[News] Eisenberg: Don't Dismiss A 'Way Down' Division Winner

[BR News]

More than half of the division winners with a seven or more regular-season losses since 2010 went on to win their first-round playoff game.

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[griffrb]

Playoffs? You're talking playoffs? I couldn't resist! LOL! I think 5-1 is required for us to win the division and that's a very talk order for this team. 4-2 and we will need some help if we drop the Steelers game. We finish 3-3, let's grab our golf clubs. At this point, we know what type of team we have, despite all the improvements Coach says we've made. Whatever those improvements are haven't translated and that's a concern. If Dallas was a measuring stick as some have said, then it's confirmed we're a .500 football team and I don't see that getting us a division championship. Let's just see how this plays out.

[n#7]

Umm...

[surfdude]

Steelers catch a MAJOR break with Luck not playing. That was a very winnable game for the Colts who have been playing well lately. Bummer.

[RavenLunatic]

I think we can take 2 out of the last 3 division games and possibly an additional 2, via the Dolphins and Eagles. Best case scenario, we sweep Pitt and Cinci, plus Eagles and Dolphins.

[Bat-mite]

In all fairness, I don't think any of the teams on our remaining schedule are as tough as Dallas, and we only lost to Dallas by 19 points, and that was without our #1 corner.

We could possibly win out, or go 5-1; and I don't rule out a 4-2 getting it done, with us owning the tie-breaker and being unbeaten in the division.

What happens after that is really up in the air. Can we win the Wild Card game? It will depend on the opponent.

This season isn't over, yet.

[budman]

Really guys? Who wants to see a team playing like this in the playoffs? Yeah, Yeah, anything can happen once you get there but seriously, they way we are playing?

[VermontRaven]

1 minute ago, budman said:

Really guys? Who wants to see a team playing like this in the playoffs? Yeah, Yeah, anything can happen once you get there but seriously, they way we are playing?

I do.  While we haven't looked pretty, we've won 2 of our last 3, with our only loss coming on the road to the team with the NFL's best record. without our best corner.  And 1 of the 2 wins was versus our division rival who is tied with us for the division.  We have the #2 defense and we all know Flacco has a history of turning it on in the playoffs.  So YES, I would love to see this team in the playoffs!

[budman]

Just now, VermontRaven said:

I do.  While we haven't looked pretty, we've won 2 of our last 3, with our only loss coming on the road to the team with the NFL's best record. without our best corner.  And 1 of the 2 wins was versus our division rival who is tied with us for the division.  We have the #2 defense and we all know Flacco has a history of turning it on in the playoffs.  So YES, I would love to see this team in the playoffs!

Well consider this- We have only beaten teams with losing records and bad teams at that. Come playoffs there are not any of those teams left to play.

[Crusader]

Really guys? Who wants to see a team playing like this in the playoffs? Yeah, Yeah, anything can happen once you get there but seriously, they way we are playing?

It would be different if they were improving. Its a catch 22. If your in your better go all they way because Ravens can"t afford to be lower in draft picks they way Ozzie picking players and you will play 2 Division winners next year.

[The Greek]

with a healthy jimmy the defense is good enough. the offense is lost and it makes no sense with a 9 year veteran behind center. there is enough talent to score more points but they are still out of sync after 10 games. need to get perriman and aiken more involved and hopefully with boyle back the running game will be even more improved and he can catch as well. morningweg has not been that bad. flacco is off target and receivers need to do a better job with separation more quickly. every week i pray the offense turns the corner. hopefully my prayer is answered sunday

[Tru11]

if you win your division you get a home regardless of how bad you where.

home games remain an advantage.

if those bad division winners went on the road in their 1st play off game to play better teams odds are they would not have won much.

[purpledown]

lose sunday should be end o f harbs in baltimore.

[Ugly Ball]

As in 2000, the P word should not be spoken by coaches or team until after week 16 !
I would go one step further and say take it off the table for our writing staff too.
Yes that means you too John...
Looking at our next game is about as monumental of a task as I can see this team handling.

Edited November 22, 2016 by Ugly Ball

[RavensBaltimore]

After all those years in a tough division with a tough schedule, the Ravens deserve a shot to play in an easier division for a change. And if you don't think a team can look very bad at points during the regular season and then go on a SB run, then you haven't watched many NFL seasons or you just don't learn very easily.

[Militant X 1]

3 hours ago, Bat-mite said:

In all fairness, I don't think any of the teams on our remaining schedule are as tough as Dallas, and we only lost to Dallas by 19 points, and that was without our #1 corner.

We could possibly win out, or go 5-1; and I don't rule out a 4-2 getting it done, with us owning the tie-breaker and being unbeaten in the division.

What happens after that is really up in the air. Can we win the Wild Card game? It will depend on the opponent.

This season isn't over, yet.

We lost 27-17.

[RavensBaltimore]

  3 hours ago, VermontRaven said:

I do.  While we haven't looked pretty, we've won 2 of our last 3, with our only loss coming on the road to the team with the NFL's best record. without our best corner.  And 1 of the 2 wins was versus our division rival who is tied with us for the division.  We have the #2 defense and we all know Flacco has a history of turning it on in the playoffs.  So YES, I would love to see this team in the playoffs!

Well consider this- We have only beaten teams with losing records and bad teams at that. Come playoffs there are not any of those teams left to play.

We were on play away from beating the Raiders, Giants, and Redskins, who have great records. We might have beaten Dallas too if it weren't for unnecessary penalties/questionable calls that killed drives. I know that almost doesn't count, but the stupid mistakes that cost us those games are correctable. We have proven we can compete with the best teams in the league, even when we're not playing our best. You can't do anything about the games we already lost, but moving forward, we can beat anyone if we cut down on the unforced errors.

[Ravens8383]

I have been saying this for a few weeks now. No the Ravens are not a great team right now but do you think a wildcard team with 10 or 11 wins would want to come to Baltimore?

[Crusader]

I have been saying this for a few weeks now. No the Ravens are not a great team right now but do you think a wildcard team with 10 or 11 wins would want to come to Baltimore?

Heck yea.all they have to is survive the first half.

[Crusader]

  On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 3:11 PM, budman said:

  On Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at 3:09 PM, VermontRaven said:

I do.  While we haven't looked pretty, we've won 2 of our last 3, with our only loss coming on the road to the team with the NFL's best record. without our best corner.  And 1 of the 2 wins was versus our division rival who is tied with us for the division.  We have the #2 defense and we all know Flacco has a history of turning it on in the playoffs.  So YES, I would love to see this team in the playoffs!

Well consider this- We have only beaten teams with losing records and bad teams at that. Come playoffs there are not any of those teams left to play.

We were on play away from beating the Raiders, Giants, and Redskins, who have great records. We might have beaten Dallas too if it weren't for unnecessary penalties/questionable calls that killed drives. I know that almost doesn't count, but the stupid mistakes that cost us those games are correctable. We have proven we can compete with the best teams in the league, even when we're not playing our best. You can't do anything about the games we already lost, but moving forward, we can beat anyone if we cut down on the unforced errors.

Nice but they still have not beat a team with a winning record for a very long time exclude Kubiak team were talking john team now

[Crusader]

if you win your division you get a home regardless of how bad you where.

home games remain an advantage.

if those bad division winners went on the road in their 1st play off game to play better teams odds are they would not have won much.

As of right now that would be the Chiefs or Denver. ......good luck

[Crusader]

Pitta is going to get Joe on the injury list if he keeps playing.

[Minionhunter]

with a healthy jimmy the defense is good enough. the offense is lost and it makes no sense with a 9 year veteran behind center. there is enough talent to score more points but they are still out of sync after 10 games. need to get perriman and aiken more involved and hopefully with boyle back the running game will be even more improved and he can catch as well. morningweg has not been that bad. flacco is off target and receivers need to do a better job with separation more quickly. every week i pray the offense turns the corner. hopefully my prayer is answered sunday

You all forget how bad Brady looked coming back from his ACL

[Minionhunter]

Steelers catch a MAJOR break with Luck not playing. That was a very winnable game for the Colts who have been playing well lately. Bummer.

Just when you thought Tomlin's rabbit's foot was rubbed down to just bones and dry flaking leather, this happens. Plus Baltimore fans must root for the colts to win on Thanksgiving night. Only thing I can say is "Go Colts!" Because the Steelers winning just isn't acceptable.

At least they aren't the Patriots.

[Minionhunter]

In all fairness, I don't think any of the teams on our remaining schedule are as tough as Dallas, and we only lost to Dallas by 19 points, and that was without our #1 corner.

We could possibly win out, or go 5-1; and I don't rule out a 4-2 getting it done, with us owning the tie-breaker and being unbeaten in the division.

What happens after that is really up in the air. Can we win the Wild Card game? It will depend on the opponent.

This season isn't over, yet.

Hat tip to you, this is exactly the attitude we all should have, we did show improvement in Dallas (loss was by 10 points). See Weddle's speech after the game.

[Minionhunter]

Pitta is going to get Joe on the injury list if he keeps playing.

I wish this weren't true, but sadly I think you are right.

[Moderator 3]

Has it occurred to any of you "doing the math" that the 0 is next to the 9 and it's probably a typo?   

[January J]

18 hours ago, budman said:

Really guys? Who wants to see a team playing like this in the playoffs? Yeah, Yeah, anything can happen once you get there but seriously, they way we are playing?

So you'd rather them just not make it? The ravens are NEVER  one and done in the playoffs, we ain't Cincinnati. I for one would love to get in and see average joe transform into January Joe.

16 hours ago, purpledown said:

lose sunday should be end o f harbs in baltimore.

Not happening. The only thing that would spell an end to harbaughs tenure is a losing season next year. And it will probably be a mutual thing. I don't see that happening though- and we still have to see how this year pans out. 10-6 is still a good possibility- although 9-7 is most likely IMO. And considering last years record- that's a pretty successful turnaround. It would take most teams multiple years to rebound from a season like that. And once again- its not like we're getting blown away- we're right there every game. Dallas was the only team to beat us by more than one score  and they're a power house, who we outplayed in the first half.

Edited November 23, 2016 by January J

[budman]

Just now, January J said:

So you'd rather them just not make it? The ravens are NEVER  one and done in the playoffs, we ain't Cincinnati. I for one would love to get in and see average joe transform into January Joe.

Not happening. The only thing that would spell an end to harbaughs tenure is a losing season next year. And it will probably be a mutual thing. I don't see that happening though- and we still have to see how this year pans out. 10-6 is still a good possibility- although 9-7 is most likely IMO. And considering last years record- that's a pretty successful turnaround. It would take most teams multiple years to rebound from a season like that. And once again- its not like we're getting blown away- we're right there every game. Dallas was the only team to beat us by more than one score  and they're a power house, who we outplayed in the first half.

Not so sure that this season isn't a losing season. We are not getting better each week. Just saying, gotta be a realist

[January J]

1 minute ago, budman said:

Not so sure that this season isn't a losing season. We are not getting better each week. Just saying, gotta be a realist

After Pittsburgh and Cleveland it did seem like we were getting better... Just so happened we had to play the hottest team in the league without our #1 cb...and still put up a pretty darn good fight. But I digress. This Sunday will truly tell us where we stand. If we can't finally beat Cincinnati even with AJ then yes we are in trouble. Still doesn't mean I don't want to see them in the playoffs though.