp='1321300846' post='870939']
I do recall the Packers being 4-3 at one point last season and they are the defending Champions.
[/quote]

Sir, we are not the Packers!!

[bpytnjr58]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1321301766' post='870976']

Sir, we are not the Packers!!
[/quote]
Thank you!

[The Raven]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1321301766' post='870976']

Sir, we are not the Packers!!
[/quote]

So? He's just saying that it can be done. Just giving an example. I [i]think[/i] we know we're not the Packers, but he has a valid point. They won the Superbowl, from the Wildcard (5th or 6th seed?) After losing to the Lions, Dolphins, etc. If they can do it, I don't see how we can't.

Oh right. We're not the Packers. Thats why.

[757RavensFan]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1321302020' post='870986']

So? He's just saying that it can be done. Just giving an example. I [i]think[/i] we know we're not the Packers, but he has a valid point. They won the Superbowl, from the Wildcard (5th or 6th seed?) After losing to the Lions, Dolphins, etc. If they can do it, I don't see how we can't.

Oh right. We're not the Packers. Thats why. [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif[/img]
[/quote]

Last year:
They had a Pro Bowl QB...we don't this year.
They had better receivers than we do right now.
They had competent coaches...we definitely don't this year.
They were balanced on offense and defense...we're not so far this year.
2 of their losses (Lions and Patriots) came when Rodgers was out with a concussion.
They had a ton of people on IR at key positions last year and still won the Super Bowl. If that happened
to us I doubt we would make the playoffs.

Right NOW we shouldn't be compared with what the Packers did last year.

[The Raven]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1321303941' post='871086']

Last year:
They had a Pro Bowl QB...we don't this year.
They had better receivers than we do right now.
They had competent coaches...we definitely don't this year.
They were balanced on offense and defense...we're not so far this year.
2 of their losses (Lions and Patriots) came when Rodgers was out with a concussion.
They had a ton of people on IR at key positions last year and still won the Super Bowl. If that happened
to us I doubt we would make the playoffs.

Right NOW we shouldn't be compared with what the Packers did last year.
[/quote]

We're not being compared dude. We're just saying its possible. 3 losses, despite being to the skidmarks of the underpants of the NFL, is not that big of a deal in the long run.

[1/28/01]

Its not a direct comparison...yowzer!

Just as a 'for instance'. Did we lose Sunday? It sure is treaty around here

[chesapeakeaviator]

[quote name='bpytnjr58' timestamp='1321300846' post='870939']
I do recall the Packers being 4-3 at one point last season and they are the defending Champions.
[/quote]

EXACTLY. I just want everyone to remember that the Packers were a team that lost back-to-back games to Washington and Miami last year. By all accounts, they were probably not a playoff team at that point. The media was raising questions. The Cult of Aaron Rodgers was far slimmer in numbers. No one was giving all the accolades to the same players who are unimpeachable today.

Winning in the end has a way of retroactively fixing all your previous blunders and errors. We are a 6-3 team. We still very much have the potential to improve and become something special. If that happens, no one will even remember Seattle, or Jacksonville, or Tennessee--except as some historical footnote where "this team buckled down and found itself."

We have reasons to be concerned. If we weren't, we'd be a pretty apathetic fan base. The same passion that makes M&T a horrifying venue for visitors is the same passion that pours out after an atrocious loss. I would rather have this reaction than that of some other fan bases, where the games are seen as a sort of comic relief and team struggles become the subject of drinking games. However, we have seven games to go in this season. All is not lost.

[CapoRocky]

I'm not the one to be calling for anyone's head but someone needs to be held responsible for the loss. I think that benching Reed for the next game is not out of line. Also, how do we expect to advance in the playoffs if we can't beat a 3-4 defense? I felt all along that we were going to lose that game but I kept saying that we would win by 3 to 7 points because I can't believe how bad we are when we lose.