Anyone else think the next two games are must wins?

[jimmypowder]

Our schedule is brutal after the next two games. Anyone else think,like I do, that
the Cleveland and Oakland games are must wins for us to obtain a playoff birth?

[The Raven]

Every game is a must win game.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1351631193' post='1206324']
Every game is a must win game.
[/quote]

agreed! and to think...some have said that they expect the Ravens to blow the browns out. really? with how the Ravens have played on the road? smh! let's wait to see how it goes before these lofty predictions are made. lol!

~Mili

[RavensAllTheWay]

I don't think these next two games are going to define our season. We'll still be in prime playoff position even with a loss to CLE or OAK. Having said that, if we're not 7-2 going into Pittsburgh, then something will have gone wrong.

[sliceanddic3]

I feel like they are, very winable games, and we could very well be 1-2 throughout the Pit/SD/Pit streach. I'd feel much better about being 8-4 than 7-5.

[Bravens292]

well we should win vs the raiders so the browns game is a lot more important. the giants and chargers learned not to sleep on the browns so we should know by now to play them like we play the steelers. we could go into the steelers game 7-2 and come out of the 2nd steelers game 7-5 (even though we should win atleast 1) and we'd still be in good position but just don't lose to the browns please.

[K-Dog]

as is the rest of the season

[gabefergy]

Every Divisional game is vastly important, and we really need to win every game at home so I guess you could call these "must wins". I dont think we have to win them to make the playoffs though. Every win is a step in the right direction, but a loss doesnt doom the season considering how wide open the AFC is this year.

[K-Dog]

who labels a game "must loose " or "doesnt really matter" or " I dont give a rip "

[Ravenslifer]

Every game is a must win, old cliche. But in the end, all that matters is making the playoffs, however we do it. Once there, anything can happen.

[Bltravens]

There's a distinct difference between "you play to win every game" or "every game is a must win" and highlighting a certain stretch of games that are definite "must win" games to get to the playoffs, which is the secondary goal to get to the primary goal of winning the Super Bowl. If you've played any high end sport there are tiers of team goals that need to be accomplished in order to accomplish the next tier of goals.

This two game stretch is critical in my eyes and I believe when we look back on the season this two game stretch will drastically impact whether we made the playoffs or not. Those Pittsburgh games are going to be damn tough Roethlisberger isn't holding on to the ball near as much as he did because they are going the ball control short passing game route, which are easy completions against our defense. Add in that we'll be terrified to leave Wallace without safety help because Webb is gone and that will ensure that Wallace has a soft cushion for easy completions. Manning is still dissecting defenses like he has and Denver has two pass rushers we will struggle to pass block. Have we ever beat San Diego in San Diego? If we were scared to blitz Vick in Philadelphia we'll be scared to blitz Griffin III even though the Redskins Oline is not good, so we'll just give Griffin all day to throw? The Giants game being in Baltimore helps but their offense could easily carve us apart and a Bengals finale in Cincinnati that won't be easy.

So yes, these two are must wins.

[omar586]

it only gonna get worst after these 2 games, so harb better get his team ready.

[redrum52]

Not only are they must wins but they are should win games. These are the games we need to win so should the Steelers win their next 2 we are still ahead and worse come worst we are tied with them going back to Baltimore (if we beat the Chargers) with a chance to take back the lead.

[frozen joe flacco fan]

No! A must win is a game that we have to win in order to make the playoffs so neither of these games is a must game. Notwithstanding, we need to win both of these games so that we do not have to be in a "must win" situation later on when our schedule gets a lot tougher. The road to the Super Bowl will be much easier if it goes through Baltimore where we play much better. It is always better to control our own destiny. The next two games are games we should win and neither game will be a gimme. Winning both will put us in a position to maintain our Division lead heading into the two upcoming games with Pittsburgh. For some odd reason, our team seems to lose its competitive edge against teams with losing records so I'd rather have the team think of the next two games as must wins. [u]Bottom line[/u]: If the players all "Play Like Ravens" and take care of business, our first "must win" game should not occur until the second round of the playoffs.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Not a must win.

But after being thoroughly whooped by texans. This sure feels like a must win. I want to see if our team want it bad.

[msufan]

The browns game is a must win, we are going to need every divisional win that we can get. The raiders game I don't think is a must win, but we need to change the trend of us not defeating teams that we should easily beat. The thing I can not stand is that we never destroy teams we always let teams back into the game we should be demolishing teams now.

[BMORElegacy]

Wins in this league are gotten at a premium. In my opinion every game is a must win. But yes, with the brutal schedule coming up these two upcoming games are vital. Playoff teams win the games they're expected to win and these next two games are games we're expected to win.

[757RavensFan]

While I do feel the next 2 games are important I wouldn't say they're a must win. Crazy scenario, what if we lose the next 2 and then win out finishing 12-4? Each game has its own significance during the season. So in the grand scheme of things EVERY game is important but not a must win unless that game gets you to the post season.

NOTE: San Diego hasn't scored a TD in 6 quarters. So our game against them is not bothering me as much as it did when I first saw them on the schedule. As always, I'm more concerned about Pittsburgh. Right now they're playing good ball considering all the injuries they have on def.

[AsianRice]

If we stress it "a must win game", then we're in a trap of choke game or overdoing things game. Football is emotional and physical sport cuz players are easily letting their emotion taking over their judgement like stupid penalty; why? "I want to win so bad."

As long as our players to understand that every game is a hard fought game, we should be fine. When our players coming in a game unprepared in term of bad gameplanning based our players' abilities and skills, our coaches are encountered for; however, our players need to stick the most basic fundamental technique like [b]tackling[/b]. We love to get turnovers but don't go for the ball if you can't tackle a runner.

Offense: We need to establish the running game going early; hand the ball the Rice, screen the ball to Rice, or short pass to Rice. Keep the same O-Line in the first 4 games Oher, Harewood, Birk, Yanda, Osemele. It's okay we can mess around with balance of running or passing when playing at home, but when we are away, we need to run hard cuz the opposing crowd is the factor and time of possession.

Defense: Since Suggs is back (thank god), we need to play more press coverage. Our players need to tackle better. Anyways, with Suggs back, he should elevate everyone's game for sure......

[Moderator 3]

I think they're "must wins" because otherwise these forums are going to meltdown in epic proportions. If we lose this weekend, I'm taking a week off.

[AsianRice]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1351700288' post='1206644']
I think they're "must wins" because otherwise these forums are going to meltdown in epic proportions. [b]If we lose this weekend[/b], I'm taking a week off.
[/quote]
Better call for anger management session....

[EricH]

I think they are must win games if we are going to beat Pitts.
We lose to the Browns...I see that being a huge blow to the team coming off a bye.
By huge, I mean season ending. This is a big win if we have ever needed one.

[rlh445]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1351647606' post='1206460']
[b]There's a distinct difference between "you play to win every game" or "every game is a must win" and highlighting a certain stretch of games that are definite "must win" games[/b] to get to the playoffs, which is the secondary goal to get to the primary goal of winning the Super Bowl. If you've played any high end sport there are tiers of team goals that need to be accomplished in order to accomplish the next tier of goals.

This two game stretch is critical in my eyes and I believe when we look back on the season this two game stretch will drastically impact whether we made the playoffs or not. Those Pittsburgh games are going to be damn tough Roethlisberger isn't holding on to the ball near as much as he did because they are going the ball control short passing game route, which are easy completions against our defense. Add in that we'll be terrified to leave Wallace without safety help because Webb is gone and that will ensure that Wallace has a soft cushion for easy completions. Manning is still dissecting defenses like he has and Denver has two pass rushers we will struggle to pass block. Have we ever beat San Diego in San Diego? If we were scared to blitz Vick in Philadelphia we'll be scared to blitz Griffin III even though the Redskins Oline is not good, so we'll just give Griffin all day to throw? The Giants game being in Baltimore helps but their offense could easily carve us apart and a Bengals finale in Cincinnati that won't be easy.

So yes, these two are must wins.
[/quote]

Nah. For every NFL franchise, every game is a must win game because of the fierce competition. There isn't a single game in which players go into saying, 'Ya know if we lose this one, who cares,'. That's for the fans to do. There were plenty of fans on here that went on record before the Texans game (including me) saying they had already chalked this one up as a loss and yet during the game thread wanted the win in the worst way. As fans, we're allowed to do that. The teams aren't and wouldn't. If you've watched any of the Ravens interviews or press conferences or what have you over the past five years, Harbs has the entire teams' mentality like this: 'We (won/lost) this game and in twenty-four hours it'll be over and we'll be focused on winning the next game,'. EVERY teams' goal is to go to the Super Bowl, but the miniscule steps taken to get there by winning as many games as possible is the main concern for the bulk of the season, and that includes the Browns and Oakland games.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='rlh445' timestamp='1351715763' post='1206787']
Nah. For every NFL franchise, every game is a must win game because of the fierce competition. There isn't a single game in which players go into saying, 'Ya know if we lose this one, who cares,'. That's for the fans to do. There were plenty of fans on here that went on record before the Texans game (including me) saying they had already chalked this one up as a loss and yet during the game thread wanted the win in the worst way. As fans, we're allowed to do that. The teams aren't and wouldn't. If you've watched any of the Ravens interviews or press conferences or what have you over the past five years, Harbs has the entire teams' mentality like this: 'We (won/lost) this game and in twenty-four hours it'll be over and we'll be focused on winning the next game,'. EVERY teams' goal is to go to the Super Bowl, but the miniscule steps taken to get there by winning as many games as possible is the main concern for the bulk of the season, and that includes the Browns and Oakland games.
[/quote]
Thats not what I was implying. Each team plays to win each game, that is elementary. No team goes in to games resigned to the fact they will lose and most teams have a 24 hour rule with games. That is basics in sport.

However, there are distinct stretches of games that are highlighted as imperative to the season that can have a resounding impact on the season is what I am saying. It does NOT mean other game are written off as unimportant. But there are games that are deemed critical to success.

ex. The previous 3 years the two Pittsburgh games were deemed critical (or "must wins") in order to win our division.

[Crabcakes&Football]

About as "must win" as any other game. We don't lose after bye weeks.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='EricH' timestamp='1351714044' post='1206760']
[b]I think they are must win games if we are going to beat Pitts.
We lose to the Browns...I see that being a huge blow to the team coming off a bye.
By huge, I mean season ending.[/b] This is a big win if we have ever needed one.
[/quote]

I don't see it as "if we can't beat this team, we can't beat that one either." I mean what about last season after losing to JAX, then beating PIT?

Personally, I'd have to [i]see[/i] us free fall before I believe it.

[EricH]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' timestamp='1351727177' post='1206917']
I don't see it as "if we can't beat this team, we can't beat that one either." I mean what about last season after losing to JAX, then beating PIT?

Personally, I'd have to [i]see[/i] us free fall before I believe it.
[/quote]
Yeah, but this season is waaaaay different from last year. A lot of bad karma going on right now. We need to right this ship.

[Purple Punishment]

[quote name='EricH' timestamp='1351734198' post='1206963']
Yeah, but this season is [b]waaaaay different from last year[/b]. A lot of bad karma going on right now. We need to right this ship.
[/quote]

So true. We are getting alot of bad Juju

[Ravenglenn]

Normally, I'd say I wasn't concerned about the Browns being a problem, but after what's gone down this season, it's a reminder that this is the NFL, and anything can happen. The Raiders are a dangerous team, and one I'm more concerned about than the Browns. I think as long as we come out of the last Pitt game with a better record than them, we'll be in good shape to make the playoffs.

[TreTheRaven]

After what I have seen from this team the last few games, it seems like every game is a "[i]must win[/i]". I'm not even feeling confident about the Cleveland game any more.