Ravens being written off

[5aiah]

But he is doing it because no one else is. It's clear who everyone's favorites are, so people start changing their picks to be different. It's like how everyone picks the Bengals (for no good reason), then some started to pick the Steelers. And some started to pick us. 

I wouldn't say no good reason. I know they are our division rivals but come on. The combined talent on that team could be considered near the top of the league. Bengals are a good possible pick for people who aren't Ravens,Steelers,or Browns homers. Ravens have a very tough schedule and will have to spend time in the regular season gelling into a cohesive unit on both sides of the ball. Bengals are the opposite having a young team that has been growing up together with the two young rookies already at home with the first team and poised for breakout years. 

 

Am I the only one who honestly doesn't give a hoot if they write us off or not? I feel like everyone gets so mad about it, but I couldn't care less.

They do. Me personally I pay it no mind as I've gotten used to it and I can tell good analysis from bad. There is good and bad analysis for why Ravens won't win the division. The team uses it as motivation, but the fans act as though it is always unwarranted. I'm seeing a split between Baltimore and Cincinnati(nationally) to take the division with a slight nudge in Cincy's favor. I've literally heard no one say Steelers would take the division(that's the edgy I'm special master analyst pick). Anyone who knows AFC North football should know how bad that offensive line is. 

[TheRavenouseD2008]

Guys you see the thing Adam Schein wrote on nfl.com  he picks us for the division he says our D is not only back it has more Swagger then ever and more depth

[hawkprey]

I wouldn't say no good reason. I know they are our division rivals but come on. The combined talent on that team could be considered near the top of the league. Bengals are a good possible pick for people who aren't Ravens,Steelers,or Browns homers. Ravens have a very tough schedule and will have to spend time in the regular season gelling into a cohesive unit on both sides of the ball. Bengals are the opposite having a young team that has been growing up together with the two young rookies already at home with the first team and poised for breakout years. 

 

Yes, see that's just it. They're a token "over the hump" team. People don't want to pick the same 4 teams to win their AFC divisions, but with the Broncos, Texans, and Patriots so hard to pick against, the Bengals are everyone's token new division winner.

 

Their secondary and ILB group is questionable, they have no run game to speak of, and Dalton is not on Flacco's or Big Ben's level. The Bengals are the trendy newcomer to the playoffs and we are the "due for a dropoff" group. 

[PolishRifle]

I wouldn't say no good reason. I know they are our division rivals but come on. The combined talent on that team could be considered near the top of the league. Bengals are a good possible pick for people who aren't Ravens,Steelers,or Browns homers. Ravens have a very tough schedule and will have to spend time in the regular season gelling into a cohesive unit on both sides of the ball. Bengals are the opposite having a young team that has been growing up together with the two young rookies already at home with the first team and poised for breakout years. 

 

They do. Me personally I pay it no mind as I've gotten used to it and I can tell good analysis from bad. There is good and bad analysis for why Ravens won't win the division. The team uses it as motivation, but the fans act as though it is always unwarranted. I'm seeing a split between Baltimore and Cincinnati(nationally) to take the division with a slight nudge in Cincy's favor. I've literally heard no one say Steelers would take the division(that's the edgy I'm special master analyst pick). Anyone who knows AFC North football should know how bad that offensive line is. 

 

The Bengals need to get past the Ravens and Steelers first, before we can crown them as the new class of the conference.

Sure, they do have a very good young team, but you could've said that about them last season, when everyone was picking them to take the AFCN as well.

They came close, but fell short. Unless Cinci can exorcise those deamons and beat Pittsbugh and Baltimore decisively instead of receiving a 13-44 drumming form the Ravens or getting beat by a 2 and 3 Steelers team in their own home @Cincinnati, than I can't just hand them over the conference before regular season even started (which many seem to be so eager to do).

I know "taking ownership of the conference" is a cliche, but no one on the Steelers and Ravens roster will be afraid of them until the Bengals make them.

 

I agree with the Steelers though. That D looks great, Ben is still good, but that Oline will cost them the season again. No one in their right mind does and/or should pick Pitt.

[5aiah]

Yes, see that's just it. They're a token "over the hump" team. People don't want to pick the same 4 teams to win their AFC divisions, but with the Broncos, Texans, and Patriots so hard to pick against, the Bengals are everyone's token new division winner.

 

Their secondary and ILB group is questionable, they have no run game to speak of, and Dalton is not on Flacco's or Big Ben's level. The Bengals are the trendy newcomer to the playoffs and we are the "due for a dropoff" group. 

Their CB group is actually extremely deep and Reggie Nelson(I guess he isn't very popular) is a pretty good play maker at safety. Perhaps you mean the SS position is questionable? In that case I agree but they have one of the best corners in the AFC on one side, a resurgent speed CB on the other side, a designated play making slot corner, and a promising sophomore(who had a red shirt year) who could win the starting job. Also i would add that they are a 4-3(with one inside linebacker) last time i checked, and can throw in their sophomore UDFA(who had a grand rookie season) inside if they aren't happy with their current starter. Bengals have an easier schedule and less to overcome then we do. Also their run game was average last year(wouldn't say none to speak of) and they have added a more explosive back for a 1-2 punch. Also would add Dalton doesn't need to be on any of their level when he is throwing to so many targets who can do a multitude of things and bring so much to the table as well as having a top 5 WR.

[PolishRifle]

Their CB group is actually extremely deep and Reggie Nelson(I guess he isn't very popular) is a pretty good play maker at safety. Perhaps you mean the SS position is questionable? In that case I agree but they have one of the best corners in the AFC on one side, a resurgent speed CB on the other side, a designated play making slot corner, and a promising sophomore(who had a red shirt year) who could win the starting job. Also i would add that they are a 4-3(with one inside linebacker) last time i checked, and can throw in their sophomore UDFA(who had a grand rookie season) inside if they aren't happy with their current starter. Bengals have an easier schedule and less to overcome then we do. Also their run game was average last year(wouldn't say none to speak of) and they have added a more explosive back for a 1-2 punch. Also would add Dalton doesn't need to be on any of their level when he is throwing to so many targets who can do a multitude of things and bring so much to the table as well as having a top 5 WR.

The strength of schedule argument is a good point. You can also add to that, that the Ravens are champs, and that the myth of the champions having a target on their backs, usually rings true. Our guys have some really tough games ahead of them.

[5aiah]

The strength of schedule argument is a good point. You can also add to that, that the Ravens are champs, and that the myth of the champions having a target on their backs, usually rings true. Our guys have some really tough games ahead of them.

Yeah Bengals will have it so easy compared to us. Not only do we need to develop chemistry but we have to do so under the toughest of conditions.

 

The Bengals need to get past the Ravens and Steelers first, before we can crown them as the new class of the conference.

Sure, they do have a very good young team, but you could've said that about them last season, when everyone was picking them to take the AFCN as well.

They came close, but fell short. Unless Cinci can exorcise those deamons and beat Pittsbugh and Baltimore decisively instead of receiving a 13-44 drumming form the Ravens or getting beat by a 2 and 3 Steelers team in their own home @Cincinnati, than I can't just hand them over the conference before regular season even started (which many seem to be so eager to do).

I know "taking ownership of the conference" is a cliche, but no one on the Steelers and Ravens roster will be afraid of them until the Bengals make them.

 

I agree with the Steelers though. That D looks great, Ben is still good, but that Oline will cost them the season again. No one in their right mind does and/or should pick Pitt.

Oh yeah definitely not the conference. Also I think we could sweep them and they still win the division.Just saying that analysts and football heads around the country have very good reasons to pick the Bengals aside from making an "edgy" pick. They are a real threat and are front runners in some peoples mind for reasons related just to football. Fans take things too personal sometimes.

[beanfigger]

As far as the Bengals go, I wouldn't be surprised if they wind up in the thick of the division hunt at the end.  I also wouldn't be surprised if they struggle at the beginning of the season, kind of like last year.  I won't be jumping on the, "See, I told you the Bengals were overrated," bandwagon if they start off 2-3, or something like that.  Sometimes, when I team becomes fixated on taking "the next step", they lose site of the steps that come before that.  It might take them a few weeks to realize that they can't just start this season right where the last one ended, but I think they'll be fine once they get it together.  The Texans and Falcons have the same struggles, although they each have much more veteran leadership that will try and help prevent that.

[PolishRifle]

Yeah Bengals will have it so easy compared to us. Not only do we need to develop chemistry but we have to do so under the toughest of conditions.

 

Oh yeah definitely not the conference. Also I think we could sweep them and they still win the division.Just saying that analysts and football heads around the country have very good reasons to pick the Bengals aside from making an "edgy" pick. They are a real threat and are front runners in some peoples mind for reasons related just to football. Fans take things too personal sometimes.

Hey, when you're a fan, it's easy to get emotional and this offseason was one wild ride. With all the people, who retired or went elsewhere, I myself started to doubt, that we could actually field a competitive team, SB MVPs and ProBowler notwithstanding. Alot of the doom and gloom talk started to make sense.

Suddenly we started to make moves. We got Doom and Canty, Huff and Daryl, we had a great draft and suddenly we had a very impressive looking roster, but very few "experts" actually acknowledged it.

Right there you have dread turning into euphoria turning into bitterness. I can't be the only one, who feels this way.

 

I think the Ravens have a great roster. Sure, it's still trying to "come together", fair enough, but just based on pure talent of the roster, we should easily be a top 5 team in the AFC.

I mean, what is out there? The Bad Luck Broncos? The Pats, who didn't get any better from last year? I can see beating the Texans being a problem, since they seemed to have our number in the last couple of games, but that's it.

[hawkprey]

Their CB group is actually extremely deep and Reggie Nelson(I guess he isn't very popular) is a pretty good play maker at safety. Perhaps you mean the SS position is questionable? In that case I agree but they have one of the best corners in the AFC on one side, a resurgent speed CB on the other side, a designated play making slot corner, and a promising sophomore(who had a red shirt year) who could win the starting job. Also i would add that they are a 4-3(with one inside linebacker) last time i checked, and can throw in their sophomore UDFA(who had a grand rookie season) inside if they aren't happy with their current starter. Bengals have an easier schedule and less to overcome then we do. Also their run game was average last year(wouldn't say none to speak of) and they have added a more explosive back for a 1-2 punch. Also would add Dalton doesn't need to be on any of their level when he is throwing to so many targets who can do a multitude of things and bring so much to the table as well as having a top 5 WR.

Who is their stud corner you're talking about? Leon Hall? Because he's the slot guy. I know you don't mean Pacman Jones.

 

Anyway, the point is there's a reason they went 10-6 last year (aside from the fact that we gave them a free week 17 win), but to win the division is very much a stretch. I know you read my QB dissertation, so you know that I feel QB has a huge impact on wins, and even a stacked surrounding cast doesn't always make up for QB prowess. It's not just "Well we have them at QB but they have us at WR so it's a wash" - not that that's what you were saying.

 

Bengals: good team, not quite there yet. I just don't like all the year-to-year tokenism and gambler's fallacy that infests prediction season.

[K-Dog]

I fear the Bengals more than I do the steelers this season.

 

I have us sweeping Pitts-burgh but splitting Cinci.

[beanfigger]

The same top four teams made it to the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs last year as did the previous year.  Then, it was down to the same top two in the Championship.  That is very rare, and I can see why so many people expect that trend to end this year.  However, I'm on record as believing the same top four teams from BOTH conferences will be around the second playoff weekend this year as last.  That's somewhat of a boring prediction, which isn't appealing to most who are trying to stand out and get ratings.  I will be shocked if the champion doesn't come from one of last year's elite eight.  Of course, injuries will be a factor, which makes any prediction tough to make.  I just don't see a reason to doubt that we, or any of the other teams who made the Divisional Round, won't be right back there again at this point.

[BirdWatcher]

I fear the Bengals more than I do the steelers this season.

I have us sweeping Pitts-burgh but splitting Cinci.

I always have us going 16-0, but sometimes I get unpleasant surprises. :-(

Seriously, though, I never look at a schedule and pick a game as a loss. We CAN win any game.

[5aiah]

Hey, when you're a fan, it's easy to get emotional and this offseason was one wild ride. With all the people, who retired or went elsewhere, I myself started to doubt, that we could actually field a competitive team, SB MVPs and ProBowler notwithstanding. Alot of the doom and gloom talk started to make sense.

Suddenly we started to make moves. We got Doom and Canty, Huff and Daryl, we had a great draft and suddenly we had a very impressive looking roster, but very few "experts" actually acknowledged it.

Right there you have dread turning into euphoria turning into bitterness. I can't be the only one, who feels this way.

 

I think the Ravens have a great roster. Sure, it's still trying to "come together", fair enough, but just based on pure talent of the roster, we should easily be a top 5 team in the AFC.

I mean, what is out there? The Bad Luck Broncos? The Pats, who didn't get any better from last year? I can see beating the Texans being a problem, since they seemed to have our number in the last couple of games, but that's it.

I mean yeah, its the AFC

 

Who is their stud corner you're talking about? Leon Hall? Because he's the slot guy. I know you don't mean Pacman Jones.

 

Anyway, the point is there's a reason they went 10-6 last year (aside from the fact that we gave them a free week 17 win), but to win the division is very much a stretch. I know you read my QB dissertation, so you know that I feel QB has a huge impact on wins, and even a stacked surrounding cast doesn't always make up for QB prowess. It's not just "Well we have them at QB but they have us at WR so it's a wash" - not that that's what you were saying.

 

Bengals: good team, not quite there yet. I just don't like all the year-to-year tokenism and gambler's fallacy that infests prediction season.

Leon Hall plays the slot in nickel formations, hes the stud, one of the best corners in the AFC. That being said I'm guessing you are taking back your statement about the secondary being questionable since only one position out of 4(or 5) actually is. Also Dalton strengths are go well with the system he is playing in. He was drafted specifically to play in it and has another year under his belt. I would take the 4th receiver in their corps over our 2nd and of course the QB has a huge impact on wins but he never gets there alone. The QB gets too much credit for wins and too much blame for losses but that is beside the point. The point is Bengals are a legit contender for the North's Crown and its not a big deal at all that people are picking them alongside us to win the division. 

 

The same top four teams made it to the Divisional Round of the AFC playoffs last year as did the previous year.  Then, it was down to the same top two in the Championship.  That is very rare, and I can see why so many people expect that trend to end this year.  However, I'm on record as believing the same top four teams from BOTH conferences will be around the second playoff weekend this year as last.  That's somewhat of a boring prediction, which isn't appealing to most who are trying to stand out and get ratings.  I will be shocked if the champion doesn't come from one of last year's elite eight.  Of course, injuries will be a factor, which makes any prediction tough to make.  I just don't see a reason to doubt that we, or any of the other teams who made the Divisional Round, won't be right back there again at this point.

Its the AFC, nuff said on your first point. That being said the NFC could very well end up like that again because those teams are all on the rise despite being the cream of the crop last year. But it is the NFC, way more unpredictable with teams like the Bucs,Giants,and Saints that could do damage if they make playoffs and shock everyone.

[beanfigger]

Its the AFC, nuff said on your first point. That being said the NFC could very well end up like that again because those teams are all on the rise despite being the cream of the crop last year. But it is the NFC, way more unpredictable with teams like the Bucs,Giants,and Saints that could do damage if they make playoffs and shock everyone.

 

Yeah, there are certainly more teams that could upset my picks in the NFC.  I just think it's the "safe" bet this year to go with what we saw last season.  I'll throw the Bears in the mix for upset teams.  For the AFC, I think it's up to the Steelers and Bengals to break into the Divisional Round party.  I don't buy the Colts going 11-5 again, although I think Luck improves.  The Dolphins need to show me they're for real before I believe it.  The AFC West is full of teams that do nothing but disappoint lately.

 

Anyway, I feel confident the Ravens have as good a chance as any to be a force in the playoffs, which is all you can really ask for.

[5aiah]

I fear the Bengals more than I do the steelers this season.

 

I have us sweeping Pitts-burgh but splitting Cinci.

Yeah we can sweep the Steelers man its going to be so sweet.

 

I always have us going 16-0, but sometimes I get unpleasant surprises. :-(

Seriously, though, I never look at a schedule and pick a game as a loss. We CAN win any game.

Without doubt,Ravens have been like that for the longest. And I doubt we will ever be a losing team again(for the rest of time). There is never a game the Ravens can't win. That's not how I do good predictions though.

 

Yeah, there are certainly more teams that could upset my picks in the NFC.  I just think it's the "safe" bet this year to go with what we saw last season.  I'll throw the Bears in the mix for upset teams.  For the AFC, I think it's up to the Steelers and Bengals to break into the Divisional Round party.  I don't buy the Colts going 11-5 again, although I think Luck improves.  The Dolphins need to show me they're for real before I believe it.  The AFC West is full of teams that do nothing but disappoint lately.

 

Anyway, I feel confident the Ravens have as good a chance as any to be a force in the playoffs, which is all you can really ask for.

Being that its the NFC, its a safe and dangerous bet at the same time. Lol.

[beanfigger]

Being that its the NFC, its a safe and dangerous bet at the same time. Lol.

Let's just say I'd set those teams at the shortest odds.