varaven45

Crav, So true. Everyone seems to forget he has the best win-loss record of any QB in his first four years. My god, the guy came from a CAA school Delaware after playing under the shadow of Tyler Palco and transferring from Pitt, then goes right into the frying pan w/o any mentor, no clipboard time, then endures four years of shifting WR and OL personnel, and an substandard OC. All that and he has won what 44 regular season games in 4 years. In the words of announcer Mike Patrick: ARE YOU KIDDING ME ! Did I leave anythng out ? !

Well, I sure hope these "high" expectations are met but are they justified (?). I am sensing a lot of pressure everywhere- from Cam to Flacco on the O to Ray and Ed on the D. With all this recurring talk about Ray and Ed's last shot, Joe's chippiness, and Cam's critics, you could cut the pressure with a darn knife, My expecations for this season were that we would go 10-6 (+ or - 1 win) and make the playoffs. Sure, like everyone, I' d love to see us advance to and actually win the SB. Part of me,however, still sees many deficiencies/inconsistencies on this team (as well as the remaining teams). At the same time I'm drawn (sucked) into this perception that this team is somehow built and destined to win the SB (like the 2000 team). Every team's fanbase can make the same argument. Of course, none of us knows whether we will but naturally we can win (AGS). What I do know is, Lord forbid, if we happen to lay anothger egg (ala Jax game) and lose: Bmore will be like Armageddon on Monday. Ray and Ed will probably bolt and retire (and should) Joe Flacco will be crucified.....once again Cam will be run out of town & 2012 draft talks and predictions will quickly emerge Make no mistake, I would absolutely love to see us in the AFCC game - here or at NE - then go on to Indy and win the SB. I hope this team finds the character, sense of urgency, poise, and relentless play to will itself to victory. But the high expectations and Super Bowl or Bust attitude is a bit too much for me. I am just going to kick back and watch the game on HDTV. lt should be an awesome, fun and exciting game. Here's hoping they advance to the AFCC.

Agreed. Joe and the Ravens will be on center stage Sunday at 1:00. He has a huge opportunity to showcase his skills and talents. Here's hoping that all the planets align and Joe has a coming our party Sunday !

Yep. Houston 's going to be very, very, tough. Got to pound the rock, to set the tempo, get Joe in a comfort zone, and take control of the game. Not even looking past this game.

I dont know max. Rex will guarantee him a Super Bowl this year.

Agreed Crav, so long as we get to and win at Indy (hopefully because of Ed/Ray). Just sayin

Hopefully, Webb is our heir apparent to Reed (unless we draft a FS this year). All the more reason to yank Webb from punt returning duties. Its apparently not time yet, but I would personally like to see a secondary with Webb (FS), Pollard (SS), Williams (CB) and Smith (CB) with Nak, Zibby, Carr and Reed (yes Reed) for nickel and other pass situations. Dont see it happening yet, esp withe Smith's inexperience and Reeds seniority and experience, but it needs to happen....... Reed situation is a sticky wicket and, if unaddressed, could lead to a critical game changing play. His inability to wrap up, tackle, is a scary proposition going up against the Texans, Steelers, Pats. These matters have to be handled delicately and I hope Harbaugh makes the right move.

Nice article Dee! The Ravens need for Houston to win, then get knocked off at M & T; Steelers to knock off Broncos then the Pats. That leads to a 3rd showdown with the Steelers at M & T. That's our best scenario.

Go Texans, go TJ Yates er uh Jake Delhomme....but just for 1 week !

Yep. Just got to keep the foot on the gas pedal. No letups from here on !

Max, AFCN - Its one to savor for sure I wasnt sure we could pull it off after the loss in SD and the closer than comfortable wins vs Browns and Colts. No matter, we won and thats what counts. Are you going to game on the 15th ? .

Max and Crav, Good news,bad news. Bad news - I missed on my prediction and overestimated the Bengals and sold our guys short, esp on the motivation/sense of urgency. The good news - who cares, we won ! Lets see where this takes our guys !

Max, Thanks for your reply and Happy New Year ! Varaven

With all the hype and anticpation of this game, I feel compelled to start an honest, objective assessment/prediction thread. Here is how I size up both teams leading up to Sunday's tilt. 1. Both teams are tough on defense; the Ravens are slightly better against the run and pass. Both are among the league leaders in sacks. QB pressure will be huge in this game as both QBs have a propensity for turning it over. 2. Offensively, both teams are statistically "middle of the pack" in the league with the Ravens having a slight edge in passing and rushing. The Ravens have a better rushing attack with Rice, Williams and Leach vs Cincys duo of Benson and Scott. Passing-wise, Flacco has been arguably better than Dalton for the season, however, in recent games Flacco's WRs are underperforming while Dalton's trio of Green, Simpson and TE Gresham are peaking. Ravens WR corps of Evans (mostly out), Boldin (out) and Smith have, as a group, been dinged up this year. Cincys WRs are generally healthy and primed for a breakout game, especially with a Ravens dinged up secondary. 3. ST-wise, neither team seems to have a big edge although Cundiff is injured and has slipped as of late. This could be critical if game comes down to a FG kick. Winds are expected to be 25-30 MPH. 4. In terms of coaching, Marvin Lewis and his coaching staff have a history of outcoaching Harbaugh and Co. The game preparation and half time adjustments by Cincy have exceeded those of the Ravens staff. Ravens' OC Cam is not a good game manager/adjuster and mysteriously underutilizes/abandons Ray Rice all too often. 5. From an intangible standpoint, Cincy HAS to win to make playoffs; The Ravens are already in. While its been well documented how the Ravens win secures a MUCH needed 1st round bye and home game, the motivation of MAKING the playoffs is potentially greater than securing a 1st round bye for a team already having a playoff spot. Plus, this is franchise changing win opportunity and a potential showcase game for Dalton and his WRs against a top 3 D on national TV. Talent and experience wise, the Ravens have a decided edge but are limping into this game after unimpressive wins and extremely uninspired offensive performances at HOME against Colts and Browns D's that are far less stout than Cincys. Having sized it up, this game is about matchups, momentum (recent games), intensity, emotion, coaching, home crowd influence and playoff motivation. While the Ravens are a better team based on the body of work this season, overall talent, veteran leadership, and experience, I think the Bengals will prevail in a very competitive game with the outcome decided by 1-2 key turnovers/game changing plays. Not trying to be a Debbie Downer, I just see a 7-10 point game with the final margin of victory determined in the 4th Q. Ravens have too much to overcome without a healthy Yanda and Boldin and against an emotional, intense, Bengal squad. Any thoughts or reactions ? Oh and Crav, dont pile on too bad ! BTW- I had this team going no better than 10-6 and making it as a WC, so it has already exceeded my expectations. Regardless , looking forward to playoffs and a healthy return of Yanda and Boldin.

Suggs is stating his intentions of playing in the Super Bowl, instead of the Pro Bowl. To me, Its no different than the 2000 season when Coach Brian Billick, after the "P word" prohibition was removed, proclaimed "gentlemen, its time to go the Super Bowl". Even though Suggs wasnt even on that team, maybe he's simply trying to convey the same message and motivate the team. . I applaud him and hope its works because this team needs a shot of adrenaline after a couple of back to back lackluster performances.

Crav, Spot on with point 1. This team MUST win Sunday as it cannot afford - injurywise, road woes, etc- to play on the road, whether its out west or not. Regarding the venue, we need Ravens fans in the seats. Otherwise, I dont like the karma, mindset or our team's recent performance going into this game. Plus, Cincy will go into this game knowing they have to win to make the playoffs. We are already in, and while there can be no mistaking point 1 and its obvious motivational effect, this team hasnt played with a sense of urgency on the road all season (sans St Louis and Pittsburgh). Maybe that miraculously changes Sunday. Aside from the "any given Sunday rationale", what makes you think this team will all of sudden rediscover an "on the road" swagger against a team, that gaves us fits at home last month, now has a healthy WR Green, is desperate and now fighting for its playoff lives ?

Max, We peaked in week 1 vs Steelers, followed by a similar peak performance in week 3 vs Rams. After that, its been pretty decent to medioce ball with several gut wretching wins and embarrasing losses - Jax, Seattle and SD. We have seen a few impressive wins - at Pitt and home against San Fran - but those seemed like light years ago. Sizing up the year's body of work, I agree we are regressing as a team, have some key injuries (all of a sudden) and there is little or no chemistry or character on this team. Going up against a Cincy team that is desperate and must win to make the playoffs, they will be EXTREMELY motivated, play like its their Super Bowl, and I predict we lay an egg and stumble into the playoffs. I know this team has everything to play for .......again......but we've been in thie position too many times for me to think this team will suddenly wake up and play with a sense of urgency. We'll end up 11-5, be the 5th seed and probably play at Houston or the AFCW Champ.

Perhaps not a big deal but a huge opportunity to : 1. Return to pounding the dang rock - we needed to get Rice, Williams and Leach back in the fold. Here's the opp. riun to tuity 2. Have Mr Evans step up ! What a great way to diversify the passing game w/ Evans, while Boldin is on the mend. Hopefully, when Boldin returns, Joe and his WRs have it togther and Boldin simply becomes another option..

Thanks Max. I hope he is approaching 100 %.

Crav, Yep. You wonder how many yds/play the opposing RBs gain in these tackles. The number gets bigger every year

I understand he is practicing but does anyone know his game playing status. Is he near 100 % ? Can he be effective this Saturday ? Thoughts ?

Flacco needs no defense. He is who he is. Joe needs a complimentary, effective running game, consistent, effective run/pass blocking from his OL, and consistent play (and catches) from his WRs. if those planets align, Joe is in a comfort zone and is fine. If not, you get performances like we saw against Tenn, Jax, Seattle,and SD.

To any man, professional or otherwise, its tough to admit when the game or competition has passed you by. Its very interesting how the D played in the previous 4 games w/o Ray. Unless Ray realizes his biggest asset to the D is his coaching, maybe someone just needs to (accidentally) step on his big toe

TSylvester, Yep. After Indy and Browns games, I thought there was a sort of "artifical swagger" with this team and I did not see us winning this game. In fact, I dont know that any team was going into SD and beating them. Certainly not our team. Hindsight is 20/20 but If we couldnt execute and consistently score TDs in the red zone against the Browns and Colts, how could we expect to do it vs a desperate team, fighting for its playoff life, on Sunday night in its house. Wasnt going to happen.

Max, You are right. The Ravens didn't show up in San Diego. In fact, they generally just dont show up on the road. Period. Maybe they partied (for an hour) after they clinched th wildcard and said, "Hey man, we are in the playoffs. Its all good " They played like it. You also right about leaders. Leaders like Ray and Ed needed to step up and didnt t. I really get tired about hearing how Ray and Ed wont allow complacency and bad attitude to enter the locker room. Yeah ! This team is lacking three big ingredients to be a serious contender : character, chemistry and sense of urgency. As our old pal, the late Sock used to say, you can never overestimate the importance of character and chemistry. This team has consistently lacked both this season. In terms of urgency, this team played with none last night, right from the get go. What ever happened to this team's feeling that we "have to have home field advantage throughout the playoffs". If we HAD to have it, where was the effort last night. Unfortunately, you cant just turn it off and on. Its something you build on, week to week, and it becomes undeniable by season's end. This team hasnt shown it - even the previous 2 wins against Indy and the Browns. We left 20-30 points on the field in both games and simpy dismissed the lost points and lack of execution. Winning masks those problems. Those problems and lack of execution carried over and were on full display in last night's opening drive If we score the TD, maybe its a different game. Who knows ? After both of those last 2 wins, Harbaugh should have identified and addressed these problems. They were simply satisfied with the "W" s and figured it would take care of itself. It didnt and we ran into a juggernaut and got taken out behind the woodshed. For what its worth - In our our only SB year, that 2000 team - which is the only Ravens squad I have witnessed with a relentless, non-stop sense of urgency- had "it" - an undeniable sprit and passion with unshakable character and chemistry. I am not living in the past but merely pointing out a glaring deficiency and missing ingredient for this year's team. Max, I agree we might possibly win a game in the playoffs but thats our ceiling. This team and coaches are built to make it to the playoffs, be satisfied with a win and go home saying "well, we made the playoffs again". Based on the body of work over the season, this team does not have the character, chemistry and sense of urgency to make it to the top, not this year.