Ravens Make the Playoffs? (Merged)

[Ravensfan23]

You can find any reason why a team won or loss at the end of the season it won't matter. In the Super Bowl year the Ravens had no business beating the Chargers with a 4th and 21 check down, but they did. They would have lost the Dallas game where Ray and Webb got hurt if Dallas makes a last season FG. They call it te Mile high Miracle because they probability of the Ravens winning at that moment was slim. The bottom line is they won. Nobody takes those wins away because of how they happened.

The first 4 games has no impact on how the Ravens perform in the rest of the games. It's foolish to predict what each game will look like because you just don't know. It's hard to say if they'll make the playoffs. They're a good enough team to make the playoffs but they'll have to show it.

Imo it's foolish to play the what if or had this happened then. If Peyton doesn't miss wide open WRs they would have blown the Ravens out. But what about missed blocks that prevented huge runs by the Ravens? What if Daryl Smith catches the Int for a pick 6? What if Flacci doesn't throw a pick 6? It's foolish to say because it doesn't matter. I can look at the Broncos and pick apart their wins to say they could have been 1-3 right now, but they aren't so it'd be pointless. I could look at a team like the Cardinals and say they haven't really played anyone but they are there what they're record says they are. The same thing is true for the Ravens. Are they a team that can run off 5-6 straight wins? Well considering they've held a 4th quarter lead in every game I'd say yes, but until they do it won't matter. It's easy to see the flaws of a 1-3 team but the ability to overcome those flaws is what make people say you're a good team.

[PurpleCity5]

Imo it's foolish to play the what if or had this happened then. If Peyton doesn't miss wide open WRs they would have blown the Ravens out. But what about missed blocks that prevented huge runs by the Ravens? What if Daryl Smith catches the Int for a pick 6? What if Flacci doesn't throw a pick 6? It's foolish to say because it doesn't matter. I can look at the Broncos and pick apart their wins to say they could have been 1-3 right now, but they aren't so it'd be pointless. I could look at a team like the Cardinals and say they haven't really played anyone but they are there what they're record says they are. The same thing is true for the Ravens. Are they a team that can run off 5-6 straight wins? Well considering they've held a 4th quarter lead in every game I'd say yes, but until they do it won't matter. It's easy to see the flaws of a 1-3 team but the ability to overcome those flaws is what make people say you're a good team.

People forget that we just need to win two straight against opponenets who are beatable and we're 3-3. If we can do that then we are in a good position. After that its Arizona, granted they're great but the Rams shown they can be beat as well.

[beanfigger]

people predicting the raiders just fall off but theres no reasoning behind it, they are a young and inexperienced team, seems to me like they should get better as the season progresses and they begin to gain chemistry and see how to win as a team, i dont see any reason to think they will just fall off. im one of the few making the bold prediction that they go to the playoffs as the 6th seed, i think we are gonna fall out of the 6th seed because of the head to head tiebreaker with oakland

Very likely, and they're actually an easy team for a casual fan to root for because of all that. They did just lose to the Bears, though. It's too early to tell how good they really are. In my opinion, one of either the Jets or Raiders will start to come back down to who they really are. Maybe both.

[PurpleCity5]

Very likely, and they're actually an easy team for a casual fan to root for because of all that. They did just lose to the Bears, though. It's too early to tell how good they really are. In my opinion, one of either the Jets or Raiders will start to come back down to who they really are. Maybe both.

I def. don't think the Raiders will make it. The problem with the Jets is that Ryan Fitzpatrick is a good a QB in September but fades awfully bad later on down the line. 

[curtis0360]

I agree on this point as well. We can never expect anything even remotely close to Ed ... he's a once in a lifetime type player. But we have to be able to do better than the sequence of Huff, Elam, Stewart and Lewis. Actually, it seems like you can't even say Lewis now ... looks like Hill is ending up in that spot frequently and Hill that is just not where Hill will excel. 

 

I've said this and have gotten some feedback about how this is one of the weakest positions league-wide, as colleges just aren't turning out guys that can fill the role. That may be, but we have to do better than what we have. 

Jalen Ramsay?

[Ravensfan23]

People forget that we just need to win two straight against opponenets who are beatable and we're 3-3. If we can do that then we are in a good position. After that its Arizona, granted they're great but the Rams shown they can be beat as well.

Yea it's just hard to be positive after an 0-3 start for some people. This team has a lot of holes but how often do you see the teams who look like world beaters early last? The Bengals look like a Super Bowl team until someone shows the blueprint to beating them. The Pats look like the Pats but we know how that story ends. They'll be a top seed and someone will have ti beat them in Foxboro. The Chiefs are 1-3, Dolphins already fired their HC, only one team will probably come out of the South and the Chargers/Steelers will probably be in the same position at weeks end(2-3) as the Ravens. So while things seem bad the Ravens are still in a decent position.

The Ravens are fortunate to have a 3rd place schedule because they'll have the Jags and Dolpins instead of the Texans and Jets. Does that equal wins? Who knows but they'll be favorable matchups and the Ravens needs those this year. Obviously it's still early but there are only 2 games vs teams with winning records remaining on the Ravens schedule. The Cardinals and Bengals. Yea it's early and some of those teams will turn it around, but so will the Ravens.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Ravens WOULD be 0-4 if the Steeler's kicker was decent and that's without Ben even playing.

That Ravens WOULD be 4-0 if SSS didn't drop a TD or if Joe didn't throw that pick 6 in Denver, or if we could've got a 4th qtr stop against either Cinci or Oakland, and didn't let AJ Green beat us over the top for another 4th qtr TD.

Who cares about what would have happened if this or if that. We are 1-3 with 2 winnable games ahead of us. We've taken 2 undefeated teams to the wire and had 4th qtr leads against both and arguably should've won both.

The defense is improving, and if the run game continues to do what it did against Pitt, and we can grab a couple wins to stay afloat until SSS gets back in a week or 2 we're right in the mix when Perriman and Urban should be returning and potentially Pitta as well. Don't forget about Gillmore either.

Urban will help the pass rush a ton, and Perriman will open up the offense. Givens should give us another deep threat and versatile weapon. Gillmore and a Pitta return would give us arguably the deepest and most talented TE group in the league and a TON of scheme flexibility on offense.

If were in the mix when we finally get healthy this team WILL be the hottest team in the league leading up to the playoffs. The only question in my eyes is whether or not we've dug too deep a hole before then.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

FWIW I don't know any other team that could lose their cornerstone defensive player who is the identity for the defense in Suggs, their #1 draft pick who was being counted on to contribute immediately, their top TE and then their #2 TE who was breaking out, their LT, and then their top playmaker at WR... So that in essence they're operating without their top 4 targets....

And still have ANY chance of competing whatsoever, let alone have had 4th leads in every single game and have a glimmer of hope in surviving the losses to make the playoffs.

Our losses this year have been VERY top heavy. The fact that were still competitive is a testament to how well this team is built.

People knock Ozzie for the WR corps and relying on guys like Aiken and Brown to contribute, but the reality is neither was supposed to be more than the #3 WR and 4th option in the passing game... Falling to 4th-6th options once healthy.

There isn't a team in the NFL that would be fielding good targets after losing their top 2 WR's and top TE (top 2 if you count Pitta, though they knew he'd miss at least the first portion of the season).

And on Pitta; I jokingly posted earlier how awesome it would be if Pitta surprised us all with a return for the 49ers game.... And then Gillmore had an interesting reply to a fan on twitter....

The fan said something like our TE group is going to be amazing once they get some experience; and Gillmore responded by saying oh you mean like come week 6 with Dennis Pitta?

Could they know something inside the Castle that they're not revealing to all of us bc they don't want to give opponents the heads up for game planning? Could Pitta actually be close to a return?

It's just hopeful until he hits the practice field.

[JoeyFlex5]

That Ravens WOULD be 4-0 if SSS didn't drop a TD or if Joe didn't throw that pick 6 in Denver, or if we could've got a 4th qtr stop against either Cinci or Oakland, and didn't let AJ Green beat us over the top for another 4th qtr TD.

Who cares about what would have happened if this or if that. We are 1-3 with 2 winnable games ahead of us. We've taken 2 undefeated teams to the wire and had 4th qtr leads against both and arguably should've won both.

The defense is improving, and if the run game continues to do what it did against Pitt, and we can grab a couple wins to stay afloat until SSS gets back in a week or 2 we're right in the mix when Perriman and Urban should be returning and potentially Pitta as well. Don't forget about Gillmore either.

Urban will help the pass rush a ton, and Perriman will open up the offense. Givens should give us another deep threat and versatile weapon. Gillmore and a Pitta return would give us arguably the deepest and most talented TE group in the league and a TON of scheme flexibility on offense.

where do you get the idea that the defense is improving? im not sure i would use a vick-led steelers as a measuring stick after the performances we saw against the bengals and raiders, i guess i could have my hopes up but im not convinced. 

 

as far as the underlined, how do you know any of this? we have no idea urban will even make it past his first series because he has shown to be extremely fragile, theres a reason he fell to the 4th round and were seeing it. perriman has yet to play a snap and i do believe he will be special, the way his rookie year has been derailed i would call it wishful thinking to think hes coming in and setting the field on fire, hes missed ALOT of football and it certainly has more of an impact than you may think. and givens? hes such an effective deep threat that he was 5th on the depth chart in st louis and has done nothing in the NFL, yea ill ride that bandwagon with full faith...

[JoeyFlex5]

FWIW I don't know any other team that could lose their cornerstone defensive player who is the identity for the defense in Suggs, their #1 draft pick who was being counted on to contribute immediately, their top TE and then their #2 TE who was breaking out, their LT, and then their top playmaker at WR... So that in essence they're operating without their top 4 targets....

 

cut this short for clutters sake, i was downing the post before this, but i really like this post. the ravens have been dealt a rough hand this year and the fact that people still consider us a possible playoff contender after all this carnage really speaks volumes of this organization. and on the subject of pitta and secrecy for competitive advantage... crockett just might end up in the doghouse making remarks like that on twitter lol

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

My biggest concern quiet honestly is with the defense. Offense will be fine once the OL gets back to health and into game-mode and we get our weapons back, hopefully the scope does Perriman wonders.

I think we need a Free Safety. A coverage one at that. Kendrick Lewis hasn't been good. Poor coverage, missed tackles, and was even poor in the run game against Pitt. He's become a liability at times. I don't know what you can do if you can't cover or defend against the run as a safety. I hope he picks up the play or we give Brooks some snaps, wouldn't mind that though he didn't fare well compared to Lewis in limited snaps. I believe FS is the biggest hole on the defense, I wouldn't mind if we made a move though that's doubtful or began to look towards Terrence Brooks.

I believe our CBs will be fine, I like the group we have. Jimmy and Webb just need to return to form. Love what I saw from Will Davis last game and Arrington isn't a superstar but hey, he's not awful.

There just aren't many quality FS in the league anymore, and the teams that have one realize that and aren't going to part with one.

I think we should explore what the Patriots did with McCourty and invest time into a corner that can develop into a good FS.

If you can't find one, make one. I know CB are at a premium too, but McCourty has been far more valuable to the Patriots as a FS than as a CB. And there were growing pains at first but he's developed into one of the best at that position in the league.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

where do you get the idea that the defense is improving? im not sure i would use a vick-led steelers as a measuring stick after the performances we saw against the bengals and raiders, i guess i could have my hopes up but im not convinced.

as far as the underlined, how do you know any of this? we have no idea urban will even make it past his first series because he has shown to be extremely fragile, theres a reason he fell to the 4th round and were seeing it. perriman has yet to play a snap and i do believe he will be special, the way his rookie year has been derailed i would call it wishful thinking to think hes coming in and setting the field on fire, hes missed ALOT of football and it certainly has more of an impact than you may think. and givens? hes such an effective deep threat that he was 5th on the depth chart in st louis and has done nothing in the NFL, yea ill ride that bandwagon with full faith...

The fact that the defense made several 4th quarter and overtime stops on 3rd and 4 & short is improvement. Idc who you're playing against, it's difficult to do especially 3 or 4 drives in a row with the game on the line.

And WRs weren't just running free left and right. That's improvement.

And they're based off the same thing your predictions that they won't have an impact are - a hunch, a feeling, an opinion. Your guess is as good as mine... But not better.

Urban looked dominant at times in TC and on the verge of breaking out. I don't expect a partially torn bicep to sap him of his size, athleticism or explosiveness. Sures he's been injured but they've been freak occurrences and not repetitive. I fully expect him to continue where he left off, he will add a dimension we don't have right now with his length and build. That size alone will alter throwing lines even when he's not getting to the QB.

Perriman's speed alone is an element that this offense needs to fully function. You're right that he'll be behind in his development, but even if all he can do is run deep the 1st couple games that will have to be respected which will at the very least open some space up for the run game, SSS and the TEs to be more effective. So even if he's not really productive himself, his presence alone should make our other weapons more effective.

And Givens has been more productive than any other WR currently active. The fact that they're going to play him right away says that they plan to involve him right away. On opportunity alone, he'll have an impact. And again, he has speed. If that's all he can do right away, that's fine because it provides an element we're sorely missing. We haven't had a single player that DBS have to even fear beating them deep. Givens at the very least gives them something to think about. And we know Joe will take a couple shots, especially since he hasn't been able to yet. He's dying to let it loose.

Plus, the FO was talking to the Rams even before SSS and Camp went down about acquiring Givens. So they're high on him. They wouldn't trade for a guy they didn't plan to incorporate into the offense and play a large role. And if they were planning in him doing that WITH SSS and Camp healthy, then that only increases with their absence.

So, how do I know it? I don't. Just like you don't know it won't, just like we don't know if Forsett's season could end on Sunday. But based on what I've seen from these 3 players, what I know about our offense and the FO, and the current state of the team I feel pretty confident in my predictions.

Disagree all you want, your disagreement is simply your hunch or guess. We'll see when it plays out. But I am willing to stand by my predictions... I even picked up Givens in my fantasy league and am starting him as my flex THIS WEEK. I'm banking on him catching 4-5 of 7 targets, one for a 30+ yard TD. 45-70 yds.

They're spending day and night getting him ready for a reason. He'll be a factor in our offense right away. Haden will likely shadow Aiken, and Givens will have opportunity, a good matchup and the element of surprise/lack of game planning on his side.

I know it's a bold prediction but I stand by it and I'll eat crow if I'm wrong. And that's fine.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

cut this short for clutters sake, i was downing the post before this, but i really like this post. the ravens have been dealt a rough hand this year and the fact that people still consider us a possible playoff contender after all this carnage really speaks volumes of this organization. and on the subject of pitta and secrecy for competitive advantage... crockett just might end up in the doghouse making remarks like that on twitter lol

Yea I hadn't really taken inventory of all our losses until just now. Top players at critical positions.

Peyton lost his LT, Rodgers lost his #1 receiver and you hear comments about how difficult it would be to overcome and how great it is that they have.

Joe's lost both, his #2, and doesn't have his top 2 TE's either. Granted he hasn't played very well - but we have a pulse.

The fact that there's even hope right now that we could survive until these guys return is pretty incredible in it's own right.

[PurpleCity5]

There just aren't many quality FS in the league anymore, and the teams that have one realize that and aren't going to part with one.

I think we should explore what the Patriots did with McCourty and invest time into a corner that can develop into a good FS.

If you can't find one, make one. I know CB are at a premium too, but McCourty has been far more valuable to the Patriots as a FS than as a CB. And there were growing pains at first but he's developed into one of the best at that position in the league.

Sigh, that is true. Wishful thinking on my part. I would love for us to sign Eric Weddle, I sure hope the Steelers don't given how Mike Tomlin has a man crush on him. As far as the McCourty experiment goes, the Eagles did the same thing with Walter Thurmond. I really would like to see us give Brooks snaps.

[SomeCreepinaVan]

That Ravens WOULD be 4-0 if SSS didn't drop a TD or if Joe didn't throw that pick 6 in Denver, or if we could've got a 4th qtr stop against either Cinci or Oakland, and didn't let AJ Green beat us over the top for another 4th qtr TD.

Who cares about what would have happened if this or if that. We are 1-3 with 2 winnable games ahead of us. We've taken 2 undefeated teams to the wire and had 4th qtr leads against both and arguably should've won both.

The defense is improving, and if the run game continues to do what it did against Pitt, and we can grab a couple wins to stay afloat until SSS gets back in a week or 2 we're right in the mix when Perriman and Urban should be returning and potentially Pitta as well. Don't forget about Gillmore either.

Urban will help the pass rush a ton, and Perriman will open up the offense. Givens should give us another deep threat and versatile weapon. Gillmore and a Pitta return would give us arguably the deepest and most talented TE group in the league and a TON of scheme flexibility on offense.

If were in the mix when we finally get healthy this team WILL be the hottest team in the league leading up to the playoffs. The only question in my eyes is whether or not we've dug too deep a hole before then.

We were lucky to be close at the end in the Bengals' game. Mosley TD/a lucky Jimmy INT.

 

Every year you can look at a lot of teams that barely missed the playoffs and they often lost by a TD or less. Go back to our previous seasons and there's lots or games that we nearly lost. That's what seperates good and average teams. Most thought we would get an easy win against the Ben-less Steelers, but we should have lost to a Vick lead Steeler's team even though we rushed for 150 yards.

 

Now were missing SSS and Camp. I knew going into this stretch we'd get fat off some bad teams and we'd feel like we're good. We will get blown out vs the Browns.

Edited October 9, 2015 by SomeCreepinaVan

[JoeyFlex5]

The fact that the defense made several 4th quarter and overtime stops on 3rd and 4 & short is improvement. Idc who you're playing against, it's difficult to do especially 3 or 4 drives in a row with the game on the line.

And WRs weren't just running free left and right. That's improvement.

And they're based off the same thing your predictions that they won't have an impact are - a hunch, a feeling, an opinion. Your guess is as good as mine... But not better.

 

except im not going off of a hunch. youre projecting certain players to turn our season around with no evidence of them being able to do so, i have actual proof that there are major obstacles in place. urban had an injury history in college as well, these arent freak occurences, just like camps injuries arent freak occurences, there are guys that just cant stay healthy and urban has shown to have a problem with that since i believe his sophomore year(maybe junior, not sure) 

 

hearing that the FO was interested in givens beforehand is encouraging but i have to reiterate that just about anything is an improvement over aiken and brown as your 1 and 2, and if its just a mild improvement well it wont be good enough, even if he does bring speed, because speed isnt what we need at this point, we need playmakers, all that speed wont help when the guys he "opens it up" for still cant get open or hold on to the ball. i think the givens trade is a step in the right direction of a LONG journey to saving this season, but we dont even know if he'll catch more than 10 balls this year, and we have a limited time to save this season and im not 100% positive we will make all the moves required before that time runs out.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

We were lucky to be close at the end in the Bengals' game. Mosley TD/a lucky Jimmy INT.

Every year you can look at a lot of teams that barely missed the playoffs and they often lost by a TD or less. Go back to our previous season and there's lots or games that we nearly lost. That's what seperates good and average teams. Most thought we would get an easy win against the Ben-less Steelers, but we should have lost to a Vick lead Steeler's team even though we rushed for 150 yards.

Now were missing SSS and Camp. I knew going into this stretch we'd get fat off some bad teams and we'd feel like we're good. We will get blown out vs the Browns.

Anyone who thought the steelers game was an easy win just hasn't paid attention to the history of our rivalry. We got beat by a Charlie Batch led Steelers team a couple years ago and just two weeks before that barely beat the other backup (was it Gradkowski at the time? Forget now).

Anyways, easily beating any division opponent is rare especially the steelers. We just know each other too well. And sure it was Vick, but it was an away game on a short week with little time to prepare... Which would've been a hard task against Ben who we know so well, even harder prep when it's Vick in his 1st game.

That was always goin to be a challenge.

And yes that was my point.. There are a million what ifs that every game hinges on. It's a pointless effort to play that game.

But we've played about as bad as we can and have been in all 4 games against better teams than the Browns and 49ers. Sure, we could play just as bad and definitely lose these games. But we could also play bad and win. Or start playing much better and win.

It's survival at this point, but I think Joe will be better in these games without his crutch out there (SSS). And we'll have to commit to pounding the rock. Were always a better team when we do that.

If we can survive these next 2 games with wins... Were 3-3 with SSS and Monroe definitely back, a new weapon in Givens, and right around the time we should be getting Perriman and Urban back... Maybe even Pitta.

That happens and there's reason to believe the offense can start to click. The shock of losing Suggs will be gone and others will have to step up.

We could very well be the team we've seen thus far and hope could be gone in 2 weeks. But it's just as likely hope could be completely restored in 2 weeks with a healthy rejuvenated team ready to start rolling and turning these close losses into close wins against top teams.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

except im not going off of a hunch. youre projecting certain players to turn our season around with no evidence of them being able to do so, i have actual proof that there are major obstacles in place. urban had an injury history in college as well, these arent freak occurences, just like camps injuries arent freak occurences, there are guys that just cant stay healthy and urban has shown to have a problem with that since i believe his sophomore year(maybe junior, not sure)

hearing that the FO was interested in givens beforehand is encouraging but i have to reiterate that just about anything is an improvement over aiken and brown as your 1 and 2, and if its just a mild improvement well it wont be good enough, even if he does bring speed, because speed isnt what we need at this point, we need playmakers, all that speed wont help when the guys he "opens it up" for still cant get open or hold on to the ball. i think the givens trade is a step in the right direction of a LONG journey to saving this season, but we dont even know if he'll catch more than 10 balls this year, and we have a limited time to save this season and im not 100% positive we will make all the moves required before that time runs out.

Urban and camp are different imo. Camp has been mostly soft tissue injuries that are re-occurring or lingering.

Urban hasn't had the same injury twice and they've been freak things like a torn Achilles and bicep. Sure some guys are just snake bitten, but my point is it's not like he injured his Achilles and it continued to be an issue. He fully recovered and was looking dominant and then tore his biceps. Maybe next it's his ACL.... But it's not like it's one area of his body that's a problem. I tend to think it's more of an anomaly then anything genetic or bad body makeup. Something could happen, sure. But I think it's more of a KLM situation than Camps.

And honestly I don't think the WRs have been as bad as everyone thinks. Re watching the games, they were getting open. Joe either didn't have time or wasn't looking past SSS. I don't think it's a coincidence that when SSS went down, Aiken suddenly looked capable - making a great TD grab and clutch, game saving catch on 3rd or 4th and long.

Joe locked in on senior way too often, it was obviously apparent to opposing db's bc Joe got picked off bad twice when targeting him and both CB's got a huge jump on the ball bc it was so obvious Joe was locked in.

Now he'll have to spread it around, and find the most open receiver... Not force feed his security blanket.

We'll see after the Browns game, but I'm expecting the passing game to look the best it has all year bc Joe will have to go through his progressions and make good decisions. Just like we looked better as a team last year once SSS cooled off a bit toward the end of the year.

[January J]

The fact that the defense made several 4th quarter and overtime stops on 3rd and 4 & short is improvement. Idc who you're playing against, it's difficult to do especially 3 or 4 drives in a row with the game on the line.

And WRs weren't just running free left and right. That's improvement.

And they're based off the same thing your predictions that they won't have an impact are - a hunch, a feeling, an opinion. Your guess is as good as mine... But not better.

Urban looked dominant at times in TC and on the verge of breaking out. I don't expect a partially torn bicep to sap him of his size, athleticism or explosiveness. Sures he's been injured but they've been freak occurrences and not repetitive. I fully expect him to continue where he left off, he will add a dimension we don't have right now with his length and build. That size alone will alter throwing lines even when he's not getting to the QB.

Perriman's speed alone is an element that this offense needs to fully function. You're right that he'll be behind in his development, but even if all he can do is run deep the 1st couple games that will have to be respected which will at the very least open some space up for the run game, SSS and the TEs to be more effective. So even if he's not really productive himself, his presence alone should make our other weapons more effective.

And Givens has been more productive than any other WR currently active. The fact that they're going to play him right away says that they plan to involve him right away. On opportunity alone, he'll have an impact. And again, he has speed. If that's all he can do right away, that's fine because it provides an element we're sorely missing. We haven't had a single player that DBS have to even fear beating them deep. Givens at the very least gives them something to think about. And we know Joe will take a couple shots, especially since he hasn't been able to yet. He's dying to let it loose.

Plus, the FO was talking to the Rams even before SSS and Camp went down about acquiring Givens. So they're high on him. They wouldn't trade for a guy they didn't plan to incorporate into the offense and play a large role. And if they were planning in him doing that WITH SSS and Camp healthy, then that only increases with their absence.

So, how do I know it? I don't. Just like you don't know it won't, just like we don't know if Forsett's season could end on Sunday. But based on what I've seen from these 3 players, what I know about our offense and the FO, and the current state of the team I feel pretty confident in my predictions.

Disagree all you want, your disagreement is simply your hunch or guess. We'll see when it plays out. But I am willing to stand by my predictions... I even picked up Givens in my fantasy league and am starting him as my flex THIS WEEK. I'm banking on him catching 4-5 of 7 targets, one for a 30+ yard TD. 45-70 yds.

They're spending day and night getting him ready for a reason. He'll be a factor in our offense right away. Haden will likely shadow Aiken, and Givens will have opportunity, a good matchup and the element of surprise/lack of game planning on his side.

I know it's a bold prediction but I stand by it and I'll eat crow if I'm wrong. And that's fine.

I picked him up as well but I probably won't start him this week until I see what he's capable of. I'm fairly deep at wr so he will have to really impress. I do think he will make at least one big play on Sunday . Edited October 9, 2015 by January J

[ravensdan]

people predicting the raiders just fall off but theres no reasoning behind it, they are a young and inexperienced team, seems to me like they should get better as the season progresses and they begin to gain chemistry and see how to win as a team, i dont see any reason to think they will just fall off. im one of the few making the bold prediction that they go to the playoffs as the 6th seed, i think we are gonna fall out of the 6th seed because of the head to head tiebreaker with oakland

They will fall off because they are not a good team. Their talent is marginal. That loss was still a huge embarrassment to me. I'll eat my words if they are even a mention as a contender in a month. I think the Jets will get in.

[JoeyFlex5]

Urban and camp are different imo. Camp has been mostly soft tissue injuries that are re-occurring or lingering.

Urban hasn't had the same injury twice and they've been freak things like a torn Achilles and bicep. Sure some guys are just snake bitten, but my point is it's not like he injured his Achilles and it continued to be an issue. He fully recovered and was looking dominant and then tore his biceps. Maybe next it's his ACL.... But it's not like it's one area of his body that's a problem. I tend to think it's more of an anomaly then anything genetic or bad body makeup. Something could happen, sure. But I think it's more of a KLM situation than Camps.

And honestly I don't think the WRs have been as bad as everyone thinks. Re watching the games, they were getting open. Joe either didn't have time or wasn't looking past SSS. I don't think it's a coincidence that when SSS went down, Aiken suddenly looked capable - making a great TD grab and clutch, game saving catch on 3rd or 4th and long.

Joe locked in on senior way too often, it was obviously apparent to opposing db's bc Joe got picked off bad twice when targeting him and both CB's got a huge jump on the ball bc it was so obvious Joe was locked in.

Now he'll have to spread it around, and find the most open receiver... Not force feed his security blanket.

We'll see after the Browns game, but I'm expecting the passing game to look the best it has all year bc Joe will have to go through his progressions and make good decisions. Just like we looked better as a team last year once SSS cooled off a bit toward the end of the year.

while ill admit aiken did surprise me when he began to come on strong, that TD catch was gift wrapped by a total inability of the db to turn his head, every time i watch that play i just wonder "how the hell did he actually just run up and catch it that easily", i mean he literally did nothing on that play lol. im just saying that many people have their hopes up for players that havent shown us a single thing and we are basically betting our season on guys like urban and givens, i understand betting the season on your only real options, but to just blindly say that they are gonna live up to the lofty expectations is a bit of wishful thinking in my eyes. 

 

do i want us to win? of course, i know that if we can back into the playoffs we can suddenly be the dark horse that knocks off the juggernauts 1 by 1, its what we do, BUT i just dont know if we are up to snuff this year to do that. i think some chemistry between flacco and his REAL group of wr's and trestmans system finally setting in is what our offense needs, and our defense needs either a FS or a coverage scheme that doesnt make our players overthink to the point that they dont know where to be. im gonna stand by my prediction that we finish somewhere between 6-10 and 8-8 and next year we come back guns blazing and win the north, we just arent quite there yet because 1 or 2 glaring holes that cant be masked anymore.

[ellicottraven]

We won't miss the playoffs because the AFC is weak.

 

To put it in perspective, if the playoffs were to start a month from now we would currently be 1 game back in the wild card standings.

 

-2 of our 3 losses game from teams who are currently undefeated and atop their division.

Of which, the Bengals and Broncos have arguably the 2 best defenses in football right now....

 

keep in mind our offense is in it's 1st year under a new coordinator so a rough start was expected. 

 

-4 of our next 6 games are at home with a bye week sandwiched in between.

 

-Of these next 6 games coming up, 5 of those teams currently have a combined record of 7-13.

To put THAT in perspective, our first 4 opponents currently have a combined record of 12-4...

 

We lost 3 games by a combined 14 points...2 touchdowns. We've dropped more touchdowns then that this year...

 

This team is not a bad team. We've hung in their toe to toe with the best the AFC has to offer right now, on the road, and came up short by less than a touchdown in each loss. Each of which came down to the last drive in the last minutes of the game.

 

We'll get the kinks ironed out. We always do. We'll contend for a wild card spot as always. And hopefully the Bengals come through like only the Bengals know how and choke away the last half of their season like they always do..

 

The Bengals started the 2014 season 3-0 and lost the division.

The Steelers started the 2014 season 3-3 and won the division.

The 2014 Ravens were the only AFC North team to win a playoff game...

 

we're only 1-3 and we have an easier road ahead of us then we had at the start of the season. If you hit the panic button now you're going to miss the ride.

 

One of the things i cherish the most about the 2012 season was never giving up on our team even though there was every reason to do so. Don't hang up your fan card now only 4 games into the season.

 

We'll make the playoffs...and we'll be a different team come January then we are now. A better team. This is how we roll every season. The Ravens without adversity wouldn't be the Ravens!

While I love your optimism, there is no gimme in any of the next 12 games that we play period. This is the NFL and that should have dawned on us after we lost to the Raiders! On any given Sunday any team can come in  here and beat us silly as can we. So, it just depends on a whole host of factors how we fare and it is best to let the chips fall where they may. But, let us continue to cheer our Ravens on regardless of whether they make the playoffs (really tall order and a good reason why no team has come back from a 0-3 start to make the playoffs at least in recent times) or not!

Edited October 9, 2015 by ellicottraven

[Ravensfan23]

while ill admit aiken did surprise me when he began to come on strong, that TD catch was gift wrapped by a total inability of the db to turn his head, every time i watch that play i just wonder "how the hell did he actually just run up and catch it that easily", i mean he literally did nothing on that play lol. im just saying that many people have their hopes up for players that havent shown us a single thing and we are basically betting our season on guys like urban and givens, i understand betting the season on your only real options, but to just blindly say that they are gonna live up to the lofty expectations is a bit of wishful thinking in my eyes. 

 

do i want us to win? of course, i know that if we can back into the playoffs we can suddenly be the dark horse that knocks off the juggernauts 1 by 1, its what we do, BUT i just dont know if we are up to snuff this year to do that. i think some chemistry between flacco and his REAL group of wr's and trestmans system finally setting in is what our offense needs, and our defense needs either a FS or a coverage scheme that doesnt make our players overthink to the point that they dont know where to be. im gonna stand by my prediction that we finish somewhere between 6-10 and 8-8 and next year we come back guns blazing and win the north, we just arent quite there yet because 1 or 2 glaring holes that cant be masked anymore.

I agree with you in general about not relying on guys who haven't played a single snap but i disagree with the notion that the team can't improve and be a very strong contender. I know you didn't really say that but it seems that what your point of view suggest.

I'm interested in knowing whats the 1 or 2 glaring holes?

[JoeyFlex5]

I agree with you in general about not relying on guys who haven't played a single snap but i disagree with the notion that the team can't improve and be a very strong contender. I know you didn't really say that but it seems that what your point of view suggest.

I'm interested in knowing whats the 1 or 2 glaring holes?

WR and FS. our pass rush is a question mark but theres at least talent there, just inconsistent. 

 

but our play at safety along with the failure to coordinate to mask their deficiencies could just be an insurmountable problem at times, you never realize how much a FS matters to your defense until you see your FS not knowing where to be and giving up huge chunk plays left and right. and WR still has a slim chance to be good enough to manage wins if we have a strong run game, but if we need them to carry the team to a win then we probably dont stand a chance, even with givens our wr corps likely wont stand a chance on their own. 

 

and yeah im not saying theres no hope, hell we have seen what joe flacco is capable of in the toughest of circumstances, as long as we have him we have a chance, but im saying the likelihood of this team being consistent enough to pull 10 wins and make the playoffs, is slim, and the likelihood of us making it to the playoffs AND being able to pull 4 straight wins against quality opponents is almost nonexistent. im not for tanking the season, but i certainly wouldnt mind seeing us pick in the top 15 for one year, because there are some players this year that can absolutely turn this team around, guys that we wont have a snowballs chance in hell at drafting if we back into the playoffs.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

while ill admit aiken did surprise me when he began to come on strong, that TD catch was gift wrapped by a total inability of the db to turn his head, every time i watch that play i just wonder "how the hell did he actually just run up and catch it that easily", i mean he literally did nothing on that play lol. im just saying that many people have their hopes up for players that havent shown us a single thing and we are basically betting our season on guys like urban and givens, i understand betting the season on your only real options, but to just blindly say that they are gonna live up to the lofty expectations is a bit of wishful thinking in my eyes. 

 

do i want us to win? of course, i know that if we can back into the playoffs we can suddenly be the dark horse that knocks off the juggernauts 1 by 1, its what we do, BUT i just dont know if we are up to snuff this year to do that. i think some chemistry between flacco and his REAL group of wr's and trestmans system finally setting in is what our offense needs, and our defense needs either a FS or a coverage scheme that doesnt make our players overthink to the point that they dont know where to be. im gonna stand by my prediction that we finish somewhere between 6-10 and 8-8 and next year we come back guns blazing and win the north, we just arent quite there yet because 1 or 2 glaring holes that cant be masked anymore.

Ok, now i understand the disconnect...  it's the lofty expectations bit.

 

I'm not expecting anything lofty from them, i truly believe a little upgrade here, a tiny upgrade there and we can make a run. Where it seems you think we need massive contributions to get back to relevance. 

 

I dont need urban or givens to be game changers... but if urban can bat a pass or get sack and get us off the field even 1 more time on 3rd down... and givens can catch a couple passes or draw a couple PI's deep, even if its just a couple times early - that threat alone will make a world of difference.

 

Thats all im expecting, and all i think we need to be a contender.

[JoeyFlex5]

Ok, now i understand the disconnect...  it's the lofty expectations bit.

 

I'm not expecting anything lofty from them, i truly believe a little upgrade here, a tiny upgrade there and we can make a run. Where it seems you think we need massive contributions to get back to relevance. 

 

I dont need urban or givens to be game changers... but if urban can bat a pass or get sack and get us off the field even 1 more time on 3rd down... and givens can catch a couple passes or draw a couple PI's deep, even if its just a couple times early - that threat alone will make a world of difference.

 

Thats all im expecting, and all i think we need to be a contender.

until we can cover a deep pass then my confidence will be shaky at best. after seeing what oakland and cinci did to us i just dont know if he can hang with any of the high powered offenses, or hell even a team with just a good qb/wr tandem.

[Ravensfan23]

WR and FS. our pass rush is a question mark but theres at least talent there, just inconsistent. 

 

but our play at safety along with the failure to coordinate to mask their deficiencies could just be an insurmountable problem at times, you never realize how much a FS matters to your defense until you see your FS not knowing where to be and giving up huge chunk plays left and right. and WR still has a slim chance to be good enough to manage wins if we have a strong run game, but if we need them to carry the team to a win then we probably dont stand a chance, even with givens our wr corps likely wont stand a chance on their own. 

 

and yeah im not saying theres no hope, hell we have seen what joe flacco is capable of in the toughest of circumstances, as long as we have him we have a chance, but im saying the likelihood of this team being consistent enough to pull 10 wins and make the playoffs, is slim, and the likelihood of us making it to the playoffs AND being able to pull 4 straight wins against quality opponents is almost nonexistent. im not for tanking the season, but i certainly wouldnt mind seeing us pick in the top 15 for one year, because there are some players this year that can absolutely turn this team around, guys that we wont have a snowballs chance in hell at drafting if we back into the playoffs.

Im more of the type to think you can't just plug and play everyone. How many different safety combinations have the Ravens had since Reed left? I personally think it's crazy to think guys will just come in and play at a top level without any hiccups. While others see the play of Lewis as a bad mark, i actually don't. Do i like it so far? No, but i do understand that there is an adjustment period for the entire secondary and the fact that they've been inconsistent with 2 solid performances instead of just being consistently bad says to me they at least have the talent to improve. I agree that the secondary is a concern, but if they can find the right CB combo and Jimmy gets back to the level we've come to expect those guys can play some good ball. Also i think the pass rush has been getting better from week to week. So that'll help or at least that's the hope.

As for the WRs, i don't think they are nearly as poor as people think but not having Sr, Pitta and the potential of Camp and Perriman really hurts. I honestly put a ton of offensive struggle on the oline and Flacco. Trestman has been doing a really good job of scheming up the passing game, but inconsistent pass pro has forced Flacco to rush far too often instead of being patient enough to allow routes to develop. Some of that has been Flacco just forcing the ball to Sr but you can kinda understand that. I personally feel once the oline get back to playing well and i think they will, the offense as a whole will improve. The Ravens don't have much top end talent outside of Sr, but i think they have solid complimentary pieces and if you can start to move defenses play action the more space you'll have to scheme guys like Brown, Aiken and Gillmore open.

[balfan23]

People forget that we just need to win two straight against opponenets who are beatable and we're 3-3. If we can do that then we are in a good position. After that its Arizona, granted they're great but the Rams shown they can be beat as well.

Oh, I don't think we've forgotten. I just don't know that beatable = automatic. Not with the injuries we have to over come - particularly at the receiver position and how inconsistent our play has been. 

 

I want to see us get to break even after these 2 games and then we can start talking about playoffs. If we can follow that with a strong performance and win in AZ ... now we'll be talking about being a true contender ... but that's a long way off. 

 

One game (and hopefully win) at a time. 

[RaineV1]

The Rams beat the Cards because they have one of the very few defenses in this league capable of slowing down the Cardinals. They are a truly elite defense. The Ravens have no shot of getting the type of pressure on Palmer that the Rams did, nor will they force fumbles like the Rams did. I know we're supposed to be optimistic but you really can't compare the Ravens to the Rams, or assume that the Ravens can beat a team just because the Rams did. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if the Cardinals put up fifty points against the Ravens defense.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Joe Flacco is currently 3rd is passing attempts so far this season. Not a recipe for success, especially considering our situation at WR.

That needs to change. Since 2008, pretty much every season we've passed the ball about 55% of the time or less.

The one year we were above 60% passing plays... Can you guess? 2013 of course. Right now were at about 61%.

The Browns are dead last in YPG allowed, 31st in rushing yards allowed and 31st in yards per carry allowed.

Pound the rock early and often. Let the Olineman maul and be aggressive so they can get into a groove. Then kill em with play action.

This team needs offensive balance to be successful especially as currently constructed. We NEED to establish the run and commit to it even if we are down early. Trestman are you listening?