Next up: Steelers

[Static]

I'm more concerned about this game than Cincy. This is a must-win

5-4 3rd in division?

Hello mediocre record and trash season.

[Raving_Heathen]

I'm more concerned about this game than Cincy. This is a must-win

5-4 3rd in division?

Hello mediocre record and trash season.

 

Don't know about that. AFC looks very weak this year outside of Denver, and the Ravens have a pretty weak schedule. I'd genuinely be shocked if the Ravens didn't make the playoffs.

[The Mom Gene]

Don't know about that. AFC looks very weak this year outside of Denver, and the Ravens have a pretty weak schedule. I'd genuinely be shocked if the Ravens didn't make the playoffs.

Me too on that.

[DomMcRaven]

Don't know about that. AFC looks very weak this year outside of Denver, and the Ravens have a pretty weak schedule. I'd genuinely be shocked if the Ravens didn't make the playoffs.

 

 

Me too on that.

Me three. I had us going 10-6 with a wildcard spot. I'm still having some hope that we can win the division depending on how Cincy does against the rest of the division, the Broncos and at the Saints.

[Bryden88]

This is the Steelers.

 

We do not doubt the Ravens when facing the Steelers. They are the enemy. The Bengals may be the bigger rival, but there is no feud like the Ravens-Steelers. We'll buckle in. And yes, the Purple and Black will come out angry and punch Big Ben in the mouth. Because that's what we do more often then not these days.

 

Enough doomsaying. Whose ready to see a SWEEP?!

 

I fully expect that the Ravens and Bengals will sweep the Sqeualers and Browns.

[Static]

Not sure if you guys watched that game but this is NOT a team to take lightly. This a team is to be scared of.

[Bruce_Almty]

There are only 2 remaining games I'm not overly concerned about -- Tennessee & Jacksonville. All the other games pose significant challenges to us either in quality of the team we play or being an away game. Hoping for 10-6 and a wildcard birth.

Go Ravens

[Bryden88]

The Steelers defended their home turf. We would have probably beaten the Colts if they were at home. Bengals over the Colts at home. But for Ravens and Bengals, we went to Lucasfield.

 

So no, not really worried. Next week, it's AFC North Football, and this time we'll have a W. I believe in our team.

[pep_meister]

There are only 2 remaining games I'm not overly concerned about -- Tennessee & Jacksonville. All the other games pose significant challenges to us either in quality of the team we play or being an away game. Hoping for 10-6 and a wildcard birth.

Go Ravens

but you forget..we are the ravens. we will beat saints in NOLA yadayadayda but will lose to titans and jacksonville.

[FoxRox75]

I'm pretty concerned at this point. The Steelers owned the Colts, while we lost to the Bungles. I just don't understand us; that was a game we should have won. Period. We can complain all day about the PI call on Smith Sr., but let's face it, we didn't play a complete game to win it in the first place. Sure we dominated Pittsburgh once, but that was with a healthy team, and at M&T Bank Stadium. We might be looking at a 5-4 record after this week and 3rd place in the division. Unless we find a way to improve a lot over this week, I doubt we'll pull out a win.

[Alaska Alaska!]

I'm pretty concerned at this point. The Steelers owned the Colts, while we lost to the Bungles. I just don't understand us; that was a game we should have won. Period. We can complain all day about the PI call on Smith Sr., but let's face it, we didn't play a complete game to win it in the first place. Sure we dominated Pittsburgh once, but that was with a healthy team, and at M&T Bank Stadium. We might be looking at a 5-4 record after this week and 3rd place in the division. Unless we find a way to improve a lot over this week, I doubt we'll pull out a win.

There's a similar trend in all of losses.  When the ratio between passing and rushing becomes way off balanced we lose.  We need to lay off Joe passing so much and must continue to rely heavily on the ground game.  Power running and defense are the backbone of this franchise.  Forsett has proven he can work.  

[Inqui]

I'm pretty concerned at this point. The Steelers owned the Colts, while we lost to the Bungles. I just don't understand us; that was a game we should have won. Period. We can complain all day about the PI call on Smith Sr., but let's face it, we didn't play a complete game to win it in the first place. Sure we dominated Pittsburgh once, but that was with a healthy team, and at M&T Bank Stadium. We might be looking at a 5-4 record after this week and 3rd place in the division. Unless we find a way to improve a lot over this week, I doubt we'll pull out a win.

Both sides almost always play each other so close that form goes completely out the window in these games. If we lose, it'll be nothing to do with how both sides looked today.

[Minionhunter]

I'm putting the over /under for the number of times Collinsworth and Michaels verbally cheer the steelers or verbally get upset when the ravens make a play or the steelers don't at 30 times. I'm likely way under. 

[Inqui]

I'm putting the over /under for the number of times Collinsworth and Michaels verbally cheer the steelers or verbally get upset when the ravens make a play or the steelers don't at 30 times. I'm likely way under. 

I'll be in the stands so thankfully I'm dodging that bullet. Though I'm guessing my over/under for the amount of times I get a homocidal urge related to those towels would be at a similar number.

[Static]

I'll be in the stands so thankfully I'm dodging that bullet. Though I'm guessing my over/under for the amount of times I get a homocidal urge related to those towels would be at a similar number.

 

Be Careful. If we start winning the Steelers fans might start to feel some type of way.

[Inqui]

Be Careful. If we start winning the Steelers fans might start to feel some type of way.

Yeah, I think I'm in for a quick exit if we win, haha.

[Bruce_Almty]

Ravens greatness is officially on a week-by-week Show-Me basis and a What Have You Done For Me Lately status. As good as we all think they are, they have not beat any quality teams and until they do....they are who the "experts" thought they were, an 8-8 team and 3rd best in the division. Let's go Ravens....Walk the Walk.

[K-Dog]

The steelers looked out standing today.  We didnt.

I dont know what else there is to say.  I dont know how that can be argued.

I am not a sky is falling guy.  I am not calling the season doomed.  I am pretty scared about next week for sure. 

[Inqui]

The steelers looked out standing today.  We didnt.

I dont know what else there is to say.  I dont know how that can be argued.

I am not a sky is falling guy.  I am not calling the season doomed.  I am pretty scared about next week for sure. 

A lot changes in a week, as we just found (I mean, that "are we the best team in the league?" thread just says it all). Honestly I don't see this game being any less close than these games usually are - Jimmy or no.

[D_UP]

The way the secondary played today it could be ugly. Jimmy Smith covers up a lot when he left the secondary "went to hell in a hand basket".

[Alaska Alaska!]

The way the secondary played today it could be ugly. Jimmy Smith covers up a lot when he left the secondary "went to hell in a hand basket".

This is why I always preach about depth over "big name guys".  With our secondary having its weak points, we'll be going back to prevent defense.

[ravensdfan]

This is why I always preach about depth over "big name guys".  With our secondary having its weak points, we'll be going back to prevent defense.

 

I don't know- I can't think of any real way to prove it other than to look at the correlation which could be cooincidence - but is it really that the secondary crumbles or that Pees gets all scared and goes to that prevent style defense and no pressure on the QB then causes the secondary to crumble.

 

Hard to say but my opinion is that Pees plays scared too much. I know others hold a different opinion.

[Alaska Alaska!]

I don't know- I can't think of any real way to prove it other than to look at the correlation which could be cooincidence - but is it really that the secondary crumbles or that Pees gets all scared and goes to that prevent style defense and no pressure on the QB then causes the secondary to crumble.

 

Hard to say but my opinion is that Pees plays scared too much. I know others hold a different opinion.

With Jimmy out, the DB's don't look like they can hold their own in one-on-one match ups.  I don't think press with the players we have now is the answer

[52520Andrew]

I originally had us losing this game had we hung on against Cincy but I think between losing there and the Steelers doing well the past couple weeks I don't think we take them lightly here(not that we ever do but a couple weeks ago this didn't look like it was going to be as challenging as it does now, especially when Houston was cruising). I don't know if we win, the Steelers are going to be motivated retiring Joe Greene's number(I thought they had done it earlier honestly, huge cornerstone of that dynasty), at home in prime time, and they are playing tough but I expect it to be hard fought.

 

It will be tough if Jimmy can't go, especially with the way Antonio Brown is playing, and Bell, and their other WRs starting to come out. They look pretty tough offensively, they have a good line as well(not Cincy good but a pretty solid line overall), Heath Miller is a guy you can't sleep on, and of course Big Ben. I think we keep them somewhat in check if we get Jimmy back but they are going to get some points. If Jimmy can't go, I am going to be scared the entire game. Either way we need to do well on defense because they are playing a lot better on offense than they did in week 2.

 

On defense, their secondary is a place we gotta win but we can't do it all with Steve, we need Torrey to get back to what he was and our other guys to keep emerging, I like what I have seen from Camp but he needs to get healthy as well. Their front 7 and specifically their pass rush has been playing a lot better recently and they will get some plays there but I like our O-line as well and I don't think they dominate there. I think we will be able to open up some holes in the running game as well but it will be tough yards still. 

 

Overall I think we are pretty similar teams in all honesty, they are playing at home and will be tough but I think we will be motivated as well. Should be another classic battle and hopefully we can come out on top this time and not have any more injuries.

[AsianRice]

Our offense need to stay sharp in this game cuz we know this is going to be scoring.  Without Jimmy, our secondary is in deep trouble.  We can't fall too behind; we need to keep hanging in there and wait for a chance to finish them off.

[Militant X 1]

Ravens greatness is officially on a week-by-week Show-Me basis and a What Have You Done For Me Lately status. As good as we all think they are, they have not beat any quality teams and until they do....they are who the "experts" thought they were, an 8-8 team and 3rd best in the division. Let's go Ravens....Walk the Walk.

And neither have the Ravens.

 

@Mili

[PoeDinkum]

We go into Pitt and beat a red hot Steeler team WITHOUT Jimmy Smith and I will not doubt this team for the rest of the year.

[Minionhunter]

The steelers looked out standing today.  We didnt.

I dont know what else there is to say.  I dont know how that can be argued.

I am not a sky is falling guy.  I am not calling the season doomed.  I am pretty scared about next week for sure. 

 

 

The steelers looked out standing today.  We didnt.

I dont know what else there is to say.  I dont know how that can be argued.

I am not a sky is falling guy.  I am not calling the season doomed.  I am pretty scared about next week for sure. 

The real question is who's crew is officiating, we got 'Cleated this week. 

[FoxRox75]

Well at least this game is officially out of the "trap game" question. We just need to go out there, play angry, and get the W. It would be a huge blow to lose this one, as it would be for the Steelers as well. The Steelers look more inconsistent than we do though; they lose to the Buccaneers in one game, and then dominate the Colts - both home games. I just hope we can get back on track with this game. Would be much better to go 7-3 rather than 6-4 into the bye week. I originally thought 11-5 or maybe ever 12-4, but I think 10-6 is the realistic expectation at this point. Either way, getting back to the playoffs is a must for this season to be a success.

[KDUBB44]

We've had ben's number these few last years. Not worried