Why Do We Struggle Against Teams We Should Beat?

[Better Dayz]

Why did we struggle against teams we should beat should be the question because its not happening anymore, simply because we were getting beat mentally. Physically we are one of the best team,s but we cant get excited or lazy if we are up 1 or 2 touchdowns, we must ball hard and not give a team a chance to comeback, from where i sit thats what ive noticed. We know as a team were the best but through levels of life we learn. I think last year humbled us in the AFC championship. We outplayed New England Physically but not mentally. But these are the mistakes that happen that will makes us better. Hopefully that lost gives us the mindset we need to win it all.

[PurpleCorsair]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1341078486' post='1094504']
We lost vs the JAGS!...the JAGS!!
I'm still embarrassed. Why'd you remind me? lol.
[/quote]

I seem to recall a time in this franchise's history during which we had never beaten the Jaguars.

In regards to the question, I'd say that it was a combination of new pieces on offense, and bad game planning. But sometimes we just didn't execute ala @SD and @SEA last season.

[Gordo52]

[quote name='PurpleCorsair' timestamp='1341333666' post='1095113']
I seem to recall a time in this franchise's history during which we had never beaten the Jaguars.

In regards to the question, I'd say that it was a combination of new pieces on offense, and bad game planning. But sometimes we just didn't execute ala @SD and @SEA last season.
[/quote]
Seahawks and Chargers are justifable. But THE JAGS!? On MONDAY NIGHT!!! That was just embarrassing. The lost vs the Pats still hurt alot more.

[Dfence4champs2052]

[quote name='JO_75' timestamp='1341080112' post='1094507']
Luckily this year, our schedule looks like it has more good teams on it than it does bad teams. I mean I guess Oakland can be counted for as a bad team after the house cleaning they went through but that really is about it. So if we lose this year it will be because we lost to good teams not lost to bad teams,[b] unless of course one of the teams we play just end up sucking really bad unexpectedly.[/b]
[/quote]

LOL could very well happen though. I don't know what it was but it was incredibly frustrating. I think this year will be a different year and mentality.

[Dfence4champs2052]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1341266043' post='1094982']
Last year was strange. I think there are a few reasons why we lost those games and almost lost others. Of course everyone knows any given Sunday, but let's be real here and not cliche.

1. The lockout had a big effect.
2. Loss of veteran presence.
3. Special teams

Let me explain. The lockout hurt players like Dickson, Pitta, Doss, Cody, etc. I believe Ngata was affected by the lockout. Regardless of some success by some players, I did see other players hurt by the lockout.

Next we cut players like Heap, Mason, Gregg, etc. We let some guys walk to other teams. OL was weak due to inconsistency, also related to the lockout from lack of chemistry.

Finally, I think our special teams killed us last year. I think our teams sucked so bad because we cut guys like Marcus Smith among others. While these guys weren't amazing, they were some quality special teams players. I remember BA saying that a lot of the younger guys didn't take special teams seriously. I truly believe 100% that our special teams was the #1 killer for us last year against the "easy" teams.
[/quote]

Special teams was really a big factor in our weaknesses imo. Not just the Seattle game, but look at the Jets and Browns games where we gave away TDs. We definitely need to ensure we have a strong ST presence this year which it looks like they did take it seriously. Now about that kicker.........

[mhead66]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1341204466' post='1094819']
We definitely should have won those games, but [size=5][b]being on the road is the biggest factor that contributed to those losses in my estimation. I'm not saying that as an excuse just as a reason[/b][/size]. However, the three most important road games were all victories so I think there was a lack of focus as well. That falls onto the coaches and players.
[/quote]
Agreed. Over the last 3 years, we've lost only 2 home games - vs. Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. We were [b]22-2[/b] at home.

The disturbing trend is that we are 11-13 over the last 3 years on the road. 11-13...

We turn that around, we're a dominant team... I'd be interested to see a comparison of Flacco's home stats vs. road stats over that span.

[ellicottraven]

There is no easy answer to the conundrum. However, I fully believe in the 'any given Sunday' cliche in the parity driven NFL!

[ellicottraven]

There is no easy answer to the conundrum. However, I fully believe in the 'any given Sunday' cliche in the parity driven NFL!

[Mrmagicdmayor]

[size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial','sans-serif]We as fans say they are teams that should be an automatic wins. Truthfully speaking there is no such thing. It’s 11 on 11 all of whom paid big money. These guys are all pros, so there is no way anyone could say they do not get up for a game. I promise you if the team took that kind of mindset they would be more like 8 & 8 or worse. It’s a game of match ups, depending on the team, some players are just better at the other positions. A combination of a lack a familiarity with those player live skill sets. For example in the offensive line losses an upfront battle it difficult to get into a groove in the passing gaming or losing yardage on a running play will force you out of running on the next play, so each team try to play to their strengths and the opposition uses their strength to take away the others. The good thing is they were in every game for the most part last season. From my point of view the Ravens were only out of two games the Titians game; they physically got beat and the chargers game, which was a perfect storm. The other 2 games were turnovers and poor play calling, but they could have won them down the stretch.[/font][/color][/size]

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='Mrmagicdmayor' timestamp='1341357410' post='1095259']
[color=#222222][font=Arial','sans-serif][size=1]We as fans say they are teams that should be an automatic wins. Truthfully speaking there is no such thing. It’s 11 on 11 all of whom paid big money. These guys are all pros, so there is no way anyone could say they do not get up for a game. I promise you if the team took that kind of mindset they would be more like 8 & 8 or worse. It’s a game of match ups, depending on the team, some players are just better at the other positions. A combination of a lack a familiarity with those player live skill sets. For example in the offensive line losses an upfront battle it difficult to get into a groove in the passing gaming or losing yardage on a running play will force you out of running on the next play, so each team try to play to their strengths and the opposition uses their strength to take away the others. The good thing is they were in every game for the most part last season. From my point of view the Ravens were only out of two games the Titians game; they physically got beat and the chargers game, which was a perfect storm. The other 2 games were turnovers and poor play calling, but they could have won them down the stretch.[/size][/font][/color]
[/quote]
God your font is tiny!

[Mrmagicdmayor]

Not sure what happen there

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1341161729' post='1094691']
No way a loss to a good team like the Chargers comes close to the embarrassment of a loss to the Jags in front of the nation.
[/quote]

[b][color=#4b0082]the chargers flat out embarrassed the Ravens on national television. that was horrible! the chargers are a borderline squad. they start slow, make a run late in the season and then fizzle out and either don't make the playoffs all together or get booted in the early rounds. that loss to them and the other 3 teams was pitiful imo.[/color][/b]

[mhead66]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1341363469' post='1095296']
[b][color=#4b0082]the chargers flat out embarrassed the Ravens on national television. that was horrible! the chargers are a borderline squad. they start slow, make a run late in the season and then fizzle out and either don't make the playoffs all together or get booted in the early rounds. that loss to them and the other 3 teams was pitiful imo.[/color][/b]
[/quote]
Really, if you look at the '11 Chargers' team, they had a LOT of talent. Philip Rivers, when he's on, can be very good - and he was on, that game (17 of 23). Flacco threw 2 INTs... which didn't help. However, flying all the way to the West Coast, to face all the receiver talent (Vincent Jackson, Vincent Brown, Malcolm Floyd, Antonio Gates) with Ryan Matthews... they have lots of potential. I'm actually surprised they didn't have a better record, with that offense.

But really, it wasn't a surprise, or pitiful, IMO, to lose to that team. They do have talent, and it was on the road. We played poorly that game, but losing to San Diego on the road is not "embarrassing", IMO.

[RavensAllTheWay]

Don't know if this has been said, but I think it's too early to jump to the conclusion that we often lose to bad teams. It's only been one year, and even still, if you look at the losses last season, only one of the teams (Jags) had a double digit loss season.

If we continue to lose to inferior teams regularly, then I'll be worried, but it's only been one year.

Now as far as not blowing teams out, that's just how we play for the most part. As we all know, our offense dips into shell mode a lot when we have big leads, playing ultra conservative. Like most of us, I'd like us to be more aggressive even when protecting the lead, like the Rams game and to an extent, the Colts game last year.

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1341370462' post='1095308']
Don't know if this has been said,[b] but I think it's too early to jump to the conclusion that we often lose to bad teams.[/b] It's only been one year, and even still, if you look at the losses last season, only one of the teams (Jags) had a double digit loss season.

If we continue to lose to inferior teams regularly, then I'll be worried, but it's only been one year.

Now as far as not blowing teams out, that's just how we play for the most part. As we all know, our offense dips into shell mode a lot when we have big leads, playing ultra conservative. Like most of us, I'd like us to be more aggressive even when protecting the lead, like the Rams game and to an extent, the Colts game last year.
[/quote]

Although, there's been some reference to our losses, no one has said we often lose to bad teams. We are discussing why we struggle against teams we should beat. With that in mind, I'm surprised, other than 1 member, that no one has made mention of the Browns. I know they are division rivals in the toughest division in the AFC, but they have been on a QB carousel now for 3 or 4 seasons. This is one of the teams we seem to struggle against and we shouldn't. Last year, we won both games by a total of 20 points combined. That's certainly not putting them away IMO.

Another thing I noticed is that 2 of our losses last season to what in my estimation were inferior teams followed each Steeler game, the Titans & the Hawks. Could it be that we get so fired up against the Steelers that we can't get up the following week or maybe we're just too beat up following those games?

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Rav'n Maniac' timestamp='1341399499' post='1095345']
Although, there's been some reference to our losses, no one has said we often lose to bad teams. We are discussing why we struggle against teams we should beat. With that in mind, I'm surprised, other than 1 member, that [b]no one has made mention of the Browns. I know they are division rivals in the toughest division in the AFC, but they have been on a QB carousel now for 3 or 4 seasons. This is one of the teams we seem to struggle against and we shouldn't. Last year, we won both games by a total of 20 points combined. That's certainly not putting them away IMO.[/b]

Another thing I noticed is that 2 of our losses last season to what in my estimation were inferior teams followed each Steeler game, the Titans & the Hawks. Could it be that we get so fired up against the Steelers that we can't get up the following week or maybe we're just too beat up following those games?
[/quote]

I mean it was 24-3 before they got a garbage TD in the first game, and would have been even more if not for a Lee Evans TD drop on a quick slant and two Cundiff misses in the rain (where have we heard those before???). The second game, it was 20-0, and we simply failed to execute offensively late on. We had drops, breakdowns up front, a couple of misfires from Joe, and of course, a special teams error in the punt return TD. The Browns simply took advantage and battled back.

But at the end of the day, we're 8-0 against those guys under Flacco/Harbaugh. I'll take that any way I can.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1341368856' post='1095305']
Really, if you look at the '11 Chargers' team, they had a LOT of talent. Philip Rivers, [u][b]when he's on[/b][/u], can be very good - and he was on, that game (17 of 23). Flacco threw 2 INTs... which didn't help. However, flying all the way to the West Coast, to face all the receiver talent (Vincent Jackson, Vincent Brown, Malcolm Floyd, Antonio Gates) with Ryan Matthews... [u][b]they have lots of potential. I'm actually surprised they didn't have a better record, with that offense.[/b][/u]

But really, it wasn't a surprise, or pitiful, IMO, to lose to that team. They do have talent, and it was on the road. We played poorly that game, but losing to San Diego on the road is not "embarrassing", IMO.
[/quote]

[b][color=#4b0082]in my view.....that loss to the chargers was still embarrassing and pitiful! but, that is neither here nor there now! a new season is upon us![/color][/b]

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1341419623' post='1095408']


[color=#4b0082][font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif][b]i stick to my own opinions![/b][/font][/color]
[/quote]

Your opinion should be a jags loss is worse than a bolts loss, lol. The people have spoken!!!

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1341419918' post='1095409']
[u][b]Your opinion should be [/b][/u]a jags loss is worse than a bolts loss, lol. The people have spoken!!!
[/quote]

[b][color=#4b0082]my own opinion still stands because i NEVER "compared" the losses (as to which one was worse...to the jags or to the chargers?) in the first place. you did in asnwering my post! lol! i simply stated "my own" opinion about how "i" felt about that chargers loss. and....nothing said here has or will change that. Mili have spoken!!![/color][/b]

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1341425403' post='1095428']


[b][color=#4b0082]my own opinion still stands because i NEVER "compared" the losses (as to which one was worse...to the jags or to the chargers?) in the first place. you did in asnwering my post! lol! i simply stated "my own" opinion about how "i" felt about that chargers loss. and....nothing said here has or will change that. Mili have spoken!!![/color][/b]
[/quote]

So you're saying the jags loss was worse? Glad to see you come to your senses.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='Purple Nurple' timestamp='1341428852' post='1095435']
[u][b]So you're saying the jags loss was worse?[/b][/u] Glad to see you come to your senses.
[/quote]

[b][color=#4b0082]no! you are saying that the jags loss was worse! i NEVER compared the two losses bruh! NEVER! but for some odd reason, from a simple post i made about my dislike of that loss to the chargers (as you mentioned your dislike for the jags loss), you automatically assumed that i was comparing the two losses. slow down, read carefully next time! now enjoy the 4th and be safe! lol![/color][/b]

[wayne]

[quote name='Rav'n Maniac' timestamp='1341399499' post='1095345']


Although, there's been some reference to our losses, no one has said we often lose to bad teams. We are discussing why we struggle against teams we should beat. With that in mind, I'm surprised, other than 1 member, that no one has made mention of the Browns. I know they are division rivals in the toughest division in the AFC, but they have been on a QB carousel now for 3 or 4 seasons. This is one of the teams we seem to struggle against and we shouldn't. Last year, we won both games by a total of 20 points combined. That's certainly not putting them away IMO.

Another thing I noticed is that 2 of our losses last season to what in my estimation were inferior teams followed each Steeler game, the Titans & the Hawks. Could it be that we get so fired up against the Steelers that we can't get up the following week or maybe we're just too beat up following those games?
[/quote]

Simply put, that's a division game regardless of the issues they are going through so division games are always the exception b/c of familiarness between division teams. You can also look in any division in football and see that with teams. Giants loss to the Redskins twice last season I believe, Patriots always seem to struggle with the Bills and Dolphins who hasn't made the playoffs in God knows when, Colts about 3-4 years back use to struggle against the Titans and Texans and those teams use to be mediocre teams....... you can go on and on with every division on this. I neva worry when we don't just destroy a team in our division b/c division games are the exception.

[RavenousDefense]

I agree with a lot of the other statements, in that the NFL is built around parity (generally, much more so than other professional sporting leagues) and trying to make every team competitive - that's why there is a salary cap and the team with the worst record drafts first. Furthermore, I also agree that this was the only real first season where this was an issue, and I've always assumed that the reason that the Ravens had stayed competitive all year long, i.e. not had games like SD, JAX, TEN, etc., was because of our team leadership in Lewis and co.
Now I am not saying in any way that this is RayRay's fault - I just think that other players need to step up and use Ray's example and become leaders on this team so that, while I hope that this never happens but alas it is inevitable, when it is time for the Lewis/Reed combo to sail away into the horizon, there isn't a complete void of leadership on the team.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1341430658' post='1095438']


[b][color=#4b0082]no! you are saying that the jags loss was worse! i NEVER compared the two losses bruh! NEVER! but for some odd reason, from a simple post i made about my dislike of that loss to the chargers (as you mentioned your dislike for the jags loss), you automatically assumed that i was comparing the two losses. slow down, read carefully next time! now enjoy the 4th and be safe! lol![/color][/b]
[/quote]

So if you dont think the Jags loss was worse, you think the Chargers loss was better?

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1341414971' post='1095380']
I mean it was 24-3 before they got a garbage TD in the first game, and would have been even more if not for a Lee Evans TD drop on a quick slant and two Cundiff misses in the rain (where have we heard those before???). The second game, it was 20-0, and we simply failed to execute offensively late on. We had drops, breakdowns up front, a couple of misfires from Joe, and of course, a special teams error in the punt return TD. The Browns simply took advantage and battled back.

[b]But at the end of the day, we're 8-0 against those guys under Flacco/Harbaugh. I'll take that any way I can.[/b]
[/quote]

I agree whole heartedly. Can't discount any win. Wasn't attacking your original post, just pointing out that I meant the topic to be about struggling against lesser teams and not necessarily about losing to them. Maybe I should have explained myself better when I quoted you. My bad.

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1341435705' post='1095449']
Simply put, that's a division game regardless of the issues they are going through so division games are always the exception b/c of familiarness between division teams. You can also look in any division in football and see that with teams. Giants loss to the Redskins twice last season I believe, Patriots always seem to struggle with the Bills and Dolphins who hasn't made the playoffs in God knows when, Colts about 3-4 years back use to struggle against the Titans and Texans and those teams use to be mediocre teams....... you can go on and on with every division on this. I neva worry when we don't just destroy a team in our division b/c division games are the exception.
[/quote]

I agree with you that dividional match-ups are always going to be a little tougher but, when it comes to the Browns, I feel we always end up doing something out of the norm that allows them to stay in the games. The Browns are a team that has posted 1 winning season since they came back into the league and that was 2007. Every other season they have had an average of 11 losses per. Plain and simple, they suck! This is not a team we should struggle against in any manner, more a team we should dominate at ever facet of the game. I just don't buy that because they are divisional matches, they should be considered the exception and expected to be low scoring - highly contested games.

[wayne]

[quote name='Rav'n Maniac' timestamp='1341481623' post='1095535']


I agree with you that dividional match-ups are always going to be a little tougher but, when it comes to the Browns, I feel we always end up doing something out of the norm that allows them to stay in the games. The Browns are a team that has posted 1 winning season since they came back into the league and that was 2007. Every other season they have had an average of 11 losses per. Plain and simple, they suck! This is not a team we should struggle against in any manner, more a team we should dominate at ever facet of the game. I just don't buy that because they are divisional matches, they should be considered the exception and expected to be low scoring - highly contested games.
[/quote]

When was the last time the Redskins made it to the playoffs? Bills? Dolphins and how often have they made it ? Raiders ? Jags ?... etc ?...... and in those teams division, the top teams in those divisions either have loss against those teams are struggled to beat them, that's just the nature of the game. So regardless of how much the Browns suck which I agree with you very much, the familiarlarity of the teams playing each other twice a year plays a big, huge part in it.

[Rav'n Maniac]

[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1341551063' post='1095741']
When was the last time the Redskins made it to the playoffs? Bills? Dolphins and how often have they made it ? Raiders ? Jags ?... etc ?...... and in those teams division, the top teams in those divisions either have loss against those teams are struggled to beat them, that's just the nature of the game. So regardless of how much the Browns suck which I agree with you very much, the familiarlarity of the teams playing each other twice a year plays a big, huge part in it.
[/quote]

I get what your saying, brother. I agree with you that because the teams are so familiar with each other that the games are always closer. I also know that it happens throughout the league, it's a proven fact. It's just we have a difference of opinion. I'm saying that due to that same familiarity, we should know how to rock the socks off them by now and we don't. I guess my expectations of a highly talented team are just too high.

[RedFire]

I'm pretty confident giants lost more regular season games than the ravens...but they won the big game! Ravens made the playoffs based on the reg season and got a 1st round bye! We don't need to go 19-0!!! ...just 4-0 or 3-0 in the playoffs!

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='Rav'n Maniac' timestamp='1341568061' post='1095756']
I get what your saying, brother. I agree with you that because the teams are so familiar with each other that the games are always closer. I also know that it happens throughout the league, it's a proven fact. It's just we have a difference of opinion. I'm saying that due to that same familiarity, [b]we should know how to rock the socks off them by now and we don't[/b]. I guess my expectations of a highly talented team are just too high.
[/quote]

I disagree with that one. We beat them by double digits twice in 08 (although the game in CLE that year was much closer than that), outscored them 50-3 in 09, and have beaten them 20-10 and 24-10 respectively in their house each of the last two seasons. Sometimes they play us close, but we have shown that we can blow them out.