Merged:Will 9 wins Get us into the playoffs? Outlook on Remaining Games.

[I AM LEGEND]

7-2 and prior to the season starting I would have definitely signed up for that...

However this schedule is so brutal that by no stretch of the imagination is a playoff spot secure...

Lets look ahead to what we have shaping in the AFC:

6 spots...but I only feel 3 teams are locks...

Pats, Texans and Broncos...I say lock cause I don't see these 3 teams getting any competition from any other team in their division. (Yes I know the colts are 6-3...but they haven't played the texans once, nor do I see them beating them)

So that leaves 3 spots open...1 from our division and 2 wildcards.....I would say as of now its shaping to look like maybe we get 3 again if the bengals can beat out the colts maybe chargers

Remaining schedule..

4 games against 3 superbowl QBs(ben, eli, peyton)
1 game against a tough divisonal opponent and playoff team last year (bengals)
1 game going to the West Coast (chargers)
1 game against a young exciting qb in Washington

After looking at the way things are looking in the AFC I really do think worst case scenario is even if we go 2 -5 down the stretch I think we're good at 9-7

However I got this little voice in my head that says the Ravens can lose a good portion if not all of these games with how inconsistent both Offense and defense have been..

Taking off ur homer glasses...is there one game that would surprise u if the Ravens didn't win?...not me...

But what do u guys think about 9 wins getting us in.

[RavensAllTheWay]

Losing all of them? Not gonna happen. As for 9-7 getting us in, it probably would, but honestly, 2-5 down the stretch would surprise me, given how NYG and SD are slipping, and PIT/DEN/NYG are coming to our house.

If we go 9-7, there's a great chance that at least one, if not both of the NFC East games would be losses, which would boost our conference record. Also, as it stands, the AFC only has 6 winning teams at the moment, so unless the Bengals, Chargers, Dolphins or Titans really get going, I highly doubt any of the 6 winning teams miss the playoffs. That includes us.

[redrum52]

Yesterday reminded me his much better at least the offense is at home. At worst we go 2-1 with our home schedule. I see us beating the Bengals and Skins. Worst case scenario I don't see this team finishing below 10 wins unless Flacco is injured.

[Blex64]

We win 55-20 and we're shaping up to go 1-5 down the stretch? Really?

Jesus. Talk about a lack of faith.

[I AM LEGEND]

[quote name='redrum52' timestamp='1352763296' post='1217023']
Yesterday reminded me his much better at least the offense is at home. At worst we go 2-1 with our home schedule. I see us beating the Bengals and Skins. Worst case scenario I don't see this team finishing below 10 wins unless Flacco is injured.
[/quote]

I think everyone will pretty much say those are the two games we SHOULD win (redskins and bengals) but both of those are away..we already know how we play in away games...

And with this defense ...if I had to bet my house I'm picking ben, eli and peyton to have their way with us....I'm hoping pride and rivalry factor at least cause one if not both Steelers game to be close..

I think a big key is what San Diego does this week...if we can get them defeated, emotionally beat up and basically quiting on Nurv...then what looked like a lose prior to the season I can see us winning...

I think our best chances of winning are as followed

Chargers
Redskins
Bengals
Home game against Pitt
Giants
At Pitt
Denver

[I AM LEGEND]

[quote name='Blex64' timestamp='1352763800' post='1217029']
We win 55-20 and we're shaping up to go 1-5 down the stretch? Really?

Jesus. Talk about a lack of faith.
[/quote]

Talk about an overreaction to beating a bad NFL team

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='I AM LEGEND' timestamp='1352764045' post='1217036']
Talk about an overreaction to beating a bad NFL team
[/quote]

That wasn't an overreaction.

[Blex64]

[quote name='I AM LEGEND' timestamp='1352764045' post='1217036']
Talk about an overreaction to beating a bad NFL team
[/quote]

Its not an overreaction. The Chargers suck. The Redskins suck. The Steelers are going to be without their best receiver at the away game.

Longest home winning streak in the NFL, by a good margin. I don't think we're going to go and drop 3 home games in a row. Don't be an idiot.

[3-4ravdef509]

Is this a loaded question? Like, can Flacco win us more than two more games?
Look at it this way, we play to the level of competition, and that is to our benefit the rest of the season. Also, as hot and cold as Joe is, we all know, and even you can't argue, he can catch lightning in a bottle and be good as anyone, maybe better. So, if our d plays a little better and our offense plays to its potential, and if Joe avoids making the big mistake, we should go 4 and 3. 5 and two is as high as I think we go.

[RavensPunkXVX]

Losses

@ Steelers - It'll be a tough test for our offense. Joe has been on fire against the opposition, but the Steelers are hitting our stride. Personally, I think we did the ideal thing against Oakland, scoring points. We're going to need that confidence heading into Pitt. Although, this one I think we can win, but if I HAD to choose a loss, it's this road game.

Vs. Broncos/Giants - I have us winning both of these games, but I could see us dropping one of these. Demayius Thomas will be a beast in this game and gotta stop Willis. If the Giants continue to flop, definitely a winnable game. They usually pick it up towards the end of the season, so it should be interesting.

@ Bengals - I think we can go in and win this one too, but it's a divisional game which are tough. I think the Bengals may take this one.

Wins

@ Chargers - We win this one. After an emotional loss to Pitt, we go take care of business.

vs. Steelers - We keep our home record in tact.

@ Redskins - RGIII matches points, but our defense comes up big.

vs. Broncos/Giants - see above.

Final record - 11 - 5.

[berad]

Do you only say negative/pointed things?

[Tornado700]

No, but would you really want us in as a 9-7 team? That record, in itself, would show how the Ravens fell deep into the abyss.

[berad]

Suggs' Achilles is fine, thanks for asking.

I think the Ravens will finish more like 11-5. The past two games have shown progress. Btw, the Ravens called their game in Cleveland a 'turning point' and people laughed at them. The next week they go out and dominate, just sayin'.

[theFRANCHISE]

To answer the question without elaborating more on the talking points, 9-7 is a possibility for a wildcard slot but not likely, especially if teams like the Jets, Indy, Buffalo, etc. all get on a hot streak (or, in the case of Indy, extend their momentum).

[redrum52]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1352766619' post='1217068']
Suggs' Achilles is fine, thanks for asking.

I think the Ravens will finish more like 11-5. The past two games have shown progress. Btw, the Ravens called their game in Cleveland a 'turning point' and people laughed at them. The next week they go out and dominate, just sayin'.
[/quote]


Come playoff time we might have a semblance of the Ravens defense. I've said to be patient with Dean and I will give him this, you can tell he's trying. He's working different groups and darting to find a mojo even with key players out. I'd rather them rest and get healthy for the playoffs. I still don't trust Cam. No way we finish 9-7 though.

[NaveSenrag]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1352766619' post='1217068']
Suggs' Achilles is fine, thanks for asking.

I think the Ravens will finish more like 11-5. The past two games have shown progress. Btw, the Ravens called their game in Cleveland a 'turning point' and people laughed at them. The next week they go out and dominate, just sayin'.
[/quote]
No one questioned the Ravens ability to win at home. What people question is their ability to win away games. We came back from an ugly win against a bad team away to beat a horrible team at home. @ Pitt is the real "must win" game. If we win it, we strengthen our playoff bid and control of the division and prove that we can win away games against playoff caliber teams.

[I AM LEGEND]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1352766839' post='1217071']
To answer the question without elaborating more on the talking points, 9-7 is a possibility for a wildcard slot but not likely, especially if teams like the Jets, Indy, Buffalo, etc. all get on a hot streak (or, in the case of Indy, extend their momentum).
[/quote]
Well one thing we have going is we still have a lot of potential wildcard teams that have to play each other

Just to name a few...

Steelers vs Bengals
Bengals vs chargers
Colts vs texans x2

A lot more..

[I AM LEGEND]

Steelers schedule: (only put potential tough games)
Bengals
Ravens x2
Chargers
Dallas (who could be fighting for playoff lives)

Bengals schedule:
Chargers
Steelers
Ravens
Dallas

Chargers schedule: (next 4 weeks alone)
Broncos
Ravens
Steelers
Bengals

[I AM LEGEND]

This is what will hurt us

Pats only have 2 possible loses on their remaining schedule
Texans
49ers

And texans schedule is just as easy. ..

If we can't get a bye...we're off to Denver to face peyton or possibly hosting Pitt...that's ugly

[Crabcakes&Football]

If we do worse than 4-3 the rest of the schedule that would be disappointing. Not saying the scenario you proposed won't happen but even with the homer glasses off I think we can manage to win more than 2 of the remaining 7 games. Giants are in a slump as seen the past two weeks. I think we can split with Pittsburgh at least and the Chargers haven't been good at all the past few weeks.

[Militant X 1]

the Ravens will surprise us all and do better on the road down the stretch. they have to!

~Mili

[cobrajet]

After a few weeks scratching my head over this team, the Ravens showed me something yesterday. Say what you want about the Raiders being a bad team but:
1. Those same Raiders beat the Steelers
2. Yes, they were using a third string running back, but he was one big bruising fullback who ran hard against us and we rose to the challenge yesterday
3. We batted down a lot of balls delivered by Carson Palmer, who is not exactly a scrub
4. Our receivers went up and made some tough catches yesterday in coverage, and when our tights ends were called out this week they certainly rose to the challenge, instead of hanging their heads
5. Our Special Teams has been performing pretty well lately
6. Scoring 55 points against a 3-5 team is still not an easy thing to do

That Raiders game yesterday has me more optimistic than going 9-7. Last Monday I was still a little worried about making the playoffs, but I know that this team still has the talent to get it done. Right now, I just want our playoff games to be at "the Bank" and for a wildcard team to beat the Texans

[PolishRifle]

The Raiders are not a great team, but putting up 55 points against any NFL team is impressive. Also, we did beat Cinci, NE and Dallas, which are all good.

[SecretAgentMan]

With Rottenberger out this is how I see

@PIT W(Overrated D) 44-13
@SD(I belive Norv is gone, and revenge time) Close game 23-20
Vs. PIT. 35-7(This is my prediction with or without Ben, we dont lose at home)
@WSH(RG3 is a potential threat) W 28-24
VS. DEN(I dont like going against Peyton, a toss up) W 45-42
VS. NYG(At this point, we have homefield) L 23-21
@Cincy(They really Suck) W 25-3

[Malkavian Raven]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]I had this team posed as possibly going 16-0 at the start of the season, and considering their two losses -- I still believe we should've won the Eagles game -- I think they'll still win out the rest of this season.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]That being said, better hope like hell someone knocks HOU out before the AFC Championship game, otherwise we'd be in for a long evening.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]This team is making the playoffs, period. No worries there. The question is, how far do they go this year?[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]~ Malkavian Raven[/i][/font]

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='Malkavian Raven' timestamp='1352783323' post='1217785']
[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif][i]I had this team posed as possibly going 16-0 at the start of the season, and considering their two losses -- I still believe we should've won the Eagles game -- I think they'll still win out the rest of this season.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif][i]That being said, better hope like hell someone knocks HOU out before the AFC Championship game, otherwise we'd be in for a long evening.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif][i]This team is making the playoffs, period. No worries there. The question is, how far do they go this year?[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms, helvetica, sans-serif][i]~ Malkavian Raven[/i][/font]
[/quote]
If Flacco comes under fire and plays every game of the season like he did yesterday, and the D continues to play great football, I don't see us getting beat period. Why did Houston lose?, they attacked Shaub, and had no answer for Rodgers, and that D seemed to have no answer for Flacco when he got angry. The season depends on Joe, if he comes under fire, we will win the SB

[flynismo]

[quote name='Blex64' timestamp='1352763800' post='1217029']
We win 55-20 and we're shaping up to go 1-5 down the stretch? Really?

Jesus. Talk about a lack of faith.
[/quote]

I'll give him 30 seconds before he calls you a homer...he thinks that being pessimistic about everything is being realistic.

[flynismo]

I think Denver will beat us, with the way they match up to us.
The Giants game is going to be tough; a toss up that can go either way.

I expect us to win every single other game; I see no reason why we cannot finish up 12 - 4 for the third straight year

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1352783862' post='1217810']
I'll give him 30 seconds before he calls you a homer...he thinks that being pessimistic about everything is being realistic.
[/quote]
Where the hell have you been? loljk.
As president of the Flacco fanclub, do you believe that if he plays like he did yesterday, that there is nothing that can stop us?
PS. Can I please be the VP.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1352784014' post='1217814']
I think Denver will beat us, with the way they match up to us.
The Giants game is going to be tough; a toss up that can go either way.

I expect us to win every single other game; I see no reason why we cannot finish up 12 - 4 for the third straight year
[/quote]
We dont lose at home, Flacco's yellow sun is the bank.....