Final 3 Game Push. Whats your HONEST prediction on how the season plays out?

[Inqui]

Its simple for me... Pittsburgh is without question the single most inconsistent football team in the NFL.

 

As a general rule, inconsistent football teams don't win four straight games.

 

I like Atlanta to beat Pittsburgh, and I'm not sure its that close either.

That about sums it up. I don't think many people foresaw them losing to the Saints or Bucs either. And just because they beat the Bengals roundly this weekend doesn't mean they'll do it again - Ketchup Field or no.

[Footman DCXLV]

Its simple for me... Pittsburgh is without question the single most inconsistent football team in the NFL.

 

As a general rule, inconsistent football teams don't win four straight games.

 

I like Atlanta to beat Pittsburgh, and I'm not sure its that close either.

 

I might debate that title with any one of the Chargers, Colts, Texans, or 49er's. If you want to talk about consistency, you know what Antonio Brown and Le'Veon are going to do every week. But, as a whole team, you have a fair premise.

 

If Julio Jones plays, I could easily see that turning into a shootout where anything could happen if Pittsburgh can't just ride Leveon Bell to long drives against the 32nd-ranked defense in the league. But, Pittsburgh still has to be a pretty big favorite there. I really just would have liked to see that following game in Kansas City where, as you say, an inconsistent team, might have had to win a very ugly game. Pittsburgh just lucked out with two home games to end the season.

[Petteri Moilanen]

3 X victoria.

This is from the week 8 before the Bengals game:

"Posted by Petteri Moilanen on 21 October 2014 - 03:58 AM
The game against the Bengals is going to be a tough one in Cincinnati. It seems that the Steelers might win against the Texans right now. They can be a dangerous team even they have had a hard time this season. San Diego is going to be a hard one too but there's plenty of time before that game to go full speed, and gladly it's a home game for the Ravens.

So things are looking pretty good if the Ravens go home from Cincinnati with a win in their pocket. The Ravens are getting better and better one game at a time so I think they can and hopefully will win all those games. Of course it's an error to underestimate any team, but those three games are the toughest ones in my opinion. This season is going forward a lot better than the last one and I think this season will build a good foundation for the next one. Go Ravens!"
 

[rmcjacket23]

I might debate that title with any one of the Chargers, Colts, Texans, or 49er's. If you want to talk about consistency, you know what Antonio Brown and Le'Veon are going to do every week. But, as a whole team, you have a fair premise.

 

If Julio Jones plays, I could easily see that turning into a shootout where anything could happen if Pittsburgh can't just ride Leveon Bell to long drives against the 32nd-ranked defense in the league. But, Pittsburgh still has to be a pretty big favorite there. I really just would have liked to see that following game in Kansas City where, as you say, an inconsistent team, might have had to win a very ugly game. Pittsburgh just lucked out with two home games to end the season.

1. From a betting standpoint, Steelers are 2.5 point favorites, meaning they are about 5-6 points better than the Falcons (a 5-8 team) on a neutral field.

 

2. I actually have no idea why most of those teams are on your list of inconsistent teams.

 

The Colts are actually incredibly consistent from a W/L standpoint... they've beaten basically every bad or even mediocre team they've played. Their losses are to Denver, NE, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, who are all at least 8-5 or better.

 

Chargers are in a similar boat... all losses to teams above .500 currently... Arizona, KC, NE, Denver and Miami. While they may not play the greatest against bad teams, they've beaten them all.

 

Houston has basically no quality wins... they beat Buffalo and Cleveland. When they've played higher-echelon teams (Dallas, Indy, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Cincy), they lost.

 

I suppose you could argue SF, but they aren't  in the ballpark of inconsistency as the Steelers. Steelers beat the Colts, Bengals and Ravens (two at home), yet have home losses to TB and NO, and also lost on the road to the Jets. 50% of the combined wins between the Jets and the Bucs come at the hands of the Steelers.

 

If the Steelers managed to win all of their last 3 games, nobody would be more surprised than me. I predicted they would go 2-3 in their last five, and I'm sticking with that. I think they lose in Atlanta, beat KC, and lose to Cincinnati.

[frozen joe flacco fan]

I think the Ravens will lose in Houston, finishing 10-6.  I hope I'm wrong and they win out.  Losing in Houston would put a ton of pressure to win the Browns game.  They were in the exact same position last year, beat Cinci the last game  and they're in.  I don't want to have to relive that.

 

Here's my prediction for the rest of the division.

 

PIT - @ATL, @KC, CIN      2-1, Finishing 10-6

CIN- @CLE, DEN, @PIT    2-1, Finishing 10-5-1

CLE- CIN, @CAR, @BAL   1-2, Finishing 8-8

I think you're just about right on your predictions for the other teams but it will be academic

'cause we will TCB and win out. Forsett was cut by the Jags so he'll have a field day, there's no way Gary Kubiak will allow JJ and the Texans to win and I'd rather have to face Johnny Football than

Brian Hoyer, pistol offense or not. Ravens will win the division but don't tell them. It might go to their heads. This team has overcome far too much adversity to stop now. After all we've been thru, I didn't think 11-5 was even remotely possible. Suddenly, it looks, not only possible, but probable.

Now, play like Ravens and fly!!!!!!!!!!!

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I honestly think we win out and in convincing fashion, and become one of the hottest teams rolling into the playoffs - a team no one will want to face.

I think we match up better against NE than any other team in the AFC. Were the only team other than NE and Denver that I think poses a threat to either of those two.

We win out which I predict wins us the division which sets us up nicely to make a little run in the playoffs. At that point anything can happen and we'll get a little boost with a rested ngata who has something to prove.

Joe's playing like the elite QB a lot of us know he has the potential to be - and he's finally showing some consistency. Kubiak has settled in to our strengths and is now helping the receivers get open. Aiken and brown are breaking out and Campanero is healthy again, Jacobys been flashing, Torrey's getting to rest, and Supernaw/juice/Gillmore are making plays.

The run game is firing on all cylinders and not just Forsett... Pierce and LT have both been running really well the past 2 weeks which just makes us that much more dangerous.

If the pass rush can stay hot and force the ball out quickly then I think the secondary can get the job done. Asa's an upgrade, and while there isn't much to support my optimism, I'm hopeful Cason can provide a boost. He's really struggled but the talent is there. That Carolina d has looked terrible all year and haven't generated pressure. I'm hopeful that in a reduced role he can be very effective.

Let's go Ravens!

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I think you're just about right on your predictions for the other teams but it will be academic

'cause we will TCB and win out. Forsett was cut by the Jags so he'll have a field day, there's no way Gary Kubiak will allow JJ and the Texans to win and I'd rather have to face Johnny Football than

Brian Hoyer, pistol offense or not. Ravens will win the division but don't tell them. It might go to their heads. This team has overcome far too much adversity to stop now. After all we've been thru, I didn't think 11-5 was even remotely possible. Suddenly, it looks, not only possible, but probable.

Now, play like Ravens and fly!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a gut feeling that Pitt loses to Atlanta or KC and hands us the division. Cinci will lose to Denver.

Atlantas offense has come to life and if they can play like they did in the 2nd half against GB I think they win a shoot out against Pitt. If that happens it makes for a very interesting matchup against KC with both of their playoff hopes on the line.

I think the best scenerio is Pitt loses to both atl and KC and then plays spoiler by beating cinci in the finale. Both lose 2 and just hand the division to us.

Not banking on it - we need to control our destiny and win out - but it's not exactly a long shot either.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I might debate that title with any one of the Chargers, Colts, Texans, or 49er's. If you want to talk about consistency, you know what Antonio Brown and Le'Veon are going to do every week. But, as a whole team, you have a fair premise.

If Julio Jones plays, I could easily see that turning into a shootout where anything could happen if Pittsburgh can't just ride Leveon Bell to long drives against the 32nd-ranked defense in the league. But, Pittsburgh still has to be a pretty big favorite there. I really just would have liked to see that following game in Kansas City where, as you say, an inconsistent team, might have had to win a very ugly game. Pittsburgh just lucked out with two home games to end the season.

Don't forget to throw cinci in there for inconsistent. Look like world beaters one week and then lay an absolute egg the next. Never really sure which one is gonna show up from week to week.

[Militant X 1]

I think we win out. And crazy as it seems, I think due to that, we most likely win the division

 

I want us to win out!  But will they and can they are the questions Fly?  To me, these last 3 games gives the Ravens the opportunity to prove that they belong in the dance by beating these 3 teams.  Starting with the Jaguars.  This "should be" a blow out game.  Should be!  Will it be?  Hmm.  I need to see the Ravens put them away quick, fast and in a hurry in the early parts of the game.  As far as the Texans?  Going to be tough but I'm looking to see how the O-line holds up.  And with the Browns?  C'mon man!  The rookie QB is starting!  The Ravens defense should be licking their chops and the offense need to come out the gate ballin' and ready to show the world that they will be a force to be reckoned with throughout the playoffs!

[Bmoreazfan]

I think we handle the Jaguars easily

 

I think the Texans come out fired up and Fitzpatrick shreds our secondary. Hope I'm wrong but I think the Texans take us down they are very dangerous at home if they decide to show up.

 

Since the Browns were stupid enough to bench Hoyer who would have probably got them into the playoffs. I think we teach Johnny Football a few things about the NFL and take them down.

 

With dropping one of our last 3 thanks to San Diego, Cincy, and the Steelers schedule I think we still get in with a wildcard. If we find a way to take the Texans we win the division for sure

[Ravenseconbeast]

We are the better team out of those 3. We have the easiest schedule @afcn.

Win out, no excuses!

[flynismo]

I want us to win out!  But will they and can they are the questions Fly?  To me, these last 3 games gives the Ravens the opportunity to prove that they belong in the dance by beating these 3 teams.  Starting with the Jaguars.  This "should be" a blow out game.  Should be!  Will it be?  Hmm.  I need to see the Ravens put them away quick, fast and in a hurry in the early parts of the game.  As far as the Texans?  Going to be tough but I'm looking to see how the O-line holds up.  And with the Browns?  C'mon man!  The rookie QB is starting!  The Ravens defense should be licking their chops and the offense need to come out the gate ballin' and ready to show the world that they will be a force to be reckoned with throughout the playoffs!

 

Yeah, I think we learned our lesson with this team....huge difference between "should" and "will"  :/

[HaX]

my HONEST opinion? We're gonna drop one of the games at the last second and we fall out of the playoffs because the AFC is so strong this year. Prove me wrong ravens, but that feel just isn't in the air like it was in 2012

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

my HONEST opinion? We're gonna drop one of the games at the last second and we fall out of the playoffs because the AFC is so strong this year. Prove me wrong ravens, but that feel just isn't in the air like it was in 2012

Was it at this point in 2012? We were in the middle of a three game losing streak at this point in 2012

[Inqui]

Was it at this point in 2012? We were in the middle of a three game losing streak at this point in 2012

Yeah, or at the tail end of it or something. That feeling in 2012 began with Ray announcing his retirement and started gaining momentum with a win over the Colts.

And if we lose from here it won't be because the AFC is so strong.

[Inqui]

Yeah, I think we learned our lesson with this team....huge difference between "should" and "will" :/

We've been handling the lowbies pretty well this year. I know this team has been weird in the past, but I'm actually confident about this run.

[Militant X 1]

We've been handling the lowbies pretty well this year. I know this team has been weird in the past, but I'm actually confident about this run.

 

And that is my issue Inqui.  Because of that "weirdness" it makes me leery of throwing all of my chips in that the Ravens can and will win out.  I'm going on record now.   If they come out sluggish against the Jags,and make their offense and defense look good...I'm going to be pissed! Lol!

[ludy51]

And that is my issue Inqui. Because of that "weirdness" it makes me leery of throwing all of my chips in that the Ravens can and will win out. I'm going on record now. If they come out sluggish against the Jags,and make their offense and defense look good...I'm going to be pissed! Lol!

They wont come out weak. Not at home, not against the jags.

[JoeyFlex5]

It hurts to admit, but for some reason I just don't see us winning the division. We should absolutely win at least two of our last three, and I can absolutely see us winning out. I just think there's a decent chance Pittsburgh does, too. I can't see them losing this week to Atlanta, especially if Julio Jones is out, and I'd be a lot more confident about KC's chances the following week if the game were in Kansas City. But, with the pressure on, I don't see KC going into Pittsburgh and winning, either. Then, if the Steelers are riding that kind of momentum, and knowing they're playing for the division, I definitely can't see them losing to Cincinatti (again IN Pittsburgh) after they already handled them on the road. I've felt pretty confident for a while that the Bengals weren't going to finish strongly, and it would come down to Pittsburgh and Baltimore for the division (be honest, nobody really believed in Cleveland), but the best chance I see for us to win the division is if Cincinatti loses to Denver, but beats Pittsburgh. The problem is that I see that Cincinatti-Pittsburgh game the final week getting the primetime nod, meaning whichever team is behind will already know whether or not they have a shot at the division based on what happened in the Baltimore-Cleveland game earlier in the day. Cincinatti might be in a position at that point where they're getting a wild card spot either way (or missing the playoffs either way) without anything to play for.

 

I'm sure I'm not the only one here who's been playing around with playoff simulators, and obviously I can't predict the future. We have a good chance at winning the division if we win out, and that's certainly what I'm hoping for. But, I'll be satisfied as long as we make it to the playoffs. We have to show last year was a fluke.

many of us have a strong feeling that atlanta will beat them, im in that group. pitts secondary and pass rush is a shell of its former self, and they have not fared well against the NFC south this year, dropping 2 games at home to teams just as bad or worse than the falcons, and the home field advantage and the falcons playing for a joke of a division title could be enough to help them beat the incredibly inconsistent steelers. i think winning out will be a VERY hard task for the steelers and i am completely sold on the idea of them coughing one up, likely against ATL or KC.

[JoeyFlex5]

im just wondering.. why is everyone so confident about the browns game because manziel will be starting? am i the only one who is deeply concerned about us facing him? 

 

he is extremely athletic, he has a very good NFL caliber arm, accurate, strong, and can use that "3rd dimension" and put the right amount of touch on the ball, and most of all, he is very ballsy and not scared to go for the big play, which is something that should have us worried considering how we just cant defend the big play. i watched enough of him in college to know his hype is well deserved, he is by no means a bad qb and everyone talks so bad about him BECAUSE of the hype. 

 

the cleveland game scares me MUCH more than houston, because of johnny manziel. we will need a 2 possession lead in the last 4 minutes of the game to win it, say what you want about him  but he is a big play waiting to happen.

[rmcjacket23]

im just wondering.. why is everyone so confident about the browns game because manziel will be starting? am i the only one who is deeply concerned about us facing him? 

 

he is extremely athletic, he has a very good NFL caliber arm, accurate, strong, and can use that "3rd dimension" and put the right amount of touch on the ball, and most of all, he is very ballsy and not scared to go for the big play, which is something that should have us worried considering how we just cant defend the big play. i watched enough of him in college to know his hype is well deserved, he is by no means a bad qb and everyone talks so bad about him BECAUSE of the hype. 

 

the cleveland game scares me MUCH more than houston, because of johnny manziel. we will need a 2 possession lead in the last 4 minutes of the game to win it, say what you want about him  but he is a big play waiting to happen.

Here's what I see...

 

1. Manziel struggles heavily with accuracy, and deep passing. As such, I think for at least this season he reverts to what he basically only knows... scrambling and attempting to make plays from the pocket. If you can contain that, you can contain him. Its one of the few games where I'd say the Ravens are better off NOT rushing the QB heavy outside of the normal 3-4 man rush, and playing a tighter zone to make the windows he has to throw in tighter.

 

2. The Browns struggle to run the ball, and the Ravens are effective against the run.

 

3. The main problem I have with the Browns is their defense. I think if we go run-heavy like we did in Cleveland and don't turn the ball over, we should be fine. Their pass rush is solid and their secondary is excellent. Their defense, particularly the pass defense, is highly improved since we last played them, but then again, so is our offense.

[beanfigger]

im just wondering.. why is everyone so confident about the browns game because manziel will be starting? am i the only one who is deeply concerned about us facing him?

he is extremely athletic, he has a very good NFL caliber arm, accurate, strong, and can use that "3rd dimension" and put the right amount of touch on the ball, and most of all, he is very ballsy and not scared to go for the big play, which is something that should have us worried considering how we just cant defend the big play. i watched enough of him in college to know his hype is well deserved, he is by no means a bad qb and everyone talks so bad about him BECAUSE of the hype.

the cleveland game scares me MUCH more than houston, because of johnny manziel. we will need a 2 possession lead in the last 4 minutes of the game to win it, say what you want about him but he is a big play waiting to happen.

My confidence in that game has little to do with their QB. I think we win because we're better, and we've never lost to the Browns at home in this coaching tenure. I'm certainly not expecting a blowout, but an ugly win in that game. Either way, I believe it will lead to more games for us this year.

[dirtybird10]

I hope we win out, and I would say it would be a complete failure if we do not win at least two of our next three. I could also very easily see Cincy losing 2 of their next 3, and going from first to worst in the division if they drop all three. I think it is going to come down to us and Pitt for the division and wild card. 

[haarvik]

The Miami game was very reminiscent of the 2012 SB run.  Other than the secondary, the rest of the team played as well as that miracle seasons team did.  Now lets see if they caught enough fire to make another run at it!

[Rodgers_To_Nelson]

PAIN is my prediction for anyone playing the Ravens.

[Inqui]

im just wondering.. why is everyone so confident about the browns game because manziel will be starting? am i the only one who is deeply concerned about us facing him? 

 

he is extremely athletic, he has a very good NFL caliber arm, accurate, strong, and can use that "3rd dimension" and put the right amount of touch on the ball, and most of all, he is very ballsy and not scared to go for the big play, which is something that should have us worried considering how we just cant defend the big play. i watched enough of him in college to know his hype is well deserved, he is by no means a bad qb and everyone talks so bad about him BECAUSE of the hype. 

 

the cleveland game scares me MUCH more than houston, because of johnny manziel. we will need a 2 possession lead in the last 4 minutes of the game to win it, say what you want about him  but he is a big play waiting to happen.

He made plays in college, but honestly so did Tim Tebow. Even ignoring his preseason, which was utterly dismal, I think he'll make a few plays but shouldn't be impossible to contain or adjust to. And again, guys like Upshaw and Suggs setting the edge will be huge, and if he busts out of the containment I back Smith and Mosley (I think Brown would be great too, but that's more or less a lost cause at this point) to stop him doing anything really incredible. And of course we'll have two weeks' tape on him by then. Keep him as a pocket passer, and he suddenly isn't good enough to win on his own. The blueprint's already been set out with guys like Kaepernick and Wilson.

 

And like beanfigger said, I back our other matchups at home. Their secondary is good, but our offence is hitting its strides and has shown it can consistently move the chains with anyone. And we should comfortably win both sides of the running game.

[Footman DCXLV]

im just wondering.. why is everyone so confident about the browns game because manziel will be starting? am i the only one who is deeply concerned about us facing him? 

 

he is extremely athletic, he has a very good NFL caliber arm, accurate, strong, and can use that "3rd dimension" and put the right amount of touch on the ball, and most of all, he is very ballsy and not scared to go for the big play, which is something that should have us worried considering how we just cant defend the big play. i watched enough of him in college to know his hype is well deserved, he is by no means a bad qb and everyone talks so bad about him BECAUSE of the hype. 

 

the cleveland game scares me MUCH more than houston, because of johnny manziel. we will need a 2 possession lead in the last 4 minutes of the game to win it, say what you want about him  but he is a big play waiting to happen.

 

You always have to respect that a division game could give you trouble, but I don't think it has much to do with Manziel as much as it is the fact that we already beat that team, in their stadium, and now get to play them again, at home, in a week where we'll need to win and they'll likely have nothing to play for. My confidence level today is exactly the same as it was when I thought Hoyer would still be starting.

[JoeyFlex5]

He made plays in college, but honestly so did Tim Tebow. Even ignoring his preseason, which was utterly dismal, I think he'll make a few plays but shouldn't be impossible to contain or adjust to. And again, guys like Upshaw and Suggs setting the edge will be huge, and if he busts out of the containment I back Smith and Mosley (I think Brown would be great too, but that's more or less a lost cause at this point) to stop him doing anything really incredible. And of course we'll have two weeks' tape on him by then. Keep him as a pocket passer, and he suddenly isn't good enough to win on his own. The blueprint's already been set out with guys like Kaepernick and Wilson.

 

And like beanfigger said, I back our other matchups at home. Their secondary is good, but our offence is hitting its strides and has shown it can consistently move the chains with anyone. And we should comfortably win both sides of the running game.

tebow also made plays in the nfl, do you not remember what he turned his broncos team into when he took over as starter? 

 

not saying tebow is some god tier qb and i know he is overall pretty bad and lacking in so many key areas, but if his team kept the game close, he had a knack for always winning at the end, i think its a shame how he was casted off after doing what he did in denver. and i have said since college that manziel is like a more athletic tebow with a better arm, i think those unexpected bombs and clutch runs for first downs and 4th quarter game winning drives is gonna be something we'll see quite often from manziel, and i am really hoping that doesnt start in week 17. 

 

not a manziel supporter but im not in the bunch that thinks hes gonna be some joke in the NFL, i think hes gonna give us headaches. and we have seen too many times before, we cant just predict a win 3 weeks down the road because we see our offense getting hot, or our pass rush destroying people etc. any major element of this team can disappear at anytime against anyone, it happens all the time, which is why i dont always count on 400 yard and 6 sack performances to happen every week.

[rmcjacket23]

tebow also made plays in the nfl, do you not remember what he turned his broncos team into when he took over as starter? 

 

not saying tebow is some god tier qb and i know he is overall pretty bad and lacking in so many key areas, but if his team kept the game close, he had a knack for always winning at the end, i think its a shame how he was casted off after doing what he did in denver. and i have said since college that manziel is like a more athletic tebow with a better arm, i think those unexpected bombs and clutch runs for first downs and 4th quarter game winning drives is gonna be something we'll see quite often from manziel, and i am really hoping that doesnt start in week 17. 

 

not a manziel supporter but im not in the bunch that thinks hes gonna be some joke in the NFL, i think hes gonna give us headaches. and we have seen too many times before, we cant just predict a win 3 weeks down the road because we see our offense getting hot, or our pass rush destroying people etc. any major element of this team can disappear at anytime against anyone, it happens all the time, which is why i dont always count on 400 yard and 6 sack performances to happen every week.

Tebow got "cast out" because anybody who has every evaluated QB performance in the pocket thought his mechanics were terrible and his overall pocket performance was terrible. As such, teams either didn't want the responsiblity of attempting to fix those things (which they shouldn't have to, because its the NFL), or didn't think they were fixable.

 

The notion of "just winning games" is fine and all, but its also not sustainable. QBs in this league don't keep their jobs because they "just win"... they keep their jobs based on mechanics, pocket awareness, decision making, and yes, statistical production.

 

As far as Manziel, I think he can potentially have an RGIII short-term success followed by long-term failure, completely depending on how he develops as a passing QB. Teams will probably struggle a bit in the early going until they get a bunch of game film on him, and then they will likely force him into more of a pocket passer. If he grows as a pocket passer, he will have a fine career. If he doesn't, they'll be shopping for another QB in 3-4 years.

[tolucaraven]

2-1 lose At Houston... Fitspatrick gives us fitz, bummed when Mallet went down. Potential WC team if Cincinnati loses 2 of 3 Quite possible.