Next up: Panthers

[Bltravens]

Newton isn't close to being fully ready to go.  And I'd be extremely surprised if that Panthers Oline can stave off our interior pressure so long as Pees moves Ngata around and lets Upshaw bull rush from the interior.  I just don't see Newton sitting back in the pocket and cutting the defense up for 4 full quarters.

[Ravenseconbeast]

Newton isn't close to being fully ready to go.  And I'd be extremely surprised if that Panthers Oline can stave off our interior pressure so long as Pees moves Ngata around and lets Upshaw bull rush from the interior.  I just don't see Newton sitting back in the pocket and cutting the defense up for 4 full quarters.

 

I don't think we should be focusing on Cam or the offense.   The problem would be Panthers D.  

 

Our offense has to step up.  It's going to be especially important to have Torrey and Marlon to take over, because this is going to be a flat offense for both sides for a longggg time until someone make a breakout play.   I am hoping one of our deep WR would be that guy.

[Static]

I don't think we should be focusing on Cam or the offense.   The problem would be Panthers D.  

 

 

 

Its because of their D that we need to focus on the panthers offense. We have had offense so far , top 10 , but our defense has been suspect. If we hold their Offense , which has been Extremely suspect. Than we can win with only 17pts or so. 

 

 

I'm not one to wish injury but we need to go at Cam and make him uncomfortable. If he gets confident he is an entirely different monster. 

[K-Dog]

So as long as we can stop the pass, I think we'll be okay.

That is asking a lot all of a sudden....

[frozen joe flacco fan]

As long as Coach Harbaugh relaxes and provides his team with an opportunity to win, we will. He tends to make calls in crucial situations that are made out of desperation (that is, assuming he made the call to go for it rather than Kubiak). Either way, it was a desperate, bonehead call. He almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with his daring "go for it" on 4th and inches play.

A chip shot FG at that point in the game would have made the score 21-20 and would have given the Ravens more options late in the game. It was the fourth time in two games we've called a QB sneak in similar situations. On two of those occasions, Joe broke the plane of the goal line. Asking your franchise QB to pick up two first downs and score two TDs in those situations does not speak well of your confidence in the running game nor does it make good sense frm the standpoint of keeping Joe healthy IMO. Fortunately, Joe is a lot tougher than his detractors think. Maybe the organization will let him play WR just like the stupid Bungles did yesterday with their franchise QB. That was Forrest Gump stuff and Dalton should have been blown up by the D-back. He had to go out of his way to miss that tackle.   

 

Oh, yeh! The final score will be Ravens 31, Panthers 17. Relax, Coach!!

[DomMcRaven]

Let's just come out guns a-blazing! And that INCLUDES our defense too (who seems to play with more intensity, but that's not a surprise). 

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

The short fast passing game carved them.up last night, then quick runs by bell.

Forsett should have a big game if we copycat Ben and co. Speed can kill.

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

As long as Coach Harbaugh relaxes and provides his team with an opportunity to win, we will. He tends to make calls in crucial situations that are made out of desperation (that is, assuming he made the call to go for it rather than Kubiak). Either way, it was a desperate, bonehead call. He almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with his daring "go for it" on 4th and inches play.

A chip shot FG at that point in the game would have made the score 21-20 and would have given the Ravens more options late in the game. It was the fourth time in two games we've called a QB sneak in similar situations. On two of those occasions, Joe broke the plane of the goal line. Asking your franchise QB to pick up two first downs and score two TDs in those situations does not speak well of your confidence in the running game nor does it make good sense frm the standpoint of keeping Joe healthy IMO. Fortunately, Joe is a lot tougher than his detractors think. Maybe the organization will let him play WR just like the stupid Bungles did yesterday with their franchise QB. That was Forrest Gump stuff and Dalton should have been blown up by the D-back. He had to go out of his way to miss that tackle.

Oh, yeh! The final score will be Ravens 31, Panthers 17. Relax, Coach!!

[OLD SCHOOL SMASH BALL]

I agree. I believe my comment at that moment was "We are taking Stupid Pills instead of Points again!"

[ravefan52]

I expect Suggs and Doom to get going this game. Their OT's aren't very good, but we will have to bring down Cam which isn't easy. I expect Jimmy to do well vs Benjamin. As for the rest of the secondary I'm kinda worried. Their WR's, aside from Benjamin, aren't good at all, but neither was Cleveland's so we'll see.

 

As for the offense... this will definitely be the biggest test thus far. I think the quick passing may be a good plan as Pittsburgh saw success with it and it can help slow down that pass rush. The secondary of their's can definitely be had if Flacco gets some time.

[Static]

Our Offensive line has been ridiculously strong so far so well see how they handle that D-line.

[Militant X 1]

Our Offensive line has been ridiculously strong so far so well see how they handle that D-line.

 

Really?  We couldn't even get a 4th&inches last game man!  Lol!  Now, I must admit, they did open up a few running lanes last game for our RB's but they still have work to do imo.

 

@Mili

[Drew P]

It was only a PS game last year but their D manhandled the Ravens O line...some different players but still it has to be a motivating factor...remember that play Kuechly made on Pierce?

[Static]

Really? We couldn't even get a 4th&inches last game man! Lol! Now, I must admit, they did open up a few running lanes last game for our RB's but they still have work to do imo.

@Mili

Its week 3 , nobody is in midseason form yet. Although I agree they could be better.

[Rodgers_To_Nelson]

Ravens will win! My Pack probably chokes against the Bears unfortunately.

[ravensfan160]

Ravens crush Steelers

 

Steelers crush Panthers

 

Ravens crush Panthers?...Too bad it rarely works out that way.

[harfordravenfan]

Ravens crush Steelers

 

Steelers crush Panthers

 

Ravens crush Panthers?...To bad it rarely works out that way.

 

Agreed, but I do like your logic... Go Ravens

[jaege]

If we choose to fix our secondary issues, then I'd be more likely to change my mind.  But Cincy has looked absolutely dominant against all of their opponents so far.  I think they take another AFC North title this year unfortunately.  I hate to say it, but looking at the way things are now, that's the line I'd bet.

 

They've looked good in two games and okay in a third. Anyone would look good against the Titans and we played like crap. Step back from the orange kool-aid. They are not the end all be all of the AFC north.

[pep_meister]

Ravens crush Steelers

 

Steelers crush Panthers

 

Ravens crush Panthers?...To bad it rarely works out that way.

ravens pulverize the panthers resulting in the most embarrassing loss in football history. The team closes up shop as do the buccaneers and we sign gerald mccoy, luke keuchly, antoine cason, and dashon goldson.

[DomMcRaven]

ravens pulverize the panthers resulting in the most embarrassing loss in football history. The team closes up shop as do the buccaneers and we sign gerald mccoy, luke keuchly, antoine cason, and dashon goldson.

If that happens, it's a wrap...........................

[FlocksGottaFeed]

This Panther team will be dangerous and can't be taken for granted. They're wounded, embarrassed and desperate. Remember they were only a play away from playing in the NFC Championship last year and many insiders still believe that they had a better chance of beating Seattle than SF and going on to the SB. They will be playing lights-out and we need to play lights-out 2.0 early and for 4 quarters. The final Steelers vs Panthers score was very misleading.

 

The AFC North' for most part has never been accurately predicted. When these teams play - somebody wins when they shouldn't and loses with no rational explanation for losing. Every division game is a mini-playoff run. Nothing can be taken for granted. This can be the Best division in football if all of our teams dominate the NFC South. We're 3-0 so far.

 

I've said this before: Our match-up this season with the NFC South this season is perfect timing for the Ravens to redefine themselves. The NFCS does not understand  the AFCN's culture and brand of football. The 'N' is for Nasty! Nasty attitude in Nasty weather with Nasty intent. We go hard in this division. They play with a more Scientific approach. Scientific turf, Scientific schemes and Scientific motivations are basis of their culture. Could be why no team in their division has repeated as champions.

 

That being said, the 'S' is for Scientific not Soft. We have to approach every game with a sense of urgency. In our division and out. There's not a team that we can't beat on the schedule, but there's still not a team that can't beat us either. If we win 6 of 8 in our division and 6-8 outside of the division...SB. (repost).

 

BOLD PREDICTION: Smith Sr. will play with a passion beyond words (and bring the 'nasty' fire), but Torrey will have 2 tds when it's all said in done. Our DBs will have an A-Unit come-back game. Tucker will set the pace. Nasty wins! Ravens by 10.

[DomMcRaven]

This Panther team will be dangerous and can't be taken for granted. They're wounded, embarrassed and desperate. Remember they were only a play away from playing in the NFC Championship last year and many insiders still believe that they had a better chance of beating Seattle than SF and going on to the SB. They will be playing lights-out and we need to play lights-out 2.0 early and for 4 quarters. The final Steelers vs Panthers score was very misleading.

 

The AFC North' for most part has never been accurately predicted. When these teams play - somebody wins when they shouldn't and loses with no rational explanation for losing. Every division game is a mini-playoff run. Nothing can be taken for granted. This can be the Best division in football if all of our teams dominate the NFC South. We're 3-0 so far.

 

I've said this before: Our match-up this season with the NFC South this season is perfect timing for the Ravens to redefine themselves. The NFCS does not understand  the AFCN's culture and brand of football. The 'N' is for Nasty! Nasty attitude in Nasty weather with Nasty intent. We go hard in this division. They play with a more Scientific approach. Scientific turf, Scientific schemes and Scientific motivations are basis of their culture. Could be why no team in their division has repeated as champions.

 

That being said, the 'S' is for Scientific not Soft. We have to approach every game with a sense of urgency. In our division and out. There's not a team that we can't beat on the schedule, but there's still not a team that can't beat us either. If we win 6 of 8 in our division and 6-8 outside of the division...SB. (repost).

 

BOLD PREDICTION: Smith Sr. will play with a passion beyond words (and bring the 'nasty' fire), but Torrey will have 2 tds when it's all said in done. Our DBs will have an A-Unit come-back game. Tucker will set the pace. Nasty wins! Ravens by 10.

Yes! We didn't take the Browns lightly, so we DAMN SURE better not take the Panthers lightly!

[Militant X 1]

Its week 3 , nobody is in midseason form yet. Although I agree they could be better.

4 preseason games and 3 regular season games.  That's a total of 7 games of football man!  So, I don't buy into all of that it's only 3 weeks talk personally.  No one used that "excuse" when the Ravens were the #1 rushing team in the preseason or when they looked good that 1st preseason game.  In fact, everyone started praising them and spouting off that "our running game is back!"  Sure, they'll get better but the reality to me is that their inability to pick up 4th&inches or to score more TD's when they are in the redzone speaks volumes as to their similar issues from last season.

 

@Mili

[PerpetuallyBored74]

Actually we do. He's a rookie that's bound to make some mistakes but Brooks is a free safety that is used to playing on a top notch defense against good competition. And right now, I'd gladly taken him with decent instincts but occasional rookie mistake over the current crop trying to be the ones to play free safety.

 

Brooks isn't ready yet. We'll have even more miscommunication in our secondary with him in there. Like it or not, our options at FS are Hill or Elam.

[ravensdfan]

4 preseason games and 3 regular season games.  That's a total of 7 games of football man!  So, I don't buy into all of that it's only 3 weeks talk personally.  No one used that "excuse" when the Ravens were the #1 rushing team in the preseason or when they looked good that 1st preseason game.  In fact, everyone started praising them and spouting off that "our running game is back!"  Sure, they'll get better but the reality to me is that their inability to pick up 4th&inches or to score more TD's when they are in the redzone speaks volumes as to their similar issues from last season.

 

@Mili

 

Part of the 4th and inches failure is playcalling as well. At the goal line we did 2 QB sneaks in a row - really? C'mon. Then we do a pitch last week instead of the QB sneak in a more open field where it probably would have succeeded.  Kubiak is making  some mistakes but at least he then makes the adjustments. I expect our short yardage game to get better.

[callahan09]

Part of the 4th and inches failure is playcalling as well. At the goal line we did 2 QB sneaks in a row - really? C'mon. Then we do a pitch last week instead of the QB sneak in a more open field where it probably would have succeeded.  Kubiak is making  some mistakes but at least he then makes the adjustments. I expect our short yardage game to get better.

Kubiak hasn't always called the right plays this season so far, but he's proving quick that he learns from mistakes and adjusts well.

 

For instance, here are some splits for this team 1st half vs 2nd half:

 

1st half: 91 plays, 4.19 yards per play, 26 first downs (28.6%), 20 points.

2nd half: 123 plays, 6.01 yards per play, 38 first downs (30.9%), 45 points.

 

Huge difference, there.

 

In fact, 4.19 yards per play is worst in the NFL in the first half of games, and 26 first downs is 12th worst.

 

Wow.  

 

But 6.01 yards per play in the 2nd half of games is the 10th best, and 38 first downs in the 2nd half of games is 2nd best.

 

So we're pretty good in the 2nd half, but pretty bad in the first half.  Granted a lot of that probably has a lot to do with a monumental failure on offense in the first half of that Bengals game.  That half really killed.  I think there were something like 7 huge drops in the first half.  After that disastrous opening to the season, we've been pretty good since the 2nd half of that game.

[TDubbs]

So we're wearing Black this Sunday vs. the Panthers, that has me really stoked. That always gives the boys a bit of an edge and Steve Smith will love it. 

[Gordo52]

So we're wearing Black this Sunday vs. the Panthers, that has me really stoked. That always gives the boys a bit of an edge and Steve Smith will love it.

Some how that makes me feel even more confident lol

[RaginRaven]

I'm sure this will prove a great game to watch. You got Smitty up against his former team so he's got even more reason to turn up on the field Sunday. Tucker hardly ever misses his target so if Flacco can get him within range we can at least kick a field goal to help put points on the board. Where we are lacking is defense --- and this is precisely why I don't really get what we're doing with our d-line.

 

Pitta is out for the rest of the season. Ngata can be a strong player when he wants to, but he's not consistent; it really just depends on which way the wind is blowing. Does anybody even remember Canty being on the field? Everyone has been talking about this was going to be his year ..... so far we've not seen anything from him. And last game he went down and limped off the field. For what I can't tell you but at least he did make it back out. Canty is a real nice guy but this is the time for him to step up and show us more. You can bet the Panthers are studying the tapes and they recognize our defense is weak. That's not good because if we don't have enough power to hold them back this will allow the offense to put more points on the board.

 

Then take a look at who DIDN'T practice: Left tackle Eugene Monroe (knee), outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (thigh), cornerback Jimmy Smith (knee, ankle), defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (knee) and defensive end Chris Canty (knee) all did not practice today. That's a pretty good chunk of our defense. I would like to be more optimistic going into Sunday .... but the offense can't do it alone.

[FlocksGottaFeed]

So we're wearing Black this Sunday vs. the Panthers, that has me really stoked. That always gives the boys a bit of an edge and Steve Smith will love it. 

Yes!!! 6-0 under Harb. I like it!