oldno82

I pretty much said the same thing in the thread to the other topic. You beat me to it. I should have read here first.

They do have to show they can do it on a weekly basis. Sure there will be always be a week or two were even the best teams have an off day, even KC, but I do want to see them playing solidly like yesterday most of the time. They have played very well in the first halves for the most part. Monken has turned the pass game around as long as we don't have a multi-player game of the dropsies. We just have to concentrate on playing as well in the second half as the first. Yesterday the Ravens were dominant. I think they would have beaten any team in the league yesterday. Now the task is to play the same way against a very weak Cardinal team. I'm hoping we don't play down to the level of competition next week or have a day when they feel all they have to do is show up to win. That motivational part will be on Harbaugh and it's something he's done pretty well over his career: don't have your team have a swelled head when playing inferior teams. I think they'll beat Arizona easily but it could be a trap game if we aren't prepared. I was glad to see Lamar's demeanor after the game yesterday. He pointed out there were some areas they had to work on which is a good thing. The team has a chance to do something really special this year and right now I think they'll succeed. One final note: if you give Lamar time to pass he'll carve you up as well as any quarterback in the game. The O-line was tremendous as was his ability to move in the pocket until a receiver got open. And the defense was just 'wow'.

Right, Dee! Momentum is key.

This was a breakout game for the Ravens. They should know now if they execute they can beat anybody. But they need to stack wins like this one. Things are definitely looking up.

What a great game for the Ravens! Thorough domination of a really good football team. Probably Lamar's best game. He was outstanding in the opener a few years back against Miami but the Lions were a hell of a lot better team now than that year's Dolphins. I could not find a single flaw in Lamar's game today. Monken's play calling was superb and his preparation for the offense was just out of this world. Defense was just as good. They were all over Goff early and mid-game and cut off the LIons's offense at the knees. THIS is the kind of win I've been waiting for. A totally complete game by the O-line, receivers, quarterback, running backs, defensive line, linebackers and secondary. A true whipping put on the Lions.

I too would like to see Mitchell get some carries. Our running game needs a shot in the arm though I think it's more the line blocking than the backs. We'll need both a running and passing offense clicking if we want to beat the Lions. Funny, with Roquan back there I'm not too worried about our defense. I think it can hold it's own against anybody. I also think Monken will get the offense sorted but it may take another week or two. We did all say it would take several games for his offense to sink in with the players and execution. No matter what, I'd rather watch his offense than Roman's any day.

If they can achieve that I'll be a happy camper. And we just might beat them.

One thing for sure that isn't helping is the run game isn't doing well when we're ahead. I believe the backs, Gus and Hill, are giving it everything they've got but the blocking just isn't there this year. No holes. Maybe a lack of emphasis on run blocking in practice is to blame. The pass protection has actually been pretty good and Lamar has shown a new ability to get the ball out faster. But if you can't get the run game going, go back to the pass game. Slants and quick outs with an occasional medium to deep ball to keep them off balance. Our team has become one I think where they have to use the pass to set up the run rather than the usual vice-versa. One thing they shouldn't do is rely on Lamar running in the red zone which I saw too much of. One, it isn't working and Two, he's going to get hurt in the scrum down there.

The Ravens offense has a lot of potential but they can't seem to kill off opposing teams. I think that for whatever reason the play calling sucks when they have the lead. I don't know on who's shoulders that falls but somebody ain't doing the job in the second half. I just re-watched last week's game and that fact stood out as paramount to me. We should have kicked ass after we got ahead.

Yup the pressure has been solid. Great scheming by McDonald according to Clowney who loves playing for him. I'm looking forward to this game. Might just be a very good one.

They will be the best team we've seen so far. Like you said, we need to play a game where we limit dropped passes, fumbles, and risky coaching decisions. Our defense is good and they will be ready to play. The offense is the big question. We also have to play the game with a psyched up spirit on both sides of the ball. And dammit we have to be consistently good throughout the whole game for a change.

Oh…OK. I guess I didn’t realize a team could do that with the cap. I thought since it was salary and not a bonus they’d have to eat the whole thing in this year.

Queen has been a monster this year. I'm not so sure it will be easy to replace him with somebody who has equivalent production. It is true Smith made him better. I have a feeling we'll miss Queen next year though. Agree that it's more prudent to keep Stone than Williams. Makes the most sense both cap and availability wise. Speaking of cap space, we signed OBJ to a one year $15 million salary contract but when I look at Sportrac's cap table it shows we'll carry $11 million in dead money in 2024 for him. Can someone explain why that is?

Regarding above, see https://theathletic.com/4968567/2023/10/17/ravens-patrick-queen-geno-stone-contracts/

The Lions are a good team. The Ravens look like they're getting ready to turn the corner into playing up to their potential. Just wish the offense would look as good in the 2nd half as they do in the first. Not only are they playing inconsistently between games they are doing so in-game. Monken's opening drive game plan has been flawless but something is still lacking as the game progresses. Appears to be a mixture of poor execution and questionable play calling as game moves in to the second half.

That's good to hear. Maybe just maybe we'll have the break out game we've been waiting for. I'd like to see us develop more of a killer instinct on offense rather than letting the other team hang around and around and make it a close game. We need to be able to put the finishing touches on.

I hope so. Certainly, they'll have their hands full with the improved Lions next week whom I think are a better team than Tennessee.

I wasn't satisfied with what I saw. First half and fourth quarter the offense moved the ball easily but they are leaving way too many points on the field. FGs by Tucker are nice but they need better red zone offense that gets TDs. Lamar was sensational early and late but looked a little disheartened in that 3rd quarter. Defense was superb! Queen had yet another good day as did Clowney. Really impressed with the pressure the D has been able to create due to the schemes our DC has drawn up. Next week, another tough opponent in the Lions. We have to play better in the red zone.

As I understand it, the problem with the field in London is that there is a seam running the length of the field near one side of the yardage markers and players have been getting their feet caught in it and spraining ankles and worse. The soccer team won't even play on the turf field the NFL teams do. The soccer teams play only on a grass field at that stadium.

From what I've read and seen on TV they've had a good time in London this week. Hope they show up to play on Sunday. Turf on the field is supposed to be very bad. We don't need any more injuries.

I really can't add much more to Tsyl's well done analysis. It can go either way. I hope they haven't gotten caught up in all the London frivolity and forgotten they are there to play what has been a tough team for them in the past. I'm worried they are looking at the time spent in London as a nice vacation.

Well...I'm at a complete loss for saying how this one might go. The Ravens have more talent but they had that against Indy and Pittsburgh too. Anybody care to venture a pre-game analysis for this one?

I was out of town and didn't see the game until yesterday. They started off like a solid football team, moving smoothly on the ground and in the air. The first quarter was all theirs but then there were the dropped passes by Flowers and Andrews and Bateman. Instead of the field goal they should have had a second TD. After that they really lost focus. Things just snowballed as the game got away from them. Football is an emotional game and they lost the edge and swagger they had in the first quarter. Lamar has to rally them. Harbs has to do more in game motivation when they are starting to slide. But I don't think this team is that far away from being something special. They can go either way this Sunday. They can just let up in the face of adversity or learn how to conquer it. Every man on the team should be ready to come out sky high in London to erase this ugly loss in Pittsburgh. Can they do it or are they going to curl up in a ball and let Tennessee overrun them? Going to be interesting to see.

Yeah the site was down and it was good timing. What a disgusting game. Wasted opportunities, general collapse on offense. They should have won easily. And now on to London and who knows what the hell to expect?? Yes...thanks Dee for getting the board back up. Glad we have you.

I might regret saying this but neither Steelers QB scares me.