oldno82

John Harbaugh has been the Ravens’ coach since 2008, so, understandably, he is the focus of angry fans after each loss. They send emails to reporters asking if he has lost the locker room. They call into radio talk shows questioning his gameday decisions, wondering if the team lacks leadership, asking loudly if he will be fired if they don’t go deep into the playoffs. But Harbaugh, now 62, has done well. The Ravens can clinch the AFC North for the second straight year with a win Saturday at home against the Browns. They have some questionable losses to Las Vegas, Cleveland and Pittsburgh, but Baltimore is still among the favorites in the AFC to deny the Kansas City Chiefs a chance at becoming the first team to win three straight Super Bowls. Of course, you can question Harbaugh’s gameday decisions — his challenges, or when he called two timeouts to draw a penalty. You can question his desire to go for a fourth-and-1 deep in Ravens territory in the first half of the Los Angeles Chargers in late November. But here is a fact: The Ravens are going to the playoffs for the third straight year with a fairly balanced team. Here are more facts: Since becoming coach, Harbaugh’s Ravens have failed to make the playoffs only five times and he has an 183-114 record with a Super Bowl title in 2012. That’s not to say things can’t fall apart, especially if the Ravens falter early or get blown out in the postseason. But overall, his managing skills have been impressive. There were the deaths of former wide receiver Jacoby Jones, one of the team’s most popular figures of the previous decade, and Joe D’ Alessandris, the Ravens’ beloved offensive line coach, in late August. There were also the private meetings he had with his offensive assistants shortly after last season’s 17-10 loss to Kansas City in the AFC championship game to retool the offense, not to mention having first-year coordinator Zach Orr, 32, run what was the NFL’s best defense a year ago but is without three top assistants as teams plundered Baltimore in the offseason. There was also an unfavorable schedule that was ranked the fourth toughest by Sharp Football Analysts before the season started and included two stretches of games in which the Ravens played three games in 15 days and another three in 11. Whew, it’s been a whirlwind of a season. Coach John Harbaugh has led the Ravens over some significant hurdles this year. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) At least the Ravens had the foresight to reshape the offense around quarterback Lamar Jackson’s needs, but the death of D’Alessandris was devastating. It’s hard to replace a friend and a fellow coach most of the other assistants confided in. His memories and expressions and plays are tough to forget. The Ravens brought in George Warhop as D’Alessandris’ replacement, and many questions about the line have disappeared despite having rookie Roger Rosengarten starting at right tackle, third-year player Daniel Faalele starting at right guard and Patrick Mekari moving from a swing tackle to starting left guard. The Ravens still struggle in pass protection, especially when trailing and in obvious passing situations, but they are No. 2 in the NFL in rushing yards behind the never-aging Derrick Henry, who has rushed for 1,783 yards this season. As for Orr, it’s all about perspective. The Ravens lost coordinator Mike Macdonald (Seattle’s coach) and defensive assistants Anthony Weaver (Miami’s defensive coordinator) and Dennard Wilson (Tennessee’s defensive coordinator). Because of the influx of new assistants and changing personnel, it was always going to take time to get the defense to perform at a high level. There are still questions about this group, particularly defending passes over the middle. The Ravens haven’t faced a strong passing team in a month and won’t on Saturday versus Cleveland.

I would think they don’t have much of a chance without Winston, erratic as he is, he’s the best they have.

Did I read right, somewhere, that Cleveland has 17 players injured? Otherwise, their Defense still has some teeth, but I would expect a win here.

This is way, way too hypothetical to guess at. Who can say what Lamar would do with KC and Mahomes with the Ravens this year. Why can't we just say Mahomes had an off year for some reasons beyond and within his control and Lamar is posting MVP numbers with the team he has. It's just the way football works, a team sport, works. Who's to say how good Unitas would have been without Ameche, Berry and Moore and a stellar defense? It's all too speculative to say with any certainty.

Lamar does things I would have thought were impossible with his legs and now his arm. He makes plays no other QB can make. And no MVP ever has had a perfect season so when he , now rarely, misses an open receiver, it's just proof he's mortal. This year, even more than 2019, has me thinking 'how the hell did he do that?' on multiple plays per game.

Zach Orr, whom I tore apart at the beginning of this year, has really developed as a DC. Glad to see his progress.

This game was all Henry, Lamar and great defense. but also cj stroud looks nothing like last year’s version.

I am hoping that is indeed the case.

More worries: Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers and starting offensive linemen Tyler Linderbaum and Daniel Faalele were among the players listed as not participating in practice Sunday as the team began preparations for its Christmas game against the Houston Texans. And this was just a walkthrough.

Wow! Damned NFL scheduling still has me digesting the big win yesterday. I just hope the Ravens are putting it in the rearview mirror because the Texans are for real. BUT: I think our team really wants the division title, and they should prevail against a depleted Texan team that doesn't have as much to gain as the Ravens. My biggest worry: this is an away game. If we were playing at the Bank, I'd feel more confident. Big questions: Who's going to take Hill's place as I just can't see him clearing concussion protocol by Wednesday? Ali or will they activate and play Keaton Mitchell and is he ready? Our offensive line played a determined game against a stout Steeler defense. Can they do the same against Houston? Is 30 year old Derrick Henry able to play as well again after his super game against Pitts just a few days earlier? It's a lot to ask of a team to do all the above late in the season on 3 days rest. We'll see who prevails...and who comes out the game decently healthy to end the season.

The Texans played today against KC and lost and also one of their WRs wrecked a knee and is out for the season. Three games in 11 days is almost criminal. You'd think the NFLPA would step up and at least say something. It's not fair to the players' bodies.

Right on that! Very few penalties, diverse offense, now joined by a stout defense. And Tucker is back!

There goes the comp pick.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing that Walker would play more. Actually I think he should anyway part-time so to speak and give Bate a rest. Pickens out definitely helps our penalty infested secondary but they still will have their hands full with Wilsons moon balls. This game could go anywhere from nail-biter to unexpected easy victory---for either team.

Pickens is ruled out too. Watt looks like a go.

I think you summed it up best when you said the Ravens just have to relax and play and not try to be perfect. That’s when they’re at their best. When they play loose they can overcome adversity.

I don't think Lamar is 'the problem'. I think what would get us beat is if Wilson has time to throw his 'moon balls' and our defenders make their usual run of PI penalties.

No I think it's too inconclusive to say we're going to lose on Saturday. Sure it's possible but that game will have a whole different feel to it.

A chance for him to redeem himself if he has any talent left but I'd feel better with AW playing. Either way we ought to clean their clock.

Yeah I agree...jump out to an early lead, a comfortable one, then get them ready for Pitts. That should be the plan anyway.

Well, that is a possibility. Let's hope for the best.

I'll think they'll lose to the Eagles and Chiefs. If we win out then we'll take the AFC North. It'll be hard but definitely possible.

Well, here we are at the last 4 games. If we win out we will probably win the division. Is it possible? Can the O-line hang together? How about the secondary and the pass rush? Questions aplenty and answers are hard to come by. I will end by saying only that I don't really fear any of our last 4 opponents.

Hey, no worries. Just wait until fake A/I really gets rolling.

I saw it on a couple of websites I've never heard of, but I can't find it on anything I consider reputable either.