Scenario To Think About

[Wacko4Zacko]

We play our game at 4:15 on Sunday and Steelers/Browns game is at 1 pm. So here is the scenario we should consider, if Steelers happen to lose at Cleveland then win or lose we will win AFC North and have #2 seed. Do you think we should bench our starters or let them play half a game because It would almost be like giving Ravens a 2 week bye if we rest our players, but at same time we could risk loss of momentum or give them too much rest.

However on the other hand Patriots could lose and then we have something to play for the #1 seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs and we all know any team can win on any given Sunday. So do we risk resting our starters when we could potentially get the #1 seed?

What do you guys think?

[Ravenslifer]

I think we should beat the Bengals.

[BenDufusberger]

Nope , Steelers are also at 4:15.

The schedule makers want every game to count as much as possible , to draw max viewers , so they flex the start times as needed to do that.

[1/28/01]

#1 is still up for grabs. A NE win is not a guarantee. In this scenario, we play starter till the last whistle (unless, of course, we're up a ton).

[bpytnjr58]

They need to go all out on Sunday and win the game to get the bye... or lose and hope for a Steelers loss...otherwise they will take the highway again.

[AsianRice]

We will not looking up the scores and checking out for highlights or anything before the game; we will come out and beat up the Bengals regardless of any situation happening. We need a momentum leading to the playoffs so the beating up the Bengals will acquire that.

Our players need to straighten out their focus: which is beating the Bengals!!!

[baltravens]

I am all for resting many of our starters if we lock up the #2 seed due to someone's help.

[flynismo]

We need to view this game not only as our ticket to homefield advantage, but as our last opportunity to fix our issues and perhaps try out new strategies before we begin the playoffs.

Play the starters the entire game, unless we are blowing out the pussycats heading into the 4th quarter.

This is a "tune up" game to get our heads right for the post season. Our players can rest during the bye if they win this week.

[Sizzlebshu]

We have to play this game and win it. If NE loses their 1 o clock game then its just icing on the cake playing for the number one seed, but with the steelers playing the browns, we have to assume barring an upset that the steelers will win and we have to play under that assumption. Even if you factor in the fact that the browns almost beat Roethelisberger at Pitt in their last meeting, and give them a decent shot at beating the steelers, if we don't come out to play then we risk losing homefield advantage and the division which we cannot afford.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1325114705' post='925458']
We need to view this game not only as our ticket to homefield advantage, but as our last opportunity to fix our issues and perhaps try out new strategies before we begin the playoffs.

Play the starters the entire game, unless we are blowing out the pussycats heading into the 4th quarter.

This is a "tune up" game to get our heads right for the post season. Our players can rest during the bye if they win this week.
[/quote]

Agreed. We need to establish a smooth offensive performance to give everybody more confidence in the offense going forward.

Plus, the Steelers play at the same time. We can't afford to lose, period.

[BenDufusberger]

Here's the TV coverage map for those who live outside the area and want to know if they'll get to see the Ravens :

[url="http://the506.com/nflmaps/2011/wk17.html"]http://the506.com/nf.../2011/wk17.html[/url]

As you can see , the Steelers game coverage map is well-targeted to reach their fan base.

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1325119619' post='925529']
Here's the TV coverage map for those that live outside the area that want to know if they'll get to see the Ravens :

[url="http://the506.com/nflmaps/2011/wk17.html"]http://the506.com/nf.../2011/wk17.html[/url]

As you can see , the Steelers game is well-targeted to reach their fan base. Here's one typical Pitt fan , passing time until the game :


[img]http://bunkstrutts.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/deliverance-banjo-boy.jpg[/img]



This picture comes from a message board post that provides a fascinating look into the lifestyle of the average Steelers fan , called :
[b] "Things you might find in a Steeler fan's double-wide trailer"[/b]

[url="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=149&f=3765&t=6961848"]http://mbd.scout.com...=3765&t=6961848[/url]
[/quote]

Elvis and Jesus, a creepy head with a mullet, and a duck statue dressed up as Santa Claus? Interesting.

[cursona pirate]

Yes I get to watch the game on normal tv!!!!!

[sliceanddic3]

DANGIT. I knew I'd get stuck with watching the Chiefs and Broncos....

[K-Dog]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1325119619' post='925529']
Here's the TV coverage map for those who live outside the area and want to know if they'll get to see the Ravens :


[/quote]

Cool web site.
PITA on my phone though.

Kinda bummed I dont get the jets or the pats though.

[Ravens549]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1325114705' post='925458']
This is a "tune up" game to get our heads right for the post season. Our players can rest during the bye if they win this week.
[/quote]
This.

[CLAV410]

"HELLLOOOOOOO you play to win the GAME ! " No.. You go into Cincy and you beat the breaks off of them. If you let Cincy win then you run a good chance of seeing them again in the playoffs. Remember when the Colts rested their players a few years ago agaisnt the Jets ? Jets win get in the playoffs only to KNOCK the Colts out the playoffs !

[Militant X 1]

we play everybody! we can't afford to rest anyone in this game! win....and they can rest next week!

~Mili

[CorvusCorax]

I tell you what, I actually like these divisional matchups at the end of the season. It makes for an interesting season finale!

Just look at the scenario for the playoffs! If we win and NE loses we get #1 seed!

[url="http://static.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/AFC_playoff_seeding_2011.jpg"]http://static.nfl.com/static/content/catch_all/nfl_image/AFC_playoff_seeding_2011.jpg[/url]

Click to enlarge


Taken from NFL.com article:

[url="http://blogs.nfl.com/2011/12/28/week-17-afc-playoff-seeding-scenarios/?module=HP11_hot_topics"]http://blogs.nfl.com/2011/12/28/week-17-afc-playoff-seeding-scenarios/?module=HP11_hot_topics[/url]

[baltravens]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1325114705' post='925458']
We need to view this game not only as our ticket to homefield advantage, but as our last opportunity to fix our issues and perhaps try out new strategies before we begin the playoffs.

Play the starters the entire game, unless we are blowing out the pussycats heading into the 4th quarter.

This is a "tune up" game to get our heads right for the post season. Our players can rest during the bye if they win this week.
[/quote]
A "tune up" game to "get our heads" straight? This is the last week of the season [b]AND IF WE DO NOT KNOW[/b] what to do by now, we would not be 12-4 potentially holding the #2 seed. Flacco's inconsistency concerns me, but I'd rather rest most of our starters if Clev. beats Pitt., and have them [b]better ready [/b]to play our home playoff game. From concussions to contusions to mended knees, I'd rather have these guys rested. I would not mind at all seeing Taylor at QB in the 2nd half if Clev. beats Pitt.

[flynismo]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1325195992' post='926297']
A "tune up" game to "get our heads" straight? This is the last week of the season [b]AND IF WE DO NOT KNOW[/b] what to do by now, we would not be 12-4 potentially holding the #2 seed.
[/quote]


That's one way of looking at it.

Another way is that if we had our acts together, by all rights we should be at least 13 - 2 right now with the 1st seed already locked up (those JAX and SEA games were completely winnable).

We need this game to get some momentum going, rather than limping into the playoffs after getting smashed by SD and scraping by CLE.

[BenDufusberger]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1325195992' post='926297']
A "tune up" game to "get our heads" straight? This is the last week of the season [b]AND IF WE DO NOT KNOW[/b] what to do by now, we would not be 12-4 potentially holding the #2 seed. Flacco's inconsistency concerns me, but I'd rather rest most of our starters if Clev. beats Pitt., and have them [b]better ready [/b]to play our home playoff game. From concussions to contusions to mended knees, I'd rather have these guys rested. I would not mind at all seeing Taylor at QB in the 2nd half if Clev. beats Pitt.
[/quote]

I don't know how anyone can still be talking about resting players in Cincy. The Ravens and Steelers both kick off at the same time. The only scenario where we could afford to rest players is one where we are up by such a big margin that there is no possible chance that Cincy could make a comeback , or if Pitt was losing to Cleveland similarly.

I would feel comfortable if we were up by 24 with 10 minutes left , or Pitt was down by 24 with 10 minutes left , but how likely is it that either of those will occur ?

If NE loses earlier in the day , we'll need the win over Cincy even if the Steelers were to lose , in order to capture the #1 seed instead of #2.

You won't see Taylor starting the second half unless Joe is injured , because the Pitt game will still be in doubt at halftime.

[Joe5Flacco]

[quote name='sliceanddic3' timestamp='1325134700' post='925671']
DANGIT. I knew I'd get stuck with watching the Chiefs and Broncos....
[/quote]

Sunday Ticket solves so many problems

[baltravens]

[quote name='BenDufusberger' timestamp='1325198605' post='926335']

I don't know how anyone can still be talking about resting players in Cincy. The Ravens and Steelers both kick off at the same time. The only scenario where we could afford to rest players is one where we are up by such a big margin that there is no possible chance that Cincy could make a comeback , or if Pitt was losing to Cleveland similarly.

I would feel comfortable if we were up by 24 with 10 minutes left , or Pitt was down by 24 with 10 minutes left , but how likely is it that either of those will occur ?

If NE loses earlier in the day , we'll need the win over Cincy even if the Steelers were to lose , in order to capture the #1 seed instead of #2.

You won't see Taylor starting the second half unless Joe is injured , because the Pitt game will still be in doubt at halftime.
[/quote]
My bad. I was still operating under the assumption that the Pitt. game was at 1PM. So that makes all that what I said moot. Both at 4PM makes us have to play our starters.

[Gordo52]

We just need to Ball so hard from here on out