12-1 Record

[757RavensFan]

It pains me that we're not 12-1 at this time sitting comfortably atop of the AFC. I can take the lost to the Titans. The Titans are a decent team and they beat us convincingly at their place. But the losses to the Jaguars (who many are saying have the worse QB in the league) and Seahawks (all of the turnovers, missed kicks, and lack of running game) have me wondering how it could of been. Don't get me wrong I'm very grateful for the 10-3 record b/c we could easily be 8-5 (Steelers, Cardinals).

I'm a little uncomfortable with the position that we're in right now. The Steelers have an easier path to finish 13-3 than we do. If they can get past the 49ers, they should win out. I know that's a big if w/ Ben's injury, Harrison's suspension and other injuries. But the 49ers lost to the Cardinals doesn't help my confidence.

Getting back to my original point, those 2 losses to the Jags and Seahawks really hurt us.

/self pity

[jus'_crAzy]

Lack of running game? Clearly, you have not been witness to Beast-Mode.

[Militant X 1]

@ 10-3....the Ravens control their own destiny. they are presently on a 4 game win streak. and could make it 5 games on Sunday to advance to 11-3. can we talk about that instead of cats creating threads every other day to talk about the steelers who are a non-factor to us at this point? smh!

~Mili

[1/28/01]

[quote name='jus'_crAzy' timestamp='1323876976' post='906526']
Lack of running game?  Clearly, you have not been witness to Beast-Mode.
[/quote]
our lack of running game

[frozen joe flacco fan]

As Chuck Thompson used to say, "if ifs and buts were candy and nuts, what a Merry Christmas it would be." We control our own destiny. We cannot assume the Steelers will lose to SF. We have to do our jobs and take care of business. This is no time to indulge ourselves in what could have been. A runner never wins a race by looking over his shoulder. I believe the Ravens' best football is still ahead of them.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1323877277' post='906534']
[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_emoticons/default/wink.png[/img] our lack of running game
[/quote]

Oh yeah, how can we forget "the QB experiment" games.

[cobrajet]

Titans: Hassleback and Britt had a banner day against the injured Foxworth, who should not have been out there and we did not make a timely adjustment. Britt just tore him up. (Explainable)

Seahawks: David Reed put us in such a deep hole and momentum just stayed with the Seahawks and their stadium was rockin. You could tell that the Defense was tired from being on the field all first half because of all the turnovers. (Explainable)

Jaguars: A complete embarrassment that am just throwing out because we just did not show up. This game actually made me ill and I was not happy with Cam's play calling. (We Sucked)

[PuRock]

Should've, Would've, Could've.

While we should have won those game, we could've lost other games. In the end we are 10-3. Seattle is not that bad of a team and we played them at home. Jaguars really brought their A game on a national stage and the Titans brought the pressure.

[Fricknmaniac]

Yeah, I'm much happier with the bounces that went the Ravens way

Close wins against the Steelers and Cardinals.
49ers at home on a short week
All of our tough games at home that we could have had (Texans, Jets, 49ers)
Not playing Pittsburgh in December
Not having back-to-back road games the final seven weeks of the season

Than I am about the things that didn't go our way (Titans, Jags, Seahawks).

[Ravenslifer]

Yes, I believe strongly that if we had run the ball and committed to the run in both Seattle and especially Jacksonville, we would have won those games. Yes, we should be 12-1. But last year, we could have been 13-3, if we didn't let the Patriots come back on us. In 2008, if we hadn't traded back, and instead of drafting Joe Flacco drafted someone higher on the board like Jerrod Mayo, would we have gone to the playoffs 4 straight years? If we hadn't traded our second round pick and moved back for Ray Rice, who would we have taken? In 2009 if Clayton hadn't dropped a critical pass on 4th down in New England, and if Haushka doesn't miss the kick in Minnesota, win one more game (maybe an extra FG in Indy) we finish 12-4, maybe win the division. There are a million "what ifs" around here. For instance, I often wonder what if we had a competent offensive coordinator that doesn't have to be told by everyone in the front office to commit to the run before doing it, or who doesn't wait until the 13th game of the season to let his quarterback try and throw passing touchdowns within 10 yards of the endzone, like every other elite quarterback and team in the entire NFL does? The only thing that matters is [i]what is[/i], and what is true now is that we have an opportunity to win out and gain homefield advantage in the playoffs. And to do that, we must first beat the San Diego Chargers. This is a very tough team to play, no matter their record. Remember last time their receivers torched us.

[baltravens]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1323876794' post='906524']
It pains me that we're not 12-1 at this time sitting comfortably atop of the AFC. I can take the lost to the Titans. The Titans are a decent team and they beat us convincingly at their place. But the losses to the Jaguars (who many are saying have the worse QB in the league) and Seahawks (all of the turnovers, missed kicks, and lack of running game) have me wondering how it could of been. Don't get me wrong I'm very grateful for the 10-3 record b/c we could easily be 8-5 (Steelers, Cardinals).

I'm a little uncomfortable with the position that we're in right now. The Steelers have an easier path to finish 13-3 than we do. If they can get past the 49ers, they should win out. I know that's a big if w/ Ben's injury, Harrison's suspension and other injuries. But the 49ers lost to the Cardinals doesn't help my confidence.

Getting back to my original point, those 2 losses to the Jags and Seahawks really hurt us.

/self pity
[/quote]
[b]It is part of life, one is not going to win or succeed at everything he does.[/b] We control our own destiny. I don't care how easy Pitt's schedule is from here on out. We will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs if we finish 13-3. I don't think 13-3 is too hard to do, but I [b]know [/b]how testy an away game at Cincy is to finish the season.

Cheer up! ...And, yes, GO RAVENS!

[jaege]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1323879442' post='906575']
Yes, I believe strongly that if we had run the ball and committed to the run in both Seattle and especially Jacksonville, we would have won those games. Yes, we should be 12-1. But last year, we could have been 13-3, if we didn't let the Patriots come back on us. In 2008, if we hadn't traded back, and instead of drafting Joe Flacco drafted someone higher on the board like Jerrod Mayo, would we have gone to the playoffs 4 straight years? If we hadn't traded our second round pick and moved back for Ray Rice, who would we have taken? In 2009 if Clayton hadn't dropped a critical pass on 4th down in New England, and if Haushka doesn't miss the kick in Minnesota, win one more game (maybe an extra FG in Indy) we finish 12-4, maybe win the division. There are a million "what ifs" around here. For instance, I often wonder what if we had a competent offensive coordinator that doesn't have to be told by everyone in the front office to commit to the run before doing it, or who doesn't wait until the 13th game of the season to let his quarterback try and throw passing touchdowns within 10 yards of the endzone, like every other elite quarterback and team in the entire NFL does? The only thing that matters is [i]what is[/i], and what is true now is that we have an opportunity to win out and gain homefield advantage in the playoffs. And to do that, we must first beat the San Diego Chargers. This is a very tough team to play, no matter their record. Remember last time their receivers torched us.
[/quote]


You should abide by your own advice. They torched the old Ravens. This Ravens team they have never played. And this is a new and better team than the last one that the Chargers played. We have a much stronger secondary and a powerful pass rush to pressure the QB. Not to mention some young playmakers looking to help Ed intercept some balls. SD is the one saying that we are a tough team to beat regardless of what our record says.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='jaege' timestamp='1323883775' post='906618']


You should abide by your own advice. They torched the old Ravens. This Ravens team they have never played. And this is a new and better team than the last one that the Chargers played. We have a much stronger secondary and a powerful pass rush to pressure the QB. Not to mention some young playmakers looking to help Ed intercept some balls. SD is the one saying that we are a tough team to beat regardless of what our record says.
[/quote]

They torched the Ravens the last time we played, and if it wasn't for one of the greatest plays I've ever seen Ray Lewis make in a career full of HOF plays, Darren Sproles may have run the ball in for a TD or a first down, and they might have beaten us. Their receivers killed our cornerbacks the last time, and as good as Webb and Smith are, it's a different animal when every receiver you face is the size of a tight end and has great agility. What advice did I give? I'm only saying that we have a guy complaining about our losses, and that we should be focusing on the games at hand. How many people were probably saying the Titans would be a cake walk after the Steelers? That the Seahawks would be a cakewalk? That the Jags would be a cakewalk? There's having confidence in your team, and then there's being so flatly arrogant that you think we've won the game before it's been played. I prefer the approach of taking every team and every game seriously.

[Trilogique]

It's whatever to me. We're 10-3 and we are in the driver seat for the ENTIRE AFC. If we win out, we're #1 seed. Plain and simple.

Let's worry about San Diego, who are much better than their record. .

[Ravenslifer]

How good are the Chargers? They were good enough to dismantle a team WE lost to, and that's good enough for me.

[izvoodoo]

First seed is first seed. It'd be nice to go 18-0 and meet the 18-0 packers. That'd be EPIC. But if we have homefield through the playoff doesn't matter if we're 15-1 or 10-6, if the AFC championship is in Baltimore we'll be playing in February.

[Trilogique]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1323885400' post='906642']
How good are the Chargers? They were good enough to dismantle a team WE lost to, and that's good enough for me.
[/quote]
Better than their record that's for sure. As of late, anyway. It's a road game as well so we don't know what team is going to show up.

But if we win this one I think we'll have finally got our act together against sub .500 teams on the road.

[jaege]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1323884971' post='906633']

They torched the Ravens the last time we played, and if it wasn't for one of the greatest plays I've ever seen Ray Lewis make in a career full of HOF plays, Darren Sproles may have run the ball in for a TD or a first down, and they might have beaten us. Their receivers killed our cornerbacks the last time, and as good as Webb and Smith are, it's a different animal when every receiver you face is the size of a tight end and has great agility. What advice did I give? I'm only saying that we have a guy complaining about our losses, and that we should be focusing on the games at hand. How many people were probably saying the Titans would be a cake walk after the Steelers? That the Seahawks would be a cakewalk? That the Jags would be a cakewalk? There's having confidence in your team, and then there's being so flatly arrogant that you think we've won the game before it's been played. I prefer the approach of taking every team and every game seriously.
[/quote]


It seemed as though you were suggesting that the past is not an idicator to future events. As in the past losses this season do indicate we will lose to other similar teams. In that vein, I am suggesting that our past performance against the Broncos is not indicative of how we will play them this time. This Ravens team is superior to the last Ravens team that played the Broncos.

Beyond that, you and I taking the next game seriously, comically or foolishly will not effect the games outcome. On this I can assure you. Assuming you are not a player on the team or part of the coaching staff.

[Romo Ravens]

We learned from our mistakes, now I highly doubt we'll lose any of our last games. Too much is on the line

[Trilogique]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1323886214' post='906655']
We learned from our mistakes, now I highly doubt we'll lose any of our last games. Too much is on the line
[/quote]
I'm pretty sure we've said that before the Jags and Seahawks games. Let's not overlook an opponent. The Chargers are a threat.

[funky141]

The Ravens were going to lose a game or two but I agree I didn't see them losing to the Titans, Jaguars and Seahawks

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='Trilogique' timestamp='1323886432' post='906657']
I'm pretty sure we've said that before the Jags and Seahawks games. Let's not overlook an opponent. The Chargers are a threat.[/quote]

I didn't say we were overlooking anybody. I just think the team is getting better every week and they know what they have to do to secure that number one seed. I have all the faith in the world that they'll do it. The loss to the Seahawks and Jaguars were anomalies in my opinion. Nothing like that has ever happened in the Harbaugh era, but like I said, I believe we've learned from our mistakes since the Seahawks game.

[bpytnjr58]

There is always a game or two that comes back to haunt a team during the season and the Jax & Seattle games qualify..last year it was the game @Cin.

[Tank 92]

Copied and pasted from the Ravens/chargers topic.


[img]http://content.boards.baltimoreravens.com//public/style_images/ravens32/snapback.png[/img]Militant X 1, on 14 December 2011 - 10:31 AM, said:

i think that it is quite interesting that people (other fans) keep bringing up the Ravens losses to the titans, jaguars and seahawks as to their reason behind WHY the Ravens can be beat. really? smh! those games were soooooo long ago and at that time the Ravens "themselves" self-destructed in those games NOT those teams just running through the Ravens. smh! but now? the Ravens offense and defense is playing great football. what the fans of other teams are failing to mention in their posts is the fact that the Ravens have ripped off 4 str8 wins against the bengals, 49ers, browns and colts. so let's see: they were "suppose" to be teams like the browns and colts...and did! the bengals were a test...but they won that game! and the world was pubbing up the 49ers (their defense in particular) who came to town with a 9-1 record and an impressive undefeated record when travelling on the east coast. but...the Ravens beat them to! to all of the other team fans that are on our boards....[u][i][b]STOP THE FOOLISHNESS!! the Ravens are not the same team when they lost those 3 games waaaaaay back when. smh![/b][/i][/u]

~Mili



Great point. I think if anything, those 3 losses will help in that the pain and disappointment will further the resolve of the Team. And we are a much better unit now; ancient history........

Looking back, if we were going to lose 3 games, these 3 probably have the least effect other than 2 conference losses. They are not divisional opponents and we are not competing with them for Festivus spots.

[JacktheRaven]

I don't think the steelers have the easier path to the end. The 49er's are a bigger threat than the chargers. Also, the bengals are well, the bengals.

[757RavensFan]

[quote name='JacktheRaven' timestamp='1323889364' post='906703']
I don't think the steelers have the easier path to the end. The 49er's are a bigger threat than the chargers. Also, the bengals are well, the bengals.
[/quote]

IMO, I think their last 3 games are less competitive than ours.

Steelers have:
@49ers: Different team if Willis doesn't play
Rams: No factor
@Browns: No factor

We have:
@Chargers: Rivers and team are starting to play.
Browns:
@Cinci: Not an easy win on the road. They could quite possibly be playing to get the final playoff spot.

[Ravnet]

If we can't win-out/claim the division title against team like San Diego and Cincinnati, who are mediocre, then we won't be able to beat teams like Pittsburgh or Green Bay in the playoffs.

If we can't beat teams like Pittsburgh or Green Bay, then we won't win the Super Bowl.

So, if we can't beat mediocre teams, then we simply aren't good enough to win it all, and thus it's all gravy anyway.

[D_UP]

The Ravens are 10-3 they were not going undefeated. The losses looking back really refocused the Ravens.The Ravens know what have lose and gain by taking care business.

[wayne]

[quote name='Ravnet' timestamp='1323918363' post='907120']
If we can't win-out/claim the division title against team like San Diego and Cincinnati, who are mediocre, then we won't be able to beat teams like Pittsburgh or Green Bay in the playoffs.

If we can't beat teams like Pittsburgh or Green Bay, then we won't win the Super Bowl.

So, if we can't beat mediocre teams, then we simply aren't good enough to win it all, and thus it's all gravy anyway.
[/quote]

That's simply not true, do I need to bring up the Team A, B, and C deal again? If the Chargers were to beat us or the Bengals, that don't mean we can't beat the Packers or the Steelers which we already beat twice, just don't work that way buddy.

[scrock]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1323876794' post='906524']
It pains me that we're not 12-1 at this time sitting comfortably atop of the AFC. I can take the lost to the Titans. The Titans are a decent team and they beat us convincingly at their place. But the losses to the Jaguars (who many are saying have the worse QB in the league) and Seahawks (all of the turnovers, missed kicks, and lack of running game) have me wondering how it could of been. Don't get me wrong I'm very grateful for the 10-3 record b/c we could easily be 8-5 (Steelers, Cardinals).

I'm a little uncomfortable with the position that we're in right now. The Steelers have an easier path to finish 13-3 than we do. If they can get past the 49ers, they should win out. I know that's a big if w/ Ben's injury, Harrison's suspension and other injuries. But the 49ers lost to the Cardinals doesn't help my confidence.

Getting back to my original point, those 2 losses to the Jags and Seahawks really hurt us.

/self pity
[/quote]

I know I sometimes reflect on these things too but perhaps we had to have those early stumbles for a reason? IDK, we should be sitting pretty and have our division wrapped and holding on to a #1 seed

Ohhh the what IFs