Browns @ Ravens On Christmas Eve

[cursona pirate]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1324514608' post='917835']
I'm worried about Joe keeping the Fu. What if that's what caused the loss to the Chargers ?

If he doesn't want to shave it off , he should at least modify it. Add some bling , to change the luck. This would be a nice look for Joe :

[url="http://twitter.com/#!/si_vault/status/148803479341768704/photo/1"]http://twitter.com/#...1768704/photo/1[/url]
[/quote]

lol thats me!!! jk
maybe he should get a nose ring or something to add with it!

[CapoRocky]

Now that Derrick Mason is out of football. Why don't we sign him back for the last 2 games and the playoffs? Would he be eligible for the playoffs if we sign him this week?

[baroquenspirit]

Browns D is pretty solid....but only way Ravens lose is if they turn the ball over.

[atlravensfan]

I think we win against the browns. We are great at home. I am hoping the bengals lose their next game and don't play as hard their last game.

[CapoRocky]

I don't think the loss of Q will hurt too badly in the Browns game. It's the Bengals game that I'm worried about. Hopefully, this will convince Cameron to run a lot more.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='CapoRocky' timestamp='1324580509' post='918360']
I don't think the loss of Q will hurt too badly in the Browns game. It's the Bengals game that I'm worried about. [b]Hopefully, this will convince Cameron to run a lot more.[/b]
[/quote]

He went away from the run against the Chargers because of the hole the team was in. I'd bet money Rice is among the league leaders in carries, if not the leader, since the Seahawks game.

[Twistidfunk]

[quote name='baroquenspirit' timestamp='1324524094' post='917929']
Browns D is pretty solid....but only way Ravens lose is if they turn the ball over.
[/quote]


lmao. Only against Pittsburgh did it look solid

[baroquenspirit]

[quote name='Twistidfunk' timestamp='1324584393' post='918506']


lmao. Only against Pittsburgh did it look solid
[/quote]

IDK, they are 14th overall...3rd against the pass...not so good against the run. There are worse D's, they are fairly solid. In spite of your laughter and the Ravens sweep of the regular season series, the Steelers losses are to 3 teams with ten wins while the Ravens have lost to 3 teams with losing records. The Steelers did struggle against a couple weaker teams, but in the end they got the W. So I guess we could say Jacksonville struggles against everyone but the Ravens...but what would that prove? Its all well and good to have a nice laugh but not really productive for a reasonable conversation. But I am an eternal optimist...perhaps one Ravens fan will respond in a way that is not snide, mocking, totally un-objective, or just blind Steeler hate. Nice post, Twist.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='baroquenspirit' timestamp='1324588461' post='918610']

IDK, they are 14th overall...3rd against the pass...not so good against the run. There are worse D's, they are fairly solid. In spite of your laughter and the Ravens sweep of the regular season series, the Steelers losses are to 3 teams with ten wins while the Ravens have lost to 3 teams with losing records. The Steelers did struggle against a couple weaker teams, but in the end they got the W. So I guess we could say Jacksonville struggles against everyone but the Ravens...but what would that prove? Its all well and good to have a nice laugh but not really productive for a reasonable conversation. But I am an eternal optimist...perhaps one Ravens fan will respond in a way that is not snide, mocking, totally un-objective, or just blind Steeler hate. Nice post, Twist.
[/quote]

It's true the Ravens have struggled vs lesser opponents on the road this season but in reality, how many teams with losing records will we face in the playoffs?

If the season ended today, Ravens would have a 5-0 record vs teams in the playoffs while the Steelers would have a 1-4 record vs the same.

I don't think Boldin's absence will affect the Browns' game. The Bengals' game could be worrisome.

[PuRock]

[quote name='baroquenspirit' timestamp='1324588461' post='918610']

IDK, they are 14th overall...3rd against the pass...not so good against the run. There are worse D's, they are fairly solid. In spite of your laughter and the Ravens sweep of the regular season series, the Steelers losses are to 3 teams with ten wins while the Ravens have lost to 3 teams with losing records. The Steelers did struggle against a couple weaker teams, but in the end they got the W. So I guess we could say Jacksonville struggles against everyone but the Ravens...but what would that prove? Its all well and good to have a nice laugh but not really productive for a reasonable conversation. But I am an eternal optimist...perhaps one Ravens fan will respond in a way that is not snide, mocking, totally un-objective, or just blind Steeler hate. Nice post, Twist.
[/quote]

To add to it. I was impressed how the Steelers made Joe Haden look. He is a great up and coming shut down cb, but he didn't look the part against the Steelers.

[baroquenspirit]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1324588721' post='918614']

It's true the Ravens have struggled vs lesser opponents on the road this season but in reality, how many teams with losing records will we face in the playoffs?

If the season ended today, Ravens would have a 5-0 record vs teams in the playoffs while the Steelers would have a 1-4 record vs the same.

I don't think Boldin's absence will affect the Browns' game. The Bengals' game could be worrisome.
[/quote]

Those are some hard numbers to figure for the Ravens. The bigger factor is probably being on the road rather than not being up for a lesser opponent...maybe its both. I did say the only way the Ravens lose is if they turn the ball over. And the race for the AFCN is probably gonna come down to the final day. If Ravens end up the 2 seed theres a good chance you will be home throughout the play offs, I'm still not convinced by the Pats.

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='baroquenspirit' timestamp='1324589554' post='918634']

Those are some hard numbers to figure for the Ravens. The bigger factor is probably being on the road rather than not being up for a lesser opponent...maybe its both. I did say the only way the Ravens lose is if they turn the ball over. And the race for the AFCN is probably gonna come down to the final day. If Ravens end up the 2 seed theres a good chance you will be home throughout the play offs, I'm still not convinced by the Pats.
[/quote]

Yeah, I'm not convinced about the Pats either to be honest. I agree that it is most likely nothing is decided before Week 17. Ugh. Hate that this Bengals' game is on the road. At least they still have a winning record though lol

[baroquenspirit]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1324589180' post='918624']

To add to it. I was impressed how the Steelers made Joe Haden look. He is a great up and coming shut down cb, but he didn't look the part against the Steelers.
[/quote]

Steelers move the ball up and down the field...they just don't put it in the end zone. They out gained the 49ers by 100 yds with nothing to show for it. Against the Browns AB had 150 yards receiving, Steelers rushed for another 150....again, not much to show for it. They better correct red zone O and turnovers or they will be one and done. Honestly, I can't figure the AFC....Ravens have been great at times and then lay an egg, Steelers, as another poster said, 1-4 against play-off teams. Pats....no defense. Chargers? they never come through. Its flat out crazy.

[baroquenspirit]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1324589827' post='918638']

Yeah, I'm not convinced about the Pats either to be honest. I agree that it is most likely nothing is decided before Week 17. Ugh. Hate that this Bengals' game is on the road. At least they still have a winning record though lol
[/quote]

Obviously, I am pulling for the Bengals that day, but my head says the Ravens win out. The Bengals weren't able to beat any of the top teams down the stretch.

[PuRock]

[quote name='baroquenspirit' timestamp='1324590038' post='918644']

Steelers move the ball up and down the field...they just don't put it in the end zone. They out gained the 49ers by 100 yds with nothing to show for it. Against the Browns AB had 150 yards receiving, Steelers rushed for another 150....again, not much to show for it. [b]They better correct red zone O and turnovers or they will be one and done.[/b] Honestly, I can't figure the AFC....Ravens have been great at times and then lay an egg, Steelers, as another poster said, 1-4 against play-off teams. Pats....no defense. Chargers? they never come through. Its flat out crazy.
[/quote]

Steelers aren't the only ones saying this. Us Ravens fan feel the same thing. More TDs in the redzone. 49ers have had issues scoring in the redzone as well as a few other teams.

Steelers could've won that game in SF if it weren't for the turnovers. They were moving the ball pretty effectively. Opening drive I thought it was going to be 7-3.

[BenDufusberger]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1324590678' post='918661']

Steelers aren't the only ones saying this. Us Ravens fan feel the same thing. More TDs in the redzone. 49ers have had issues scoring in the redzone as well as a few other teams.

Steelers could've won that game in SF if it weren't for the turnovers. They were moving the ball pretty effectively. Opening drive I thought it was going to be 7-3.
[/quote]

This is a little off-topic but I thought it was interesting enough to stick in here somewhere : Everyone is marveling at how impressive the 49ers have been with their goal-line run defense , not allowing a rushing TD for the entire season so far. However , I read somewhere that only seven short-yardage TD [u]attempts[/u] have been made against them this year ( I know the Ravens had at least one of those ). This suggests to me that after the first 3 or 4 attempts of the year against them got stuffed , teams gave up on the idea , or , like the Ravens , tried once and then went to the pass.

If this is true , their record is much less impressive. Or , at least , it's impressive only because they've managed to scare off all the rush attempts , and possibly for no good reason other than they happened to start the year with a lucky streak of a few good stuffs. I think the records would show several instances of teams achieving seven straight goal-line rushing stuffs.

This is not to say their rush defense isn't great - I think it's probably the best - only that the no-TD streak may not be all that it's been built up to be.

[PuRock]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1324592544' post='918713']

This is a little off-topic but I thought it was interesting enough to stick in here somewhere : Everyone is marveling at how impressive the 49ers have been with their goal-line run defense , not allowing a rushing TD for the entire season so far. However , I read somewhere that only seven short-yardage TD [u]attempts[/u] have been made against them this year ( I know the Ravens had at least one of those ). This suggests to me that after the first 3 or 4 attempts of the year against them got stuffed , teams gave up on the idea , or , like the Ravens , tried once and then went to the pass.

If this is true , their record is much less impressive. Or , at least , it's impressive only because they've managed to scare off all the rush attempts , and possibly for no good reason other than they happened to start the year with a lucky streak of a few good stuffs. I think the records would show several instances of teams achieving seven straight goal-line rushing stuffs.

This is not to say their rush defense isn't great - I think it's probably the best - only that the no-TD streak may not be all that it's been built up to be.
[/quote]

We should have had a rushing TD against them as well. Rice almost broke two long ones through. Then we had horrendous playcalling at the goalline.

But I agree with you. I don't know how many attempts they had against them. They are good at stopping the run in general. I'll give them that. They are also very opportunistic with turnovers. But I think their D is a bit overrated. Especially the portion about not allowing a rushing TD.

[CapoRocky]

Let's rest Ray Lewis for the next 2 games. He didn't look up to speed in the Chargers game. Q dropped the ball in the Steelers game last year and they released Mason. Talk about taking the heat for another player. Smith and Evans don't seem like they can do it alone. Another possibility is to use both Pitta and Dickson in 2 TE sets. Still, I'd love to see what Doss can do. There are only 2 more games to find out. Let's just wait and see what Graham can do. He might end up being our ace in the hole.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1324581860' post='918409']

He went away from the run against the Chargers because of the hole the team was in. I'd bet money Rice is among the league leaders in carries, if not the leader, since the Seahawks game.
[/quote]

Which makes absolutely zero sense. If you're trying to score a lot of points, and you're going up against a team ranked 6th against the pass and 21st against the rush, and your quarterback is at his best when you run play action, do you think you'd have more success moving the ball on the ground or through the air? A 30 yard run by Ray Rice gains just as many yards as a 30 yard pass. And has the added bonus of milking more time off the clock. San Diego has been in shootouts and has been down big, and yet somehow Ryan Matthews still has at least 13 carries in every game this year but 1, and has had over 20 5 times. By comparison, Ray Rice has had the ball 13 times or less 5 times, and not surprisingly 4 of those were losses. While he also has 5 20+ carry games, 4 of those came after the Seattle loss. So suddenly Ryan Matthews is better than Rice, or Rice is incapable of making big plays for us? Rice was averaging almost 6 yards a carry against San Diego - they had NO answer for him, and yet he got the ball 10 times and no carries at all in the second half?

We aren't a team that can win if we don't run the ball, it doesn't matter what the score is or how far down we are. Every single time we've abandoned the run except in St. Louis, we lost the game. That should speak volumes in and of itself. And we got down huge against Arizona too, but Rice still carried the ball 18 times. And what do you know, the Ravens pulled off the largest comeback in franchise history. Maybe if Rice has more carries and the defense thinks he may get the ball, they won't drop back into coverage and make it hard on Joe. Joe threw that one pick because he was under pressure and felt like he HAD to make a throw, because somebody had to make a play and Ray Rice wasn't in the game to do it. He might not have had to if he could hand it off to Rice and let him scamper for a first down.

I guess my point is, a lot of this offense runs through Ray Rice, whether Cam wants to admit it or not. I don't believe we can have success without Rice running the ball a lot. I could care less if we lost by 30 points if Rice got his carries, because I really think that's the way our offense runs best, and more importantly, it's when Joe plays his best.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Florida Ravens Fan' timestamp='1324510274' post='917799']
Well guys Im about to leave on my 18 hr trip to B-more !!! Woohoooo!! just bought my tickets sec 102 row 29.. Im be at the hilton close to BWI . Anyone staying there hit me up!! Can't wait I hope you Marylanders are nice folks, oh what is the best restaurant at the harbor?
[/quote]

I like Sullivan's a lot.

[AsianRice]

I want our team to go out there and have some fun from now on; it keeps them relax and play smart football.....

[JO_75]

Thank You Colts but now we need the Steelers to lose as the updated Playoff Scenarios are that we can not only clinch the AFC North with a win and a Pittsburgh loss but also lock up a Bye with a win and a Steelers loss as well.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1324607083' post='918926']

Which makes absolutely zero sense. If you're trying to score a lot of points, and you're going up against a team ranked 6th against the pass and 21st against the rush, and your quarterback is at his best when you run play action, do you think you'd have more success moving the ball on the ground or through the air? A 30 yard run by Ray Rice gains just as many yards as a 30 yard pass. [b]And has the added bonus of milking more time off the clock[/b]. San Diego has been in shootouts and has been down big, and yet somehow Ryan Matthews still has at least 13 carries in every game this year but 1, and has had over 20 5 times. By comparison, Ray Rice has had the ball 13 times or less 5 times, and not surprisingly 4 of those were losses. While he also has 5 20+ carry games, 4 of those came after the Seattle loss. So suddenly Ryan Matthews is better than Rice, or Rice is incapable of making big plays for us? Rice was averaging almost 6 yards a carry against San Diego - they had NO answer for him, and yet he got the ball 10 times and no carries at all in the second half?

We aren't a team that can win if we don't run the ball, it doesn't matter what the score is or how far down we are. Every single time we've abandoned the run except in St. Louis, we lost the game. That should speak volumes in and of itself. And we got down huge against Arizona too, but Rice still carried the ball 18 times. And what do you know, the Ravens pulled off the largest comeback in franchise history. Maybe if Rice has more carries and the defense thinks he may get the ball, they won't drop back into coverage and make it hard on Joe. Joe threw that one pick because he was under pressure and felt like he HAD to make a throw, because somebody had to make a play and Ray Rice wasn't in the game to do it. He might not have had to if he could hand it off to Rice and let him scamper for a first down.

I guess my point is, a lot of this offense runs through Ray Rice, whether Cam wants to admit it or not. I don't believe we can have success without Rice running the ball a lot. I could care less if we lost by 30 points if Rice got his carries, because I really think that's the way our offense runs best, and more importantly, it's when Joe plays his best.
[/quote]
I agree with everything you said but this. When you are down 2+ scores you want to leave as much time on the clock as possible. Every possession becomes more imprortant and you want as much time as possible to catch up.

I think its stupid to completely abandon the run. Anytime you make the offense 1 dimensional, it's helping the defense out. However, the gameplan does have to change...no huddle or at least a quicker tempo need to be implemented

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1324616422' post='919112']
Thank You Colts but now we need the Steelers to lose as the updated Playoff Scenarios are that we can not only clinch the AFC North with a win and a Pittsburgh loss but also lock up a Bye with a win and a Steelers loss as well.
[/quote]
An AFC North title [i]and[/i] a first-round bye on Christmas Eve would be a pretty sweet Christmas present.

[codizzle]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1324616422' post='919112']
Thank You Colts but now we need the Steelers to lose as the updated Playoff Scenarios are that we can not only clinch the AFC North with a win and a Pittsburgh loss but also lock up a Bye with a win and a Steelers loss as well.
[/quote]
We can lock a first round bye too? Even with the possibility of a 3 way tie still?
Just asking cause I haven't looked anything up and actually just saw the score from the indy game...

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1324625237' post='919163']
We can lock a first round bye too? Even with the possibility of a 3 way tie still?
Just asking cause I haven't looked anything up and actually just saw the score from the indy game...
[/quote]
Yes, the Ravens can secure a first-round bye with a Steelers loss to accompany the Texans' loss [i]and[/i] a Ravens victory by virtue of tiebreakers. In theory, the Ravens can secure the #1 seed and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs if the Patriots also lose this weekend and the Ravens win out.

[Jerseyraven52205527]

Lets go Rams!
Hey, they beat the Saints.......

[ravensdfan]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1324627196' post='919170']
Yes, the Ravens can secure a first-round bye with a Steelers loss to accompany the Texans' loss [i]and[/i] a Ravens victory by virtue of tiebreakers. In theory, the Ravens can secure the #1 seed and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs if the Patriots also lose this weekend and the Ravens win out.
[/quote]

Yeah I'm not putting a lot of faith in the Rams even trying as I do believe now they can take the #1 pick with a loss. We don't really NEED them to win though it would be nice.

Those Dolphins have a shot at pulling that game out though and that would be sweet!

A win at home vs the Browns and we could take back that #1 seed with a win vs the Bengals.

[SirPainsalot]

Rams won't do much, to be fair. Anyone can play against St Louis; we did, and we CLOBBERED 'em.
That was at their turf too!
If it was a primetime game, maybe. They would have a reason to win. But it isn't, so no.

But then again it IS the Steelers, a team that struggled a bit with weaker teams. (We only flounder around, not struggle.)
I can only say we definitely need to win out.

[Twistidfunk]

Wow. I missed the game and last time I checked the score last night it was like 19 -3 or something. I woke up and heard it on the radio. Just awesome. Must have been quite a game.

Now for us to take care of the Browns (which should happen) and the Steelers to lose! It might happen. Woodley couldn't last the last game and all reports have Ben sitting. If the Rams can beat the Saints somehow then hey, why not the Steelers.