oldno82

Well, stats are helpful but don't tell the complete story, especially in football where leadership and morale are such important factors. The Ravens are lucky to have some real leaders in Lamar, Roquan, OBJ, and Andrews when he's playing. They all tend to lead by example rather than rah-rah stuff and I respect them for that. And the yearly stats don't really reflect the impact of the last two regular season games when the Ravens beat the NFC's leading team following just one week later in putting a whipping on the AFC's scariest offense. In other words, the Ravens have a long list of intangibles that are so important in football, including having a head coach that learns from past mistakes and can motivate the team to 'just win baby'. Lamar, by the way, has really opened my eyes these last 2 games. He really can do it all. If he's been guilty of anything in the past it's probably been his tendency to do too much himself. Now he has a full cast to get involved in the offense and he makes use of all of them. Another player to recognize is Justice Hill whom I have been highly critical of in the past. He has learned how to hold onto the ball and has displayed a dimension of speed I really didn't realize he had. Harbs has been better in both clock management and when to go/not go for it on 4th down. His gut instincts have proven to be better than the analytics. Very interesting. And then there's been his 2 most recent and important hires in MacDonald and Monken. Two guys whom we will greatly miss when they've inevitably moved on to head coaching jobs elsewhere. Maybe, Bisciotti can throw them a bag of money to keep them here for a few more seasons. And EDC has assembled a very varied list of characters on both offense (OBJ, Agholor) and defense (van Noy, Clowney, Smith, Hamilton, Maullett, et. al.,) that have meshed very well to stabilize the team first philosophy. While I truly believe this team can win the Super Bowl, they have already provided me with so much entertainment this year that I already consider this season a big success. I don't think I've enjoyed Ravens' football as much as I have just these last 2 games. Quite a ride---and it ain't over yet.

Lamar is in a zone and I think only a Super Bowl victory will bring him out of it. As you said, Monken and MacDonald have reached new heights in play calling and in making in-game adjustments. We'll probably lose both of them to head coaching jobs but hell that's the price you pay for superiority. Lamar, what more can I say? A perfect passer rating, 5 TD passes, 321 yards and, get this, he was dropping dimes in buckets way down field. He's definitely got MVP sewn up. I think Lamar and the vets, especially the older ones like OBJ and Clowney will keep the team focused on the ultimate goal: the ring and a trophy.

WOW JUST FREAKING WOW

Hang in there Dee...my wife and I are psyched up too.

I always record the game and start watching it from DVR about 30 min into it so I can skip the commercials. It's bad that Hamilton can't play...we needed him for the secondary and for stopping their rushing. I expect Miami to be able to hit a couple of deep passes. This game could be a high scoring affair.

They need that 3 week respite for sure. Gotta find a way to win tomorrow regardless of who is or isn't playing.

The Ravens just made 4 roster moves including calling up WR Treadwell, a DB and a LB. Sounds like Flowers and Hamilton might not be able to go. I don't know if we can win without them. What's your take?

Cool!

They also have to win to stay ahead of the 'December' Joe led Browns who are hot right now. The Ravens better come out smokin' this Sunday. Otherwise the Tua led Dolphins could easily upset them. Win and the guys that are hurting get 3 weeks of much needed rest. The time to win a Super Bowl is NOW because with all the players eligible for free agency after this year our window is closing.

I have a feeling that we're gonna be ready for them.

It won't be easy, probably won't be pretty, and may be a nail biter. Tucker could win it with a late FG.

The last time I saw the Dolphins play, either a week or two ago, their offense was one the fastest I've ever seen. And Tyreek wasn't even on the field. They looked like 11 guys on roller skates against a bunch of turtles. MacDonald will have his hands full scheming this week but after last night I feel we can beat anybody. You're right though: Don't let up! Time to keep the pedal to the medal and "just win baby".

Feeling great about being wrong. I thought the 49'ers would have the Ravens for Christmas dinner. Instead, the Niners were the real turkeys. What a great win! The Macdonald defense was fantastic. Hamilton, Roquan, Greene, Humphrey, etc. were all just stupendous. And Lamar started slow but picked up his game to lead the offense along with Zay Flowers and a rejuvenated offensive line to 33 points against the NFC leaders. One game at a time have taken the Ravens to the brink of the first seed in the AFC!

Merry Christmas to all! And to all, a good night!. In San Francisco, too! Bet Joe Flacco is having an elite Christmas Day this year!

I thought so...I've looked around at several sites and really can't find anything on the nature of Flowers' injury. Harbs had said it wasn't of any real concern early in the week but that was before he was listed as questionable. He did practice fully the last two days they held practice. So I guess we just have to wait it out until tomorrow. In the meantime, hope you have a good holiday season!!!

Please don't even mention the 'L' word for Flowers' foot injury. What is that, a two-year recovery time?

On our side, Flowers is questionable and it looks like Maullet and Armor-Davis are out. I really hope Flowers can play---we need him. I wonder if the foot injury is what limited him to one catch last week. On another note, did you see where the Steelers dismantled the Bengals today? Mason Rudolph was a shot in the arm for them and it looked like Browning was out of his league throwing 3 interceptions. That knocks the Bengals down a notch from competing with us. But it's a shot in the arm for the Steelers playing us in the last game of the season if Rudolph is as good as he looked today.

Oh, I agree it has been a very good season and it’s not over yet. We’re in the playoffs and anything can happen. There are still some cities that have never won a Superbowl or have lost a franchise. I just think this next game is going to be the toughest one yet and unfortunately we’re really banged up and traveling across the country on Christmas to play it. If we can pull out a win I’ll start thinking anything is possible for this team, this season..

Stanley and Moses, both nursing injuries (in Stanley's case concussion, ankle, and knee) will have their hands full with Bosa and company. Did read where Stanley practiced today.

Hmmm...I don't know how much fun it will be in the end. I think the 49'ers are ripped and ready to have a showdown in their home stadium and then go home and spend Christmas night with their families, whereas our guys get to travel on a 5-6hr flight on Christmas Eve to face on Christmas Day what is arguably the best team in the NFL. Combine that with the downer about Keaton Mitchell and the other injuries we have, and I see us having our team ripe for a sound beating. Hope I'm wrong, of course. I just have a bad feeling about this one.

When you're playing playoff caliber teams, even an ugly win has lipstick on it. I don't care if they have ugly wins the rest of the season at this point. Regarding Lamar: his passing is what it is. It's usually effective, but not as perfect as we would like. Still, he has tremendous mobility in the pocket to extend plays and it is definitely needed with the physical limitations our two tackles have. I don't think we would have won that game with a quarterback other than Lamar. So it's on to SFO and here's hoping we can pull out a win somehow against what I consider the best team in the NFL. I don't think we win this one but I like our chances against Miami and Pittsburgh here at home. Damned shame about Mitchell. We need him. Hope he can come back from this and not wind up like JK.

Agree.

Every game right now is a 'must win' for us because there's so little room for victories in the rest of our schedule. Still not impossible for us to finish 10-7 or 13-4. My current hunch is 12-5.

I doubt they'll play him as long as he's wearing a brace.

Was Hamilton a full participant today?