POLL: Are the Ravens Super Bowl Contenders?

[baltravens]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1356671314' post='1280726']
I dont think they are relevant issues. Our pass-rush has gotten better and better as the season has progressed. Pees is really doing an excellent job with a banged up defense. Besides Webb, we should be close to fully healthy on D going into the playoffs. Our reserve DBs have really stepped up in the absence of Webb. Graham has emerged as a solid starting CB and with the emergence of Chykie Brown we have enough depth at CB to play with anyone. I'm more worried about our offense being able to perform consistently then our defense.
[/quote]
If that was the case, we would not have lost 3 in a row. How good did the defense do with 4 minutes left in the game and on the 2-point conversion against Washington?

[Ravensfan23]

If recent history is any indication, the Ravens should be favorite to win the Super Bowl. Why, because the Ravens are getting healthy at just the right time.

This notion that the Ravens aren't a good team is crazy. The Ravens can with and beat any team in the playoffs. Yes they lost 3 straight, but it means nothing starting next week. The Ravens can run the ball, they can attack you on alll levels of the defense in the passing game and when all cylinders are clicking they can be the most balanced offense in the NFL. The Ravens are one of the best redzone teams on both offense and defense. The Ravens also have one of the best ST Units of all playoff teams.

The Ravens are also battle tested and may just be the hungriest team in the playoff because of how they exited the last 4 years. Oh so close, but no Championship to show for it. I feel the defense is coming together at just the right time. People talk about getting hot at the right time, well look at the last 3 defensive performances. Yes, things weren't great, but the D played well enough to win the Washington and Denver games, things just didn't go that way. I still think they have put it together.

The biggest factor is motivation. I think these guys have been waiting for this time all year. To a fault also, i think this season has been about getting back to the AFCCG to take back what they feel was stolen by Evans and Cundiff. I've never heard Harbs openingly talk Super Bowl, but his reason for firing Cam he said was because it's what's needed for to get this team to the Super Bowl.

Also this team is aware of the window of opportunity closing for "this" group. This may be the last best chance for guys like ED, Boldin,Birk, B.A, Mckinnie, Bobbie and Kemo to win a ring. But most importantly this is probably the last time the great Ray Lewis will suit up for the Baltimore Ravens and that is something for this young team to really rally around. Ray has been perfect giving Championship inspired speeches for other teams, now he'll probably save his best for this Super Bowl run.

This team has been through a lot, death, injury, firings, bad press, fans turning, and great times as well. I feel with the offense, defense and special teams all playing at a high level, that the Ravens are the best team in the NFL. Will they prove it, that's another story. But I can't wait to see that story told on American's Game 2012-13 Baltimore Ravens.

[rlh445]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1356709458' post='1280853']
If recent history is any indication, the Ravens should be favorite to win the Super Bowl. Why, because the Ravens are getting healthy at just the right time.

This notion that the Ravens aren't a good team is crazy. The Ravens can with and beat any team in the playoffs. Yes they lost 3 straight, but it means nothing starting next week. The Ravens can run the ball, they can attack you on alll levels of the defense in the passing game and when all cylinders are clicking they can be the most balanced offense in the NFL. The Ravens are one of the best redzone teams on both offense and defense. The Ravens also have one of the best ST Units of all playoff teams.

The Ravens are also battle tested and may just be the hungriest team in the playoff because of how they exited the last 4 years. Oh so close, but no Championship to show for it. I feel the defense is coming together at just the right time. People talk about getting hot at the right time, well look at the last 3 defensive performances. Yes, things weren't great, but the D played well enough to win the Washington and Denver games, things just didn't go that way. I still think they have put it together.

The biggest factor is motivation. I think these guys have been waiting for this time all year. To a fault also, i think this season has been about getting back to the AFCCG to take back what they feel was stolen by Evans and Cundiff. I've never heard Harbs openingly talk Super Bowl, but his reason for firing Cam he said was because it's what's needed for to get this team to the Super Bowl.

Also this team is aware of the window of opportunity closing for "this" group. This may be the last best chance for guys like ED, Boldin,Birk, B.A, Mckinnie, Bobbie and Kemo to win a ring. But most importantly this is probably the last time the great Ray Lewis will suit up for the Baltimore Ravens and that is something for this young team to really rally around. Ray has been perfect giving Championship inspired speeches for other teams, now he'll probably save his best for this Super Bowl run.

This team has been through a lot, death, injury, firings, bad press, fans turning, and great times as well. I feel with the offense, defense and special teams all playing at a high level, that the Ravens are the best team in the NFL. Will they prove it, that's another story. But I can't wait to see that story told on American's Game 2012-13 Baltimore Ravens.
[/quote]

[gabefergy]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1356687866' post='1280781']

If that was the case, we would not have lost 3 in a row. How good did the defense do with 4 minutes left in the game and on the 2-point conversion against Washington?
[/quote]
Did you miss the part where I said we are getting healthy at the right time? Those losses I attribute more to the offense committing turnovers and failing to sustain drives. The D pressured RG3 and held both Mannings to relatively poor performances.

[flaccopoe]

The Giants aren't even going to the playoffs! They've completely run out gas, as we saw last week.

[RisingandConquering]

I am surprised the Bengals are not getting more votes. They have a very strong defense and some offensive weapons. I would not be surprised to see them upset the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs.

[billick]

yes

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1356710197' post='1280861']

Did you miss the part where I said we are getting healthy at the right time? Those losses I attribute more to the offense committing turnovers and failing to sustain drives. The D pressured RG3 and held both Mannings to relatively poor performances.
[/quote]

Yea, even with all the injury and youth, I don't think the D is a issue. It's the offense. The roles have reverse, usually the D protects the O and ask for a few key drives a game. Well now the offense has to perform start to finish and ask for a few key stops.

Peyton and Brady are gonna score. The key is to hold them to 24 points or less. That is very doable imo. Both defenses have great areas, but just like any, they have weaknesses as well.

The Broncos are a slow starting team. That's how the Texans and Pats were able to beat them. Even lesser teams like the Raider, Chargers and even the Browns last week forced the Broncos to start slow. The Ravens did a pretty good of this, but Flacco's inaccuracy and other mistakes never allowed the Ravens to take advantage. Jump on them early and force Manning to come back with limited time. Throw to get the lead, use Rice, Pierce and Leach to win the game. Also, Jacoby had a pretty good day returning kicks.

Much like the Broncos, the Texans are the same way. They start slow in big games. Their pass defense is average, but unless you can take advantage of them early, they'll usually make solid adjustments. With their offense, shut their run down and force the unreliable Schuab to beat you. Their offensive line becomes average if they can't use the play action effectively.

With the Pats, they just aren't really talented defensively. Put them in a tight game, without Brady putting up big points and that defense will fold. They are the classic bend but don't break defense, so it comes down to making your redzone possessions count. The Ravens are pretty good in that area.

If the Ravens are the team we all hope they are, the Colts shouldn't be a problem. They are like the Cheifs from a few years back, they made the playoffs, but probably aren't really good enough to do damage.

I like the Ravens chances, because I think if all goes well they are the most complete team. However, even with their flaws, all the other teams have just as many.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1356687866' post='1280781']
If that was the case, we would not have lost 3 in a row. How good did the defense do with 4 minutes left in the game and on the 2-point conversion against Washington?
[/quote]

It may be that we had new defensive players every week ? Players were just thrown into live action and then we all hoped for a good outcome. Until a player gets back into a game time feel and pace they will be bad. We have used many players to fill holes and the defense never really became a team. I do not know what you expect when a team has zero time playing together they will not play well and you could not expect them to. Yes i know, they are pro's but that has nothing to do with players becoming a team.

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='RisingandConquering' timestamp='1356711938' post='1280883']
I am surprised the Bengals are not getting more votes. They have a very strong defense and some offensive weapons. I would not be surprised to see them upset the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs.
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]You hush your potty mouth! We can't have the Bengals upsetting the Patriots, that means we'd most likely have to play Denver & Houston at some point. No thank you. We need the Patriots to at least get rid of one of those teams for us.[/i][/font]

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1356714300' post='1280930']
Peyton and Brady are gonna score. The key is to hold them to 24 points or less. That is very doable imo. Both defenses have great areas, but just like any, they have weaknesses as well.
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]The key is to keep them on the sideline as much as possible. Control time-of-possession and try not to swap FGs for TDs. Rice, Leach, Pierce, Allen... get your running legs on, cause we're going to need them all the way to New Orleans this year.[/i][/font]

[flaccopoe]

CHI isn't going to the playoffs, either. The only elite teams in the NFC, imo, are GB and SEA. SF has too many questions about their offense, what with Kaepernick and Manningham's injury.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='CosmicRedPanda' timestamp='1356719545' post='1281032']


[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]The key is to keep them on the sideline as much as possible. Control time-of-possession and try not to swap FGs for TDs. Rice, Leach, Pierce, Allen... get your running legs on, cause we're going to need them all the way to New Orleans this year.[/i][/font]
[/quote]

I think that's tricky, because often times you focus so much on trying to get the run going to keep those guys on the sidelines, that your offense becomes stagnant. Then you have to figure the other defense knows, this so they will force you to throw, hopefully on 3rd and long.

I agree you have to control the game, but you still have to run your offense. The last 4 times we played the Pats, the offense didn't get going until Cam opened things up. I think scoring TDs is the most important thing. Because if you miss a opportunity to attack one of those defenses, it could hurt you. Like you say, scoring TDs, not FGs.

As great as Peyton and Brady are, the plan should be how to attack those defenses. Because the offense is gonna be confident that they can score against anyone with those guys at QB. But if you are keeping their defenses on their heels, even those great QBs start to press. Get Brady to press and he makes mistakes, just like the Jimmy Int in the AFCCG. Peyton is the same way.

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1356722105' post='1281074']
I think that's tricky, because often times you focus so much on trying to get the run going to keep those guys on the sidelines, that your offense becomes stagnant. Then you have to figure the other defense knows, this so they will force you to throw, hopefully on 3rd and long.

I agree you have to control the game, but you still have to run your offense. The last 4 times we played the Pats, the offense didn't get going until Cam opened things up. I think scoring TDs is the most important thing. Because if you miss a opportunity to attack one of those defenses, it could hurt you. Like you say, scoring TDs, not FGs.

As great as Peyton and Brady are, the plan should be how to attack those defenses. Because the offense is gonna be confident that they can score against anyone with those guys at QB. But if you are keeping their defenses on their heels, even those great QBs start to press. Get Brady to press and he makes mistakes, just like the Jimmy Int in the AFCCG. Peyton is the same way.
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Agreed, but I'm not saying commit totally to the run. We need to play OUR game. Our game is running the ball. I don't want Joe and our receiving corp to get into a shootout with Manning or Brady. Our O-Line will never hold that long and eventually one 3-and-out is going to be one-too-many.[/i][/font]

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1356722105' post='1281074']
I think that's tricky, because often times you focus so much on trying to get the run going to keep those guys on the sidelines, that your offense becomes stagnant. Then you have to figure the other defense knows, this so they will force you to throw, hopefully on 3rd and long.

I agree you have to control the game, but you still have to run your offense. The last 4 times we played the Pats, the offense didn't get going until Cam opened things up. I think scoring TDs is the most important thing. Because if you miss a opportunity to attack one of those defenses, it could hurt you. Like you say, scoring TDs, not FGs.

As great as Peyton and Brady are, the plan should be how to attack those defenses. Because the offense is gonna be confident that they can score against anyone with those guys at QB. But if you are keeping their defenses on their heels, even those great QBs start to press. Get Brady to press and he makes mistakes, just like the Jimmy Int in the AFCCG. Peyton is the same way.
[/quote]

The key to succeeding into the playoffs is scoring big. If you settle for FGs, you will lose, no matter how good your defense is. Brady, Manning and Schaub are guaranteed to score at least 35 in big games, so it's crucial that you keep pace with them.

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356724351' post='1281107']
The key to succeeding into the playoffs is scoring big. If you settle for FGs, you will lose, no matter how good your defense is. Brady, Manning and Schaub are guaranteed to score at least 35 in big games, so it's crucial that you keep pace with them.
[/quote]

nah, scoring 30 on any of those teams will win us the game

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='horus13corvineus' timestamp='1356724452' post='1281109']
nah, scoring 30 on any of those teams will win us the game
[/quote]

Don't underestimate Brady or Peyton! They've got a competitive drive that's rarely been matched in the field of sports. Schaub, Johnson and Foster are pretty dangerous too. Keep in mind all 3 of those teams also have elite RBs that cut up BAL's defensive line.

[frozen joe flacco fan]

The AFC winner will be Baltimore or NE and the NFC winner will be GB or SF. Atlanta will once again fold like a cheap suit and lose in the 1st round.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='frozen joe flacco fan' timestamp='1356727444' post='1281171']
The AFC winner will be Baltimore or NE and the NFC winner will be GB or SF. Atlanta will once again fold like a cheap suit and lose in the 1st round.
[/quote]

Counting out the Broncos?! Not a good prediction. I'd take the Seahawks over the 49ers, too. We all saw what Wilson did to SF's hallowed D and vice versa.

[PurpleCityLights]

I've been wrong a lot lately so I'm just going to sit back and enjoy our team in the playoffs, anything can happen....

[flaccopoe]

GB and SEA aren't getting enough credit! Both teams have been on fire lately! They should both make some serious noise in the playoffs. SEA beat NO with Hasselback, for crying out loud.

[flaccopoe]

GB and SEA aren't getting enough credit! Both teams have been on fire lately! They should both make some serious noise in the playoffs. SEA beat NO with Hasselback in the Wild Card Game a couple years ago, for crying out loud. NOw they're a much better-equipped team for the playoffs.

[Alexir]

The top 4 AFC teams are Houston, Denver, Patriots and Ravens.

Houston dominated us. Flacco and turnovers cost us the Denver game, we squeaked out a W against Patriots but that is with Lardarius Webb....

Do I think we have a shot? Absolutely, we have a 1-6 shot of going to the superbowl. Would I say we are the favorites? Far from it.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='CosmicRedPanda' timestamp='1356723071' post='1281088']


[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Agreed, but I'm not saying commit totally to the run. We need to play OUR game. Our game is running the ball. I don't want Joe and our receiving corp to get into a shootout with Manning or Brady. Our O-Line will never hold that long and eventually one 3-and-out is going to be one-too-many.[/i][/font]
[/quote]

Oh yea, you gotta run your offense. The good thing about the Ravens offense is, they're no huddle is controlled. What I mean by that is, the Ravens offense doesn't always go fast, sometimes they go no huddle and still have a long time consuming drive. So they definitely need to run their offense.

But i also wanna see Caldwell attack whatever weakness those defenses have. Force their coaches to say, we gotta take the air out of the ball, because Flacco has his offense rolling.

I just hope Caldwell doesn't go into a shell. Like Ray said, hunt and don't stop hunting. If they find a weakness, attack and don't stop attacking until they stop you.

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1356734113' post='1281313']
I just hope Caldwell doesn't go into a shell. Like Ray said, hunt and don't stop hunting. If they find a weakness, attack and don't stop attacking until they stop you.
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Poor Webster.[/i][/font]

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356724351' post='1281107']


The key to succeeding into the playoffs is scoring big. If you settle for FGs, you will lose, no matter how good your defense is. Brady, Manning and Schaub are guaranteed to score at least 35 in big games, so it's crucial that you keep pace with them.
[/quote]

Not Schaub. That guy needs his run game desperately. That's why if you get up on the Texans by double digits, they go in a shell offensively.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1356735538' post='1281332']
Not Schaub. That guy needs his run game desperately. That's why if you get up on the Texans by double digits, they go in a shell offensively.
[/quote]


Have you seen him and Andre Johnson lately?! They've been the hottest duo lately.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1356735538' post='1281332']
Not Schaub. That guy needs his run game desperately. That's why if you get up on the Texans by double digits, they go in a shell offensively.
[/quote]


Have you seen him and Andre Johnson lately?! They've been the hottest duo lately. All while Foster's numbers have been going down.

[JacktheRaven]

Every playoff team is a contender. Ravens CAN win it all!

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='JacktheRaven' timestamp='1356737756' post='1281368']
Every playoff team is a contender. Ravens CAN win it all!
[/quote]

So can the other 11 playoff teams. But do you think it's likely they'll go to the Super Bowl, given their recent playoff history, record against this year's AFC stalwarts and defensive injuries?!