Are we taking the Ravens too lightly?

[GrogansArmy]

I know, I know, "we" don't play the game, but from a fan perspective it seems like we're not giving them enough credit. I see threads that say we'll get to the SB no problem and that we should only be concerned about who we face in the SB. Then there are the other threads saying that we'll annihilate the Ravens.

No one seems to be talking about what it will take to beat the Ravens. They beat us last time and could very well beat us again; we do not do well with good/great defenses, and the ravens have a great defense. Reed scares the crap out of me, as well as BB and TB ... according to the BB special on NFL Network, its a football life or something. Then you got Suggs rushing TB every down to try and give him a love tap, and then you have RL covering the short yardage bumping and looking for the pick.

Granted we are 6-1 vs them, but they are also the type of team to give Brady fits. And when Brady is pushed around he does not... play great. I just get the feeling we're overlooking them and not taking them seriously because we're on a high from the Denver blowout.

I would really not be surprised if the Ravens beat us again. Flacco sucks of course, but the Ravens D can keep us low scoring enough to allow Flacco to do just enough to win.

I just can't believe that we seem to be overlooking them and are more worried about who we'll face in the SB...

 

[strngplyr]

I see a lot more fans being confident that we can win a close game against the Ravens than I see predicting the Super Bowl win.

I don't think many are taking them lightly, but as fans we all believe that our team can win. Go check the Ravens forum, they are the same way, it is what fans do. Just be happy the players are all treating these games like it IS the Super Bowl.

 

[i82much]

Man honestly, I'm a Ravens fan, it's nbd. You get so much loudmouth BS on every freaking forum out there, this is honestly one of the better ones. I am absolutely sure your team is doing everything they possibly can to prep for this game and not taking it lightly by any means.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

We're not playing the game so it doesnt matter how we take them. Im damn sure BB and the players arent taking them lightly.
You also sound a lot like Felger on yesterdays show.

 

[randomk1]

Honestly...i think 09 game isn't relevant at all in this discussion. The only factor from that game might be that the NE players might be looking for revenge and that's it.

This team has changed drastically in it's offensive philosophy and personnel.

The Ravens are a tough matchup for anyone but i feel confident right now.

 

[Joker]

any given Sunday...the two best teams in the AFC are left to battle for the right to represent in the Super Bowl...that's about all there is to it...if the Pats get up by two scores early,the Ravens will be in trouble...I haven't read or heard from any sports network that thinks Flacco is suited for a shootout.If the Ravens score early and make NE go three and out on successive possessions, quarter by quarter, I like their chances as the game enters the fourth quarter...they have proven playmakers at all the important defensive positions,a ton of experience with the likes of Ray Ray, Suggs,NGata and Ed Reed...when they smell blood it's usually lights out.

The Texans exposed Flacco last game...yes, he put up those two early, short field scores but what we witnessed the last three quarters was pretty bad QB play in a big game like that. That is what I think Reed was trying to do when he tweaked Flacco in the sound byte...get his blood up...time to step up or step off.

I'm going to the game...went to the 2009 contest and froze myself to the bone watching O'Brien call delayed draw after delayed draw to Faulk all damn game...I'm pretty certain THAT won't be part of the game plan this time around.

 

[Sciz]

They beat us last time

No they didn't.

 

[supafly]

As a fan, I am not even considering the possibility of taking BAL too lightly, and I can guarantee you that the team itself isn't even thinking of that at all.

I think there are some younger fans (not saying I am 'old' but I am in my mid-30's) without as much experience and maybe even knowledge as some here. They are likely the core group who you think is taking the Ravens a bit more lightly.

I can guarantee you that most of this fanbase is NOT looking ahead, and is very cautiously optimistic about the team's chances on Sunday afternoon.

There is absolutely NO reason to even consider them a 'lighter' opponent, but there is reason to be optimistic. I suppose there is a fine line.

 

[supafly]

I would really not be surprised if the Ravens beat us again. Flacco sucks of course, but the Ravens D can keep us low scoring enough to allow Flacco to do just enough to win.

I do not agree on your assessment of Joe Flacco. We have seen much worse QB's come in and play this team incredibly tough before. While Flacco doesn't put up extreme offensive numbers, he does his job as QB of the Baltimore Ravens; that is to utilize the strengths of the offense (Ray Rice), not turn the ball over by taking too many chances, and to allow the overall strength of the team to keep them in the game (obviously the defense).

Some will say he is more of a 'game manager' and that is fine, but we have seen much worse.

You can't take last week into acct more than what it was---which was a game against one of the best defenses in all of football.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Speak for yourself when you say we are taking the Ravens lightly.

Did you take a survey to come up with this gem?

This game is a 50-50 chance to win or lose..both teams were the best all season in their conference.

Remember,a team that beats the Steelers twice in one season is a team to reckon with.

Who ever makes less mistakes will win this game and if Flacco has more time than Brady to throw the ball he may outdo the future HOFer......whatever way the ball bounces will move on to Indy.

I do know that Andre Carter would have been nice to have in this game,his absence hurts.

 

[CityOfChampions]

I don't take any team too lightly, but all that matters is that the team for sure wont.

 

[robbomango]

I don't take any opponent lightly especially against these bull dogs. Expecting both teams to play like rabid animals till the bitter end. The game day thread will get overloaded with zillions of posts dwarfing end times scenarios of Biblical proportions.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Who's taking the Ravens lightly? Does anyone here think that it will be an easy game for either team? I wouldn't be surprised at all if the Ravens win. We'll annihilate them if they play as poorly as they did against Houston, but I would assume that they'll pick it up this week.

 

[Patdown93]

Some people might, but you should never take any team lightly. This is a simplification, that BB likes to use, but: all a team needs to do is make a couple more plays than the others to win.

 

[PatsFan24]

I know, I know, "we" don't play the game, but from a fan perspective it seems like we're not giving them enough credit. I see threads that say we'll get to the SB no problem and that we should only be concerned about who we face in the SB. Then there are the other threads saying that we'll annihilate the Ravens.

No one seems to be talking about what it will take to beat the Ravens. They beat us last time and could very well beat us again; we do not do well with good/great defenses, and the ravens have a great defense. Reed scares the crap out of me, as well as BB and TB ... according to the BB special on NFL Network, its a football life or something. Then you got Suggs rushing TB every down to try and give him a love tap, and then you have RL covering the short yardage bumping and looking for the pick.

Granted we are 6-1 vs them, but they are also the type of team to give Brady fits. And when Brady is pushed around he does not... play great. I just get the feeling we're overlooking them and not taking them seriously because we're on a high from the Denver blowout.

I would really not be surprised if the Ravens beat us again. Flacco sucks of course, but the Ravens D can keep us low scoring enough to allow Flacco to do just enough to win.

I just can't believe that we seem to be overlooking them and are more worried about who we'll face in the SB...

The Ravens are getting respect here for the most part.

 

[Sparetire]

'we' as fan might be taking this game lightly (Im not) but believe me - the team dont do that and thats what really matters.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I feel pretty good about the Pats chances because of the sheer way that they are playing right now and the focus, determination and confidence (especially the defense) this team has. They are playing at a very, very high level.

One thing I feel pretty confident in saying...If the Pats play like they did vs the NYJ last year, they will lose.

 

[BlitzFritz]

Its a good point by the OP. I dont think we as fans are taking them lightly per se -- they are a tough smash mouth team -- but we feel confident.

Shouldn't we feel more nervous?

Well, just speaking for myself -- I am starting to get A LOT more nervous about this game, as I see more on the Ravens zone blitz. I am worried about our OLine. Seems to me the game will be won RIGHT THERE.

(Also, the last time I didnt really very nervous about a playoff game was a super bowl game, and that ended disastrously. I think my complacency cost us a title )

-- FRITZ

 

[sarge]

Considering the Ravens beat the Steelers twice this year, putting up 35 and 23 against a defense far better then the pats, I would say yes, many fans on this board are taking the ravens too lightly.

 

[Calciumee]

Personally, I am bricking it!

Really nervous, but I get like this before any big game! Like last Saturday, but it's worse this time