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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.We have to figure out how to beat Baltimore.
My odds:
@BAL 45%
BYE 100%
@PHI 55%
DAL 75%
@HOU 45%
KC 60%
@CIN 85%
BUF 70%
MIA 85%
All odds would change week to week. For instance, the Miami game would drop to 50/50 if we were already 14-1 with nothing to play. Likewise, it would also drop from
85% to maybe 70% of we were 15-0...you know Mercury Morris will pipe up at some point if we get there again...
My odds:
@BAL 45%
I don't get the fear of Baltimore. Patriots are currently favored by 3-1/2 with 80% of the money going on the Patriots. Straight up, you have to wager $190 to win $100 on a Patriots victory.
Doesn't Belichick scheme to take away the primary threat of an opponent? Isn't it clear that the primary threat is the running game, more specifically Jackson's running ability? Can't most defenses stop an opponent's running game when they concentrate on that? The secondary threat is the receiving ability of the tight end.
Sure, it's not quite as simple as I make it sound in the previous paragraph, but it's not crazy difficult either.
Week after week, people keep predicting that offenses are going to score 20+ points against this Patriots' defense. (OK, I should have ignored JetsFan79's prediction.) It not only doesn't happen, hardly anyone has gotten close. Shouldn't we believe that the Patriots really will hold teams off the scoreboard? And shouldn't we believe that the highest scoring team (not just offense) in the league actually will score some points, perhaps even 20 points overall?
Anything can happen. But believing in the Ravens over this Patriots team defies what we've seen so far and what we know about Belichick, Brady and the rest of the team.
I expect that after this Sunday, the NFL will have another "aha" moment like they did after the Chagers beat the Ravens in the playoffs last year. They'll be saying, "Oh, that's how to shut down a running QB who doesn't have a lot of passing ability". Belichick will find a way; he almost always does. And not just a way to get by, but a way to dominate. That's who he is.
For the same reason some of us are also predicting losses @ Bal'more & @ Philthadelphia: because our weak-ass offense sucks, and a weak-ass offense doesn't travel well.Why are so many people on the board predicting a loss to HOU?
Why are so many people on the board predicting a loss to HOU?
I don't get the fear of Baltimore. Patriots are currently favored by 3-1/2 with 80% of the money going on the Patriots. Straight up, you have to wager $190 to win $100 on a Patriots victory.
Doesn't Belichick scheme to take away the primary threat of an opponent? Isn't it clear that the primary threat is the running game, more specifically Jackson's running ability? Can't most defenses stop an opponent's running game when they concentrate on that? The secondary threat is the receiving ability of the tight end.
Sure, it's not quite as simple as I make it sound in the previous paragraph, but it's not crazy difficult either.
Week after week, people keep predicting that offenses are going to score 20+ points against this Patriots' defense. (OK, I should have ignored JetsFan79's prediction.) It not only doesn't happen, hardly anyone has gotten close. Shouldn't we believe that the Patriots really will hold teams off the scoreboard? And shouldn't we believe that the highest scoring team (not just offense) in the league actually will score some points, perhaps even 20 points overall?
Anything can happen. But believing in the Ravens over this Patriots team defies what we've seen so far and what we know about Belichick, Brady and the rest of the team.
I expect that after this Sunday, the NFL will have another "aha" moment like they did after the Chagers beat the Ravens in the playoffs last year. They'll be saying, "Oh, that's how to shut down a running QB who doesn't have a lot of passing ability". Belichick will find a way; he almost always does. And not just a way to get by, but a way to dominate. That's who he is.
Why are so many people on the board predicting a loss to HOU?
My concern isn't the defense. It's the offense. The Ravens are getting Jimmy Smith back to go with Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey. So far this year...we basically have only been moving the ball effectively via the pass...the run game isn't up to stuff yet. Maybe Snau gets up to speed faster than I think...maybe Watson makes a few plays...maybe Brady starts going to Meyers more... But all I have seen is mostly timely deep passes to Dorsett, swing passes to White, and Brady targeting Edelman on have-to-have-it downs. On Lazar's film reviews...I am seeing open guys, but Brady doesn't have time to scan to his 3rd/4th read. I think Baltimore's D is up to keeping the Pats under 20. If that happens...it only takes 1-2 big special teams plays to back up our defense in the red zone. Our D is historically good, but they can be scored on....and Tucker is effective anywhere from 40 yards to the GL...even outside. Also, the Ravens' run game will burn a lot of clock...and put more stress on our D.
They pay the other guys too....it will be Lamar Jackson's 2nd BIGGEST NFL game of his life.