KC Joyner on Why the Ravens are Pretenders, not Contenders

[mayoclinic]

FWIW:

NFL Why Ravens are pretenders - ESPN

I would add to his list:

- The Ravens are an old team, and will get tired and worn out over the course of the season
- Even if they have a good record, the Ravens will take a ton of physical punishment from games against Pittsburgh (twice), Cincinnati, and the Giants. Those games will take a physical toll.

If the Ravens can make a deep playoff run in spite of everything, more credit to them.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

The Ravens have some long time players,but I don't know if I would call them an overall old team...The Steelers are more aged IMO

The Ravens will likely win 12 games,the North division and the #2 seed...what they do after that is anybody's guess but you better not get them at home where they rarely lose.

Ray Rice's play in the playoffs will dictate the success of the 2012 Ravens

Ray Lewis is also expected to return by the playoffs,he is too tough a S.O.B. to keep away from the game much longer.

 

[livinginthe past]

The Ravens have some long time players,but I don't know if I would call them an overall old team...The Steelers are more aged IMO

The Ravens will likely win 12 games,the North division and the #2 seed...what they do after that is anybody's guess but you better not get them at home where they rarely lose.

Ray Rice's play in the playoffs will dictate the success of the 2012 Ravens

Ray Lewis is also expected to return by the playoffs,he is a too tough a S.O.B. to keep away from the game much longer.

If they get the no. 2 seed its going to be impossible for anyone other than the no.1 seed to get them anywhere other than 'at home'.

The Ravens D is very poor by their own standards this year - I don't feel that Flacco is the man to lead them to victory in a shootout if thats what it comes down to.

 

[PatsDeb]

Too bad they "pretended" to beat us. Whether they are pretenders or not we always have trouble with them, and if we meet them in the playoffs I would expect we'll have trouble again. And with Big Ben going down, there's two potential losses that have turned into probable wins for the Ravens. That means we're not getting a bye unless Houston (or the Ravens in other games) has a meltdown. Total bummer.

 

[MP-Logick]

The biggest obstacle the Ravens will be to us will be stealing a bye away...

 

[Kontradiction]

Too bad they "pretended" to beat us. Whether they are pretenders or not we always have trouble with them, and if we meet them in the playoffs I would expect we'll have trouble again. And with Big Ben going down, there's two potential losses that have turned into probable wins for the Ravens. That means we're not getting a bye unless Houston (or the Ravens in other games) has a meltdown. Total bummer.

If Talib comes in and eventually elevates the level of secondary play to even "decent", we'll blow them out. If the pass defense still continues to suck after his insertion into the unit (hehe), it'll be a close game determined by who has the ball last.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Too bad they "pretended" to beat us. Whether they are pretenders or not we always have trouble with them, and if we meet them in the playoffs I would expect we'll have trouble again. And with Big Ben going down, there's two potential losses that have turned into probable wins for the Ravens. That means we're not getting a bye unless Houston (or the Ravens in other games) has a meltdown. Total bummer.

When Ben was out for those games a few years ago and Batch played,I think they went like 3-1

 

[PatsDeb]

If Talib comes in and eventually elevates the level of secondary play to even "decent", we'll blow them out. If the pass defense still continues to suck after his insertion into the unit (hehe), it'll be a close game determined by who has the ball last.

Not sure about this if they are on their home turf. Their win percentage is incredible at home. On the road, not so much.

 

[PatsDeb]

When Ben was out for those games a few years ago and Batch played,I think they went like 3-1

But now they have Leftwich ahead of Batch for some reason. Did you see him the other night? He almost lost to the Chiefs at home. Couldn't get anything going.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

But now they have Leftwich ahead of Batch for some reason. Did you see him the other night? He almost lost to the Chiefs at home. Couldn't get anything going.

I would definitely use Batch over Leftwich

Even though Batch is like 40 years old,he still looks in command of their offense more than Leftwich,plus he is a smarter QB IMO

 

[Kontradiction]

Not sure about this if they are on their home turf. Their win percentage is incredible at home. On the road, not so much.

So was our's in the 2009 wild card round. Anybody can be beat at home, especially a team with an aging defense that's reeling due to injuries.

 

[PatsDeb]

I would definitely use Batch over Leftwich

Even though Batch is like 40 years old,he still looks in command of their offense more than Leftwich,plus he is a smarter QB IMO

They are reporting on SI.com that Leftwich is starting.

 

[PatsDeb]

So was our's in the 2009 wild card round. Anybody can be beat at home, especially a team with an aging defense that's reeling due to injuries.

I admire your confidence. Hopefully mine will get there by the end of the season if need be.

 

[Modest]

LOL ESPN Insider. Thats like paying to get an STD.

Anyone want to post the article?

 

[NSPF]

Too bad they "pretended" to beat us. Whether they are pretenders or not we always have trouble with them, and if we meet them in the playoffs I would expect we'll have trouble again. And with Big Ben going down, there's two potential losses that have turned into probable wins for the Ravens. That means we're not getting a bye unless Houston (or the Ravens in other games) has a meltdown. Total bummer.

Well, they did miss the "game-winning" field goal.

 

[lillloyd]

I would definitely use Batch over Leftwich

Even though Batch is like 40 years old,he still looks in command of their offense more than Leftwich,plus he is a smarter QB IMO

Gotta agree here. Leftwich has a windup like Hideo Nomo. I think he's a decent backup QB, but he is a comically bad fit for Haley's offense, which features a ton of WR bubble screens and quick-hitting passes. If he runs those bubble screens with Leftwich we're talking lots of pick-6 opportunities.

Re/Baltimore, the scary thing is that I really believe a lot of their inconsistency is self-inflicted. Cam Cameron wants Baltimore to be the Patriots, and Ray Rice idles. Give Rice a consistent diet of 25+ touches a game down the stretch, and IMHO they'll morph into a much, much tougher out come playoff time--they'd control the ball and protect their D. I don't think it's a problem with their personnel as much as it is with their play-calling, and if they just flip that switch, they could suddenly look more like a legit SB contender.

The other thing is, Baltimore will probably get those 2 wins against Pitt now with Ben out, which makes their path to a bye much more managable. I really think this year, with not a lot separating the top of the AFC, the home-field may be huge.

 

[lillloyd]

When Ben was out for those games a few years ago and Batch played,I think they went like 3-1

Sadly, the "1" was against the Ravens.

 

[CityOfChampions]

Too bad they "pretended" to beat us. Whether they are pretenders or not we always have trouble with them, and if we meet them in the playoffs I would expect we'll have trouble again. And with Big Ben going down, there's two potential losses that have turned into probable wins for the Ravens. That means we're not getting a bye unless Houston (or the Ravens in other games) has a meltdown. Total bummer.

We always had trouble scoring on them but we didn't last game. If the game was in Foxboro I would think we win. If it's in Baltimore the Ravens would probably win. One of the few teams in sports I really believe get a huge ref advantage at home.

 

[Kontradiction]

We always had trouble scoring on them but we didn't last game. If the game was in Foxboro I would think we win. If it's in Baltimore the Ravens would probably win. One of the few teams in sports I really believe get a huge ref advantage at home.

We'll level them if the play in the secondary elevates to even decent or good and not suck.

 

[jradMITEX]

Baltimore is just too good at home to be overlooked. They haven't lost at home since the 2010 season. Flacco home/away is a night and day difference. Its kind of comical to be so dismissive of them especially with the Steelers injury problems. They still have to play Denver but, despite that they still have the inside track for the 2 seed. Keep in mind they play 3 of the 4 tough games left Pitt, Den, NYG in the confines of M&T.