First Seed

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1323809289' post='905932'] Yep. 2nd seed would be the highest seed left. Therefore home games all the way to the Super Bowl. It is possible to be a 5th seed and have a home game in the championship game if the 6 team wins as well.[/quote]

That was actually the scenario that ALMOST played out last season. If we would have beaten the Steelers in the Divisional Round, we would have HOSTED the Jets in the Championship Game because we were the higher seed.

[ravens rule]

[quote name='BMORElegacy' timestamp='1323824661' post='906186']

That was actually the scenario that ALMOST played out last season. If we would have beaten the Steelers in the Divisional Round, we would have HOSTED the Jets in the Championship Game because we were the higher seed.
[/quote]
and then gone to the Superbowl to get crushed by the packers lol.

[Fricknmaniac]

Well, remember that this year's Packers aren't the same team as last year's Packers. The Super Bowl winning team was absolutely decimated by injuries.

I'm not saying that I could guarantee that the Ravens would have won, but it likely would have been a close game like it was against the Steelers.

[jaege]

[quote name='Wallace17_OutRunMe' timestamp='1323809915' post='905943']

Trust me my friend I am hoping it happens as well...I want a 3rd game between these two hated rivals. If they do meet in the playoffs and the game is in Baltimore because the Ravens won the division and the Ravens do end up losing once again to the Steelers this will by far be the worst loss yet for the simple fact that the Ravens beat the Steelers twice in the regular season and won the division and still couldnt beat the Steelers in the playoffs when it really counted...It's a scary painful thought for Ravens fans Im sure...One they do not want to experience because they know they will never live it down or hear the end of it...
[/quote]


And what if...heaven forbid...the unthinkable happens and the 1st seed Ravens smash the 5th seed Steelers. How would Steelers fans ever live it down? Door swings both ways. I realize that a sweep of the Steelers in regular season doesn't really "count" at least according the Steelers fans. So I guess that getting beaten in the playoffs won't really count either? I mean if its the Steelers that get beaten, right?

So is the knowledge (not thought) that the Ravens spanked the Steelers in the opening season game painful and scary?

[jaege]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1323814070' post='906035']

I'd rather the Steelers stay the 5th seed and Denver stays the 4th seed so that Pittsburgh has to deal with Tebow Magic and see them lose to a gimmicky offense.
[/quote]


That would be funny.

[Tank 92]

I'm going to state the obvious; It would be HUGE for us to get the bye and be guaranteed home field throughout the tournament. No one wants to come to Baltimore to play the Ravens right now. We are getting better every week and have been unbeatable at home.

Beginning Sunday night, we find out just how good the 2011 Ravens are and if they have the leadership, talent and focus needed to keep playing through to February. And if we win out and get the #1 seed, we'll be mighty tough to beat.

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='Wallace17_OutRunMe' timestamp='1323809915' post='905943']

Trust me my friend I am hoping it happens as well...I want a 3rd game between these two hated rivals. If they do meet in the playoffs and the game is in Baltimore because the Ravens won the division and the Ravens do end up losing once again to the Steelers this will by far be the worst loss yet for the simple fact that the Ravens beat the Steelers twice in the regular season and won the division and still couldnt beat the Steelers in the playoffs when it really counted...It's a scary painful thought for Ravens fans Im sure...One they do not want to experience because they know they will never live it down or hear the end of it...
[/quote]
Man please- i don't care where we play the Steelers they are out-matched.

[JimJ]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1323809289' post='905932']
It is possible to be a 5th seed and have a home game in the championship game if the 6 team wins as well.
[/quote]

Which would've happened last year if we had beaten the Steelers in the divisional round. We would've gotten the Jets at M&T for the AFC Championship game. That fact is the single most painful thing about that playoff loss to me. We could have had our first ever home AFC Championship game and a very strong chance to win and go to the Super Bowl. The only consolation is that we probably would've had the same fate as the Steelers in that Super Bowl.

I'll fully admit that I don't want to see them in the playoffs. I think we'd have a very good chance of beating them, even if the game ended up in Pittsburgh, but I'd rather face any other team because Pittsburgh is the only team in the AFC field that worries me in the least.

[BenDufusberger]

[quote name='JimJ' timestamp='1323841770' post='906350']

Which would've happened last year if we had beaten the Steelers in the divisional round. We would've gotten the Jets at M&T for the AFC Championship game. That fact is the single most painful thing about that playoff loss to me. We could have had our first ever home AFC Championship game and a very strong chance to win and go to the Super Bowl. [/quote]

That's one very good reason we should [u]want[/u] to meet the Steelers in the playoffs this year - it's payback time. Time to transfer those painful memories from Ravens fans to Steelers fans. Could there be any sweeter way to start the push to a SB victory ?

Of course if you don't think the Ravens can pull it off , then , well , I don't know what to say. Bisciotti is pretty wealthy , maybe he could pay off all of our opponents , right thru the SB. They take a dive , we get the Lombardi. I mean , if you don't have the talent but you still want the trophy , you do what you gotta do , right ?

No thanks. Not for me. Beat the Steelers , beat the Packers , and go home with a trophy that means something.

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='Hjulmann' timestamp='1323809163' post='905930']So say we got the 2nd seed, got a bye and the homefield advantage vs Team A, which we beat.
The 1st seed LOSES to Team B, so we are vs. Team B in the AFC champs.
We would then have the homefielder, right?[/quote]
For this to happen, tebow must beat the patriots.

[BmoreRavens732]

If we do win out n get the #1 seed I strongly believe we go all the way to the superbowl but I pray we dont lose if we make it cuz it will hurt n suck so much worse then losing in the playoffs

[JimJ]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1323843744' post='906361']

That's one very good reason we should [u]want[/u] to meet the Steelers in the playoffs this year - it's payback time. Time to transfer those painful memories from Ravens fans to Steelers fans. Could there be any sweeter way to start the push to a SB victory ?

Of course if you don't think the Ravens can pull it off , then , well , I don't know what to say. Bisciotti is pretty wealthy , maybe he could pay off all of our opponents , right thru the SB. They take a dive , we get the Lombardi. I mean , if you don't have the talent but you still want the trophy , you do what you gotta do , right ?

No thanks. Not for me. Beat the Steelers , beat the Packers , and go home with a trophy that means something.
[/quote]

Where did I say I didn't think we could pull it off? I specifically said I thought our chances of winning another Steelers matchup were very good, even if we end up playing in Pittsburgh. I'd still rather not play them because I think our chances are better against any other team. The trophy means something regardless of who we play. I don't think our first trophy is meaningless just because our Super Bowl opponent wasn't great.

Maybe to make the trophy REALLY mean something we should beat the Chargers, to be sure we get in, then lay down the next 2 games and let Pittsburgh have the division. That way we'll have to beat Pittsburgh (and 2 other teams) on the road. That'll really show the world how great we are. First round byes and home field advantage are for sissies with no faith in their team.

[jaege]

[quote name='JimJ' timestamp='1323856917' post='906406']

Where did I say I didn't think we could pull it off? I specifically said I thought our chances of winning another Steelers matchup were very good, even if we end up playing in Pittsburgh. I'd still rather not play them because I think our chances are better against any other team. The trophy means something regardless of who we play. I don't think our first trophy is meaningless just because our Super Bowl opponent wasn't great.

Maybe to make the trophy REALLY mean something we should beat the Chargers, to be sure we get in, then lay down the next 2 games and let Pittsburgh have the division. That way we'll have to beat Pittsburgh (and 2 other teams) on the road. That'll really show the world how great we are. First round byes and home field advantage are for sissies with no faith in their team.
[/quote]


I gotta agree with you. No one remembers who you beat in the playoffs to get to the big game, most people do not even remember who you beat in the SB. They remember the team that walks away with the trophy.

[BmoreRavens732]

If we win the bowl I highly doubt anyone besides ravens fans and the team we beat remembers or cares cuz we jus so happen to be the media rag dolls!! I mean you got the BIG stories and fan go getters such as tebow then the always year in and year out infamous media loving cowboys then the vick/dream/nightmare team then the topic of is eli elite always coming up but we are a good top notch NFL team and hardly ever get mentioned and when we do its either a bashing or a quick briefing so we might be talked about for a week or two then off with our heads oh and I can guarantee excuses will be made on why we won

[PuRock]

All I can say is I remember after we lost to the Hawks. How many of you guys were posting "I've lost faith in this team" threads. Now we have people talking about the Super Bowl.

One Word: Moderation

[Fricknmaniac]

I didn't lose my faith in the team after Seattle, I lost my faith in Cam Cameron. Admittedly I didn't have that much faith in him before that point either. But that game was a big red neon sign above his head that said "I don't learn from my mistakes."

And honestly, I don't think most people will make excuses if the Ravens win the Super Bowl. The partisan Steelers fans and fans of whoever we beat might, but by the time the Super Bowl rolls around, most of the fans of the other 30 teams are already going to be thinking about next year.

Now I'm sure if we win the Super Bowl we'll get no respect in the off-season. We'll be called a weak champion and unlikely to defend the championship. But they won't try and call the win a fluke.

[Maryland1]

[b][size=5][color=#ff0000]If the Ravens win out, they're the AFC's No. 1 seed[/color][/size][/b]

[b][size=2]By Matt Vensel, Baltimore Sun[/size][/b]
[size=2][i]10:30 a.m. EST, December 15, 2011[/i][/size]

It’s official: The only team that can keep the Baltimore Ravens from the AFC’s No. 1 seed is Baltimore Ravens.

[color=#ff0000]The NFL has confirmed to ESPN that if the Ravens win their final three games, they are guaranteed home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.[/color] Three other AFC teams -- the New England Patriots, the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers -- also have 10-3 records. If the Ravens win out, they would win the AFC North over the Steelers by virtue of a season sweep and their strength of victory would be better than the other two teams.

[url="http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/ravens-insider/bal-ravens-insider-ravens-control-their-destiny-in-afc1215,0,6266350.story"]http://www.baltimore...0,6266350.story[/url]

=====

[b][size=5][color=#ff0000]Ravens will clinch top seed by winning out[/color][/size][/b]

[size=2][b][size=2]By Jamison Hensley, ESPN[/size][/b][/size]
[size=2]December, 12, 2011[/size]
[size=2]Dec 12 4:59 M ET[/size]

As reported earlier on the [url="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/37838/ravens-steelers-can-clinch-berths-with-wins"]AFC North blog[/url], the Baltimore Ravens [color=#ff0000]can clinch a playoff berth if they win at San Diego on Sunday night.[/color] [color=#ff0000]If Baltimore wins its last three regular-season games, [/color]there is a bigger prize to be had.

[color=#ff0000]The Ravens will earn the AFC's top seed (over New England and Houston) as well as home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs by winning out, [/color][color=#0000ff]the league confirmed to ESPN Stats & Information. [/color]The reason is because none of the AFC playoff contenders can have a better strength of victory than Baltimore.

[url="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/37864/ravens-will-clinch-top-seed-by-winning-out"]http://espn.go.com/b...-by-winning-out[/url]

[cobrajet]

I wish first seed meant that we get to pick who we get to play after our bye out of those advancing in the playoffs.


.....just kidding

[Tank 92]

[quote name='JimJ' timestamp='1323856917' post='906406']

Maybe to make the trophy REALLY mean something we should beat the Chargers, to be sure we get in, then lay down the next 2 games and let Pittsburgh have the division. That way we'll have to beat Pittsburgh (and 2 other teams) on the road. That'll really show the world how great we are. [u][i][b]First round byes and home field advantage are for sissies with no faith in their team.[/b][/i][/u]
[/quote]


What!!!??? First round byes and home field are for Champions! Sure, we could make it the way you describe, but the odds decrease dramatically. We are a Team that is tough to beat at home, regardless of the opponent. How is wanting your Team to have every possible advantage to succeed being a sissie?

[JimJ]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1324171800' post='909123']


What!!!??? First round byes and home field are for Champions! Sure, we could make it the way you describe, but the odds decrease dramatically. We are a Team that is tough to beat at home, regardless of the opponent. How is wanting your Team to have every possible advantage to succeed being a sissie?
[/quote]

LOL I was being sarcastic, making fun of the argument that a Super Bowl win is meaningless unless we play the very best teams in the playoffs. My philosophy has always been about the path of least resistance, so I don't want to see the Steelers in the playoffs, and, if we make it to the SB, I'd prefer not to see the Packers

[jaege]

[quote name='JimJ' timestamp='1324215228' post='909275']

LOL I was being sarcastic, making fun of the argument that a Super Bowl win is meaningless unless we play the very best teams in the playoffs. My philosophy has always been about the path of least resistance, so I don't want to see the Steelers in the playoffs, and, if we make it to the SB, I'd prefer not to see the Packers
[/quote]


Yep. If I had a choice, I would just as soon play the weakest teams in the league to get the trophy. In the end it is all about the trophy. Do you think "we got six" Steelers fans care who they beat to get theirs? No. They are just happy to have them, and smugly parade them under everyone's noses.

[BenDufusberger]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1324215470' post='909278']


[b]Yep. If I had a choice, I would just as soon play the weakest teams in the league to get the trophy.[/b] In the end it is all about the trophy. Do you think "we got six" Steelers fans care who they beat to get theirs? No. They are just happy to have them, and smugly parade them under everyone's noses.
[/quote]

That's the definition of a meaningless award. To parade any number of such trophies under anyone's noses and feel proud while doing so would require a massive act of self-delusion.

[JimJ]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1324216715' post='909284']


That's the definition of a meaningless award. To parade any number of such trophies under anyone's noses and feel proud while doing so would require a massive act of self-delusion.
[/quote]

It isn't meaningless at all. If we play the weaker teams, that means that the weaker teams, for whatever reason, managed to beat the stronger teams, but couldn't get by us. Not to mention all our wins in the regular season that positioned us with a favorable seed. We beat pretty much all of the best AFC teams (minus the Pats). That will count towards the legacy of our Super Bowl season as much as who we beat in the playoffs and Super Bowl.

[cursona pirate]

Hmmmm Houston is losing to carolina hopefully they dont choke second half again....Go carolina!!!! Beat houston!
This would help us get the first seed too! that is if we win tonight...too.

[UMDan]

Yeah Carolina is annihilating Houston, what the heck?

[PuRock]

[quote name='cursona pirate' timestamp='1324235552' post='909445']
Hmmmm Houston is losing to carolina hopefully they dont choke second half again....Go carolina!!!! Beat houston!
This would help us get the first seed too! [img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/smile.png[/img] that is if we win tonight...too.
[/quote]

Yea, I don't think the Texans are going to win this game. Carolina is looking sharp on Offense and Yates, looks like a 5th round rookie.

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1324236285' post='909456']

Yea, I don't think the Texans are going to win this game. Carolina is looking sharp on Offense and Yates, looks like a 5th round rookie.
[/quote]
This possible defeat to the Texans is making me hungry....

[JimJ]

[quote name='cursona pirate' timestamp='1324235552' post='909445']
Hmmmm Houston is losing to carolina hopefully they dont choke second half again....Go carolina!!!! Beat houston!
This would help us get the first seed too! that is if we win tonight...too.
[/quote]

Just thought of something. If Houston, NE and Pitt all lose, and we win this week, we will have the chance to clinch the number one seed next week with a win at home against the Browns (on Christmas Eve, no less!). I would love if we could make Week 17 @ Cincy a meaningless game, that game worries me.

It's a long shot, but it's possible. All three teams we need to lose are playing teams that have a decent shot of winning. Crossing my fingers.

EDIT: Now that I think of it, in that scenario Houston would still have a shot at first seed because their loss today would be a non-Conference loss, thus they'd win the conference record tiebreaker if we lost to Cincy and it ended in a 3 way tie. So the most we could clinch next week (without help) is the first round bye.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='JimJ' timestamp='1324215228' post='909275']

LOL I was being sarcastic, making fun of the argument that a Super Bowl win is meaningless unless we play the very best teams in the playoffs. My philosophy has always been about the path of least resistance, so I don't want to see the Steelers in the playoffs, and, if we make it to the SB, I'd prefer not to see the Packers
[/quote]


Gotcha.

[tonyg6996]

Yates just threw an interception in the red zone, that might just about do it.