Next up: Buffalo Bills at M&T Bank Stadium 9/11/16

[ThatsMyJoeTerback]

I think there's gonna be rust on both sides. It'll almost be like the 2014 opener, but my best guess is the Ravens will control the game, unlike 2014. 89 will drop a couple balls as he is returning from injury, and Flacco will miss some throws. Once the second half starts, the team will look much better. Most matchups favor the Ravens, but the Bills secondary has an advantage over our receivers. Our TE's need to take over. 

Go Ravens!

[January J]

3 hours ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

Well, thats really going to tell us something about your defense then when this least intimidating offense in the NFL lights the crap out of your defense.

Steve Smith was the 2nd or 3rd leading receiver before getting injured last year. He was 36 then.... but omg 37 now! IDK if that bag of bones will even be able to suit up. Dudes better than Watkins still.

Idk who the 33 year old is... but Wallace was playing with QBs who had pop gun arms and couldnt take advantage of his skill set. Flacco can and will, just like he did with Torrey. We see what Torrey is now away from Joe.

That rookie is 6'2" and runs a 4.2 40 who can leap and has very good hands. Good luck with your sub package players stopping him. And Aiken as a #1 receiver, over the 2nd half of the season was a top 10 receiver in the league. Not my words... facts. But yea, im sure your 3rd and 4th corners can check him, since most #1s couldnt.

You completely left out the TEs. Even without Watson its one of the most balanced and deep groups in the league.

And your failed to mention our RBs... of which Forsett was a Pro Bowler 2 years ago and is probably 3rd best in the group. West is going to explode all over your LB-less defense this weekend. You're lucky Dixon isnt healthy or you'd be his stepping stone to stardom. It wouldve been fun to watch him plant his foot in your face as he launches himself into the stratosphere and into consideration for offensive rookie of the year. Guess we'll just have to hold off a couple weeks and some other over-confident, losing fan base to walk all over.

 

And our QB. The SB MVP QB. The one who won the most games in the first 6 years of his career in history. The one who has already won more road playoff games than any QB in history. The QB who regularly slays Brady, Manning, Roethlisberger, name-your-favorite-QB in the playoffs. The QB who's done all this with no more than a below average cast of weapons. 

Joe finally has some toys. And as Ravens Nation is having a blast with all our brand new shiny toys, we'll be sure to laugh with joy in your face as they're used to destroy your Bills this weekend.

Lol now that's what I'm talkin about. There's just no rebuttal to that one. Owned.

[JEEPercreepermd]

The Ravens are going to win this game. 

 Ravens 20

 Bills 13 

[trevorsteadman]

2 minutes ago, JEEPercreepermd said:

The Ravens are going to win this game. 

 Ravens 20

 Bills 13 

I would be very impressed if our bend and don't break defense lets the 4th best offense in the league when Tyrod, McCoy, and Watkins are healthy.

[Buffaloson]

Yes, most Bills fans underestimate the Ravens and vice versa.

 

Reason Buffalo underestimates the Ravens: They just look at the record.

Reason Baltimore underestimates the Bills: They just look at the record.

 

The fact of the matter is neither of these clubs is a sure thing, despite lots of talent. This game could go either way and if there is a slight favorite, no one can predict who. 

For all the Baltimore fans who think the Bills are too banged up to be a serious threat: consider that we are only missing one starter in Marcell Dareus. Consider this is everyone's second season in Greg Romans offense.This is the first time is 13 years the Bills have started the same offensive line two years in a row. You might be surprised to know that PFF rated our offensive line as a top 10 unit. 

DON'T forget that McCoy and Watkins are elite level talents. But the real cherry on top is Greg Roman. Roman has NEVER lost a season opener. Not in college or the nfl. He is quintessential when it comes to preparation. On defense, the Bills have solid if not excellent guys at every starting position even after our offseason misfortune. We lack depth in certain areas for sure, but Doug Whaley has done a masterful job in building this team. 

 

The questions are: What will Rex get out of this talented defense? How good is Tyrod really? What will the Ravens get out of their aging vets and unproven youths? No one knows the answer to these questions, because there is incomplete information. To think either team is a clear favorite is pure bias, if not delusion.

Edited September 10, 2016 by Buffaloson
Wanted to expand an unclear sentence.

[DomMcRaven]

Gotta say guys, the last couple of pages were definitely intriguing and entertaining to say the least. Now I REALLY want to win this game now.

[GrimCoconut]

1 hour ago, Inqui said:

Basically this. I'll say that as far as the league is concerned you are as good as your latest record and we're a 5-11 side until proven otherwise. I'm convinced we will prove otherwise, and hopefully sooner rather than later, but the onus is on us to earn the respect back as a good team and we still haven't done that yet (for obvious reasons).

I think we'll win this, but it'll be close. The Bills are a good team, but so are we, and hopefully this week we get to make a start proving that to people. I also think we're the better team at home. Our Bills fan guest says we don't have a playmaker to get onto ESPN's plays of the week, but our passing game has always been more nuanced than that. Joe's a fantastic quarterback and our offensive game has always been run-first and getting a number of small plays (not to mention the deep ball now that we have Wallace and Perriman) that make ourreceiver group greater than the sum of its parts.

One final point is that I don't really have a problem with the Bills fans' collective optimism. Go to any forum (aside from the Browns, Saints or 49ers) and you'll find the exact same thing. Everyone thinks their side is playoff-bound this season. But just like the onus is on us to prove we're a good side again, the onus is on them to prove they deserve to play in January. And the logic that says we were 5-11 last year goes the same way about their recent playoff record (oh wait...).

That's true. I don't fault the Bills for excitement. They should be excited but I don't see a ton to be excited about, either, if I look at their roster. They lost their first two draft picks this year for the year. Shaq Lawson is done for the year and now so is Reggie Ragland. Those guys won't see the field this year, so they aren't making that team any better. They needed pass rushers opposite Hughes and what did they get? Not a whole lot, honestly. The guy they hoped would bring the heat is done for the year. How can you feel excited about Lorenzo Alexander? I really like Adolphus Washington, but he's a rookie and I'm not sure even he can have that much of an impact from day 1. We'll see, though. I think the game matches up well for the Ravens but I am a Ravens fan so I am probably biased. They're going to need to get coverage sacks and hope Hughes can beat a rookie LT and that their DBs can blitz. 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

BLACKBOARD Material
Courtesy of Gregg Rosenthal - Around The NFL Editor

"Yet we never put anything past coach John Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome. Harbaugh didn't suffer a single losing campaign in his first seven years on the job, making the playoffs six times. The Ravens rightly took pride in being a top-tier organization before last year's 5-11 flop. Will we still think of Baltimore that way after this season? The Ravens face a Bills team this week that is simply more talented."

He's also Power Ranked us 24th with the Browns at 20th. Let's be sure to thank Gregg for the inspiration after we win this one.

[JoeyFlex5]

1 minute ago, jkm5bmore said:

BLACKBOARD Material
Courtesy of Gregg Rosenthal - Around The NFL Editor

"Yet we never put anything past coach John Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome. Harbaugh didn't suffer a single losing campaign in his first seven years on the job, making the playoffs six times. The Ravens rightly took pride in being a top-tier organization before last year's 5-11 flop. Will we still think of Baltimore that way after this season? The Ravens face a Bills team this week that is simply more talented."

He's also Power Ranked us 24th with the Browns at 20th. Let's be sure to thank Gregg for the inspiration after we win this one.

Lol. Browns 

[ThatsMyJoeTerback]

1 minute ago, jkm5bmore said:

BLACKBOARD Material
Courtesy of Gregg Rosenthal - Around The NFL Editor

"Yet we never put anything past coach John Harbaugh and general manager Ozzie Newsome. Harbaugh didn't suffer a single losing campaign in his first seven years on the job, making the playoffs six times. The Ravens rightly took pride in being a top-tier organization before last year's 5-11 flop. Will we still think of Baltimore that way after this season? The Ravens face a Bills team this week that is simply more talented."

He's also Power Ranked us 24th with the Browns at 20th. Let's be sure to thank Gregg for the inspiration after we win this one.

To be fair, that was "watchability" rankings. The Ravens aren't very watchable, but they get the job done.

[wizard1]

Ok I have been reduced to predicting game results through the weekly game thread so here we go. This was a fairly easy game to predict since we already have injuries which will affect our overall production. However injuries have nothing to do with an opening day home loss. Buffalo comes in here with a chip on it's shoulder and something to prove and we end up have no answer for Tyrod Taylor and Rex Ryan's blitz happy linebackers. Final -- Buffalo wins 23-13.

[ThatsMyJoeTerback]

1 minute ago, wizard1 said:

Ok I have been reduced to predicting game results through the weekly game thread so here we go. This was a fairly easy game to predict since we already have injuries which will affect our overall production. However injuries have nothing to do with an opening day home loss. Buffalo comes in here with a chip on it's shoulder and something to prove and we end up have no answer for Tyrod Taylor and Rex Ryan's blitz happy linebackers. Final -- Buffalo wins 23-13.

I couldn't wait for this.

[JoeyFlex5]

2 minutes ago, wizard1 said:

Ok I have been reduced to predicting game results through the weekly game thread so here we go. This was a fairly easy game to predict since we already have injuries which will affect our overall production. However injuries have nothing to do with an opening day home loss. Buffalo comes in here with a chip on it's shoulder and something to prove and we end up have no answer for Tyrod Taylor and Rex Ryan's blitz happy linebackers. Final -- Buffalo wins 23-13.

The bills have linebackers? 

And there's a thread specifically for AFCN rankings, that's what I was referring to. Get it together.

[Sami84]

3 minutes ago, wizard1 said:

Ok I have been reduced to predicting game results through the weekly game thread so here we go. This was a fairly easy game to predict since we already have injuries which will affect our overall production. However injuries have nothing to do with an opening day home loss. Buffalo comes in here with a chip on it's shoulder and something to prove and we end up have no answer for Tyrod Taylor and Rex Ryan's blitz happy linebackers. Final -- Buffalo wins 23-13.

 

you do realize that its jerry hughes and no one else right? that isnt enough..kyle williams has declined immensely as a pass rusher and hes up vs yanda

[BmoreBird22]

47 minutes ago, trevorsteadman said:

I would be very impressed if our bend and don't break defense lets the 4th best offense in the league when Tyrod, McCoy, and Watkins are healthy.

Fourth based on what...?

[trevorsteadman]

Just now, BmoreBird22 said:

Fourth based on what...?

Production when all 3 were playing in the game together. Their offense is very good when all 3 are on the field and all 3 will be on the field Sunday.

[BmoreBird22]

Just now, trevorsteadman said:

Production when all 3 were playing in the game together. Their offense is very good when all 3 are on the field and all 3 will be on the field Sunday.

Where did you read that? And fourth based on yardage, points, what?

They played a collective ten games together, so that's not really a massive sample size to go off of. It's kinda like how people like to trash the stat that the Ravens were the second best secondary from week 9 on.

[RavensPunkXVX]

12 minutes ago, wizard1 said:

Ok I have been reduced to predicting game results through the weekly game thread so here we go. This was a fairly easy game to predict since we already have injuries which will affect our overall production. However injuries have nothing to do with an opening day home loss. Buffalo comes in here with a chip on it's shoulder and something to prove and we end up have no answer for Tyrod Taylor and Rex Ryan's blitz happy linebackers. Final -- Buffalo wins 23-13.

You're my favorite person.

[TurkishRaven]

I am expecting 30 - 14 Ravens. Gonna be an easy win for us. 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

1 minute ago, ThatsMyJoeTerback said:

To be fair, that was "watchability" rankings. The Ravens aren't very watchable, but they get the job done.

I know "Watchability" , but I can't see why not us higher. Just trying to be objective. Regardless of win-loss records - the Ravens have always had some of the highest rated games every season (when broadcasted nationally). Is it really the 'watchability' factor or selective 'brand' based broadcasting'? Small market teams beware. I think he wrote his article that way to simply point out the "watchability" vs "brand" based strategy. As the season continues, the NFL will decide or (more accurately) the fans will decide for them. 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

26 minutes ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

Lol. Browns 

Yes, the Browns. Unbelievable.

[Inqui]

1 hour ago, ThatsMyJoeTerback said:

I think there's gonna be rust on both sides. It'll almost be like the 2014 opener, but my best guess is the Ravens will control the game, unlike 2014. 89 will drop a couple balls as he is returning from injury, and Flacco will miss some throws. Once the second half starts, the team will look much better. Most matchups favor the Ravens, but the Bills secondary has an advantage over our receivers. Our TE's need to take over. 

Go Ravens!

I think Sr and Watkins are both going to struggle more than people expect this week. I know the Bills fans are getting excited about Watkins practicing, but it takes time to come back from a foot injury, there's no substitute for in-game reps and he's done nothing this preseason (I think Sr will be going through the same kinda stuff for the next three weeks or so as well). There'll be drops and there'll be sloppy routes and there'll be miscues and both sets of fans are going to throw stuff at their TVs when it comes to those two.

[Inqui]

50 minutes ago, GrimCoconut said:

That's true. I don't fault the Bills for excitement. They should be excited but I don't see a ton to be excited about, either, if I look at their roster. They lost their first two draft picks this year for the year. Shaq Lawson is done for the year and now so is Reggie Ragland. Those guys won't see the field this year, so they aren't making that team any better. They needed pass rushers opposite Hughes and what did they get? Not a whole lot, honestly. The guy they hoped would bring the heat is done for the year. How can you feel excited about Lorenzo Alexander? I really like Adolphus Washington, but he's a rookie and I'm not sure even he can have that much of an impact from day 1. We'll see, though. I think the game matches up well for the Ravens but I am a Ravens fan so I am probably biased. They're going to need to get coverage sacks and hope Hughes can beat a rookie LT and that their DBs can blitz. 

Hughes isn't just taking on a rookie LT, he's got to beat the most promising rookie LT this side of Tyron Smith (Mike Mayock's and PFF's words, not mine). That'll be a big match-up. If Stanley can do to Hughes what he did to Ziggy Ansah, Joe's going to have an awful lot of time in the pocket. But it's probably their best chance at winning a match-up in the trenches on that side of the ball. Defensively they're in a lot of trouble this week, but even if I don't agree with it I can still understand why they're excited about their playoff chances - especially when Dareus gets back. And they're right about their talent on the offensive side of the ball (albeit I'd rather have a dominant OL and a cobbled-together receiving group than the other way around).

But thinking that we're going to be a walkover and that we're just one of those sides playoff hopefuls "should beat" like some of these guys are implying is more than a little misguided.

[Sami84]

Just now, Inqui said:

Hughes isn't just taking on a rookie LT, he's got to beat the most promising rookie LT this side of Tyron Smith (Mike Mayock's and PFF's words, not mine). That'll be a big match-up. If Stanley can do to Hughes what he did to Ziggy Ansah, Joe's going to have an awful lot of time in the pocket. But it's probably their best chance at winning a match-up in the trenches on that side of the ball. Defensively they're in a lot of trouble this week, but even if I don't agree with it I can still understand why they're excited about their playoff chances - especially when Dareus gets back. And they're right about their talent on the offensive side of the ball (albeit I'd rather have a dominant OL and a cobbled-together receiving group than the other way around).

But thinking that we're going to be a walkover and that we're just one of those sides playoff hopefuls "should beat" like some of these guys are implying is more than a little misguided.

 

oh if they had dareus and lawson back they have some real talent! without those two though there will be issues. I personally cannot wait for kenneth dixon to come back. He'll be a guy this league respects and soon..

[Inqui]

Just now, Sami84 said:

oh if they had dareus and lawson back they have some real talent! without those two though there will be issues. I personally cannot wait for kenneth dixon to come back. He'll be a guy this league respects and soon..

I still don't see a world-beater in Lawson, but I agree with all of that. Kyle Williams being Yanda's biggest problem bodes well for our interior game. It's a shame Dixon can't use this week as a coming-out party, but all in due course I guess.

[Sami84]

Heres the good thing. If we are as awful as some people say here

 

Myles Garrett 

 

[Buffaloson]

Wait, you guys really cant understand why Bills fans would be optimistic about this matchup? Even without Dareus and the rookies this is the best team the Bills have fielded in a decade and we have more certified blue chip players then you guys. I mean the only bonafide elite offensive talent you have is on the OL. Yeah Flacco is very good, but elite and coming off an injury? No.

 

Meanwhile we have Sammy Watkins, Lesean McCoy, Ritchie Incognito and Cordy Glenn.

 

I don't think either team and you're crazy if you think you have a significant advantage. 

 

 

Edited September 10, 2016 by Buffaloson

[JoeyFlex5]

26 minutes ago, Sami84 said:

oh if they had dareus and lawson back they have some real talent! without those two though there will be issues. I personally cannot wait for kenneth dixon to come back. He'll be a guy this league respects and soon..

With their top 2 picks and dareus id be legit worried and would have trouble projecting a win. 

Without those 3, there isn't much that scares me. Honestly tyrods feet and deep ball is all that worries me and it's hard to win a game with those alone.

[JoeyFlex5]

21 minutes ago, Inqui said:

I still don't see a world-beater in Lawson, but I agree with all of that. Kyle Williams being Yanda's biggest problem bodes well for our interior game. It's a shame Dixon can't use this week as a coming-out party, but all in due course I guess.

I seriously hope dixon comes back healthy. He had injury problems in the draft process, TC, and now another one. Its worrisome for sure. 

[Inqui]

Just now, JoeyFlex5 said:

I seriously hope dixon comes back healthy. He had injury problems in the draft process, TC, and now another one. Its worrisome for sure. 

I'm not too worried about that yet. With the way his knee got twisted he'd still have been injured even if he had a clean record beforehand. An injury like that could literally happen to anyone who gets tackled, I wouldn't say it suggests anything chronic for the guy.