Merged: Jamison Hensley, ESPN Column - Steelers Best In AFC

[Wallace17_OutRunMe]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1323089778' post='896216']
Don't know which blog you are referring to, but the one I saw said something like "The Steelers are the most consistent team in the AFC". But in the pervious sentence he says "no other team has a better resume of victories than the Ravens." Besides, if he is looking at stats, then it's the same thing as the people who two weeks ago were proclaiming Andy Dalton better than Joe because he had 4 more TDs and, and the time I think, fewer interceptions, the same people who keep saying Patrick Willis is better than Ray Lewis, the same people who say MJD is better than Ray Rice. It's just an opinion. The bottom line is that if we win out, the Steelers have to come to Baltimore, and I think that gives us a huge advantage. I'm more focused on Indy this week, and next week San Diego, then Cleveland again and Cinci. The only game that "should" be a gimme is Indy, but after what happened in Jacksonville and Seattle I'm taking no chances and making no bets.
[/quote]After the games both the Steelers and the Ravens have this week at home with both the Browns and the Colts which both should be wins and put them both at 10-3 it's game on after that as far as the schedule getting tougher for both teams. It's still going to come down to whether or not the Steelers will lose in San Fran in 2 weeks or if the Ravens are going to drop a game in San Diego the night before the Steelers play in San Francisco or in Cincy to close out the season on New Years Day. The Steelers should sweep the Browns and beat the Rams,and the Ravens should beat both the Colts and Browns in Baltimore so again it will come down to those 2 games on the West Coast for both the Ravens and Steelers and the game the Ravens have in Cincy to close out the season...

[Wallace17_OutRunMe]

The Steelers and Ravens at this point appear to be headed for a collision course for a 3rd meeting this season in the playoffs Whoever doesnt win the division is going to be the 5 seed and the winner of the North will be the 1 seed. So unless the 6 seed upsets the 3 seed in the wildcard round and either the Steelers or Ravens wins their respective wildcard game against the winner of the AFC West winner which I full expect them to do then the Ravens and Steelers will meet for a 3rd time. The only question left to be determined is where is this game going to be played at MT Bank or at Heinz??

[Jamal]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1323054697' post='895910']
Pittsburgh has a terrible O line and a more than exposable secondary.
[/quote]
Yeah but if any QB can overcome that o-line its Big Ben.

And Taylor is having the best year of his career, so this is still a better secondary than last years.

[Wallace17_OutRunMe]

[quote name='Jamal' timestamp='1323096935' post='896298']
Yeah but if any QB can overcome that o-line its Big Ben.

And Taylor is having the best year of his career, so this is still a better secondary than last years.
[/quote]
The Steelers still present the biggest threat to the Ravens in the AFC on both sides of the ball and vice versa. I would have said the Texans are a huge threat as well because of their defense and Foster but it still remains to be seen how they will hold up at the QB position with a guy like TJ Yates leading the way...

[frezeal33]

[quote name='scrock' timestamp='1323052337' post='895825']
The Steelers finally have a dominating win over a team and Hensley is caught in the moment and declares the Steelers are the best team in the AFC, no matter if they don't have the best record or if the Ravens have swept them.

Its just more of that week to week bias these national media guys have, the Ravens were declared the best in the AFC and best in division a few times and I'm fine with that.

I'm not even mad that its the Steelers, I can admit if they are better than us....but they aren't and I think if we play a perfect game like they had we are just as good and then some

The Steelers win a game big and they are the best, the Ravens win big games throughout the year...multiple 'statement games' and what..its all forgotten because its so week to week

I just had to rant on about that....and Hensley he's so annoying to me, I guess it's because he came from the Baltimore Sun, idk
[/quote]
Seriously? I can't stand these guys that think just because the Squeelers have done good in the past.. That they are better than us.

But don't let this bother us. Remember.. We still are #1 in the division and probably in the AFC.. Apparantly some people know nothing..

My last name is Hensley and I am ashamed to have this last name right now..

[cursona pirate]

i go on twitter and send them tweets that just say " Baltimore Ravens "

[scrock]

[quote name='Wallace17_OutRunMe' timestamp='1323091638' post='896237']
After the games both the Steelers and the Ravens have this week at home with both the Browns and th[b]e Colts which both should be wins and put them both at 10-3 it's game on after that as far as the schedule getting tougher for both teams. It's still going to come down to whether or not the Steelers will lose in San Fran in 2 weeks or if the Ravens are going to drop a game in San Diego [/b]the night before the Steelers play in San Francisco or in Cincy to close out the season on New Years Day. The Steelers should sweep the Browns and beat the Rams,and the Ravens should beat both the Colts and Browns in Baltimore so again it will come down to those 2 games on the West Coast for both the Ravens and Steelers and the game the Ravens have in Cincy to close out the season...
[/quote]

these are my thoughts EXACTLY

[frezeal33]

[quote name='Wallace17_OutRunMe' timestamp='1323091638' post='896237']
After the games both the Steelers and the Ravens have this week at home with both the Browns and the Colts which both should be wins and put them both at 10-3 it's game on after that as far as the schedule getting tougher for both teams. It's still going to come down to whether or not the Steelers will lose in San Fran in 2 weeks or if the Ravens are going to drop a game in San Diego the night before the Steelers play in San Francisco or in Cincy to close out the season on New Years Day. The Steelers should sweep the Browns and beat the Rams,and the Ravens should beat both the Colts and Browns in Baltimore so again it will come down to those 2 games on the West Coast for both the Ravens and Steelers and the game the Ravens have in Cincy to close out the season...
[/quote]
I'm worried about the Cincy and the San Diego games... They'll be hard for the Ravens to win.. but hopefully we can pull them out. I'd love to say we swept our whole division this year.. As long as the Ravens and Steelers stay tied, the Ravens will be at the top of the division..

[Gordo52]

Its ESPN. Hensley is now officially on the dark side lol. Its to late they already brainwashed him! This is getting too far!!

[FerrariFan87]

Well, he works for ESPN now, did you expect anything less? He's trying to distance himself from his former status as Ravens beat writer too... who cares? He's just another talking head.

[bpytnjr58]

Early on i did not feel there would be a third Ravens/Steelers meeting but as the weeks go by it seems inevitable that they will meet and just as well...another dragon to slay or another monkey to get off their backs.. ect...ect.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

All you needed to put in the title was the ESPN part. I really don't care what analysts say about us and the Steelers so long as the ever more likely to happen third match is at our place.

[Wallace17_OutRunMe]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1323280882' post='898472']
All you needed to put in the title was the ESPN part. I really don't care what analysts say about us and the Steelers so long as the ever more likely to happen third match is at our place.
[/quote]
I understand how every Ravens fan on this board wants to get the number 1 or 2 seed in the AFC and get the 3rd meeting with the Steelers if there is one in Baltimore. I get the feeling on here from reading a lot of these threads that a lot of people believe that just because the game is going to be in Baltimore that it will be a guaranteed mortal lock that the Ravens will win that game. I wouldnt be so sure to just assume that and say that just yet. The Steelers have found a way no matter how ugly the game or score has been in 2 of the last 3 seasons to win big late season games in Baltimore with the division title on the line both times. They know how to win in Baltimore and have the confidence to do so for certain. So they will not be intimidated at the very least to come into Baltimore for a playoff game and win. If anything they will have more of a chip on their shoulder and love nothing more then to end the Ravens season in front of their home fans.

Plus, another quick note the Ravens playoff record at the Bank ever since it opened up and they had playoff games there is 1-2 and the Ravens lost the last 2 playoff games they had at home in 2003 and 2006. So for all of those people on here saying the Bank will be an excellent homefield advantage for a playoff game forgot to mention the last 2 playoff games the Ravens had at home in the playoffs they have choked and lost...

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='Wallace17_OutRunMe' timestamp='1323286182' post='898566']
I understand how every Ravens fan on this board wants to get the number 1 or 2 seed in the AFC and get the 3rd meeting with the Steelers if there is one in Baltimore. I get the feeling on here from reading a lot of these threads that a lot of people believe that just because the game is going to be in Baltimore that it will be a guaranteed mortal lock that the Ravens will win that game. I wouldnt be so sure to just assume that and say that just yet. The Steelers have found a way no matter how ugly the game or score has been in 2 of the last 3 seasons to win big late season games in Baltimore with the division title on the line both times. They know how to win in Baltimore and have the confidence to do so for certain. So they will not be intimidated at the very least to come into Baltimore for a playoff game and win. If anything they will have more of a chip on their shoulder and love nothing more then to end the Ravens season in front of their home fans.

Plus, another quick note the Ravens playoff record at the Bank ever since it opened up and they had playoff games there is 1-2 and the Ravens lost the last 2 playoff games they had at home in 2003 and 2006. So for all of those people on here saying the Bank will be an excellent homefield advantage for a playoff game forgot to mention the last 2 playoff games the Ravens had at home in the playoffs they have choked and lost...
[/quote]

I don't assume that getting the number 1 seed and HFA would make us unbeatable in the playoffs at all but you can't deny that it is a huge benefit to teams. We're an entirely different team at home, much better than we have been on the road this season. It would also mean we get another bye week which we need as ours was a long time ago.

Don't you think that the Steelers would have had a chip on their shoulder for the second match up after the beating they took in the first? Again, I'm not going to suggest that they wouldn't stand a chance but I'm not buying the chip on the shoulder theory.

[Wallace17_OutRunMe]

[quote name='PWNEDbyDEANO' timestamp='1323286739' post='898578']

I don't assume that getting the number 1 seed and HFA would make us unbeatable in the playoffs at all but you can't deny that it is a huge benefit to teams. We're an entirely different team at home, much better than we have been on the road this season. It would also mean we get another bye week which we need as ours was a long time ago.

Don't you think that the Steelers would have had a chip on their shoulder for the second match up after the beating they took in the first? Again, I'm not going to suggest that they wouldn't stand a chance but I'm not buying the chip on the shoulder theory.
[/quote]
They did have a chip the 2nd time and played a lot better in the 2nd meeting as opposed to the first meeting they just didnt get it done and didnt make the plays in the end of the game and the Ravens did. And keep in mind it took a 92 yard drive by Joe Flacco which was a great drive by him and the Ravens offense no doubt against a Steelers defense who didnt have Lamar Woodley playing that night to beat the Steelers with 8 seconds left in that game. The Ravens defense didnt get the job done in that game either as they allowed the Steelers to come back down 10 points in the 2nd half and take the lead. The Ravens defense had an opportunity to close that game out in the 3rd quarter when they were up 10 points and even in the 4th quarter when they were up by 3 points and they failed to get the job done.

The bottom line is these two teams are so evenly matched that there is no doubt in my mind that if there is a 3rd meeting in the playoffs which I believe their definitely will be I dont care whether the game is in Baltimore or Pittsburgh it most likely again just like it did November 6th will come down to the final minute or seconds in the game...

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Wallace17_OutRunMe' timestamp='1323288592' post='898625']
They did have a chip the 2nd time and played a lot better in the 2nd meeting as opposed to the first meeting they just didnt get it done and didnt make the plays in the end of the game and the Ravens did. And keep in mind it took a 92 yard drive by Joe Flacco which was a great drive by him and the Ravens offense no doubt against a Steelers defense who didnt have Lamar Woodley playing that night to beat the Steelers with 8 seconds left in that game. The Ravens defense didnt get the job done in that game either as they allowed the Steelers to come back down 10 points in the 2nd half and take the lead. The Ravens defense had an opportunity to close that game out in the 3rd quarter when they were up 10 points and even in the 4th quarter when they were up by 3 points and they failed to get the job done.

The bottom line is these two teams are so evenly matched that there is no doubt in my mind that if there is a 3rd meeting in the playoffs which I believe their definitely will be I dont care whether the game is in Baltimore or Pittsburgh it most likely again just like it did November 6th will come down to the final minute or seconds in the game...
[/quote]
No one's saying a game @BAL would be a lock, we just think it helps a real lot. Our teams were evenly matched in Pittsburgh. At home we have the advantage. We've played much better at home in general this season. And don't talk to us about defenses not being able to get the job done...

[Wallace17_OutRunMe]

[quote name='hawkprey' timestamp='1323289411' post='898648']
No one's saying a game @BAL would be a lock, we just think it helps a real lot. Our teams were evenly matched in Pittsburgh. At home we have the advantage. We've played much better at home in general this season. And don't talk to us about defenses not being able to get the job done...
[/quote]
Im not I am just making a statement that the Ravens defense in that game was up 16-6 and allowed the Steelers offense with Roethlisberger to score two TD's early and late in the 4th quarter to take the lead. Now the Steelers defense didnt get the job done in that game either they blew it and didnt make the plays at the end of the game to win. But at the sametime the Ravens didnt win that . game here November 6th because of their defense. Your D blew a 10 point lead pure and simple and they got bailed out by Flacco and the offense on that 92 yard drive to win the game.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Wallace17_OutRunMe' timestamp='1323289789' post='898656']
Im not I am just making a statement that the Ravens defense in that game was up 16-6 and allowed the Steelers offense with Roethlisberger to score two TD's early and late in the 4th quarter to take the lead. Now the Steelers defense didnt get the job done in that game either they blew it and didnt make the plays at the end of the game to win. But at the sametime the Ravens didnt win that . game here November 6th because of their defense. Your D blew a 10 point lead pure and simple and they got bailed out by Flacco and the offense on that 92 yard drive to win the game.
[/quote]
I know they let up two TDs, but in the end the Ravens defense allowed fewer points. I don't think there's any arguing facts.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='Wallace17_OutRunMe' timestamp='1323286182' post='898566']
I understand how every Ravens fan on this board wants to get the number 1 or 2 seed in the AFC and get the 3rd meeting with the Steelers if there is one in Baltimore. I get the feeling on here from reading a lot of these threads that a lot of people believe that just because the game is going to be in Baltimore that it will be a guaranteed mortal lock that the Ravens will win that game. I wouldnt be so sure to just assume that and say that just yet. The Steelers have found a way no matter how ugly the game or score has been in 2 of the last 3 seasons to win big late season games in Baltimore with the division title on the line both times. They know how to win in Baltimore and have the confidence to do so for certain. So they will not be intimidated at the very least to come into Baltimore for a playoff game and win. If anything they will have more of a chip on their shoulder and love nothing more then to end the Ravens season in front of their home fans.

Plus, another quick note the Ravens playoff record at the Bank ever since it opened up and they had playoff games there is 1-2 and the Ravens lost the last 2 playoff games they had at home in 2003 and 2006. So for all of those people on here saying the Bank will be an excellent homefield advantage for a playoff game forgot to mention the last 2 playoff games the Ravens had at home in the playoffs they have choked and lost...
[/quote]


haha Past, past , past, last season, season before, etc. You like all those stats from past seasons but fact is, here in Baltimore THIS season, your team received a 35-7 whooping. If you follow the Ravens at all, you are aware that we are an entirely different team at Home, especially this season. Just as the Steelers are NOT the same team from seasons past, neither is this Ravens' team. We have been playing beast defense at home this year. While it is the Steelers and all that, I honestly don't think you guys can come into our house for a playoff game this year and leave with a win.

[Alexir]

Did the Steelers beat Jacksonville, Titans and Seahawks? Yep. We destroyed Steelers Week 1 but our second match up was a come from behind win.

We still have a lot to prove and im glad. I don't want us to get too comfortable. We aren't even close to peaking yet....hopefully...because if this is the peak of the offense, this will be a short lived post season....

Dont fumble JOE! and Cam, DONT MAKE IT TOO COMPLICATED!

[Renediffie]

[quote name='Wallace17_OutRunMe' timestamp='1323286182' post='898566']
I understand how every Ravens fan on this board wants to get the number 1 or 2 seed in the AFC and get the 3rd meeting with the Steelers if there is one in Baltimore. I get the feeling on here from reading a lot of these threads that a lot of people believe that just because the game is going to be in Baltimore that it will be a guaranteed mortal lock that the Ravens will win that game. I wouldnt be so sure to just assume that and say that just yet. The Steelers have found a way no matter how ugly the game or score has been in 2 of the last 3 seasons to win big late season games in Baltimore with the division title on the line both times. They know how to win in Baltimore and have the confidence to do so for certain. So they will not be intimidated at the very least to come into Baltimore for a playoff game and win. If anything they will have more of a chip on their shoulder and love nothing more then to end the Ravens season in front of their home fans.

Plus, another quick note the Ravens playoff record at the Bank ever since it opened up and they had playoff games there is 1-2 and the Ravens lost the last 2 playoff games they had at home in 2003 and 2006. So for all of those people on here saying the Bank will be an excellent homefield advantage for a playoff game forgot to mention the last 2 playoff games the Ravens had at home in the playoffs they have choked and lost...
[/quote]

Wherent you the same guy that came on the forums before our 2nd matchup and kept going on and on about how the 2nd game mattered more than the first one? And that the Steelers always won in these more important games?