Fresh start in the AFC North; Ravens in 1st Place

[ravensconvert]

Steelers have been on decline for some time, though decline for them is still probably 8 wins.  Browns are browns, an average to above average defense and a bad offense.

 

Bengals are the real competition.  They played a good game against a tough team on the road, nothing to be embarrassed about.

[JO_75]

Unless we and Cincy/Pittsburgh tie, two teams in the AFC North will be 1-1 and the other two will be 0-2. 

 

Should be very interesting.

[izvoodoo]

Unless we and Cincy/Pittsburgh tie, two teams in the AFC North will be 1-1 and the other two will be 0-2. 

 

Should be very interesting.

Not to be overly confident, but it appears to be Baltimore and Cinci for the division.  I wouldn't be surprised if Cincy won the division, they have a good team.  Lot of talent.

[ratedr]

Cincy played the best of all the teams by far. Chicago is a legit team, no shame in losing a close game to them.

[PolishRifle]

Instead of doing great, we must hope for others to do poorly. That's kind of sad.

[ratedr]

Instead of doing great, we must hope for others to do poorly. That's kind of sad.

You always hope for your competition to do poorly, no shame in that.

[gabefergy]

Really the first 4 weeks of the season are still a big learning experience. Every team will look a lot different in a few weeks. Yes, we would like to win every game because they still count in the standings, but taking away anyrhing more from week 1 is silly.

[ThePurpleWall]

....

[Inqui]

I think we all knew not to panic after one game (maybe I should take that back after reading over this board....), but I think this weekend's been good for giving our shocker some real context. Denver are a quality side and most teams have their serious issues right now.

 

I've just been able to watch the Steelers game and that o-line would be a good character for an NFL horror movie (along with those replacement officials from last year). Their defence is still solid though, and while they'll get points with Ben/Antonio Brown I can't wait to see what Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil manage. Admittedly I haven't seen the Browns yet but I'm not expecting much. The Bengals were decent, but they still look very manageable as they still rely a lot on the short pass. Not to say we'll sweep them, but we've taken AJ Green away before and if we can get our hurry-up offence working that'll limit their defensive rotations. Ie, no reason to panic about those guys.

 

As for the other AFC contenders, it looks like the Patriots will struggle this year - especially when Danny Amendola starts missing time. I also think the Broncos need to learn to ice a game, or they might find themselves in trouble during a closer match.

 

Early days, and my thoughts will no doubt change dramatically within the month, but even if our match in Denver does provide any warning flags I don't think any team is really immune to them at this stage either.

 

Then again, if you're the type that just likes negativity then we do have a worse record than the Jets....

[azreael344]

Technically our Ravens are last in the divison aren't they................per the "Strenght of Victory" tie breaker aren't they ?

 

 

sorry I'm kind of a glass is half empty kinda guy lol

[Juviebest]

I didn't realize Stephens Howling tore his ACL too. Steelers are re-signing Dwyer. Crazy that they had 3 guys go down for the year in the same game.

[flaccopoe]

Lol at the Steelers. They could easily end up laast in the division the way they're heading. Best wishes to LaRod and Marquis, though.

[flaccopoe]

I agree. If the player whose name should never be spoken in Cincinnati again hadn't of single handedly given Chicago the game, who knows what would have happened, but their defense was just letting Chicago score left and right. When all you have to show for a game is a safety, that's sad.

Brandon Marshall?!

[Ravens522013]

Does anyone else miss Anquan Boldin yet?  It's just not right seeing him play for another team.  Regardless of the money, the Ravens should have kept him.

[Ragin'Raven]

Brandon Marshall?!

Rey Maualuga

He more or less cost the Bengals a chance to get the ball back at the end of the game. Unsportsmanlike call on a Chicago 3rd down that came up short. That gave them a fresh set of downs, and they just had to take a knee.

[flaccopoe]

Rey Maualuga

He more or less cost the Bengals a chance to get the ball back at the end of the game. Unsportsmanlike call on a Chicago 3rd down that came up short. That gave them a fresh set of downs, and they just had to take a knee.

 

Similar thing happened in the GB@SF game.  Matthews hit Kaepernick out of bounds on what would've led to a FG on 4th down.  Instead, the penalty allows Kaep to throw a TD to Boldin.

[beanfigger]

Similar thing happened in the GB@SF game.  Matthews hit Kaepernick out of bounds on what would've led to a FG on 4th down.  Instead, the penalty allows Kaep to throw a TD to Boldin.

 

Actually, the refs made a mistake giving the 49ers a replay of 3rd down.  The offsetting penalties were after the play, meaning the down should have counted, making it 4th down anyway.  They admitted the mistake after the game.  The Packers got hosed again.

 

Anyway,  the Ravens will be tied for 1st with a win next week.  That's all that matters.  The initial regular season goal for every team is to win your division.  That way, you are guaranteed a playoff spot and a home game in said playoffs.

[ellicottraven]

bengals and ravens. Steelers absolutely sucked. Could not run the ball and could not beat a team with an incompetent quarterback. think ravens are going to sweep them this year.

I think the Ravens were going to sweep them regardless.

[flaccopoe]

Actually, the refs made a mistake giving the 49ers a replay of 3rd down.  The offsetting penalties were after the play, meaning the down should have counted, making it 4th down anyway.  They admitted the mistake after the game.  The Packers got hosed again.

 

Anyway,  the Ravens will be tied for 1st with a win next week.  That's all that matters.  The initial regular season goal for every team is to win your division.  That way, you are guaranteed a playoff spot and a home game in said playoffs.

 

At least BAL's not the Steelers!  :ravensquote: