Next up: Indianapolis

[BmoreBird22]

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.

How do those teams stack up in points per game and explosive plays given up?

[arnie_uk]

How do those teams stack up in points per game and explosive plays given up?

why are you going out of your way to defend or defense? I mean someone has already pointed out we are one of the worst at getting a stop on 3rd down. Isn't that enough to show you we aren't great at getting of the field?

We are obv very good in the red zone. But until the opposition gets to the 30 or so they more or less have their way with us

[redrum52]

Say what you will about those offenses and quarterbacks, but four games in the Bengals are seventh in total offense and sixth in PPG, the Browns are 13th in total yards and 11th in PPG, and the Steelers are fifth in total yards and 12th in PPG. The only bad one was Carolina who are 24th and 28th, respectively. Keep in mind, these rankings also take into account facing the second best defense in terms of PPG.

You're just trying to rationalize him being a bad coordinator, but what you can't argue with is the Ravens allowing 15 PPG and going 3-1, with a three game win streak. If the offense that's been showing up these past three games showed up against the Bengals, they're 4-0.

No need for change.

Much truth to this. Our only loss was due to an ineffective offense. Had 5hen not waited til the second half to do their job that could've been a win.

[BmoreBird22]

why are you going out of your way to defend or defense? I mean someone has already pointed out we are one of the worst at getting a stop on 3rd down. Isn't that enough to show you we aren't great at getting of the field?

We are obv very good in the red zone. But until the opposition gets to the 30 or so they more or less have their way with us

I'm curious about any correlations there are. It's an interesting thing about the NFL to analyze advanced stats like that and compare.

Not that it really matters relating to the Ravens defense because I think giving up the second fewest points per game is what really matters. I couldn't care less about how teams move the ball because they don't find the end zone often at all

[BmoreBird22]

Much truth to this. Our only loss was due to an ineffective offense. Had 5hen not waited til the second half to do their job that could've been a win.

I expected those type of new offense jitters for the first game, but it doesn't make it any easier to watch or think about

[arnie_uk]

Much truth to this. Our only loss was due to an ineffective offense. Had 5hen not waited til the second half to do their job that could've been a win.

if the defense didnt let up that big play we could have won. Works both ways

[rmcjacket23]

if the defense didnt let up that big play we could have won. Works both ways

Perhaps, but that also implies that everything that happened after that play would happen the exact same way, which is unrealistic.

[Tank 92]

Perhaps, but that also implies that everything that happened after that play would happen the exact same way, which is unrealistic.

 

 

True, but there was only a couple of minutes left in the game when we were on top and they hit that bomb to take the lead.  Isn't it more unrealistic to assume if our O played better in the first half, scored more, that everything after would have happened the same way?  just sayin'......

 

I've had this debate many times before.  For me, it's what happens at the end of the game that matters most. Wins and losses are based on what the score is when the clock reads 00:00.

[berad]

How do those teams stack up in points per game and explosive plays given up?

 

Ravens -15 pts/game (3rd), 1.63 pts/drive (10th)

Patriots - 22.5 pts/game (14th), 1.48 pts/drive (4th)

Redskins - 27.2 pts/game (26th), 1.52 pts/drive (5th)

 

*Worth noting that the pts/game numbers are for all 4 games, the pts/drive numbers are only through 3 games from Football Outsiders

 

You'll have to define explosive plays but here are the yards gained per play:

 

Ravens - 5.8 (21st)

Patriots - 5.0 (7th)

Redskins - 5.2 (11th)

[rmcjacket23]

True, but there was only a couple of minutes left in the game when we were on top and they hit that bomb to take the lead.  Isn't it more unrealistic to assume if our O played better in the first half, scored more, that everything after would have happened the same way?  just sayin'......

 

I've had this debate many times before.  For me, it's what happens at the end of the game that matters most. Wins and losses are based on what the score is when the clock reads 00:00.

1. They scored with 5 minutes left in the game, so yeah, sort of.

 

2. So basically, you agree then that the reason we lost is because we didn't play well enough to win? That's generally what happens when you lose.

[berad]

1. They scored with 5 minutes left in the game, so yeah, sort of.

 

2. So basically, you agree then that the reason we lost is because we didn't play well enough to win? That's generally what happens when you lose.

 

He's saying it's not fair to affix blame when both units didn't perform up to the level they needed to.

[Kid87]

Its hard to tell how good their Defense is..they played Peyton, The flying Eagles, the Jags and the Titans....

[Drew P]

They need Brooks in center field immediately Elam and Stewart are lost in space hopefully Webb is active and can get up to speed quickly.

[rmcjacket23]

They need Brooks in center field immediately Elam and Stewart are lost in space hopefully Webb is active and can get up to speed quickly.

I think if the coaching staff thought Brooks was our best option, he would already be out there.

 

Time will tell whether that is the case or not.

[Drew P]

I think if the coaching staff thought Brooks was our best option, he would already be out there.

 

Time will tell whether that is the case or not.

 

Some staff probably but the Org. as a whole generally has a tough time eating humble pie...

[rmcjacket23]

Some staff probably but the Org. as a whole generally has a tough time eating humble pie...

Examples?

 

And the coaching staff determines who plays on Sunday...

[fusuymada]

Lots of good comments and I don't want to zero in on one. Our record against Luck is 2-0. Both home games 12/11 24-9 and 1/13 24-10. I am siding with a lot of you who think a 30+ point game will be needed to win but in spite of our secondary problems we are 3rd in fewest total points allowed and tied for second in fewest total points allowed per game. We are second in the fewest overall TDs allowed and believe it or not we are tied for 2nd in the fewest rec TDs allowed. Finally we lead the league in redzone defense. So although I would love to continue to see the defense produce at this rate I don't think it is realistic but having allowed only 60 points in 4 games we have kept good Qb's like Big Ben, Andy Dalton, Cam Newton and Bryan Hoyer to just 2 passing TDs combined. We should do well against Indy's weak running game with Richardson and Bradshaw but their receivers are top grade. We absolutely need to bring our A game. Indy's losses came via 7 points to a very good Denver team and 3 points to a good Eagles team. The silver lining to those games is that neither Denver nor Philly have top rated defenses and are in the upper teens and 20's as far as points allowed per game. Indy leads the league in about every offensive category and we may need a little Luck of our own (pun intended) in turnovers to help pull this one out.

[Blackbirds Rule]

I think if the coaching staff thought Brooks was our best option, he would already be out there.

 

Time will tell whether that is the case or not.

I think they're starting to feel more comfortable with Brooks. Evidenced by him coming on to the field to get snaps while Carolina's first teams was still in the game. It takes QB's and CB's the longest time to transition over to the NFL. I hope he gets up to speed in a way where he can just relax and play instead of thinking too much out there.

[GrimCoconut]

I think if the coaching staff thought Brooks was our best option, he would already be out there.

Time will tell whether that is the case or not.

Well, Brooks played against Carolina, so I suppose we are feeling more confident in him.

[GrimCoconut]

I think they're starting to feel more comfortable with Brooks. Evidenced by him coming on to the field to get snaps while Carolina's first teams was still in the game. It takes QB's and CB's the longest time to transition over to the NFL. I hope he gets up to speed in a way where he can just relax and play instead of thinking too much out there.

I agree. It takes QB, WR, DB quite a while to adjust. Some guys adjust faster, but it's typically difficult for those guys to just come in and play. There's a learning curve.

[funky141]

Its hard to tell how good their Defense is..they played Peyton, The flying Eagles, the Jags and the Titans....

excellent point, two ends of the spectrum.

[JEEPercreepermd]

The colts have turned AQ. Shipley into a productive player. smh

Williams and Ngata are going to rag doll him very badly this week.

[Tank 92]

1. They scored with 5 minutes left in the game, so yeah, sort of.

 

2. So basically, you agree then that the reason we lost is because we didn't play well enough to win? That's generally what happens when you lose.

 

 

No, I'm saying that we had the lead with 5 minutes to play and with a defensive stop at the point we most likely win, regardless of how we played in the first half.

[rmcjacket23]

No, I'm saying that we had the lead with 5 minutes to play and with a defensive stop at the point we most likely win, regardless of how we played in the first half.

Right, and I'm saying there's no guarantee that the defensive stop was coming. Plus, the Bengals likely would have gotten the ball back at least one more time.

[Tank 92]

Right, and I'm saying there's no guarantee that the defensive stop was coming. Plus, the Bengals likely would have gotten the ball back at least one more time.

Possible, but the O was clicking pretty good in the second half up until that last drive where I think the O line communication just broke down under the pressure. The final outcome just reminded me of a couple of games from last year where the O sucked in the first half but came back and took the lead at the end, only to have the D fold and lose the game.

[Drew P]

Examples?

 

And the coaching staff determines who plays on Sunday...

If a player is "hurt" and is a starter they decide if they play and not the coaches 9 out of 10 times if its not a major injury.

 

Examples or just one big fat mountain of one?

[ravensdfan]

Much truth to this. Our only loss was due to an ineffective offense. Had 5hen not waited til the second half to do their job that could've been a win.

So the fact that the defense only forced one punt all half and the Bengals marched down the field on every other drive had nothing to do with our loss? Ok. Gotcha.

 

Might also remind you the ineffective offense got the lead with 5 mins left and the defense couldn't get off the field - again.

[rmcjacket23]

If a player is "hurt" and is a starter they decide if they play and not the coaches 9 out of 10 times if its not a major injury.

 

Examples or just one big fat mountain of one?

1. I don't even understand what your first statement says, and I don't think you do either. Are you saying that the coaching staff doesn't make any decisions in regards to whether injured players play or not? Again, please provide examples of where that is known to be the case.

 

2. I want multiple examples. You made a theoretical claim... in order for it to become realistic or factual, you must have some sort of support behind that. You claim that the organization has a problem eating humble pie. I want some names and some of examples of where that is the case.

 

Plus, you've somehow got to tie this all back together to explain why for some reason the FO doesn't want Terrence Brooks on the field, as I'm pretty sure that's what your entire point was.

[gabefergy]

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.

Maybe the draft picks weren't that good? That's a possibility right? I know a lot of people were not very pleased with the Elam pick when it happened, and Arthur Brown can't even get on the field because of the scheme we run. Brooks hasn't seen much if any action and Jernigan has been hurt. 

 

So in reality only 2 of the top 6 draft picks we have had the past 2 years are having any positive impact, neither of which are in the secondary. Elam is playing, but is playing out of position. Is that Pees fault or is it the FO fault for not getting a real FS? 

 

I think it's fairly obvious that Pees is a magician on defense at this point. We are playing safeties that aren't very good at CB because of the lack of talent in the secondary right now. We have 1 good player in the secondary total, and yet here we are at 3-1, which could be 4-0 if not for the players failure to perform on the field. 

[Static]

We are still coming out of the Ray Lewis/Ed Reed era. We ravens aren't used to this type of Defense. But there is no need to panic especially at 3-1. 

 

We're tied for 2nd in PPGS given up. I don't know if you watch other teams but we have nothing to complain about.