Nfl.com: Who Makes The Playoffs?

[darklight1216]

[quote name='lowrider' post='192683' date='May 14 2009, 09:02 PM']Losing the defensive coordinator might affect us i'll give you that. But we replaced Marvin Lewis and Nolan Smith without our defense missing a step so i'm not too worried about it. Jim Leonhard was going to be the backup to Landry if Landry was healthy. We did lose Bart Scott but honestly i never thought he was that good. I thought the people around him made him better which is part of the reason why we were so willing to let him go. We did lose a really good center, but center isnt the most crucial position on the line. Chris McAlister hardly played these past two years so we arent missing anything. And Corey Ivy is slow and couldnt do anything but tackle.

Steelers lost Foote and McFadden, and marvel smith. I dont know who else. But your right the Steelers are going to be just about as good. I just think the Ravens have gotten better. I tried to look at our team honestly, and i just have a feeling about the Ravens this year.[/quote]
I know all that, okay except for the part about the Steelers, I don't keep up with them. I was just pointing out that from an outside perspective (especially if you listen to those Bengals pimpers) we have a few question marks on our roster.
Now being the biased Ravens fan that I am, I know we're going to be fine. Replacing staff did nothing but improve us last year; we grow linebackers like trees; at worst, our secondary will be younger and faster, at best it will be much improved.
Our coach and qb did what no one has ever done before and another year should only improve both of them. We'll have plenty of success next year and though I still believe that we won't take the division, we should be able to clinch a wildcard. Harder schedules for the East and South, I think, will make a wildcard much more difficult for them to acquire (but someone will get it) and the West is the West.

[lowrider]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='192687' date='May 14 2009, 09:24 PM']I know all that, okay except for the part about the Steelers, I don't keep up with them. I was just pointing out that from an outside perspective (especially if you listen to those Bengals pimpers) we have a few question marks on our roster.
Now being the biased Ravens fan that I am, I know we're going to be fine. Replacing staff did nothing but improve us last year; we grow linebackers like trees; at worst, our secondary will be younger and faster, at best it will be much improved.
Our coach and qb did what no one has ever done before and another year should only improve both of them. We'll have plenty of success next year and though I still believe that we won't take the division, we should be able to clinch a wildcard. Harder schedules for the East and South, I think, will make a wildcard much more difficult for them to acquire (but someone will get it) and the West is the West.[/quote]
I curious, why dont you think we are going to win the division? If we have gotten better, what makes you think that the steelers will win the division over us. Because last year we were yards away from winning 3 times and if we have gotten better then why dont you think we can win the division.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='lowrider' post='192699' date='May 14 2009, 10:27 PM']I curious, why dont you think we are going to win the division? If we have gotten better, what makes you think that the steelers will win the division over us. Because last year we were yards away from winning 3 times and if we have gotten better then why dont you think we can win the division.[/quote]
We were close last year, but close only counts in horseshoes and nuclear warfare. The fact is this: the Steelers won their division, beat us three times, had number one defense last year, and won the Superbowl for a reason (although the reason could be that they faced arguably the worst team in nfl history, but I digress); this is a very talented team and it would be foolish to underestimate them. They also have an easier schedule than we do (Titans, Fish vs Colts, Pats) and that will only help them. Bottom line: I'm too cautious and I have to much respect (not to be mistaken for affection) for the Steelers to expect us to win the divisional this year. It could happen though. They have slipped after a Superbowl win before, and our players are definetly going to have unfished business after last season's "perfect" record.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='192707' date='May 14 2009, 11:05 PM']We were close last year, but close only counts in horseshoes and nuclear warfare. The fact is this: the Steelers won their division, beat us three times, had number one defense last year, and won the Superbowl for a reason (although the reason could be that they faced arguably the worst team in nfl history, but I digress); this is a very talented team and it would be foolish to underestimate them. They also have an easier schedule than we do (Titans, Fish vs Colts, Pats) and that will only help them. Bottom line: I'm too cautious and I have to much respect (not to be mistaken for affection) for the Steelers to expect us to win the divisional this year. It could happen though. They have slipped after a Superbowl win before, and our players are definetly going to have unfished business after last season's "perfect" record.[/quote]

well.... couldn't you kind of compare the ravens vs steelers games to nuclear warfare?

[JEEPercreepermd]

Here are my thoughts, I'm not too worried about losing Rex. Like Coach Harbaugh coming in last year, he was hired for a reason. Let's not forget how many DC's we have lost who became head coaches, the ravens defense remained dominant. It's not like Mattison is coming here and completely changing the playbook. Losing Scott also probably won't be as big of a hit as most people would think. I agree with a few of you guys, Bart Scott was nothing special. Was he a good linebacker? yes. However, i don't think it takes a special player to fill his role. So really i think our defense may have actually improved so far. We got landry,and gregg back, got younger and faster at CB..ect. I really like our chances to compete for the division this year. What happend last year against the steelers was such a fluke. Anyway, we have a team that is definately good enough to compete for the division or atleast a wildcard but as they say, you wont know until they play the games! who would have thought Dallas and New England, the two heavily favored teams from '07 would miss the playoffs last year? Anything can happen

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' post='192718' date='May 15 2009, 12:04 AM']Here are my thoughts, I'm not too worried about losing Rex. Like Coach Harbaugh coming in last year, he was hired for a reason. Let's not forget how many DC's we have lost who became head coaches, the ravens defense remained dominant. It's not like Mattison is coming here and completely changing the playbook. Losing Scott also probably won't be as big of a hit as most people would think. I agree with a few of you guys, Bart Scott was nothing special. Was he a good linebacker? yes. However, i don't think it takes a special player to fill his role. So really i think our defense may have actually improved so far. We got landry,and gregg back, got younger and faster at CB..ect. I really like our chances to compete for the division this year. What happend last year against the steelers was such a fluke. Anyway, we have a team that is definately good enough to compete for the division or atleast a wildcard but as they say, you wont know until they play the games! who would have thought Dallas and New England, the two heavily favored teams from '07 would miss the playoffs last year? Anything can happen[/quote]

NE had a pretty valuable excuse... dallas is just a waste of breath
but, to make a counter arguement to your statement

yes we continue to replace the D-coordinator as well as LB's, but there is always that chance that the new coordinator could mess up, and what ryan left as a scheme is pretty difficult to understand
your right atm that we really have a competitive chance, but doe you remember after our 13-3 season... we went 5-11.... for some reason we tend to go up and down every year, not to mention players such as ray lewis and derrick mason are getting older, which could make them more vulnerable to injuries and wear and tear

however being a ravens fan (and putting my purple shades back on) i see us opening up our special can of whoop ______ on teams this year, we have one of the easiest schedules in the league..... minus chargers pats and colts..... and possibly the bears

[bgusc]

[quote name='Reddawn36' post='192722' date='May 15 2009, 12:12 AM']but doe you remember after our 13-3 season... we went 5-11.... for some reason we tend to go up and down every year, not to mention players such as ray lewis and derrick mason are getting older, which could make them more vulnerable to injuries and wear and tear[/quote]

We had lots of injuries that season, Ogden was ripped up with that darn toe of his for most the year, and Billick did a very poor job preparing the team for the regular season. His play-calling was absolutely atrocious that season. The opening game against the Bungles pretty much showed everything that was wrong with our team that year.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Reddawn36' post='192713' date='May 14 2009, 11:55 PM']well.... couldn't you kind of compare the ravens vs steelers games to nuclear warfare?[/quote]
Rofl good point.

(Hey, you hit your 1,000th post.)

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='192770' date='May 15 2009, 07:00 AM'](Hey, you hit your 1,000th post.)[/quote]

look at the dump thread lol
and thank you

[neepo13]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='190978' date='May 8 2009, 05:50 PM'][url="http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d8102c114/Who-s-in-Who-s-out"]http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-tota...-s-in-Who-s-out[/url]

I kind of, okay I absolutely expected them snub us, but come on: the Bengals?[/quote]

The Bengals are alot like the 49ers a few offseason ago. They are the talking heads flavor of the month. The team that's getting a bunch of press after proving absolutly nothing because they added some big names during FA and the draft, and some of their current players showed flashes. In the end, the 49ers ended up worse then they were the year before. I dont imagine that will happen with the Bengals, its hard to be worse then a 4 win team. I think they end up around .500, no playoffs. Even if we dont make it.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='neepo13' post='192798' date='May 15 2009, 10:08 AM']The Bengals are alot like the 49ers a few offseason ago. They are the talking heads flavor of the month. The team that's getting a bunch of press after proving absolutly nothing because they added some big names during FA and the draft, and some of their current players showed flashes. In the end, the 49ers ended up worse then they were the year before. I dont imagine that will happen with the Bengals, [b]its hard to be worse then a 4 win team.[/b] I think they end up around .500, no playoffs. Even if we dont make it.[/quote]

see Detroit Lions
St Louis Rams
KC Chiefs
Seahawks
and
Browns

doesn't look that difficult

[neepo13]

[quote name='bgusc' post='192758' date='May 15 2009, 02:44 AM']We had lots of injuries that season, Ogden was ripped up with that darn toe of his for most the year, and Billick did a very poor job preparing the team for the regular season. His play-calling was absolutely atrocious that season. The opening game against the Bungles pretty much showed everything that was wrong with our team that year.[/quote]

I agree. We didnt really add a lot last offseason, just our draft and a few guys for depth. Some of whom, Anderson, Leonhard, and Washington, stepped up for us in time of injury. The other thing about the Bengals is they have been on a downward spiral since 2005. Its hard to say that their injuries, and yes they did have some key injuries, kept them down last year, when they were not very good before that.

[neepo13]

[quote name='Reddawn36' post='192800' date='May 15 2009, 10:12 AM']see Detroit Lions
St Louis Rams
KC Chiefs
Seahawks
and
Browns

doesn't look that difficult[/quote]

I mean for them. Especially since they play 3 of those 5 times, you just mentioned this coming season. One of them twice. Its going to be hard for them to not win atleast another 4 games. But with the Bengals you never know.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='neepo13' post='192802' date='May 15 2009, 10:15 AM']I mean for them. Especially since they play 3 of those 5 times, you just mentioned this coming season. One of them twice. Its going to be hard for them to not win atleast another 4 games. But with the Bengals you never know.[/quote]

i think they will surprise us ONLY and ONLY if Carson Palmer stays healthy
they're Defense is getting better day by day

and than like you said..... they get to play 2/3 of those games of the named teams (brownsx2, lions, chiefs)

i think they could pull out a winning record.... however if we don't fall victim to our usual up and down seasons, it will be difficult for them to compete with us and ditchburgh

[neepo13]

[quote name='Reddawn36' post='192804' date='May 15 2009, 10:19 AM']i think they will surprise us ONLY and ONLY if Carson Palmer stays healthy
they're Defense is getting better day by day

and than like you said..... they get to play 2/3 of those games of the named teams (brownsx2, lions, chiefs)

i think they could pull out a winning record.... however if we don't fall victim to our usual up and down seasons, it will be difficult for them to compete with us and ditchburgh[/quote]

I dont see it. They will be better then 4 wins but I can only see a .500 team. Lets not forget Carson Palmer played the first 4 or 5 games, last season before going down with that injury and they were winless with him. They've lost arguably their most consistant reciever in Houshmanzadeh. And they've still got holes along that offensive line. One guy isnt going to make that big of a difference. Cedric Benson ended the season on a strong note but he's a question mark because he's never had to carry the load for an entire 16 game season, and we really dont know if he can.

They've improved on defense but I am not impressed. They are not as bad as years prior but I still see them as a bottom half of the league defense. Somewhere around 16 or 17, not the 12 they managed to muster last year. Consider the last 5 games of the season, us, the Colts, the Skins, Browns, and Chiefs.

Ravens and the Colts shredded their defense both for 27 points or more. The only challenging team they beat was a streaky Redskins team, who's offense was ranked 19th in the leagues last year and then the 31st ranked Browns and the 24th ranked Chiefs. Against,every other solid to good offensive team, their defense was toasted.

Even if the Ravens have their traditional down year, I still dont see the Bengals being more then a .500 team and making the playoffs but thats just my opinion.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='neepo13' post='192808' date='May 15 2009, 10:39 AM']I dont see it. They will be better then 4 wins but I can only see a .500 team. Lets not forget Carson Palmer played the first 4 or 5 games, last season before going down with that injury and they were winless with him. They've lost arguably their most consistant reciever in Houshmanzadeh. And they've still got holes along that offensive line. One guy isnt going to make that big of a difference. Cedric Benson ended the season on a strong note but he's a question mark because he's never had to carry the load for an entire 16 game season, and we really dont know if he can.

They've improved on defense but I am not impressed. They are not as bad as years prior but I still see them as a bottom half of the league defense. Somewhere around 16 or 17, not the 12 they managed to muster last year. Consider the last 5 games of the season, us, the Colts, the Skins, Browns, and Chiefs.

Ravens and the Colts shredded their defense both for 27 points or more. The only challenging team they beat was a streaky Redskins team, who's offense was ranked 19th in the leagues last year and then the 31st ranked Browns and the 24th ranked Chiefs. Against,every other solid to good offensive team, their defense was toasted.

Even if the Ravens have their traditional down year, I still dont see the Bengals being more then a .500 team and making the playoffs but thats just my opinion.[/quote]

i know what your saying, but i'm saying due to the AFC North Schedule (we play NFC North, and AFC West, along with 1 team from the AFC South and AFC East.... not to mention ourselves twice)
out of those games
bengals can beat chiefs, lions, raiders (i'm not sold on how they are going to play), broncos, possibly green bay, browns twice, and the jets

that would give them a winning record this season.... 9-7, i think they can pull of a winning record like i said before...... but they won't make the playoffs unless i'm missing something

[neepo13]

[quote name='Reddawn36' post='192825' date='May 15 2009, 11:14 AM']i know what your saying, but i'm saying due to the AFC North Schedule (we play NFC North, and AFC West, along with 1 team from the AFC South and AFC East.... not to mention ourselves twice)
out of those games
bengals can beat chiefs, lions, raiders (i'm not sold on how they are going to play), broncos, possibly green bay, browns twice, and the jets

that would give them a winning record this season.... 9-7, i think they can pull of a winning record like i said before...... but they won't make the playoffs unless i'm missing something[/quote]

Oh, I got you. Then we are only 1 game apart. I think they drop one to the Browns, they usually split with them.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='neepo13' post='192837' date='May 15 2009, 11:48 AM']Oh, I got you. Then we are only 1 game apart. I think they drop one to the Browns, they usually split with them.[/quote]

anythings a possibility

[lowrider]

[quote name='Reddawn36' post='192722' date='May 15 2009, 12:12 AM']however being a ravens fan (and putting my purple shades back on) i see us opening up our special can of whoop ______ on teams this year, we have one of the easiest schedules in the league..... minus chargers pats and colts..... and possibly the bears[/quote]
Easiest schedule in the league is overrated. First of all the steelers statistically had the hardest schedule in the league last year. And the complained and they moaned and it was really annoying because they had the hardest schedule blah blah blah. When we played the same schedule except we played the dolphins and the raiders and they played the patriots and the chargers. No one would have expected the 1-15 dolphins to improve to 10-6 or whatever they improved to and no one would think the patroits would not make the playoffs. But the fact is, injuries happen (brady) , and teams improve and teams get worse. So dont let the fact that we have an "easy" schedule fool you. There is no easy games in the NFL.

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='lowrider' post='192856' date='May 15 2009, 02:09 PM']Easiest schedule in the league is overrated. First of all the steelers statistically had the hardest schedule in the league last year. And the complained and they moaned and it was really annoying because they had the hardest schedule blah blah blah. When we played the same schedule except we played the dolphins and the raiders and they played the patriots and the chargers. No one would have expected the 1-15 dolphins to improve to 10-6 or whatever they improved to and no one would think the patroits would not make the playoffs. But the fact is, injuries happen (brady) , and teams improve and teams get worse. So dont let the fact that we have an "easy" schedule fool you. [b] There is no easy games in the NFL.[/b][/quote]

no, but there are easier games, against teams that are historically bad.... i.e. lions chiefs etc, and to be honest i think i would rather have a harder schedule.... makes you more playoff ready, a winning season doesn't matter if you don't win the superbowl... catch my drift?

where it also might be overrated and what not, there is some truth to it, yeah who would have thought the dolphins would have come back and win 10 games more than they did the previous season, and the league changes from year to year...

[justifythegame]

so the bengals... a team that doesn't even have a gm, scouts, etc and one of the worst if not the worst team in the nfl, is going to make the playoffs as opposed to the team that is going to be healthy for the first time in 2 years, and went to the afc championship despite a quarter of the roster being on IR or playing injured...

why waste time listening to these idiots, they dont have any credibility

[Reddawn36]

[quote name='justifythegame' post='192859' date='May 15 2009, 02:47 PM']so the bengals... a team that doesn't even have a gm, scouts, etc and one of the worst if not the worst team in the nfl, is going to make the playoffs as opposed to the team that is going to be healthy for the first time in 2 years, and went to the afc championship despite a quarter of the roster being on IR or playing injured...

why waste time listening to these idiots, they dont have any credibility[/quote]

because there is nothing else going on right now due to off season, why make a big deal about it if we know its not going to happen... what should it matter what they think..... they get paid for entertainment.... and if we are still talking about it... than they are doing one hell of a job

[lowrider]

[quote name='justifythegame' post='192859' date='May 15 2009, 02:47 PM']so the bengals... a team that doesn't even have a gm, scouts, etc and one of the worst if not the worst team in the nfl, is going to make the playoffs as opposed to the team that is going to be healthy for the first time in 2 years, and went to the afc championship despite a quarter of the roster being on IR or playing injured...

why waste time listening to these idiots, they dont have any credibility[/quote]
Well i wouldnt say that Bengals are that bad off. Remember they did make the playoffs a few years back. The raiders have the worst gm and they are the worst team. Bengals are down there but if Carson Palmer stays healthy they have a good team. Assuming he stays healthy. But do i think the bengals can beat the ravens. No, not at all. TJ hoseajfidafihdajnvdosjadah was always the one that tore us up. And the ravens are better than last year

[justifythegame]

[quote name='lowrider' post='192903' date='May 15 2009, 03:54 PM']Well i wouldnt say that Bengals are that bad off. Remember they did make the playoffs a few years back. The raiders have the worst gm and they are the worst team. Bengals are down there but if Carson Palmer stays healthy they have a good team. Assuming he stays healthy. But do i think the bengals can beat the ravens. No, not at all. TJ hoseajfidafihdajnvdosjadah was always the one that tore us up. And the ravens are better than last year[/quote]
the raider's have a gm? i thought al davis ran the team

[darklight1216]

[quote name='lowrider' post='192903' date='May 15 2009, 03:54 PM']Well i wouldnt say that Bengals are that bad off. Remember they did make the playoffs a few years back. The raiders have the worst gm and they are the worst team. Bengals are down there but if Carson Palmer stays healthy they have a good team. Assuming he stays healthy. But do i think the bengals can beat the ravens. No, not at all. TJ hoseajfidafihdajnvdosjadah was always the one that tore us up. And the ravens are better than last year[/quote]
I used to have this in my signature: "The Cinncinati Bengals have enjoyed one winning season, one post season appearance, and zero postseason wins in the last 18 years."

[lowrider]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='192926' date='May 15 2009, 04:46 PM']I used to have this in my signature: "The Cinncinati Bengals have enjoyed one winning season, one post season appearance, and zero postseason wins in the last 18 years."[/quote]
Ok ok thats true haha. I was mearly just trying to defend the people on the nfl network. Props to Bengals fans though. If i was one then i would struggle every football season. Well then again i'm an orioles fan. Almost as bad

[darklight1216]

[quote name='lowrider' post='192950' date='May 15 2009, 05:25 PM']Ok ok thats true haha. I was mearly just trying to defend the people on the nfl network. Props to Bengals fans though. If i was one then i would struggle every football season. Well then again i'm an orioles fan. Almost as bad[/quote]
I'm a Nats fan, imagine how that feels.

[lowrider]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='192954' date='May 15 2009, 05:27 PM']I'm a Nats fan, imagine how that feels.[/quote]
That might be why i watch football so much. Because baseball is so tough for me to watch so its nice watching a team that is good and is competitive pretty much every year.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='lowrider' post='192955' date='May 15 2009, 05:28 PM']That might be why i watch football so much. Because baseball is so tough for me to watch so its nice watching a team that is good and is competitive pretty much every year.[/quote]
Lol "watch?" I don't watch the games. I show up once a year and chat with my friends until the other team gets 5+ runs in one inning (no joke) then I leave.

[lowrider]

[quote name='darklight1216' post='192958' date='May 15 2009, 05:33 PM']Lol "watch?" I don't watch the games. I show up once a year and chat with my friends until the other team gets 5+ runs in one inning (no joke) then I leave.[/quote]
Well i guess you win. I normally get to watch a few innings before the orioles get killed. The time july and august rolls around i'll watch anything with shoulder pads and a helmet. How do people watch baseball anyway (granted going to the games are different than on tv) but 162 games? I love football because every game is important. With baseball they dont care some games. But i really hope they dont extend the football season