Ravens are early early favorites to win AFC North

[757RavensFan]

Per my ESPN app, Football Outsiders have the Ravens winning the division with a 9-7 record.  I'd much rather be the underdog than the favorite to win.  They also have the Ravens playing the Pats in the 1st round of the playoffs, projecting Miami to win the AFC East accounting for a Brady suspension.

 

Football Outiders came up with these projections by starting with its Defense-adjusted Value Over Average and then accounted for last year's injury numbers, major free-agent moves and a few other indicators.

 

 

[izvoodoo]

I think us Pittsburg and Cincinnati have just been a 3 team race for the 3rd seed behind denver and NE for some time now.  

[Bruce_Almty]

Ravens finished 3rd in the division the past 2yrs. Until we actually win it on the field it's Pittsburgh's and Cincinnati's to lose. And in a tough division where every game matters, Pittsburgh was just handed a gift win.

[ravensnick]

Ravens finished 3rd in the division the past 2yrs. Until we actually win it on the field it's Pittsburgh's and Cincinnati's to lose. And in a tough division where every game matters, Pittsburgh was just handed a gift win.

Heavily disagree with this. Not because we should be favorites, but every year, Pittsburgh, Cinny, and us are way to close to call anyone a winner until week 17. That's not even to mention we went further in the playoffs than either one of them. Complete level playing field, except for Cleveland, in the division. Also won't call NE a gift win. Garoppolo just has to be a decent game manager and I think they could get by. Plenty of talent on that roster. 

Edited May 12, 2015 by ravensnick

[hawkprey]

Maybe if all our top paid players except Flacco don't get injured again we can win it this time.

[redrum52]

Per my ESPN app, Football Outsiders have the Ravens winning the division with a 9-7 record.  I'd much rather be the underdog than the favorite to win.  They also have the Ravens playing the Pats in the 1st round of the playoffs, projecting Miami to win the AFC East accounting for a Brady suspension.

 

Not aiming this comment at you specifically, but it's lose-lose for the media.  When they say we stink, the purple droves come out, screaming to the mountain tops about disrepect.  When we're picked to win, it seems unanimous around here that we'd rather be the underdog.

[HoldingCall]

Ravens finished 3rd in the division the past 2yrs. Until we actually win it on the field it's Pittsburgh's and Cincinnati's to lose. And in a tough division where every game matters, Pittsburgh was just handed a gift win.

I agree with needing to actually win the division and this year will be tough. I believe the Ravens must improve depth at CB. Smith and Webb are good but there is a big drop off in quality after those two; hopefully some young CBs step up their game.

 

Also, I have a concern with the media forecast because they usually do a lousy job picking winners.

[HoldingCall]

Post draft power rankings list Ravens as third in the division. Not that it means anything, just fyi.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000491129/article/nfl-power-rankings-patriots-reclaim-top-spot-with-stellar-draft

Edited May 12, 2015 by HoldingCall

[JoeyFlex5]

Heavily disagree with this. Not because we should be favorites, but every year, Pittsburgh, Cinny, and us are way to close to call anyone a winner until week 17. That's not even to mention we went further in the playoffs than either one of them. Complete level playing field, except for Cleveland, in the division. Also won't call NE a gift win. Garoppolo just has to be a decent game manager and I think they could get by. Plenty of talent on that roster. 

losing revis and brady makes their overall roster take a tumble, bad. i think they may get blown out in quite a few games, and if not then i think a qb controversy begins next offseason because that means garropolo can carry an average team

[Bruce_Almty]

.... Also won't call NE a gift win. Garoppolo just has to be a decent game manager and I think they could get by. Plenty of talent on that roster. 

I should have stopped with Pittsburgh was handed a gift. Certainly nothing is assured. Sure would like to see January football at the bank this season.

[elemento]

No offense to the guy who wrote it, but I felt that the Ravens part was so poor. 

 

It sounded like our draft totally relies on Perriman, when we got the best TE in the draft, the steal of the 3rd round and a great pass rusher + great RB in the 4th round. 

[ellicottraven]

No offense to the guy who wrote it, but I felt that the Ravens part was so poor. 

 

It sounded like our draft totally relies on Perriman, when we got the best TE in the draft, the steal of the 3rd round and a great pass rusher + great RB in the 4th round. 

And the guy who turned heads during rookie minicamp most - TE Nick Boyle!!!

[stampedehero]

Its all speculation. I know we will be in the mix.  This division is so tough. I certainly do not think the Bengals will beat us twice.  Its always a battle with the Bengals and Steelers.  Since Cleveland has QB and leadership problems I still see them a step behind.  If we win the Division that is all good but I would not bet the house on it. I would foresee a playoff spot.  I hope the stinkin Patriots end up in last However, it would be really exciting if the Patriots beat Pittsburgh in that first game.   

[beasy2487]

Its all speculation. I know we will be in the mix.  This division is so tough. I certainly do not think the Bengals will beat us twice.  Its always a battle with the Bengals and Steelers.  Since Cleveland has QB and leadership problems I still see them a step behind.  If we win the Division that is all good but I would not bet the house on it. I would foresee a playoff spot.  I hope the stinkin Patriots end up in last However, it would be really exciting if the Patriots beat Pittsburgh in that first game.   

 

Pittsburgh/New England is always a lose-lose for us, lol. I think the Bengals are due for an inexplicable step back, a realization that they bet the farm on the wrong QB, and an earnest look at their head coach (a la Andy Reid's eagles in their final days). My too early prediction is that this time next year, the Bengals are talking about developing a young QB and M. Lewis is on the hot seat.

[jdynamite]

I usually like us going over-looked early on. I don't why but it always feels like when we are favored, like we don't play with that same grittiness. Or we get let some closely contested games slip away.

[January J]

I see us coming out week one and completely obliverating Denver., embarrassing kubiak and making Peyton question his decision to return another year. 38-14 , flacco throws 4 Tds - Forsett/ buck run one in and tucker knocks one through. Jimmy and kendrick both pick off Peyton. And we sack Brady 4-5 times. Lol I know predictions are stupid - but I whole heartedly believe we will crush Denver. Making a statement to start off the season- the ravens ain't playin.