Chances we still make the playoffs

[theblackdog]

I'm saying 50/50, but if we blow the game this weekend, I'll be moving towards "Unlikely."  We can't afford to drop any more divisional games, or AFC games for that matter.

[PurpleCityLights]

I say Tank It!!!!

[Guest Omerta]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oSFYxDGKy8

[Militant X 1]

yes....we....can!

 

#Mili

[Puntit]

Agreed. I think we need to focus on games one week at a time because frankly we have already lost most of the "easier" games on our schedule, and with the remaining teams other than the Vikings or Steelers still having something to play for I think getting back to .500 will be an achievement. Cutler is back this week, so no way the Chicago game is a freebie. Pittsburg already beat us once this year. The Jets seem to have figured it out, and are my favorite for the wildcard. The Pats with Gronk and Amendola back are very different than the pats that looked beatable three weeks ago. So the question is can we beat Cincinatti, without our starting secondary, without a run game? Let's answer yes to this first.

If the answer is no, then at least we will be drafting in the top 20 for a change, presumably looking for offensive line and RB help. (unfortunately this year will be the last hurrah for a lot of veterans. I don't really expect to see Jacoby, Vontae, Dickson, Oher or Haloti back next year, unless they take big hometown discounts. Rice's deal hopefully can be restructured so he can groom a successor). It's unfortunate because the team has great talent. The combination of coaching and lack of execution though makes winning difficult.

It all starts and ends with the offensive line, and frankly it looks like only 3/5 of the line is doing their job on any given play. Maybe it's coaching, maybe it's execution, maybe people have lingering injuries that are limiting them that they are being quiet about. Bottom line is they aren't creating running lanes and aren't giving Flacco time. If Jenson and Wagner emerge, next year may be better.

[edthehead]

the chance is better if we just play the game IF our coaches coach, THAT IS IT ,,, we have a good team , the afc is open,,       WE NEED MORE COWBELL !!! 

[Alexir]

50/50. The AFC is weak this year. We can beat out the Jets and Chargers from a Wild Card spot.

 

I have been very nice to Flacco so far this year, taking a lot of frustration out on the offensive line. But he needs to step it up. He wanted to be paid like the best, well you need to make more plays, you need to sustain drives. Tomorrow is a MUST, MUST win and everyone needs to be on rare form tomorrow (ray rice, bernard pierce). I get that our line is bad but it's not the reason Joe is being inaccurate or the reason why in open field Rice can't break a tackle.

[Puntit]

...I get that our line is bad but it's not the reason Joe is being inaccurate or the reason why in open field Rice can't break a tackle.

Yeah, it kind of is. Joe is inaccurate because he's always throwing under pressure, having people in his face. Having a longer pocket translates to accuracy. And Joe not having time and the team not having running lanes means opposing teams have a lot fewer things to focus on, and can have players pretty much sitting on Rice every time he comes out of the backfield as a receiver. So this all comes back to the offensive line. If teams are worried that they will get run on or that Flacco will have the time to wait for an open receiver deep, a short pass to Rice probably becomes more of a planning issue. Without those threats, your middle linebacker just wraps up Rice if he comes out as a receiver.

I'd have a lot easier time blaming Rice if Pierce didn't also have a huge drop off this year. But since neither of them can buy a yard this year, it's not the player, it's the line.

[Alexir]

Yeah, it kind of is. Joe is inaccurate because he's always throwing under pressure, having people in his face. Having a longer pocket translates to accuracy. And Joe not having time and the team not having running lanes means opposing teams have a lot fewer things to focus on, and can have players pretty much sitting on Rice every time he comes out of the backfield as a receiver. So this all comes back to the offensive line. If teams are worried that they will get run on or that Flacco will have the time to wait for an open receiver deep, a short pass to Rice probably becomes more of a planning issue. Without those threats, your middle linebacker just wraps up Rice if he comes out as a receiver.

I'd have a lot easier time blaming Rice if Pierce didn't also have a huge drop off this year. But since neither of them can buy a yard this year, it's not the player, it's the line.

 I disagree with you. When a quarterback is taking 99% of his snaps in Shotgun, he is giving himself plenty of time before the pass rush can get there in most cases. We aren't the best pass blocking line, but I won't use that as an excuse, they are much worse in the run game.

 

Both pierce and rice are playing injured. It's not the lines fault when Rice is an open field and he trips or if he cant break a tackle. Thats on them.

[Puntit]

I disagree with you. When a quarterback is taking 99% of his snaps in Shotgun, he is giving himself plenty of time before the pass rush can get there in most cases. We aren't the best pass blocking line, but I won't use that as an excuse, they are much worse in the run game.

Both pierce and rice are playing injured. It's not the lines fault when Rice is an open field and he trips or if he cant break a tackle. Thats on them.

Look at the number of times Flacco was sacked or hurried last week, and you will realize that he didn't have "plenty of time" even with the shotgun formation. The line got manhandled. Rice went into the last game stating he was healthy, and certainly seemed healthy earlier in the year before the strange thigh injury, so I don't think the "playing injured" argument is legit. He's doing exactly what he did last year, but with enormously different results because of the line. I wish it was just that he had lost it. Then when we put someone new in there the numbers should improve. But I suspect when they use Bernard Scott to spell Rice this weekend you will see he won't fare much better. The blocking is all wrong. Poor coaching and poor execution on almost every offensive drive.

[Alexir]

Look at the number of times Flacco was sacked or hurried last week, and you will realize that he didn't have "plenty of time" even with the shotgun formation. The line got manhandled. Rice went into the last game stating he was healthy, and certainly seemed healthy earlier in the year before the strange thigh injury, so I don't think the "playing injured" argument is legit. He's doing exactly what he did last year, but with enormously different results because of the line. I wish it was just that he had lost it. Then when we put someone new in there the numbers should improve. But I suspect when they use Bernard Scott to spell Rice this weekend you will see he won't fare much better. The blocking is all wrong. Poor coaching and poor execution on almost every offensive drive.

 

The offensive line has a lot to do with it but Flacco and Rice aren't excused from the blame. Flacco said he was the best, let's see it. Rodgers doesn't have the greatest line (is injury could attest to that) and he is usually one of the most sacked QBs in any given season, yet he can get the ball out pretty fast. I am just so sick and tired of the "not flacco's fault" BS on here. I was very quiet about it in the beginning of the season but at the end of the day, you need to man up and take control of that offense. If you see a mean pass rush coming consistently from a certain party, you put your tail back or tight end on them as an assignment. He is just not as cerebral as some other QBs and it is obvious with the way Harbaugh commented on Joe this week how Joe needs to do a better job of choosing the right plays and formations.

 

Again, Flacco is to blame, not as much as the offensive line, but the offense as a whole is being held back by a combination of players.

 

Sad thing is: Wide receivers are probably our overall best performers right now and they get a lot of crap from "fans"

[GrimCoconut]

The offensive line has a lot to do with it but Flacco and Rice aren't excused from the blame. Flacco said he was the best, let's see it. Rodgers doesn't have the greatest line (is injury could attest to that) and he is usually one of the most sacked QBs in any given season, yet he can get the ball out pretty fast. I am just so sick and tired of the "not flacco's fault" BS on here. I was very quiet about it in the beginning of the season but at the end of the day, you need to man up and take control of that offense. If you see a mean pass rush coming consistently from a certain party, you put your tail back or tight end on them as an assignment. He is just not as cerebral as some other QBs and it is obvious with the way Harbaugh commented on Joe this week how Joe needs to do a better job of choosing the right plays and formations.

Again, Flacco is to blame, not as much as the offensive line, but the offense as a whole is being held back by a combination of players.

Sad thing is: Wide receivers are probably our overall best performers right now and they get a lot of crap from "fans"

Well, let's talk about that buddy. Since you're comparing Rodgers and Flacco we'll have some fun with it. Tell me which WR corps you'd take:

Smith, Brown, Jones, Stokley, Thompson and Doss or Cobb, Jones, Nelson? The Packers have three terrific WR. We have one and then we have a few inexperienced guys and one old man. There's really no comparison there.

On top of it, who has better TE? Finley isn't great but he's better than anyone we have at this moment.

In addition to that, let's talk coordinating. Rodgers has/had a poor OL true but he's got McCarthy and some very very good offensive coordinating.

There's not much comparison. I understand where you're going with it but Joe is on a much worse spot than Rodgers was and is this year and last. His WR can actually separate on quick routes and he has security blankets. Joe doesn't have that.

[Puntit]

...If you see a mean pass rush coming consistently from a certain party, you put your tail back or tight end on them as an assignment..."

We are using 3+ WR sets so there often is no spare TE to stop the pass rush. And Bajema was the only TE built for this and he's not a good enough receiver to stay on the team. And in case you didn't notice, Rice is an undersized back. He's not going to stop a defensive lineman unless they trip over him. It would be awful coaching to get him injured trying to stop a rusher. So no, that's not an option, except in the minority of plays that Leach is in the lineup. So no, the offensive line has to hold on their own in out system. And they aren't.

[Alexir]

Well, let's talk about that buddy. Since you're comparing Rodgers and Flacco we'll have some fun with it. Tell me which WR corps you'd take:

Smith, Brown, Jones, Stokley, Thompson and Doss or Cobb, Jones, Nelson? The Packers have three terrific WR. We have one and then we have a few inexperienced guys and one old man. There's really no comparison there.

On top of it, who has better TE? Finley isn't great but he's better than anyone we have at this moment.

In addition to that, let's talk coordinating. Rodgers has/had a poor OL true but he's got McCarthy and some very very good offensive coordinating.

There's not much comparison. I understand where you're going with it but Joe is on a much worse spot than Rodgers was and is this year and last. His WR can actually separate on quick routes and he has security blankets. Joe doesn't have that.

You mean Nelson, Boykin, and White? It doesnt matter who his WRs are. Same with Brees. They know how to read defenses and find the weakness and make defenses pay.

 

Finley isn't anything to write home about is also injured. Finley is by no means a game changer. I would say Pitta is actually much better.

 

McCarthy is great. Peyton Manning had Jim Caldwell, what is your point?

 

You are right, there is no comparison. Both lines are bad, at the point of Jones and Cobb going down, Rodgers had to make plays with some young, new guys. He did it. And that is what separates him.

[Alexir]

We are using 3+ WR sets so there often is no spare TE to stop the pass rush. And Bajema was the only TE built for this and he's not a good enough receiver to stay on the team. And in case you didn't notice, Rice is an undersized back. He's not going to stop a defensive lineman unless they trip over him. It would be awful coaching to get him injured trying to stop a rusher. So no, that's not an option, except in the minority of plays that Leach is in the lineup. So no, the offensive line has to hold on their own in out system. And they aren't.

 3 wide sets leaves 2 guys left to complete an 11 man offense. I don't know what you mean a spare TE is not there. He needs to grab the reigns of the offense. Im starting to realize why Cam babyied him.

Ray Rice is  far from undersized. He is exactually not too shabby in pass blocking.

 

Are you not comprehending what I am saying? I am not excusing the offensive line, but you can't seriously think our whole offensive woes are their fault. If that's the case we should of spent 160 million on an offensive line instead of Rice and Flacco.

[Guest Omerta]

It is over.

[Alexir]

It is over.

 

Insightful. Please explain how being 2 games out of a Wild Card means we are over?

[Raving_Heathen]

let's just see how the Ravens do this Sunday vs. the bengals at home before we talk playoffs.

 

#Mili

 

Exactly this.  Surprising how many people in this thread have written off the team only halfway through the season when they're only 2.5 games back and haven't even played the division leaders yet.

 

I do agree that based on the way they've played so far this year, it's hard to argue that the Ravens aren't bad right now, but anyone who's followed this team since Harbaugh/Flacco came aboard should know that our seasons are always a rollercoaster ride. I think this team has the experience and talent to turn things around, and they have a pretty weak/advantageous remaining schedule as pointed out.

 

I'll definitely jump on the "no chance at playoffs" bandwagon though if the Ravens lose this Sunday. Think this is the definition of a must-win.

[GrimCoconut]

You mean Nelson, Boykin, and White? It doesnt matter who his WRs are. Same with Brees. They know how to read defenses and find the weakness and make defenses pay.

Finley isn't anything to write home about is also injured. Finley is by no means a game changer. I would say Pitta is actually much better.

McCarthy is great. Peyton Manning had Jim Caldwell, what is your point?

You are right, there is no comparison. Both lines are bad, at the point of Jones and Cobb going down, Rodgers had to make plays with some young, new guys. He did it. And that is what separates him.

So we're comparing current Rodgers to current Joe Flacco. Got it. Rodgers has a better run game than Joe. His offensive line hasn't protected him very well but I'd be interested in seeing if Rodgers has been pressured as much as Joe. I think that's unlikely. I also think Joe would have even more sacks if McKinnie was still here. Regardless of Joe you want to paint it, it's not Joe.

He's certainly a part of it. I'm not saying he's not but Rodgers also had those two WR you forgot to mention for most of the season. Those three players are far better than what we have. That's why I mentioned them. Rodgers had them until they played us and those two players who are out had some big yards especially Cobb.

Finley isn't but we don't have Pitta right now and I would take Finley over Dickson, Clark and Bajema combined.

Jim Caldwell never or rarely called plays and I know you know that. It's common knowledge that Peyton runs the show both in Denver and Indy. The difference in coaching is huge between McCarthy and Caldwell. There's no comparison at all. McCarthy is one of the best.

Rodgers has a much better interior than Joe. That's the difference. If someone has PFF I'd like to know what the numbers are for the pressure experienced by Joe and Rodgers. I feel Joe has been pressured much more due to a non-existent run game and inexperienced WR. Rodgers at least has a run game and defenses must respect it.

[Alexir]

So we're comparing current Rodgers to current Joe Flacco. Got it. Rodgers has a better run game than Joe. His offensive line hasn't protected him very well but I'd be interested in seeing if Rodgers has been pressured as much as Joe. I think that's unlikely. I also think Joe would have even more sacks if McKinnie was still here. Regardless of Joe you want to paint it, it's not Joe.

He's certainly a part of it. I'm not saying he's not but Rodgers also had those two WR you forgot to mention for most of the season. Those three players are far better than what we have. That's why I mentioned them. Rodgers had them until they played us and those two players who are out had some big yards especially Cobb.

Finley isn't but we don't have Pitta right now and I would take Finley over Dickson, Clark and Bajema combined.

Jim Caldwell never or rarely called plays and I know you know that. It's common knowledge that Peyton runs the show both in Denver and Indy. The difference in coaching is huge between McCarthy and Caldwell. There's no comparison at all. McCarthy is one of the best.

Rodgers has a much better interior than Joe. That's the difference. If someone has PFF I'd like to know what the numbers are for the pressure experienced by Joe and Rodgers. I feel Joe has been pressured much more due to a non-existent run game and inexperienced WR. Rodgers at least has a run game and defenses must respect it.

End of conversation right there. Never said it was all Joe. I was saying he is a part of it just like the line is and just like Rice is. But at any mention of criticism to Flacco everyone gets up in arms. Just saying he is a part of it, we agree, Moving on.

Edit: I would still take Bajema over Finley since Finley has a spinal issue and is on IR :)

[Guest Omerta]

Insightful. Please explain how being 2 games out of a Wild Card means we are over?

 

Please tell me when you see Juan Castillo leaving, Our run game getting going, our defense stop playing this bend dont break crap, or our coaches figuring out what they are doing in general. If we lost to the Browns I dont really see how we are going to beat the Bengals. Normally AJ Green would not scare me but he is molesting people and Webb is not what we are used to and have no real great coverage safeties, oh yeah did I mention that we cant stop the run like we used to and Giovanni Bernard is looking like the real deal. 

 

I dont see us winning tomorrow because those problems will take a while to right the ship. If we do though we are still a agem back with a brutal road run and will probably have to go on the road in Cincy to win the division. That is assuming we do win tomorrow. 

 

If we dont we are three games back and it is going to get nasty from there over. I would love to know where your optimism is. 

 

You provided no insight on as to why we will, so lets hear it.

[jazz1988]

You mean Nelson, Boykin, and White? It doesnt matter who his WRs are. Same with Brees. They know how to read defenses and find the weakness and make defenses pay.

 

Finley isn't anything to write home about is also injured. Finley is by no means a game changer. I would say Pitta is actually much better.

 

McCarthy is great. Peyton Manning had Jim Caldwell, what is your point?

 

You are right, there is no comparison. Both lines are bad, at the point of Jones and Cobb going down, Rodgers had to make plays with some young, new guys. He did it. And that is what separates him.

 

 

 

Jim Caldwell wasn't the offensive coordinator when he was with the colts but hewas really like a offense consultant along with being Peyton manning quarterback coach/head coach . Tom Moore was the colts offensive coordinator  for most of Peyton career and yes Caldwell had some influence with  the development of the passing game and etc but its not like it was all Jim Caldwell doing.

[GrimCoconut]

End of conversation right there. Never said it was all Joe. I was saying he is a part of it just like the line is and just like Rice is. But at any mention of criticism to Flacco everyone gets up in arms. Just saying he is a part of it, we agree, Moving on.
Edit: I would still take Bajema over Finley since Finley has a spinal issue and is on IR :)

No it's not because you compared Rodgers and Flacco and frankly Rodgers has a much more favorable situation than Joe. That's what I was debating with you from the beginning.

[Alexir]

No it's not because you compared Rodgers and Flacco and frankly Rodgers has a much more favorable situation than Joe. That's what I was debating with you from the beginning.

 

Well,agree to disagree.

[Aunka_Beatmon]

Would you rather see the Ravens lose tomorrow to solidify the end of our season or would you rather experience a consecutive series of wins only to be knocked down the road by say New England or Cinci?

[Alexir]

Please tell me when you see Juan Castillo leaving, Our run game getting going, our defense stop playing this bend dont break crap, or our coaches figuring out what they are doing in general. If we lost to the Browns I dont really see how we are going to beat the Bengals. Normally AJ Green would not scare me but he is molesting people and Webb is not what we are used to and have no real great coverage safeties, oh yeah did I mention that we cant stop the run like we used to and Giovanni Bernard is looking like the real deal. 

 

I dont see us winning tomorrow because those problems will take a while to right the ship. If we do though we are still a agem back with a brutal road run and will probably have to go on the road in Cincy to win the division. That is assuming we do win tomorrow. 

 

If we dont we are three games back and it is going to get nasty from there over. I would love to know where your optimism is. 

 

You provided no insight on as to why we will, so lets hear it.

 

Feel free to jump off the bandwagon.

 

We limped into the playoffs last year and did alright. We will right the ship.

 

 

 

3 away games left in our schedule. 3. Anything is possible. All of our losses besides the 1st were within a touchdown. We have made the playoffs at 9-7 before. Are we getting blown out? No. We will stay in contention if we win this week and if we don't the season is still not over.

[gabefergy]

Well,agree to disagree.

I think the biggest difference is that Rodgers has one of the best run games in the NFL to lean on. Flacco has one of the worst. OL/weapons are about the same with all the injuries, but having a running game that is cranking out yardage makes the game so much easier for a QB. I posted a stat earlier that showed Flacco is having to complete an average 3rd down attempt of nearly 8 yards. That is absolutely atrocious and its a huge reason why it's so hard to sustain drives. The offense is completely 1 dimensional and it lacks playmakers that can consistently help Joe out.

[Guest Omerta]

Feel free to jump off the bandwagon.

 

We limped into the playoffs last year and did alright. We will right the ship.

 

 

 

3 away games left in our schedule. 3. Anything is possible. All of our losses besides the 1st were within a touchdown. We have made the playoffs at 9-7 before. Are we getting blown out? No. We will stay in contention if we win this week and if we don't the season is still not over.

 

So your saying you have no more proof than I do, just the same thing. Opinions. Then when you I think we are rebuilding, all of the sudden I am less of a fan ? Interesting. I have never seen somewhere where questioning the other persons fanhood was such a valuable tool in intellectual debate. Noted.

[display name]

Would you rather see the Ravens lose tomorrow to solidify the end of our season or would you rather experience a consecutive series of wins only to be knocked down the road by say New England or Cinci?

I would want to be in it until the end.

[Alexir]

I think the biggest difference is that Rodgers has one of the best run games in the NFL to lean on. Flacco has one of the worst. OL/weapons are about the same with all the injuries, but having a running game that is cranking out yardage makes the game so much easier for a QB. I posted a stat earlier that showed Flacco is having to complete an average 3rd down attempt of nearly 8 yards. That is absolutely atrocious and its a huge reason why it's so hard to sustain drives. The offense is completely 1 dimensional and it lacks playmakers that can consistently help Joe out.

 

this year Rodgers definitely has a run game. I think their whole goal this year was to run the ball effectively, in years past, Rodgers put up amazing stats and didn't run the ball but I think Packers wanted to be more 2 dimensional. I am very pleased with Marlon Brown. The tight end position is the issue and another issue is not going back to the screen passes. Those worked so well for us in 2009..