Path to the playoffs.

[RavensFanMania]

2 hours ago, Tank 92 said:

Hopefully Luck has some luck and makes it to practice tomorrow. Probably not, but could happen. 

Praying for a little luck. No a lot of Luck

[terrynjulia03]

It's really easy. Win 4 of 6, one of which being the Steelers on Xmas. Win 4 while not wining that game and we need help. But really if we can't beat the Bengals this week without Gio and AJ than the season is a wrap.

[Sherly_Tebow]

It's technically possible for us to win the division at 5-9-2. That's using a NFL predictor website anyways. Just funny that there's a way for us to win the division without winning another game. Crazy, right? 

[frozen joe flacco fan]

On ‎11‎/‎14‎/‎2016 at 7:34 AM, Ravenseconbeast said:

All depends on Joe Flacco.  If he screws it up.  We are done.  

We wasted this #1 defense just like Kyle Boller has with our elite D.  Superbowl is there for the taking.  He needs to perform and we can win.   We haven't fought an above average defense opponent yet.  He struggled hard vs. all the possible worse defense in the league, now it's showtime.    

Show up or get canned!  

As usual, you have put all the blame where it belongs - on Joe Flacco. I'm surprised you aren't starting Ryan Mallet in your fantasy league or is it your fantasy world? Statistics are for losers! If our defense is the #1 defense in the league, then the league is in real trouble. Have you watched our defense play? They may be #1 statisticly but they are not even close to being the best defense in the NFL. With a healthy Elvis, T-Sizzle, Mosely and Jimmy Smith all playing at the same time, maybe we could become the best D in the league but if wishes were horses then beggars would ride. They're not! BTW, Breshad Perriman played 24 snaps against Dallas and was not targeted once. Was that bad play-calling, bad QB performance, bad drafting or could it be that Breshad has not performed up to expectations? Oh well! Just keep comparing Joe Flacco to Kyle Boller! Its too bad you're not the GM instead of Ozzie. Were it not for fighters like Joe Flacco, Mike Wallace, Steve Smith Sr., Dennis Pitta, Eric Weddle and Marshall Yanda, this team would have a record like Cleveland's. Some of the younger guys on this team have to step up and rise to the occasion. You're right about one thing, which is, the SB is there for the taking. I would hate to see it won by any of the teams we should have beaten this year. Dallas and Oakland are the worst teams I've ever seen with 9-1 and 8-2 records, respectively. You want parity; you got it!

[PurpleCity5]

Looking back on it, we really shouldn't have lost to the Jets. Just inexcusable. Those are games you have to win. 

[OUravensfan]

On November 23, 2016 at 3:30 PM, PurpleCity5 said:

Looking back on it, we really shouldn't have lost to the Jets. Just inexcusable. Those are games you have to win. 

That one hurts the most in the sense that it was the most winnable game on paper. 

[VermontRaven]

Ok. So Pitt beat Indy as expected, so here are the realistic paths to the playoffs.

-Beat Steelers on Christmas. Lose no more than 1 other game (guaranteed to get us in)

-Beat Steelers. Lose 2 other games. Pitt loses 1 more (vs Giants, @ Bills, @ Cincy, v Browns)

-Beat Steelers.  Lose 3 other games.  Pitt loses to us and 2 more (most likely Giants and Bills)

-Lose to Steelers and 1 other game (not to Bengals). Pitt loses 2 more (Giants and Bills most likely candidates to beat them)

[redrum52]

Realistically, Dalton looks pedestrian without AJ, but still can't take them for granted.  The offense still needs to score and we always seem to have trouble with the Bengals.  I'd say we have to sweep the Bengals to afford a possible loss to the Steelers, who got another weapon back in Green.  As of now, I have 2 very likely losses to the Patriots and Eagles. I think we beat Dolphins and finally get a win against the Bengals, but the rest of the games can go either way.

[VermontRaven]

1 minute ago, redrum52 said:

Realistically, Dalton looks pedestrian without AJ, but still can't take them for granted.  The offense still needs to score and we always seem to have trouble with the Bengals.  I'd say we have to sweep the Bengals to afford a possible loss to the Steelers, who got another weapon back in Green.  As of now, I have 2 very likely losses to the Patriots and Eagles. I think we beat Dolphins and finally get a win against the Bengals, but the rest of the games can go either way.

For the most part I agree, but I would put the Eagles game in the category of "could go either way" as well since we have them in Baltimore. The Eagles are an entirely different team on road than they are at home.

[redrum52]

Just now, VermontRaven said:

For the most part I agree, but I would put the Eagles game in the category of "could go either way" as well since we have them in Baltimore. The Eagles are an entirely different team on road than they are at home.

Their defense is what worries me.  I can see that front getting significant pressure throughout.  The OL will need to show up.

[VermontRaven]

1 minute ago, redrum52 said:

Their defense is what worries me.  I can see that front getting significant pressure throughout.  The OL will need to show up.

This may be true but I could still see us pulling out a low-scoring slugfest vs them. Not saying it is an easy win, but I definitely think it is doable. The Patriots game is the only game left where I think we have a very small percentage to wi. (Probably less than 30%). The other games are probably in the 40-65% range for me)

[January J]

That Steelers colts game was painful to watch. Colts must have gotten inside the 5 yard line atleast 3 times and failed to come away with any points. Makes you wonder how different it could have gone with luck. Tolzien didn't do bad either he just got no help whatsoever.

 

Anyway, can't rely on other teams to lose, we just have to win. That's all we can control.

[PurpleCity5]

Who owns the Colts more, Steelers or Patriots? Jeez this is why you can't rely on other teams. Steelers completely own the Colts. 

[January J]

Im definitely smelling an 8-8 season....whether or not that will be good enough depends on whether we beat Pittsburgh on Xmas and if we sweep cinci. Win those 3 games along with Pitt losing to the giants and bills and IMO that's our most likely scenario. I don't see Pittsburgh going 1-4 in their remaining 5 games. That's just not happenin. 2-3 maybe...but we can't count on that either. 3-2 is most likely... Meaning we have to sweep cinci and either beat Pittsburgh or steal a win vs new england .

Its gonna come down to the wire that's for sure.

Really makes you think about getting those 7 more yards vs Oakland, perriman getting that other foot down vs Washington( or mosley not fumbling out of the endzone) knocking down that 4th down pass to OBJ...and somehow letting the sorry jets get the best of us. A lot of woulda coulda shouldas but that's football. Game of inches.

These next 2 games are absolutely crucial. Both at home. 

Edited November 26, 2016 by January J

[terrynjulia03]

We def need these next 2. Both at home, against now marginal opponents. These are the games you're supposed to win. 

TBH I can honestly see us having a higher percentage of winning against NE than in Pitt. During this era of coaches and players we're even in Foxboro, and every single game has been close, to include the playoffs. We've faired far better against them than any other team in the league outside their division. 

[Ravens4Real]

At this point, the Steelers are 6-5. Give them the Bengals and Browns win (they could lose to either one but for arguments sake we will give them the wins side they should win). That takes them to 8-5. They play the Giants at home this week and also a floundering Bills squad in Buffalo. They may honestly be favored in both. But we may need them to lose preferably both but def. at least one of them. 

If they were to lose both, and depending on what we do, we could afford to lose to them on Christmas. If they only lose one, we also can not lose more than two of our games to put us in position on Christmas. 

[VermontRaven]

3 hours ago, January J said:

Im definitely smelling an 8-8 season....whether or not that will be good enough depends on whether we beat Pittsburgh on Xmas and if we sweep cinci. Win those 3 games along with Pitt losing to the giants and bills and IMO that's our most likely scenario. I don't see Pittsburgh going 1-4 in their remaining 5 games. That's just not happenin. 2-3 maybe...but we can't count on that either. 3-2 is most likely... Meaning we have to sweep cinci and either beat Pittsburgh or steal a win vs new england .

Its gonna come down to the wire that's for sure.

Really makes you think about getting those 7 more yards vs Oakland, perriman getting that other foot down vs Washington( or mosley not fumbling out of the endzone) knocking down that 4th down pass to OBJ...and somehow letting the sorry jets get the best of us. A lot of woulda coulda shouldas but that's football. Game of inches.

These next 2 games are absolutely crucial. Both at home. 

I think we can realistically go 9-7 (not going ti be easy but I think we can). I can see is beating cincy, miami, and philly at ome. Loss at Patriots. Win either Pitt or Cincy on road (may need to beat Pitt...not sure they will lose to BOTH Bills and Giants--I think they def beat cincy and clev)

[Sherly_Tebow]

 

Scenario #1: 

If the Steelers beat either the Giants or Bills, they will be 7-6.

If the Ravens beat the Bengals and Dolphins and lose to the Pats, they will be 7-6. 

The Ravens would have to beat the Steelers and either the Eagles or Bengals in order to win the division.

Scenario #2:

If the Steelers beat either the Giants or Bills, they will be 7-6.

If the Ravens beat the Bengals and Dolphins and lose to the Pats, they will be 7-6. 

The Ravens have to beat the Eagles and Bengals, and they can lose to the Steelers as long as the Steelers lose to either the Bengals or Browns.

Scenario #3:

If the Steelers lose to the the Giants and Bills, they will be 6-7. 

If the Ravens beat the Bengals and Dolphins and lose to the Pats, they'll be 7-6. 

The Ravens win the division by beating the Steelers, by winning 2/3 of their remaining games, or by the Steelers losing to the Bengals and Browns.

In this scenario, the Ravens could clinch the division in week 15 with a win over the Eagles, and the Steelers losing to the Bengals.

Scenario #4: 

If the Steelers beat both the Giants and Bills, they will be 8-5.

If the Ravens beat the Bengals and Dolphins and lose to the Pats, they will be 7-6.

Winning one more game than the Steelers will win the division for the Ravens. The Ravens would most likely have to go 10-6 here. I believe that this is the most unlikely scenario.

[Sherly_Tebow]

Also, after looking at it, we also have a chance to win the Wild Card at 9-7 too if the Steelers were to go 10-6 somehow. I think the Chiefs are in danger of slipping to 9-7, while the 2 and 5 seed go to the Raiders/Broncos. We would get the tiebreaker over them, along with other teams. 

The Chiefs (7-3) schedule is... at Broncos, at Falcons, vs Raiders, vs Titans, vs Broncos, at Chargers. They could very well go 2-4 within those games.

The Dolphins (6-4) schedule is... vs 49ers, at Ravens, vs Cardinals, at Jets, at Bills, vs Patriots. I think it's very possible they go 9-7, maybe even 10-6, which worries me a little. We need to beat them for sure. 

The Bills, Chargers, Colts, and Titans could make a run at the Wild Card too, but I think they fall just short.

I'm just saying that while our most likely path to the playoffs is winning the AFC North, we may somehow be able to squeak in a wild card berth at 9-7.

Edited November 27, 2016 by Sherly_Tebow

[January J]

10 hours ago, Sherly_Tebow said:

Also, after looking at it, we also have a chance to win the Wild Card at 9-7 too if the Steelers were to go 10-6 somehow. I think the Chiefs are in danger of slipping to 9-7, while the 2 and 5 seed go to the Raiders/Broncos. We would get the tiebreaker over them, along with other teams. 

The Chiefs (7-3) schedule is... at Broncos, at Falcons, vs Raiders, vs Titans, vs Broncos, at Chargers. They could very well go 2-4 within those games.

The Dolphins (6-4) schedule is... vs 49ers, at Ravens, vs Cardinals, at Jets, at Bills, vs Patriots. I think it's very possible they go 9-7, maybe even 10-6, which worries me a little. We need to beat them for sure. 

The Bills, Chargers, Colts, and Titans could make a run at the Wild Card too, but I think they fall just short.

I'm just saying that while our most likely path to the playoffs is winning the AFC North, we may somehow be able to squeak in a wild card berth at 9-7.

Yeah although its unlikely a wildcard berth isn't completely out of the picture.we need to root for Denver to beat KC twice-( or the other way around I suppose) and hope they don't split which would help them both.

[Sherly_Tebow]

31 minutes ago, January J said:

Yeah although its unlikely a wildcard berth isn't completely out of the picture.we need to root for Denver to beat KC twice-( or the other way around I suppose) and hope they don't split which would help them both.

Agreed. The Broncos schedule is.. vs Chiefs, at Jaguars, at Titans, vs Patriots, At Chiefs, vs Raiders. I think they'll go 10-6 or 11-5, but each of those games could be tough. Who knows. I think the Chiefs have a better chance to fall to 9-7 though.

Edited November 27, 2016 by Sherly_Tebow

[terrynjulia03]

Denver has been living and dying on their D. 27th in passing and 23rd in run on offense. And their run D is highly suspect. I'm betting they'll start losing a lot of games when the cold sets in. The same goes for the Chiefs. The Chiefs have a better chance of seeing 10-6 than the Broncos. 

You also have to factor in Houston, given the current playoff picture. They have 3 home and 3 away. They're home games are this week SD, than Jax and Bengals. Away games are GB, Indy and Tenn. and none of those teams are playing well at all. They have a far easier schedule than any other potential WC team. But odds are they win their division and it's a moot point. 

[OUravensfan]

Of course Luck was out vs Pitt. I think we miss barely, and it's gonna hurt. I hope the Bengals start winning out, we can't let them get lucky and get a stud in the draft 

[OUravensfan]

I hope we make the playoffs, this is the type of team that could pull something out, they have that special it factor that could get hot and make a run. Solid D, Steve Smith, John Harbaugh and playoff Flacco

[K-Dog]

5 minutes ago, OUravensfan said:

I hope we make the playoffs, this is the type of team that could pull something out, they have that special it factor that could get hot and make a run. Solid D, Steve Smith, John Harbaugh and playoff Flacco

January Joe !!!!!!!!!

 

[OUravensfan]

3 minutes ago, K-Dog said:

January Joe !!!!!!!!!

 

I need to see it again, it's glorious !

[K-Dog]

Just now, OUravensfan said:

I need to see it again, it's glorious !

Be patient my friend.

[OUravensfan]

3 minutes ago, K-Dog said:

January Joe !!!!!!!!!

 

And I want revenge in NE for 2014. How fitting would it be if it comes down to the same circumstances and Flacco throws it up and Perriman makes the aggressive catch that Torrey couldn't make.

[JoeyFlex5]

i think we beat the dolphins, so theres that. but the real test comes later, and it isnt NE, its the steelers, IN pittsburgh. that game will show who we really are. 

suddenly, im thinking we may be much more competitive to the patriots than originally expected, but ultimately i think our secondary and passive late game defense lets us down, the gameplan  has worked quite well for us this year but i think it bites us vs NE after a tight game. BUT, the real games we should be circling on our calendars, is pittsburgh. if we lose to them, we likely lose the division lead and would be counting on the browns beating them in week 17 for us to make it to the playoffs. 

can the giants beat the steelers? thats a tough one. pretty evenly matched teams. i would love to see it.

[OUravensfan]

The Browns will likely be 0-15 heading into that Steeler week 17 game, Pride upset?

Detroit didn't really look any better or more motivated in their last chance to avoid a winless season game a few years back, so I'm not so certain.