[News] Late For Work 12/15: Buy Or Sell? Ravens Will Win Out And Make Playoffs

[BR News]

Can A.J. Green and the Bengals help by beating the Steelers this week? Todd McShay has Ravens selecting a pass rusher in his first mock draft. Ravens defense is different without Jimmy Smith. Joe Flacco: 'No doubt' Ravens need to run more.

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[SCravenfan]

I am buying we make the playoffs winning the next two games. I hate, really hate, saying this. Go Bengals this weekend only. Ouch that hurts saying that

[VermontRaven]

7 minutes ago, SCravenfan said:

I am buying we make the playoffs winning the next two games. I hate, really hate, saying this. Go Bengals this weekend only. Ouch that hurts saying that

That does hurt, but what hurts even more is saying Go Patriots (have to root against Dolphins and Broncos to give us another path should we drop a game)

[The Greek]

no receivers and cb's and a qb that cannot audible will make it tough. fingers crossed. go ravens cincy and hate to say the pats!!

[VermontRaven]

Luke Jones @BaltimoreLuke

Beating Pittsburgh at Heinz Field will be a tall order, but even winning at Cincinnati the following week shouldn't be viewed as some layup.

 

Quotes (and articles similar to this) make me nervous.  Everyone seems to be talking about our last 2 games @ Pitt and @ Cincy and totally forgetting about the Eagles game.  I know the Steelers and Bengals are our toughest games left, and they are on the road, but this team is in no shape to forget about any team, especially with Jimmy Smith most certainly out.  Hopefully the Ravens aren't taking the Eagles for granted!

[Derrel]

Belichek and his defensive coaches knew Flacco doesn't effectively read defenses and make appropriate changes under center. He showed the league how to control this offense. Als, so much for the dink and dunk Brady comments, he threw a winning 79 yard TD pass to a backup receiver. Easy win for the Pats, actually a laugh-er.

[AvianBrain]

As a fan I try to be a "glass half-full" guy when looking at the team, but this team is just a few players short of what it takes to get to the next level. I will cheer them on to the playoffs, but after what could have been an embarassing loss to the Patriots, I would hate to see them be a one and done when they get there. I know they have a history of dialing it up in January, so I keep that glass half full.

[jravens1313]

As a fan I try to be a "glass half-full" guy when looking at the team, but this team is just a few players short of what it takes to get to the next level. I will cheer them on to the playoffs, but after what could have been an embarassing loss to the Patriots, I would hate to see them be a one and done when they get there. I know they have a history of dialing it up in January, so I keep that glass half full.

Our coordinator sucks.

[VermontRaven]

11 minutes ago, Derrel said:

Easy win for the Pats, actually a laugh-er.

DId you watch the game?  We were in it until the very end, despite a horrible first half.  Obviously, I am very disappointed that we lost and how we played for much of the game, but to say it was an "easy win" by the Patriots is "a laugh-er"  I bet the Patriots are hoping they don't see us again in the playoffs!

[rmcjacket23]

Luke Jones @BaltimoreLuke

Beating Pittsburgh at Heinz Field will be a tall order, but even winning at Cincinnati the following week shouldn't be viewed as some layup.

 

Quotes (and articles similar to this) make me nervous.  Everyone seems to be talking about our last 2 games @ Pitt and @ Cincy and totally forgetting about the Eagles game.  I know the Steelers and Bengals are our toughest games left, and they are on the road, but this team is in no shape to forget about any team, especially with Jimmy Smith most certainly out.  Hopefully the Ravens aren't taking the Eagles for granted!

But there's really no point in talking about the Eagles game, because if we don't win it, there's no point in discussing the final two games. Its checkmate at that point.

Most people are only discussing hypotheticals if we win, because there are no hypotheticals if we lose.

[Tdot.to.Bmore]

How great would it be for the Bungals to beat the Sqeelers this week and then we beat them Christmas day. Our last game against the Bungals wouldn't mean anything for us. That is the route i am hoping for.

[RavenLunatic]

The Broncos have a brutal schedule remaining. The Dolphins, not so much. We need to tie with them at worst to get a Wild Card. Although we have matched up against the Steelers amazingly as of late. I fear the Bengals more, as they have had our number. Win the next 2 and see where we are.

[whobilly]

As a fan I try to be a "glass half-full" guy when looking at the team, but this team is just a few players short of what it takes to get to the next level. I will cheer them on to the playoffs, but after what could have been an embarassing loss to the Patriots, I would hate to see them be a one and done when they get there. I know they have a history of dialing it up in January, so I keep that glass half full.

This team is more than just a few players short. If it's not the Browns, Jags, or other mediocre teams we show what we are. That's mediocre.

[VermontRaven]

7 minutes ago, rmcjacket23 said:

But there's really no point in talking about the Eagles game, because if we don't win it, there's no point in discussing the final two games. Its checkmate at that point.

Most people are only discussing hypotheticals if we win, because there are no hypotheticals if we lose.

Mostly true, but not completely.  If the Bengals beat the Steelers and we lose to the Eagles, we could still win the division by beating Pitt and Cincy. 

I guess what I'm saying is that I get the narrative from a media standpoint, but it still makes me nervous as a fan when the next game for the Ravens is almost completely overlooked.

[whobilly]

  25 minutes ago, Derrel said:

Easy win for the Pats, actually a laugh-er.

DId you watch the game?  We were in it until the very end, despite a horrible first half.  Obviously, I am very disappointed that we lost and how we played for much of the game, but to say it was an "easy win" by the Patriots is "a laugh-er"  I bet the Patriots are hoping they don't see us again in the playoffs!

We are nowhere near the same team that went to New England in 2012 and 2013. Brady will dissect us all day just like he did Monday night. They put us back in the game with two terrible plays on special teams.

[rmcjacket23]

2 minutes ago, VermontRaven said:

Mostly true, but not completely.  If the Bengals beat the Steelers and we lose to the Eagles, we could still win the division by beating Pitt and Cincy. 

I guess what I'm saying is that I get the narrative from a media standpoint, but it still makes me nervous as a fan when the next game for the Ravens is almost completely overlooked.

I mean technically yes. The issue is that if you can't beat Philly at home, there's really no rational reason to think you're going to beat Pittsburgh and Cincinnati on the road. 

I'm not saying we will technically be eliminated from playoff contention, because I don't believe we can be eliminated even if we lose and Pittsburgh wins. Its more of a "realistic elimination" in the form of we're not a good enough team to do what we need to do to make up the ground.

[Flacco4President]

Joe is saying we need to run the ball based on what he is seeing. Why are we not doing it then? He is on the field and controlling the offense. Does he not have the ability to audible after 9 years? Do we really only go onto the field with only passing options available? We have an outstanding left tackle, a pro bowl full back and arguably the best guard in the game playing on the left side. Run left.

I don't believe we can chalk all of this up to penalties and being out of position. We ran 4 times in the first half - there weren't so many penalties that we couldn't try more than 4 times.

[sami]

wow de-ja vu. Seems like this happened before like in 2012 when we got blown out by the Broncos then had to beat them later in the playoffs to win the Super Bowl. No one gave us a chance then either. Just never count us out.

[OUravensfan]

39 minutes ago, Derrel said:

Belichek and his defensive coaches knew Flacco doesn't effectively read defenses and make appropriate changes under center. He showed the league how to control this offense. Als, so much for the dink and dunk Brady comments, he threw a winning 79 yard TD pass to a backup receiver. Easy win for the Pats, actually a laugh-er.

Oh come on it was busted coverage and he was wide open by 15 yards, can't remember the last time Flacco had the luxury of that much separation 

[rmcjacket23]

Joe is saying we need to run the ball based on what he is seeing. Why are we not doing it then? He is on the field and controlling the offense. Does he not have the ability to audible after 9 years? Do we really only go onto the field with only passing options available? We have an outstanding left tackle, a pro bowl full back and arguably the best guard in the game playing on the left side. Run left.

I don't believe we can chalk all of this up to penalties and being out of position. We ran 4 times in the first half - there weren't so many penalties that we couldn't try more than 4 times.

True, but we're also not very effective running the ball this year either.

3.7 YPC on the year. That's near the bottom in the NFL.

[Drew P]

The Squeelers own the Bungles.

Get a set and audible at the LOS Joe. Don't be afraid of deviating from that useless ding dong MM.

[usmccharles]

54 minutes ago, Derrel said:

Belichek and his defensive coaches knew Flacco doesn't effectively read defenses and make appropriate changes under center. He showed the league how to control this offense. Als, so much for the dink and dunk Brady comments, he threw a winning 79 yard TD pass to a backup receiver. Easy win for the Pats, actually a laugh-er.

We lost by 7 points.  If anything, it give me hope, considering we played like garbage basically the whole game and it was a single possession game at the end.  If that's a laugh-er....I cant wait till we blow out the eagles by 3 points

[rmcjacket23]

Belichek and his defensive coaches knew Flacco doesn't effectively read defenses and make appropriate changes under center. He showed the league how to control this offense. Als, so much for the dink and dunk Brady comments, he threw a winning 79 yard TD pass to a backup receiver. Easy win for the Pats, actually a laugh-er.

Of course he did. That's what happens when a receiver runs straight down the field and nobody even moves towards him for coverage. Every college QB in the country throws a TD pass there.

Also, backup WRs typically don't play 72% of their teams offensive snaps, which is what Chris Hogan does.

If Chris Hogan is a backup WR, than Mike Wallace and definitely Steve Smith, are backup WRs as well.

[JD08]

If Flacco knows that we need to run the ball more, why not a audible into one? He saw they were dropping coverage all game, he needs to take command of this offense and stop running what the OC calls all the time

[nj_ravens]

  1 hour ago, Derrel said:

Belichek and his defensive coaches knew Flacco doesn't effectively read defenses and make appropriate changes under center. He showed the league how to control this offense. Als, so much for the dink and dunk Brady comments, he threw a winning 79 yard TD pass to a backup receiver. Easy win for the Pats, actually a laugh-er.

Of course he did. That's what happens when a receiver runs straight down the field and nobody even moves towards him for coverage. Every college QB in the country throws a TD pass there.

Also, backup WRs typically don't play 72% of their teams offensive snaps, which is what Chris Hogan does.

If Chris Hogan is a backup WR, than Mike Wallace and definitely Steve Smith, are backup WRs as well.

"That's what happens when a receiver runs straight down the field and nobody even moves towards him for coverage. Every college QB in the country throws a TD pass there."

I agree with a lot of your sentiment, but 1) there are some pretty bad college QBs out there and 2) I'm pretty sure that was a presnap read between Brady and Hogan, and Brady caught Weddle doing too much. Not every QB is going to make that read (and possible route audible) and catch the best safety in the league out of position. It was a savvy Brady play.

[nj_ravens]

  1 hour ago, VermontRaven said:

  1 hour ago, Derrel said:

Easy win for the Pats, actually a laugh-er.

DId you watch the game?  We were in it until the very end, despite a horrible first half.  Obviously, I am very disappointed that we lost and how we played for much of the game, but to say it was an "easy win" by the Patriots is "a laugh-er"  I bet the Patriots are hoping they don't see us again in the playoffs!

We are nowhere near the same team that went to New England in 2012 and 2013. Brady will dissect us all day just like he did Monday night. They put us back in the game with two terrible plays on special teams.

"They put us back in the game with two terrible plays on special teams."

Why do we not get credit for forcing a fumble. I'll give you 1 terrible play by Cyrus, but we EARNED that second turn over, just like they earned their blocked kick. Dude didn't drop it. We forced it out.

Special teams are just as important as offense and defense, and the plays made in those situations are often the most pivotal. I hate the thought process of "oh if it weren't for these special teams plays". It's part of the game. That's why our head coach, and BB for that matter, were special teams guys.

[nj_ravens]

  49 minutes ago, VermontRaven said:

Mostly true, but not completely.  If the Bengals beat the Steelers and we lose to the Eagles, we could still win the division by beating Pitt and Cincy. 

I guess what I'm saying is that I get the narrative from a media standpoint, but it still makes me nervous as a fan when the next game for the Ravens is almost completely overlooked.

I mean technically yes. The issue is that if you can't beat Philly at home, there's really no rational reason to think you're going to beat Pittsburgh and Cincinnati on the road. 

I'm not saying we will technically be eliminated from playoff contention, because I don't believe we can be eliminated even if we lose and Pittsburgh wins. Its more of a "realistic elimination" in the form of we're not a good enough team to do what we need to do to make up the ground.

"Its more of a "realistic elimination" in the form of we're not a good enough team to do what we need to do to make up the ground. "

^^ This comment is correct, and I tend to agree. But you originally said this, below:

"...because there are no hypotheticals if we lose. "

Yes. Yes there are hypothetical if we lose. We can still hypothetically make the playoffs, as you acknowledged, with some help.

[Coolhurt]

Our run game is only suspect because we don't stick with it. Both backs have shown they get stronger as the game goes on . We don't run enough for them to get in to a rhythm. In the second half when Dixon got the ball he was fight for extra yards after contact on every play vs New England. Run behind the left side more consistently and I believe play action opens up. If the receivers run different route levels Flacco is capable of making plays off of play action.

[rmcjacket23]

7 minutes ago, nj_ravens said:

"Its more of a "realistic elimination" in the form of we're not a good enough team to do what we need to do to make up the ground. "

^^ This comment is correct, and I tend to agree. But you originally said this, below:

"...because there are no hypotheticals if we lose. "

Yes. Yes there are hypothetical if we lose. We can still hypothetically make the playoffs, as you acknowledged, with some help.

Not technical hypothetical. Realistic hypothetical, which is what I referenced above. There's a technical path to the playoffs with a loss on Sunday. There's not a realistic path to the playoffs with a loss on Sunday.

[Black&purple#55]

I know ozzie dont mind giving 2nd chance, We should go after Michael Floyd Since we cant seem to draft a elite WR