POLL: Are the Ravens Super Bowl Contenders?

[K-Dog]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1356670238' post='1280707']
Window = "best chance".
[/quote]

Unless you are using the actual definition of "best"
Our window will pretty much always be in varying degrees of open.

[baltravens]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1356738581' post='1281383']
Unless you are using the actual definition of "best"
Our window will pretty much always be in varying degrees of open.
[/quote]
Yes, I agree with you.
Could you come up with a better definition for "window?"

[NaveSenrag]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356735908' post='1281340']
Have you seen him and Andre Johnson lately?! They've been the hottest duo lately. All while Foster's numbers have been going down.
[/quote]
How many points did they score against the Vikes without Foster on the field?

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356735908' post='1281340']



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

AJ can get his numbers, thats not what hurts you against the Texans. It's when Kevin Walters and Owen Daniels get involved as well.

Again, watch the games when they got behind by 2 scores, not the just the stats. When Schuab is put in position to put his team on his shoulders, he often fails. He locks in on AJ and forces the ball to him. You say he's good for 35 points in big games, the only big game they scored 30+ in is the Ravens.

I'm not saying the guy isn't good, and definitely not knocking AJ. However, if you can find a way to attack that Texans defense, and force the offense into pass mode, your chances of winning improve greatly because Schuab isn't the kind of QB to put the team on his shoulders. Even if Foster isnt have a big day numbers wise, the play action is still effective because you still have to respect the run. I just don't see him as a top notch QB.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1356740792' post='1281408']
Yes, I agree with you.
Could you come up with a better definition for "window?"
[/quote]

Not to get all philosophical, but why is there a window in the first place?
All teams start off as undefeated. Some teams have more skilled players and coaches than others.
Some teams have healthier players than others.
In September its all a crap shoot. Of the 32 teams there is NO WAY you could have predicted the playoff teams, the bottom eight and some of the craziness in between.
As if the words "against all odds " have never been spoken in the NFL.

[The Prestige]

The Seahawks are the most intriguing team. They play with a swagger, they have the 3rd-best RB (AD and Ray Rice are better), and Russell Wilson is already a top 6 or 7 play-action QB. The Vikings have been doing that, but the long-perpetuated cliche of "defense and a run game in the postseason" has been defeated. Irrespective of how good, mediocre and/or bad Christian Ponder has played, that receiving corps would be the worst to reach the Super Bowl since the 1990 Giants (the 1994 Chargers had Tony Martin, the 1999 Titans had Yancey Thigpen). They don't get separation, and their OC Bill Musgrave has been average-to-bad all year.

As for those complaining that all are contenders, I agree to disagree. However, thank you for the feedback. I thought about that when I wrote it, trying to put "formidable" in there, but - if the Redskins or Colts get even within a score of their opposition in a postseason game - I will stand corrected. Those defenses look fatally flawed, even if one of them has Tom Zbikowski and Cory Redding. Hahahaha.

I think Jim Harbaugh is a light years better coach than John, but I started becoming a Kaepernick skeptic vs. the Patriots. I thought Alex Smith could have gotten the team enough first downs to prevent Brady's comeback bid. Kaepernick clearly has the higher ceiling, and the 49ers are a threat with all those weapons, formations and plays, but I just think Alex Smith would be the right choice in the postseason games. I could definitely be wrong, because Colin has the ability to strike quickly.

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1356738581' post='1281383']
Unless you are using the actual definition of "best"
Our window will pretty much always be in varying degrees of open.
[/quote]
[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1356740792' post='1281408']
Yes, I agree with you.
Could you come up with a better definition for "window?"
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Can you define "the"?[/i][/font]

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1356745909' post='1281459']
Not to get all philosophical, but why is there a window in the first place?
All teams start off as undefeated. Some teams have more skilled players and coaches than others.
Some teams have healthier players than others.
In September its all a crap shoot. Of the 32 teams there is NO WAY you could have predicted the playoff teams, the bottom eight and some of the craziness in between.
As if the words "against all odds " have never been spoken in the NFL.
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Actually, I wasn't far off on my playoff predictions. I thought the Bears would be in place of the Packers and the Cowboys would be in place of the Redskins. I got the AFC perfect though. Just not in this particular order. But still.[/i][/font]

[baltravens]

[quote name='CosmicRedPanda' timestamp='1356815214' post='1281909']
[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Can you define "the"?[/i][/font]
[/quote]
?

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='baltravens' timestamp='1356816594' post='1281918']
?
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Bill Clinton... "Can you define; is, alone, the, etc."... Nevermind.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Uhm... Go Ravens! [/i][/font]

[mdrsharon]

Who cares about all those other guys?
Any given Sunday, anything can happen.

I want my team to show up and do all the right things.

Are we contenders ?
For sure!!

[The Oakland Cathedral]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356724680' post='1281115']


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.
[/quote] Moreno is definitely not "elite" and neither is Ridley if they are the "elite" running backs you are referring to.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Miami Hurricane' timestamp='1356821042' post='1281965']
Moreno is definitely not "elite" and neither is Ridley if they are the "elite" running backs you are referring to.
[/quote]

Thy've both been posting monster numbers this season! Moreno absolutely embarrassed BAL's D-line, going 21 rush/115 yd and a TD. Ridley has amassed 1189 yd and 10 TD for the Pats, despite sharing the backfield every game with Woodhead and Vereen!

[The Raven]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356821907' post='1281974']
Thy've both been posting monster numbers this season! Moreno absolutely embarrassed BAL's D-line, going 21 rush/115 yd and a TD. Ridley has amassed 1189 yd and 10 TD for the Pats, despite sharing the backfield every game with Woodhead and Vereen!
[/quote]

I'll give you that they have had monstrous years, but something makes me think that the credit for their success has everything to do with their olines. I can't call them elite.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1356822317' post='1281979']
I'll give you that they have had monstrous years, but something makes me think that the credit for their success has everything to do with their olines. I can't call them elite.
[/quote]

Ridley is #11 in rushing yd and tied for 5th in rushing TD, despite sharing the backfield with 2 other backs and being in a pass-heavy offense!

[The Raven]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356822957' post='1281987']
Ridley is #11 in rushing yd and tied for 5th in rushing TD, despite sharing the backfield with 2 other backs and being in a pass-heavy offense!
[/quote]

The Patriots have 605 passing attempts and 485 rushing. 45 percent of their plays are runs. Hardly "pass heavy." That's about as perfect a blend as you get in the NFL today.

Still doesn't dispute the fact that he's running behind a top 5 line.