Ravens Week Discussion

[H8R]

you guys should read about how the ravens fans think they are going to stomp us out on Sunday. here, it seems like we are giving them credit for being a good team and that it will be tough to beat them. there, they are talking about getting "revenge" on us from 07' - don't know why, it was just a regular season game and if they had beaten us we probably would have won the super bowl not letting the pressure of going 19-0 get to us.

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Actually, very little smack talk has been going on. Sure, why wouldn't a Ravens fan see it as a revenge game? Some feel like the Ravens were cheated with a cheap call in the endzone. I personally feel like we let you guys drive the feild and get inside of the 10, so the defense was to blame. That and the fact that our defense lost composure and blew it. Heck, if Rex hadnt have called the T/O we would have won that game because we stopped that QB sneak. Even still, these teams are far different then at that point and we were only playing for pride and nothing more. This time around we are playing well and ready to eat even still.

 

[JSn]

We're doooomed!!!

 

[H8R]

You may be the most obnoxious Pats fan I've seen, but I like your swagger. :singing:

 

[JSn]

You may be the most obnoxious Pats fan I've seen, but I like your swagger. :singing:

Really? You haven't spent as much time here as your post count would indicate...

 

[Baltimorefan06]

How can you compare the Ravens' playoff record when they only have twelve years in the league?

If the Colts had never left, then we may have an actual argument, but as it stands right now, you simply can't make comparisons.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Actually, very little smack talk has been going on. Sure, why wouldn't a Ravens fan see it as a revenge game? Some feel like the Ravens were cheated with a cheap call in the endzone. I personally feel like we let you guys drive the feild and get inside of the 10, so the defense was to blame. That and the fact that our defense lost composure and blew it. Heck, if Rex hadnt have called the T/O we would have won that game because we stopped that QB sneak. Even still, these teams are far different then at that point and we were only playing for pride and nothing more. This time around we are playing well and ready to eat even still.

that was 2 years ago. i agree if we went 19-0 it would be a revenge game. us pats fans just looked at that game like another regular season game. there were a bunch of teams that could have beaten us in a single game that year and only one did.

 

[JSn]

How can you compare the Ravens' playoff record when they only have twelve years in the league?

If the Colts had never left, then we may have an actual argument, but as it stands right now, you simply can't make comparisons.

Those comparisons are nice talking points, but every year, every team is different. While Pats fans and Haters alike go on about a dynasty, team of the decade, etc... the turn-over and newly minted/aquired play-makers of EACH YEAR would argue against the concept anyway.

The Ravens should be excited about their team this year, but what the defense was in the past is exactly that: in the past.

It's fun to talk numbers and probabilities, strength of victory and all of that, absolutely. But imagine if it's a tight game, like many expect, and Brady or Flacco fumble a snap that goes back to the house? The list of almost totally unpredictable variables, from officiating mishaps to minor mistakes with dire consequences changes everything.

This year, the Ravens are playing really well after three games.

The Pats have been stumbling around but are clearly gaining strength.

Gonna be a great game and the only prediction I'm willing to make forcefully is that one of these top D's is gonna look a little shakier after this week.

 

[SoCalPatsfan90]

How can you compare the Ravens' playoff record when they only have twelve years in the league?

If the Colts had never left, then we may have an actual argument, but as it stands right now, you simply can't make comparisons.

Because the Patriots haven't done anything uber significant in the league until 2001...

Sure in '85 they made it, and in '96 as well... BUT, that's it before this decade. It's not like we'd be comparing Dallas' playoff record w/ the Ravens... lol

Just saying

 

[JSn]

Tidbit from Scrotum Schefter:

NFL: The much-anticipated Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers matchup is finally here - ESPN

Baltimore will try to prove a point Sunday in New England, but it has been difficult to prove or score anything there in the past. The Ravens have played two games in Foxboro and have not scored a touchdown in either. So the Ravens' next touchdown in Foxboro will be their first ever there. If ever there were a time to do it, this would be it. The Ravens' offense ranks first in the AFC and second in the NFL, producing 430.3 yards per game. Yet New England's defense ranks third in the AFC and sixth in the NFL in defense, yielding only 262.3 yards per game. And so it's on.

"The biggest thing they've done so far in the first three games is they've not allowed a lot of plays to be run by the offenses, and that's a credit to both their defense and their offense," said Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. "One of the biggest things for us is going to be to make sure we convert on third downs and we try to keep ourselves on the field as long as possible, so we can get as many plays and give ourselves as many chances as we need."

 

[JSn]

I almost made a rah-rah thread for this, but nah...

I really hope our boys get it done this week. Just heard that the Jets are down 2 corners (Sheppard, Strickland) this week against the Saints.

 

[jmt57]

I think many of these columnists are guilty of having the perception that the 2009 Patriots defense is the same as the 2008 defense based on the fact that there haven't been any interceptions so far and not a lot of pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. The difference that I see is that last year that was due to schemes drawn up to cover up a weakness (the cornerbacks) whereas this year it has been a result of specific game plans (stop Owens and Evans; keep Leon Washington bottled up; stop Tony Gonzalez and limit Michael Turner.)

On the other hand having read through the comments from visiting Raven fans I'm just as guilty -as some other Pats fans surely are as well - in assuming this Ravens team was essentially the same as last year's team. Their defense has gone from an attacking blitzing one to a (familiar to us) bend-but-don't-break defense. And though there is a lot being made of their running game, they're more likely to pass on first down.

I think the keys for the Pats are for the defense to limit the Ravens on first down, and on offense to get enough from the short passes to set up up some longer plays downfield. And of course there is the battle in the trenches. I'm not expecting the Pats to control the line of scrimmage, but if they can at least hold their own and keep the Ravens from dominating then that will be a win for the Pats.

Should be a great game.

 

[JSn]

I see Mason is listed as questionable with "illness" - interesting. I'm not thinking we need him to be out to win, but it couldn't hurt.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

You may be the most obnoxious Pats fan I've seen, but I like your swagger. :singing:

You haven't been out here very long...he ain't so bad...

 

[Kontradiction]

Actually, very little smack talk has been going on. Sure, why wouldn't a Ravens fan see it as a revenge game? Some feel like the Ravens were cheated with a cheap call in the endzone. I personally feel like we let you guys drive the feild and get inside of the 10, so the defense was to blame. That and the fact that our defense lost composure and blew it. Heck, if Rex hadnt have called the T/O we would have won that game because we stopped that QB sneak. Even still, these teams are far different then at that point and we were only playing for pride and nothing more. This time around we are playing well and ready to eat even still.

I would agree that the fans are looking at it as a revenge game. In reality, that game very much broke the season for the Ravens. They just didn't look like they cared much at all after that. I believe the Colts came in and blew them out the next week and then they lost to the LOLphins the week after that?

 

[The_Man]

This is more of a measuring stick than a revenge game. In 2007, the season was long since broken before the Pats beat the Ravens. Baltimore was 4-7, on a 5-game losing streak, and were 19-point underdogs. Their performance that night was a demonstration of just how much that team was underachieving.

In retrospect, it's probably a good thing they lost. If they beat the Pats, they probably stay interested enough to also beat winless Miami, end up with 7 wins, and the meltdown isn't bad enough to cost Billick his job. Since Harbaugh arrived in town, it's become pretty painfully clear that after the 2000 Super Bowl, the Ravens were underachievers with Billick.

 

[mayoclinic]

I think many of these columnists are guilty of having the perception that the 2009 Patriots defense is the same as the 2008 defense based on the fact that there haven't been any interceptions so far and not a lot of pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. The difference that I see is that last year that was due to schemes drawn up to cover up a weakness (the cornerbacks) whereas this year it has been a result of specific game plans (stop Owens and Evans; keep Leon Washington bottled up; stop Tony Gonzalez and limit Michael Turner.)

On the other hand having read through the comments from visiting Raven fans I'm just as guilty -as some other Pats fans surely are as well - in assuming this Ravens team was essentially the same as last year's team. Their defense has gone from an attacking blitzing one to a (familiar to us) bend-but-don't-break defense. And though there is a lot being made of their running game, they're more likely to pass on first down.

I think the keys for the Pats are for the defense to limit the Ravens on first down, and on offense to get enough from the short passes to set up up some longer plays downfield. And of course there is the battle in the trenches. I'm not expecting the Pats to control the line of scrimmage, but if they can at least hold their own and keep the Ravens from dominating then that will be a win for the Pats.

Should be a great game.

I haven't seen enough of the Ravens this year to tell, but it would be ironic if they are going through something like what we went through last year - becoming less aggressive on defense because of suboptimal corner play. I doubt their CBs were as bad as we had last year, but they are certainly vulnerable.

 

[H8R]

I would agree that the fans are looking at it as a revenge game. In reality, that game very much broke the season for the Ravens. They just didn't look like they cared much at all after that. I believe the Colts came in and blew them out the next week and then they lost to the LOLphins the week after that?

No doubt the Colts took us out hard. That was a disappointment. Life went on though, 1 year removed and we advanced further in the playoffs then the PAts. IIRC those LOLphins went to he playoffs too. My how the tides turn and the phins now suck again. Gotta love the NFL.

Go figure.

 

[sg14]

Hey Raven fans, nice dialog this week.

Gotta way off topic question for you, Many of you still mad at Irsay(??) for taking the Colts out of town??

Time heal all wounds??

I am guessing there is kinda big Colts fanbase in Baltimore??
Ravens vs Colts, anyone care??

 

[H8R]

Well, Big Irsay was a drunk and a piece of crap but his son is a class act and runs a good organization. The Colts are long gone and love my ravens. Sure, its a rivalry when we face each other but not bigger then the Steelers rivalry. There are VERY FEW Colts fans in MD. The bottom line was MD couldn't afford to build a stadium, so off in the Mayflower moving trucks they went. I just wish there would be a distinction in the records pre-84 that stayed with the City of Baltimore. Johnny U was vERY much anti being in the HOF with anything but BALTIMORE. In fact, all of the classic COLT players feel this way.
IT WAS VERY TOUGH TO REALIZE THEY WERE GONE!

 

[weswelker#83]

You will see lots of McGahee and McClain early, ball control , trying to keep our offense on the sidelines. That would be their plan for Sunday.