Next Up: Ravens vs Oakland Raiders at M&T Bank Stadium

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

13 hours ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

I'm glad the fans don't run this team

You can say that again.....

[respecttheRaven]

On 9/26/2016 at 4:58 AM, Jacquouille said:

All this talk about the matchups and nobody mentions KO vs Jernigan... 

It's all I am thinking about!!! It's going to be a fight!! Some good old smash mouth football!!  " When guards like the Raiders' Kelechi Osemele sign for $58.5 million, us football analysts try to sound smart about what it all means, as if we can really break down why he's worth $19 million more thanBrandon Brooks (who signed with Philadelphia). Still, you don't need to be Brian Baldinger or Shaun O'Hara to notice that Oakland's four-pronged running game is humming this year, especially when it goes to the left side -- Osemele's side". http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000710862/article/marvin-jones-sam-bradford-among-best-new-additions

[jboy19]

8 minutes ago, respecttheRaven said:

It's all I am thinking about!!! It's going to be a fight!! Some good old smash mouth football!!  " When guards like the Raiders' Kelechi Osemele sign for $58.5 million, us football analysts try to sound smart about what it all means, as if we can really break down why he's worth $19 million more thanBrandon Brooks (who signed with Philadelphia). Still, you don't need to be Brian Baldinger or Shaun O'Hara to notice that Oakland's four-pronged running game is humming this year, especially when it goes to the left side -- Osemele's side". http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000710862/article/marvin-jones-sam-bradford-among-best-new-additions

It'll be interesting for sure. Our strength (DL) vs their strength (OL). Keep in mind we are the best defense theyll have played thus far. ATL and NO are both bottom 5 defenses this year.

[Rav'n Maniac]

LOL! PFT has us ranked #7 in their latest power rankings.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/09/27/week-four-power-rankings-6/

[Daft Classic]

30 minutes ago, Rav'n Maniac said:

LOL! PFT has us ranked #7 in their latest power rankings.

 

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/09/27/week-four-power-rankings-6/

I love how on every power rankings we are top 10, but the analysis is essentially "They are 3-0, but man do they suck"

[Adreme]

28 minutes ago, Daft Classic said:

I love how on every power rankings we are top 10, but the analysis is essentially "They are 3-0, but man do they suck"

You cant justify putting an undefeated team lower than that (even ESPN I question putting the Steelers ahead of the Ravens after how bad they got beaten).  If they could they would put the Ravens lower but they won and winning is the only thing that matters.

[Cillmatic]

The Raiders probably have the best O-line we'll be facing this year. Let's hope Elvis is ready. We need to make Jimmy shadow Cooper and give him safety help. I think Wright should be able to handle Crabtree.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Cillmatic

[jboy19]

19 minutes ago, Cillmatic said:

The Raiders probably have the best O-line we'll be facing this year. Let's hope Elvis is ready. We need to make Jimmy shadow Cooper and give him safety help. I think Wright should be able to handle Crabtree.

I don't think we should have corners following receivers. I assume most people would think that the talent difference between Cooper and Crabtree isn't big enough to justify making Jimmy/Wright learn twice as many assignments making them more prone to mental errors. 

[usmccharles]

39 minutes ago, Cillmatic said:

The Raiders probably have the best O-line we'll be facing this year. Let's hope Elvis is ready. We need to make Jimmy shadow Cooper and give him safety help. I think Wright should be able to handle Crabtree.

I think Jimmy matches up better with Crabtree and Wright with Cooper.  Those match ups will be interesting to watch 

[Militant X 1]

1 hour ago, Daft Classic said:

I love how on every power rankings we are top 10, but the analysis is essentially "They are 3-0, but man do they suck"

I can't understand why people don't seem to understand why they think that though?  Sure, winning ugly is better than losing pretty-but damn; what' wrong with wanting the Ravens to look dominant and good in their wins?  I'd love to see it sometimes! 

[Rav'n Maniac]

46 minutes ago, Militant X 1 said:

I can't understand why people don't seem to understand why they think that though?  Sure, winning ugly is better than losing pretty-but damn; what' wrong with wanting the Ravens to look dominant and good in their wins?  I'd love to see it sometimes! 

At least once or twice a decade. lol  I'm still hoping to see the team get the #1 seed so the playoffs come through Balt. I'm sure there aren't enough prayers in the world for that to happen while I'm still above ground.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Rav'n Maniac

[Davesta]

Any word on Kenneth Dixon? Wasn't he set to return week 4? 

[balfan23]

I know that the team will tell you that last year is a distant memory ... but it isn't for me. That stinking Raiders game last year is stuck in my craw. Between it and the Browns game last year, the defense was as tragic as it had ever been. 

Winnable game - at home. When you want to contend, you've gotta win these. I don't know if we can, if we don't start scoring more points. I think the D has been very good, but even so, I have to think the Raiders will put up points. Want to see us in the 27 point range or thereabouts. O line gets fixed and we're fine, but I'm not sure what is going to suddenly get them on track.  

[Militant X 1]

A friend of mine who is a fan of another team said that Amari Cooper was going to torch the Ravens secondary.  Hmm...he didn't see where the Ravens secondary ranks in comparison to the Raiders.....

http://www.espn.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/receiving/position/defense

Let's go Joe Flacco and company...let's go!

GO RAVENS!!

[ALPHA]

They did ok against the Titans but that vaunted defense has struggled so far, hopefully we can continue that trend. Sean Smith is ripe for a torching.

[hen826957]

I believe the Ravens are going to win this game. 14-24 Ravens or 14-28 Ravens. 

[reed20]

4 hours ago, Cillmatic said:

The Raiders probably have the best O-line we'll be facing this year. Let's hope Elvis is ready. We need to make Jimmy shadow Cooper and give him safety help. I think Wright should be able to handle Crabtree.

You like wright against a guy that caught 8 of his 11 targets for 102 yards and a touchdown last week. Oh boy you're an optimist. I like Wright against him only if we bring the heat that hopefully Dumervil can spark.

Edited September 27, 2016 by reed20

[PurpleCity5]

2 hours ago, balfan23 said:

I know that the team will tell you that last year is a distant memory ... but it isn't for me. That stinking Raiders game last year is stuck in my craw. Between it and the Browns game last year, the defense was as tragic as it had ever been. 

Winnable game - at home. When you want to contend, you've gotta win these. I don't know if we can, if we don't start scoring more points. I think the D has been very good, but even so, I have to think the Raiders will put up points. Want to see us in the 27 point range or thereabouts. O line gets fixed and we're fine, but I'm not sure what is going to suddenly get them on track.  

Judging by what's happened last week, I think our defense has played pretty good offensive teams. I think we slept on Cleveland's offense because Crowell is running well and they got three solid receiving options in Pryor, Coleman, and Barnidge. Jacksonville has those two studs Robinson and Hurns, and Buffalo just dropped 30 points back to back. However, none of them are as good as Oakland. I certainly fear their offense and our pass rush needs to make sure they can get to Carr.  

This has to be the game where the offense arrives because if not that will be very concerning. You have to hope they show up against a 30th ranked defense. I'm relieved by Joe's comments that the offense is still building chemistry and a work in progress. You got Joe, Steve, Breshad, and Pitta coming back from injury with Mike Wallace as the new addition. I honestly hope that its a Chemistry issues and that it will be resolved Sunday because if that's not the case then there is certainly cause for concern, this offense has upgraded at WR and TE essentially with PItta's return, the results need to appear quickly. 

Edited September 27, 2016 by PurpleCity5

[DomMcRaven]

11 minutes ago, PurpleCity5 said:

According to our last three games I think our defense has played pretty good offensive teams. I think we slept on Cleveland's offense because Crowell is running well and they got three solid receiving options in Pryor, Coleman, and Barnidge. Jacksonville has those two studs Robinson and Hurns, and Buffalo just dropped 30 points back to back. However, none of them are as good as Oakland. I certainly fear their offense and our pass rush needs to make sure they can get to Carr.  

This has to be the game where the offense arrives because if not that will be very concerning. You have to hope they show up against a 30th ranked defense. I'm relieved by Joe's comments that the offense is still building chemistry and a work in progress. You got Joe, Steve, Breshad, and Pitta coming back from injury with Mike Wallace as the new addition. I honestly hope that its a Chemistry issues and that it will be resolved Sunday because if that's not the case then there is certainly cause for concern, this offense has upgraded at WR and TE essentially with PItta's return, the results need to appear quickly. 

I'm surprised we kept Barnidge in check for the most part. I honestly didn't recognize Hurns for the majority of the game.

I'm not surprised with Flacco's comments tbh. This seems similar to our offense in 2014. I'm giving it 2 more weeks until I'll be concerned or not (Skins defense isn't that great either). If this offense gels and plays just as good as our defense has, this team could make some noise (barring any injuries of course).

[RavensPunkXVX]

Eh, not AS worried about this game as I was before the season started. Pitta should have a nice game in the middle of the field. 

Ravens win this one at home.

[JO_75]

If Trestman can get the offense going we would be able to win games more decisive. That's the only thing holding us back is Trestman's play calling. I think we win 21-16 as we eek out another win to go 4-0.

[Edgar]

Possible huge wild card playoff implications. Have to win Sunday.

[Militant X 1]

Pitta overcame his demons against the browns and now it's Suggs turn against the Raiders.

Let's go get it Sizz!

GO RAVENS!!

[flynismo]

I have complete faith in our defense to not let this game get away from us. Oakland will put up some points, but there will be opportunities for turnovers.

I think Wallace is going to cash in on a couple big plays, and we'll have a Perriman sighting, while Pitta, Crockett and SSS move the chains for us. But don't be fooled by their defensive ranking; that defense is much more talented than the numbers/rankings suggest.

I think this will be our first 30 point game of the year. Let's just hope that the defense ensures that will be enough to win. That is no sure thing when facing an offense like this.

 

[balfan23]

2 hours ago, PurpleCity5 said:

Judging by what's happened last week, I think our defense has played pretty good offensive teams. I think we slept on Cleveland's offense because Crowell is running well and they got three solid receiving options in Pryor, Coleman, and Barnidge. Jacksonville has those two studs Robinson and Hurns, and Buffalo just dropped 30 points back to back. However, none of them are as good as Oakland. I certainly fear their offense and our pass rush needs to make sure they can get to Carr.  

This has to be the game where the offense arrives because if not that will be very concerning. You have to hope they show up against a 30th ranked defense. I'm relieved by Joe's comments that the offense is still building chemistry and a work in progress. You got Joe, Steve, Breshad, and Pitta coming back from injury with Mike Wallace as the new addition. I honestly hope that its a Chemistry issues and that it will be resolved Sunday because if that's not the case then there is certainly cause for concern, this offense has upgraded at WR and TE essentially with PItta's return, the results need to appear quickly. 

What worries me is that it is an experience/talent issue up front that is causing the offense to not be able to get on track. If that's the case it will make it harder for the "skill" position players to build that chemistry and take longer for this offense to get where it needs to be. If we can just start getting better line play, we'd be dominant, I'm convinced.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

On 9/26/2016 at 6:38 PM, Inqui said:

To be fair to the Raiders, they actually have the best run game in the league atm (5.9ypa). Granted the Browns (5.7) and Bills (4.8) are 2nd and 4th respectively and we held them largely in check, but the Raiders' running game is legit and will be a tough match-up. They're not the Jags, who've neglected the OL and are paying the price - these guys won't get the same plaudits but their OL is arguably just as good as Dallas'. Again that's not to say that we'll get gashed like the Bears did last night, but I actually think that'll be the biggest match-up of the day.

I agree with pretty much all the rest - if our OTs do well Joe might get close to a career game in terms of yardage, and if our CBs can slow down Crabtree and Cooper I think we get enough stops (and limit the big plays) to win.

Were going to shut it down. Helps open up chunk run plays when your defense is getting gashed and you have to play catch up. 

Aside from the 85 yd TD no RB has done anything. And the Raiders won't either. I don't buy into their YPC stat too much anyways. I think it's inflated by playing two awful run D's to begin with (I mean did you see Ingram and Freeman/Coleman go off on each other) and the fact that it's much easier to run for 5 yards when theawful D you're facing is dropping off to avoid big pass plays. 

They wont get the edges on us. Between the tackles they can block but we're incredibly stout there too and our middle LBs are cleaning house. I think we're giving up the fewest yards after contact in the league. We're wrapping up and bringing the ball carrier down. 

BW just gobbles up blocks. Pierce is a leverage monster especially against taller lineman. Tough to move 300+ lbs when it's center of mass is so much lower than yours. 

The Bills will soon be a near league leader in rushing too and they couldn't do anything either. Very confident in the run D to get the job done. 

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

57 minutes ago, flynismo said:

I have complete faith in our defense to not let this game get away from us. Oakland will put up some points, but there will be opportunities for turnovers.

I think Wallace is going to cash in on a couple big plays, and we'll have a Perriman sighting, while Pitta, Crockett and SSS move the chains for us. But don't be fooled by their defensive ranking; that defense is much more talented than the numbers/rankings suggest.

I think this will be our first 30 point game of the year. Let's just hope that the defense ensures that will be enough to win. That is no sure thing when facing an offense like this.

 

I also predict 30 pts. Their D is talented but they have no interior presence at all and it's killing Macks and Irvin's effectiveness. QBs can just step up in the pocket and let the edge guys wash behind them bc they've been getting literally 0 interior rush or pocket push. 

And they have too many new pieces. Not on the same page at all... right now it's a collection of individuals doing their own thing and they're leaving huge gaps in the D. 

Theyll get it together for sure and be a formidable unit. Just don't think it's this week, still early in the season on a cross country 1pm game. 

 

And I really think the key is that our corners match up well on their receivers. We've seen what Jimmy can do on Crabtree. Nullified him. 

Wright imo has better success on the crafty, precise route running, technical WRs as opposed to the big, physical guys. Struggled on Coleman and Robinson at times but did really well on Woods.

Cooper and Woods are physically and athletically similar... height/weight/length/speed/quickness. Obviously Cooper is a much better player and bigger challenge, but Wrights strengths as a cover guy match up well against theirs. 

 

I think the biggest matchup is if our edge rushers can beat their tackles and pressure/hit/sack the QB. We need to force Carr to get rid of the ball and make him uncomfortable. If we win that battle we win the game easy. If we can get interior pressure too - forget about it. 

[flynismo]

17 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

I also predict 30 pts. Their D is talented but they have no interior presence at all and it's killing Macks and Irvin's effectiveness. QBs can just step up in the pocket and let the edge guys wash behind them bc they've been getting literally 0 interior rush or pocket push. 

And they have too many new pieces. Not on the same page at all... right now it's a collection of individuals doing their own thing and they're leaving huge gaps in the D. 

Theyll get it together for sure and be a formidable unit. Just don't think it's this week, still early in the season on a cross country 1pm game. 

 

And I really think the key is that our corners match up well on their receivers. We've seen what Jimmy can do on Crabtree. Nullified him. 

Wright imo has better success on the crafty, precise route running, technical WRs as opposed to the big, physical guys. Struggled on Coleman and Robinson at times but did really well on Woods.

Cooper and Woods are physically and athletically similar... height/weight/length/speed/quickness. Obviously Cooper is a much better player and bigger challenge, but Wrights strengths as a cover guy match up well against theirs. 

 

I think the biggest matchup is if our edge rushers can beat their tackles and pressure/hit/sack the QB. We need to force Carr to get rid of the ball and make him uncomfortable. If we win that battle we win the game easy. If we can get interior pressure too - forget about it. 

 

To me, I think the biggest factor is whether we can form a semblance of a running game. If we can run the ball decently, I don't think their offense can or will keep up.

And if we win, we get to hear more about how we're a fraudulent undefeated team. It's not like the Ravens have a long history of being a highly successful franchise or something.

[Maryland]

52 minutes ago, flynismo said:

To me, I think the biggest factor is whether we can form a semblance of a running game. If we can run the ball decently, I don't think their offense can or will keep up.

And if we win, we get to hear more about how we're a fraudulent undefeated team. It's not like the Ravens have a long history of being a highly successful franchise or something.

I'm growing to enjoy everyone trashing the Ravens for their strength of schedule so far. It's the best of both worlds: you get to fly under the radar while still winning games. 

[Filmstudy]

9 hours ago, Cillmatic said:

The Raiders probably have the best O-line we'll be facing this year. Let's hope Elvis is ready. We need to make Jimmy shadow Cooper and give him safety help. I think Wright should be able to handle Crabtree.

It would help to have a little more pass rush, but I think this game will hinge on the effectiveness of Pierce and Williams who will be charged with shutting down the run and will also be on for a number of pass attempts.  Brandon Williams, as often as not, should be Osemele's assignment (when playing RDE with Pierce).  They are going to need to find a way to create some pressure personally to support Suggs, Smith, and McClellan.

The dynamic will be different on passing downs where Jernigan becomes the key with (based on last week) Guy, Suggs, Mosley, and Judon/Smith/Doom.