Can Somebody Explain Playoff Breakdown

[tolucaraven]

Conversely, if Dolphins beat Jets at HOME, they need either Ravens to lose ROAD game vs Bengals OR SD to win at HOME vs unmotivated Cheifs team. Odds are far far better for Miami. Miami will be favored at home, Bengals will be favored at home and SD will be favored heavily at home. Ravens chance is extremely slim. Todays loss destroyed the Ravens chances for a division and WC.
The Ravens chances are very remote to say the least, even with an unlikely win vs Cincinnati.

[funky141]

No they didnt. They just need to beat Jets at home and have either Ravens lose or SD win. Ravens ate thier underpants more.

Please, if the Dolphins would have won they would be in the driver seat for the last playoff spot. They wouldn't need a win + all other teams to lose. Basically Dolphins win they are in but now they need a win plus a another teams loss.

[ratedr]

Please, if the Dolphins would have won they would be in the driver seat for the last playoff spot. They wouldn't need a win + all other teams to lose. Basically Dolphins win they are in but now they need a win plus a another teams loss.

Same could be said for the Ravens. Both teams blew it.

The reality is that nobody really controls their own destiny anymore.

[EricH]

Playoffs?  Seriously.  Not the team I saw yesterday.  As we said yesterday, season over.  Time to look ahead to next season.

[JEEPercreepermd]

We need to win and either SD or Miami to lose. We lose the 3 way tie breaker

[Poes Crows]

Why should we invest any energy in hoping for the #6 playoff spot, which will clearly be going to a survivor that really shouldn't have survived the sinking. Of the three teams still "alive", San Diego is clearly most deserving. Let them grab the life preserver.

 

I have zero confidence we can beat Cincinnati there.  Zero.  We don't have any offense. Our defense was horrific. 

 

No, lets all go down with the ship. It's the honorable thing to do. We'll come back in the next life, 2014, hopefully with a few more offensive pieces.

 

We don't deserve a lifeline.

[PoeDinkum]

Playoffs?  Seriously.  Not the team I saw yesterday.  As we said yesterday, season over.  Time to look ahead to next season.

This is true. It is sad, but true. IF we ran it back and played DEN or NE again we'd probably see similar results, so how deep would the run be any way? As I heard on WNST a few minutes ago this team's problems were just exposed yesterday for what they have been all year. Although I must admit I was surprised that it came to light in the worst way and to the degree it did. On to 2014.

[Sami84]

great QBs can destroy this team. Against error prone ones or not so good ones our D looks great..but this isn't ravens D ala 2000 or 2006 or 2008-2011

[Larryterri]

We need so many pieces, offensive weapons, a pass rush, o-line, d-line. I think we are ok on special teams :/ where to start, and more importantly, can we afford to fix it? As far as coaching goes, our HC is safe. DC more than likely safe, OC I dunno. O-line coach needs to go. LB coach needs a stern talking to, RB coach needs to go. As for our QB, I think we are better off leaving him be. I think if we can fix the above or at least make it better he can  pick up the slack, besides there is the money issue and even if we brought in some veteran to pressure him, Joe will win that ad we will have spent money on someone we didn't need. And Tyrod isn't the guy...

[JEEPercreepermd]

I am moving on from this years team. Nothing is being fixed with this team. Usually if a good team struggles, there are some adjustments that can be made to correct the mistakes. That hasn't happened and it won't.

Here's how this plays out:
Ravens defense picks Andy Dalton a few times in the first half then the Bengals sit their starters at halftime, realizing that a loss doesn't improve their seeding.
We hold on for the win, make the playoffs on the tie breaker with San Diego who should beat KC's backups.

Then, we play Cincy in the Wildcard game. Flacco plays well and we win. EVERYBODY starts believing that the Ravens have a legit chance..they'll have to play Manning in the cold, they've already been there and done it befor3 ect..ect..ect.. but then the game starts and we lose 55-9, our souls are crushed and we are the laughing stock of every skip bayless, ashley fox type out there.

I, personally won't want to even think about football for months until camp starts.

[jaege]

I don't care if we "deserve" it or not. I'm going to root like hell for this team to make the playoffs, because that's what real fans do.

You know who deserves it? The teams that get in. We beat the Bengals (doubtful) and Miami or SD loses then we deserve it.

[tolucaraven]

Chiefs Andy Reid says he expects to rest his starters vs Chargers.

[rmw10]

Chiefs Andy Reid says he expects to rest his starters vs Chargers.

 

As they should, even though it doesn't help us out any.

[Ravensfan23]

Unless the NFL flex the Ravens and Dolphins games to 4:30 the Chargers will already know their fate before even taking the field. If either the Dolphins or Ravens win Chargers will have nothing to play for, which will be a huge emotional let down after thinking all week that you are fighting for your playoff lives. I have no doubt those guys will be informed of the outcome of the early games. It sucks because we'd be basically be relying on the outcome of a game played with either backups on both sides or backups for KC and uninspired starters for SD. Either way that game will get much attention from both MIA and BAL if both teams win early games.

 

I'm seeing a lot of people say the Bengals will have much to fight for and I disagree. I think they might get their starters some work and get them out quickly. But I do think the Dolphins will have a fight on their hands from the Jets. They have nothing to play for but because Rex might be fired, a lot of those guys might be playing for Jobs, I have no doubt they'll play their starters and Rex will look to have something to hang his hat on for the season. If they can't go, at least stick it to a division rival and send them home too.

[1/28/01]

Unless the NFL flex the Ravens and Dolphins games to 4:30 the Chargers will already know their fate before even taking the field. If either the Dolphins or Ravens win Chargers will have nothing to play for, which will be a huge emotional let down after thinking all week that you are fighting for your playoff lives. I have no doubt those guys will be informed of the outcome of the early games. It sucks because we'd be basically be relying on the outcome of a game played with either backups on both sides or backups for KC and uninspired starters for SD. Either way that game will get much attention from both MIA and BAL if both teams win early games.

I'm seeing a lot of people say the Bengals will have much to fight for and I disagree. I think they might get their starters some work and get them out quickly. But I do think the Dolphins will have a fight on their hands from the Jets. They have nothing to play for but because Rex might be fired, a lot of those guys might be playing for Jobs, I have no doubt they'll play their starters and Rex will look to have something to hang his hat on for the season. If they can't go, at least stick it to a division rival and send them home too.

With the #2 spot not locked, you can bet everything Cincy plays hard and all game. Thats crazy to think otherwise.

[Militant X 1]

With the #2 spot not locked, you can bet everything Cincy plays hard and all game. Thats crazy to think otherwise.

I highly agree cause that is exactly what I would do if I was Marvin Lewis.  Especially, after watching the Ravens play last night!

 

#Mili

[Ravensfan23]

With the #2 spot not locked, you can bet everything Cincy plays hard and all game. Thats crazy to think otherwise.

 

No imo it's crazy to think that they will play hard for something that they don't even control. The #2 seed isn't on the line for them, it's a consolation prize. Why risk the bigger opportunity for something that you might not get even with a win?

 

I just put this in the other thread, but could you imagine if the Bengals fought hard with everything they got and Dalton ended up getting a helmet to the Knee, or AJ Green got a concussion or something like that. Even if the Bengals win and the Pats win a very winnable game against the Bills, now you have a Bengals team who is down a key player and still in the #3 seed. What was that game worth? Also it's no guarantee that you'll win the game if you are the Bengals. Why put your team through a sure to be physical game against a division rival for you to get up on the losing side and have to possibly play that same team again next week?

 

I've thought about it and saw most of your guys opinions on it and I just don't think it's smart to risk any possible injury in hopes of getting a #2 seed that is highly unlikely to win.

[Ravensfan23]

I'll say this about the Bengals choosing to rest or battle for a #2 seed. In the last 2 games, the Bengals have had a total of 6 players leave the game with a concussion. In yesterday's game the main player was Burfict. Why even risk something like this that would end up hurting your chances to advance in the playoffs regardless of the seed?

 

In week 15 it was Newman, Harrison, Whitworth, Greshman, and Dunlap who left the game with injury and was forced to miss much of practice leading up to week 16's game. Why put any of these guys at risk for a #2 seed that you may or may not get even with a win?

 

Could you guys imagine the reaction if the Lions game was a week 17 game that we were battling for a #2 seed that we might not have gotten even with a win, Flacco gets the helmet to the knee and has to deal with it in the wildcard the next week, and the result is what we saw against the Pats yesterday. Harbs would be run out of town for the same thing you guys are suggesting the Bengals should do, I just don't see it.

[1/28/01]

No imo it's crazy to think that they will play hard for something that they don't even control. The #2 seed isn't on the line for them, it's a consolation prize. Why risk the bigger opportunity for something that you might not get even with a win?

I just put this in the other thread, but could you imagine if the Bengals fought hard with everything they got and Dalton ended up getting a helmet to the Knee, or AJ Green got a concussion or something like that. Even if the Bengals win and the Pats win a very winnable game against the Bills, now you have a Bengals team who is down a key player and still in the #3 seed. What was that game worth? Also it's no guarantee that you'll win the game if you are the Bengals. Why put your team through a sure to be physical game against a division rival for you to get up on the losing side and have to possibly play that same team again next week?

I've thought about it and saw most of your guys opinions on it and I just don't think it's smart to risk any possible injury in hopes of getting a #2 seed that is highly unlikely to win.

Not sure Ive ever seen or heard of a team resting its starter with the ability to better their seeding. I guess we'll wait and see, but Im 99% confident they play as if the game means something, casue, well, it does.

[Tank 92]

The bungles will rest no one and I think we still win.

 

I like the jets chances. It's a division game and those guys will be playing for Rex's job. As much of an a%% he is, he's a player's coach.

[Militant X 1]

With a Ravens win and/or a Dolphins or a Chargers loss; the Ravens are in!!!

 

#Mili

[sflegend89]

Not looking good now that KC is resting starters. SD and MIA are in really good shape to both win and that eliminates the Ravens. That Buffalo game still pisses me off to this day, should've never lost to those scrubs. If we don't catch a big break that's the game that will haunt us all offseason.. was such an easily winnable game. Not to mention we have to beat Cincy and I'm not even fully convinced we'll do that. We got far too many guys that need to look in the mirror and ask themselves "Did I do everything I possibly could this year to help the team win?"

[flynismo]

Why should we invest any energy in hoping for the #6 playoff spot, which will clearly be going to a survivor that really shouldn't have survived the sinking. Of the three teams still "alive", San Diego is clearly most deserving. Let them grab the life preserver.

I have zero confidence we can beat Cincinnati there. Zero. We don't have any offense. Our defense was horrific.

No, lets all go down with the ship. It's the honorable thing to do. We'll come back in the next life, 2014, hopefully with a few more offensive pieces.

We don't deserve a lifeline.

The honorable thing to do would be to atone for a poor regular season and fight for everything we can for the fans, not rolling over and waiting to die as you suggest.

[Larryterri]

Not looking good now that KC is resting starters. SD and MIA are in really good shape to both win and that eliminates the Ravens. That Buffalo game still pisses me off to this day, should've never lost to those scrubs. If we don't catch a big break that's the game that will haunt us all offseason.. was such an easily winnable game. Not to mention we have to beat Cincy and I'm not even fully convinced we'll do that. We got far too many guys that need to look in the mirror and ask themselves "Did I do everything I possibly could this year to help the team win?"

I sure would like to see Harbaugh get a little emotional about these regular season losses to opponents that we should easily destroy. The "theres still plenty of time" attitude stinks and hate to say it, but time eventually runs out.  

[1/28/01]

With a Ravens win and/or a Dolphins or a Chargers loss; the Ravens are in!!!

#Mili

No, with a Ravens win AND (no or) a Dolphins or Chargers loss, the Ravens are in.

[The Raven]

This is dumb why didn't we just win on Sunday?

 

Seriously questioning the effort, leadership, heart, and the balls of this team.

[Militant X 1]

No, with a Ravens win AND (no or) a Dolphins or Chargers loss, the Ravens are in.

Okay!

 

#Mili

[Gordo52]

I like our chances.

[edthehead]

This is dumb why didn't we just win on Sunday?

 

Seriously questioning the effort, leadership, heart, and the balls of this team.

I agree 100% ,,, the majority of our lost games was inexcusable from the Bills to the Patriots we should not be in this position for me it the coaches,,,,,,,