Next up: Indianapolis

[omar586]

this game is scary to me, our pass coverage is spotty, and the colts offense can blow  u out of the stadium if u dont contain them. they got nicks, ty, wayne, fleener. ravens better hope its an ugly close game, we have chance.

[flynismo]

Might be the game of the year here. Both these QBs are on fire, each defense has something to prove. On the road, this will be tough, but a strong ground attack from us is likely the difference.

 

31 - 30, the good guys win

[Purple Nurple]

I just have this uneasy feeling that our secondary gets carved up. I can see a shoot out.

[codizzle]

this game is scary to me, our pass coverage is spotty, and the colts offense can blow u out of the stadium if u dont contain them. they got nicks, ty, wayne, fleener. ravens better hope its an ugly close game, we have chance.

Nicks has done nothing... Fleener is still a huge disappointment

Watching Wayne this Sunday he looks off.. Maybe playing injured?

[Inqui]

Nicks has done nothing... Fleener is still a huge disappointment

Watching Wayne this Sunday he looks off.. Maybe playing injured?

Possibly still recovering from his ACL injury - mentally at least. It can take months for a player to rebuild confidence in an injured knee, and I'd imagine that's even more so for a guy like Reggie who relies on smooth movements and changing direction quickly.

[codizzle]

Possibly still recovering from his ACL injury - mentally at least. It can take months for a player to rebuild confidence in an injured knee, and I'd imagine that's even more so for a guy like Reggie who relies on smooth movements and changing direction quickly.

Yea my guess as well

[HoldingCall]

I don't get why some fans want to do man coverage, our DB's can't do it, ESPECIALLY against a future HOF Reggie Wayne and 4.3 speed TY Hilton. The only way we would have success in man vs man is if a Webb somehow comes back near full strength. In THAT case I do see our secondary playing some cover 2 man.

Not sure anyone should expect Webb to be up to speed after missing so much game and practice time. Once he's completely healed and back playing regularly it should take a minimum 3-4 weeks to show his usual skill and endurance.

[Tank 92]

Not sure anyone should expect Webb to be up to speed after missing so much game and practice time. Once he's completely healed and back playing regularly it should take a minimum 3-4 weeks to show his usual skill and endurance.

 

I hope so.  He really never got back up to speed after his second ACL.

[3-4ravdef509]

Just seeing as simply math dictates we'll likely split on the road and you can't win them all, I think we lose this one 27-24.

 

We have 1 road win already, we need 3 more which will likely come via Tampa, Houston, and Miami. 

 

I think we bring our A game at Cincy to try and even the score, and maybe win that. The only home game that worries me in San Diego seeing as they always give us fits. The Falcons scare me a little but at the same time If Ryan can be exposed by the Vikings, i'm think at home we should win that one. 

 

At worst we're a 9 win team if luck isn't on our side (no pun intended.)

 

But we could easily be a 12 win team again. The Division will come down to us or Cincy, most likely Cincy at this point but we'll do all we can to win the next game against them and let the chips fall where they may. This team's strength is its offense, relying on running the ball, quick throws and sound decisions from Joe and a healthy Dose of Steve Smith Sr. The defense has holes but plays fast and physical. Look to see if they improve with time and if Hill makes a difference upon his return. 

 

My only concern, which might be answered this week, is how does this team operate in a shootout? 

[funky141]

Nicks has done nothing... Fleener is still a huge disappointment

Watching Wayne this Sunday he looks off.. Maybe playing injured?

What game were you watching?

Wayne had 7 catches for 119 and a TD

and Fleener had TD catch as well.

 

Nicks yes has not done much but it's hard to when you have Wayne, Hilton and a bunch of catches from the running backs.

[3-4ravdef509]

I hope so. He really never got back up to speed after his second ACL.

Best glass cornerback the league

[berad]

Well, if it's any consolation, the Ravens are actually slightly leading in TOP, so they are getting off the field

 

According to Football Outsiders through 3 weeks the Ravens have the 7th longest TOP/drive on offense with 3:04 but are just average (16th) with defensive TOP/drive at 2:47.

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestats

 

Just saying there's room for improvement because the defense is below average in those other pretty important areas I pointed out

[BmoreBird22]

According to Football Outsiders through 3 weeks the Ravens have the 7th longest TOP/drive on offense with 3:04 but are just average (16th) with defensive TOP/drive at 2:47.

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestats

 

Just saying there's room for improvement because the defense is below average in those other pretty important areas I pointed out

I didn't loon extremely closely or compare a whole lot, but I'd imagine the teams with low TOP on defense are forcing turnovers at a high rate

[berad]

I didn't loon extremely closely or compare a whole lot, but I'd imagine the teams with low TOP on defense are forcing turnovers at a high rate

 

Not necessarily, from the same link New England leads the league in turnover percentage per drive but are 12th in defensive TOP. The Redskins have the shortest TOP per defensive drive but are 22nd in turnover percentage.

 

We're 18th in turnover percentage per drive, for comparison.

[codizzle]

What game were you watching?

Wayne had 7 catches for 119 and a TD

and Fleener had TD catch as well.

Nicks yes has not done much but it's hard to when you have Wayne, Hilton and a bunch of catches from the running backs.

Yes... I was watching them play the Tennessee titans

[callahan09]

Andrew Luck has been ridiculously good the past couple of games.  It'll be a real test.  I doubt we'll get to him and make him make the kind of mistakes he made against us in the playoffs in 2012.  Especially given that we're in his house for this one.  I look forward to seeing how our defense does!  Under 350 yards passing and less than 3 touchdowns given up to Luck's arm and I think I might be happy with that as long as our offense keeps up, which I think they could.

[ellicottraven]

The Indianapolis Football Team

I'll go as far as calling them the Indianapolis 'Stolen' Colts.

[Drew P]

Andrew Luck has been ridiculously good the past couple of games.  It'll be a real test.  I doubt we'll get to him and make him make the kind of mistakes he made against us in the playoffs in 2012.  Especially given that we're in his house for this one.  I look forward to seeing how our defense does!  Under 350 yards passing and less than 3 touchdowns given up to Luck's arm and I think I might be happy with that as long as our offense keeps up, which I think they could.

 

The losers they have played within their division have been ridiculously awful. They will most certainly try to target the Ravens weak secondary but im hopeful Pees will wake up and send more than 4 men on passing plays...

[Blackbirds Rule]

I understand what you're saying here (though it was slightly amusing as the if/this comments added up ) but, we can't continually give the defense all the high draft picks and then say well, slightly better than average is alright. At some point, the man in charge has to be held accountable for what is a failure.

A top 15 defense is not a failure. Of all the high draft picks we have how many of them are healthy? You can't play if you're not healthy. Webb, Jernigan, Urban, Brooks, A. Brown, B. Williams, C.J. Mosley, Elam, and Upshaw are all of our high draft picks. A. Brown can't get on the field due to undisclosed issues (possibly ST ability), Elam is still playing out of position because we don't have a FS ready and able to start. ( Will Hill may/should address that or Brooks when he's ready). Jernigan is hurt but has played extremely well when healthy. Urban (out for season). B. Williams is great. Webb is banged up. Brooks may take a few more weeks but from the small glimpses i saw from him Sunday on the handful of plays they had him in for, seemed like he was always around the ball.

 

If Jernigan and Webb can come back healthy and Brooks or Hill move Elam/Stewart to primarily playing SS. I think our defense goes from top 12-15 to a top 5-8 defense. Even as it stands now we don't give up a ton of points. We give up yards through the air but shut teams out of the endzone. Our offense appears to be top 10. I like our chances against any team if we can keep it up and stop having key players go down.

[funky141]

The losers they have played within their division have been ridiculously awful. They will most certainly try to target the Ravens weak secondary but im hopeful Pees will wake up and send more than 4 men on passing plays...

FYI-Yes the Titans and Jaguars are not a elite team in the NFL but the Colts offense did have success against the Broncos and Eagles.

[callahan09]

According to Football Outsiders through 3 weeks the Ravens have the 7th longest TOP/drive on offense with 3:04 but are just average (16th) with defensive TOP/drive at 2:47.

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestats

 

Just saying there's room for improvement because the defense is below average in those other pretty important areas I pointed out

 

According to PFREF, through 4 weeks, Ravens offense ranks:

 

#1 in plays per drive (7.4, avg is 6.0)

#1 in yards per drive (44.1, avg is 32.6)

#1 in scoring percentage (53% of drives, avg is 37%)

#1 in punt percentage (26% of drives have ended in a punt, avg is 40%)

#4 in time of possession per drive (3:15, avg is 2:44).

 

All very, very good stats to have.

[codizzle]

FYI-Yes the Titans and Jaguars are not a elite team in the NFL but the Colts offense did have success against the Broncos and Eagles.

Oh the eagles.. You mean the team that lines up and basically says oh please run right here because we can't stop it at all

I'm not hating on the colts just already tired of seeing everyone so scared of a good colts team but they are not the freaking greatest show on turf

[callahan09]

I also noticed that we're, I think 9th fastest in seconds between plays on offense with about 26.4 seconds.  Eagles are fastest by a HUGE margin at a play every 20.7 seconds when they have the ball.

 

But of the 8 teams faster than us, 5 of them rank in the bottom 8 yards per drive (including the Eagles, who are 8th from the bottom in that category).

 

The other 3 are 9th, 14th, and 15th in yards per drive.

 

And again, we are 1st in yards per drive.

 

So despite being one of the fastest teams, we're doing what few other fast teams do, which is we're holding on to the ball for one of the highest time of possession rankings and we're gaining the most yards per drive.  That's an impressive mix.  The Eagles could probably learn something from that balance... they're by far the fastest team, but they have the lowest time of possession per drive, and the 8th lowest yards per drive.  So that's probably why they couldn't get any points against a good defense in San Francisco on Sunday.  If you're just fast, but not keeping your offense on the field and extending drives with first downs and yards, then you make it much harder for your defense to do their job, and your offense will have trouble putting up points.

[rmcjacket23]

Oh the eagles.. You mean the team that lines up and basically says oh please run right here because we can't stop it at all

I'm not hating on the colts just already tired of seeing everyone so scared of a good colts team but they are not the freaking greatest show on turf

Well, in general terms, there isn't really much to "fear" per say.

 

They have a below average offensive line, and their defense generally isn't very good, which benefits the Ravens greatly.

 

What exists, however, are some key things to be concerned about:

 

1. Its a road game. That, alone, warrants concern. There is and will probably continue to be a significant difference between Ravens home teams and Ravens road teams. If you look at the stats historically, its staggering.

 

2. We will likely be facing the best QB we've played this season, and probably the best receiving core we've played this season. The biggest weakness on the Ravens entire team right now, unequivocally, is the secondary/safety position. Smart, talented QBs tend to attack weaknesses.

[codizzle]

Well, in general terms, there isn't really much to "fear" per say.

They have a below average offensive line, and their defense generally isn't very good, which benefits the Ravens greatly.

What exists, however, are some key things to be concerned about:

1. Its a road game. That, alone, warrants concern. There is and will probably continue to be a significant difference between Ravens home teams and Ravens road teams. If you look at the stats historically, its staggering.

2. We will likely be facing the best QB we've played this season, and probably the best receiving core we've played this season. The biggest weakness on the Ravens entire team right now, unequivocally, is the secondary/safety position. Smart, talented QBs tend to attack weaknesses.

This I agree with... Road issues are obvious and are always an issue when it's an away game...

People just seem to have lost confidence because of the secondary..

I see our recent play and I think if the secondary can stop the couple huge breakdowns that lead to big plays once or twice a game then this team can run anyone on the schedule

We're set up perfectly to negate a great QB. We sustain drives don't turn the ball over run the ball very well and stop the run very very well. Just need to stop giving up the few big plays in the secondary

[funky141]

Well, in general terms, there isn't really much to "fear" per say.

 

They have a below average offensive line, and their defense generally isn't very good, which benefits the Ravens greatly.

 

What exists, however, are some key things to be concerned about:

 

1. Its a road game. That, alone, warrants concern. There is and will probably continue to be a significant difference between Ravens home teams and Ravens road teams. If you look at the stats historically, its staggering.

 

2. We will likely be facing the best QB we've played this season, and probably the best receiving core we've played this season. The biggest weakness on the Ravens entire team right now, unequivocally, is the secondary/safety position. Smart, talented QBs tend to attack weaknesses.

I agree on this except the Colt's O-line which has actually so far graded out as a good unit.

(According to Pro Football Focus, the Colts currently have the best pass blocking line in the NFL)

[Gordo52]

Just wanna say, keep up the good work Callahan09. As always, your posts are very informative. I don't want to quote one though because they're so big.

Who you guys think we'll match up against Hilton, and how should they fare? I haven't been following him this season but the last two years I was, and he's had a pretty impressive career so far. Threat to score whenever the balls in his hands. Don't wanna sound scared but I'm definitely concerned about this matchup, specifically. Don't wanna see him catching it in space and on the move or 5 yards past our DB's, 40 yards downfield.

Vontae Davis vs Steve Smith Sr will be fun to watch. It will be a battle.

Besides those, I'm actually confident in every other single matchup. Gonna be an exciting game

[Drew P]

FYI-Yes the Titans and Jaguars are not a elite team in the NFL but the Colts offense did have success against the Broncos and Eagles.

 

I guess...Broncos game it was over at that point...Eagles, well its the Eagles.

[rmcjacket23]

Just wanna say, keep up the good work Callahan09. As always, your posts are very informative. I don't want to quote one though because they're so big.

Who you guys think we'll match up against Hilton, and how should they fare? I haven't been following him this season but the last two years I was, and he's had a pretty impressive career so far. Threat to score whenever the balls in his hands. Don't wanna sound scared but I'm definitely concerned about this matchup, specifically. Don't wanna see him catching it in space and on the move or 5 yards past our DB's, 40 yards downfield.

Vontae Davis vs Steve Smith Sr will be fun to watch. It will be a battle.

Besides those, I'm actually confident in every other single matchup. Gonna be an exciting game

I'm guessing Jimmy Smith matches up with Hilton, although Jimmy just may stay on one side of the field and cover whoever is over there.

 

I'm guessing Wayne plays more in the slot, and I don't think Jimmy will come down into the slot to cover very often.

[beanfigger]

I'm forever the optimist, and I believe we will win this game. That said, I am willing to look big picture and state that I don't believe a loss in this game is something terrible. We are beginning a pretty tough 5-game slate with most on the road. It's pretty tough to win them all, which would result in an 8-game winning streak. This is a game that we can lose and still wind up feeling good by the end of October. However, I think we will win.