oldno82

I think Harbaugh was very defensive in his answer to the questions many have about the anemic passing game. I don't think there's much question that we need a better pass protecting line and [sigh!] a real number one receiver (as we have needed for years). While I love what Lamar does we could use a little more balance and a return to the improved passing Lamar showed in 2019. And really, Lamar is probably the only true playmaker on the offense. Now it's quite possible that the Covid disrupted pre-season and mid-season contributed mightily to the imbalance in 2020. But it would be nice if Harbaugh would just admit that and say we have areas that need real improvement. Now for the executioners that may be out there, I am NOT calling for Harbaugh's head. I'm NOT calling for a remake of Lamar's game. I would just like to see improvement in pass protection on the O-line (losing Stanley really hurt here) and more play action passing by Roman. The Ravens are going to have their hands full with the talent loaded Browns and the resurrected Bengals for the next several years and I don't think think the 2020 offense will be capable of handling them at this point. Hope I'm wrong...Dobbins and Edwards, Andrews and Brown give me hope, but we need even more. I found these comments (not all of which I agree with) from Brian Baldinger to be enlightening and who expresses himself better than I do: Brian Baldinger: Signing No. 1 Wide Receiver Won't Fix Ravens' Passing Game During Head Coach John Harbaugh's season-ending press conference yesterday, he pushed back against critics such as NFL Network's Steve Smith Sr. and Kurt Warner who contended that the Ravens' passing attack was too simplistic. Another NFL Network analyst, Brian Baldinger, weighed in on the subject, and he agreed with Smith and Warner's assessment, saying Baltimore's aerial attack is "too elementary, too simplistic." Baldinger was not suggesting the Ravens abandon their league-leading running game, but when opponents have success stopping the run — as the Buffalo Bills did in their 17-3 win over the Ravens in the divisional playoff game — he said the Ravens need to be able to make them pay through the air. "[Bills Defensive Coordinator] Leslie Frazier and [Head Coach] Sean McDermott figured it out, and they blitzed off the edges and they shrunk the field, and they didn't let Lamar [Jackson] escape, and they were masterful at it," Baldinger said in his "Baldy's Breakdowns" podcast. "But, ultimately, when you start blitzing your safeties and your corners to fix the run game, you have to make them pay. And the Ravens simply can't do that." "Can't" and "didn't" are two different things. Baldinger said the Ravens landing a No. 1 wide receiver in free agency such as Allen Robinson, Chris Godwin or Kenny Golladay won't necessarily change anything. "If you put Stefon Diggs in that offense, Stefon Diggs isn't getting 1,500 yards in catches. He's not leading the league in receptions, as great as he is," Baldinger said. "Until they start opening the offense up in different ways, where receivers can actually run routes, beat man coverage, all those kinds of things, there's got to be a better balance in how you throw the football right now, and it can't just be, 'third-and-8, all right, let's throw it.'" The Ravens have had a lot of success with their run-oriented offense the past three seasons, as Jackson is 30-7 in the regular season as a starter. They led the league in scoring last season and were No. 7 this season. In the postseason, however, they're 1-3 and have scored a total of 32 points in the three losses. "They're going to get to the playoffs almost every year right now the way the roster is built, the depth that they have, the way that they restock. But can they move in the playoffs?" Baldinger said. "Because this is three years in a row where they've been bounced like this, and it's the same problem three years in a row."

Roman is a good offensive coordinator for a run game. But, I wonder if his time here is over, just as it was in San Francisco and Buffalo. His teams always look unbeatable for the first 2-3 seasons but then kind of die out. His running game is beautiful but you have to be able to pass when it gets shut down. And as most people here have said, our passing game sucks. If Andrews is covered our options are really limited. Brown does a nice job but he and Andrews need help. The O-line is built for a rushing attack but can't pass defend. I've noticed in past seasons that when Lamar has time to pass he can be deadly. The O-line isn't giving him that time consistently and receivers are often not getting separation. The loss of Yanda and Stanley was probably the nail in the coffin for the passing attack for this year. So, the O-line needs retooling, the receivers need complementing. Fix those 2 issues and Lamar will take them to the Super Bowl.

Good stuff to wonder about in the off season. You never know what may happen in the NFL. Look what happened to RGIII. Look what happened to Burrow. Perhaps at some point Lamar becomes like Steve Young. Perhaps he doesn't. But for now lets ride that tiger for all it's worth.

Interesting matchup. The Bills can't run well but pass with abandon and success. Their defense is crap. The Ravens have a great secondary. If our front seven can provide a good pass rush the secondary should hold up though you'll have to give Diggs a TD pass; he's just that good. In theory our running offense should cause the Bills fits especially if we can work a good pass or two into the mix like last week. I like our chances. Hopefully we don't let the weather play mind games with us.

I also like and appreciate the respect he shows. First class in today's crappy world. And what a talent! We're lucky to have him.

LOVE it!!

Agree totally with that analysis, Spen.

and another monkey they got off their back is that they can't come from behind to win.

That was one fucking satisfying win! A revenge win, no less. I'm glad they stomped on the damned Titans' logo. As the saying goes, 'revenge is a dish best served cold'.

Hmmm...i think Max is on the right track here. The offense will have to win this game. The defense needs a stop or 2 or 3 in what will be a shootout, essentially. I don't think our defense is strong enough to shut down Henry and Tannehill at the same time. If our offense can control the clock and still score I think we win.

I have only one comment to make: LOCK HIM UP!

Interesting analysis by Prisco. I'm going to go with the flow and agree with him.

Agree...they just need to play their game. Hopefully, they won't be wound too tight. I think they were in both playoff games which is unusual for a Harbaugh coached team. He usually has a steady hand on the pulse of the team. It will be a tense, drama filled game for the fans to watch. But the team is going to have to play it to have fun too.

Well I was half right. Without those two it's no wonder Henry ran wild in the 4th quarter.

Yeah...is that the best they could do for cryin' out loud?

Yep. Exactly how I feel. Whatever the outcome Sunday, it's been a good year for the Ravens. Hell when they first started I didn't think the NFL would be able to play more than 4 games due to Covid. The team does have holes but like you said a good core to build around. I've said this before, I REALLY want us to beat the Titans if it's even the only playoff game we win. We ought to be able to do it. If I remember right, Calais Campbell and Wolfe couldn't even play last time we met. Anybody know that for sure? The older I get the worse the memory gets.

Great game and what a season they fought through with all that adversity! Lamar is the premier playmaker on this offense! While they worry me, big-time, I hope we play the Titans. Revenge would be so sweet

Same here.

I'm stretching for more beer...does that count as getting ready?

I'd like them to play and beat those damn smug Titans. Just once!

Without the job Eric has done in the 2 years he's been GM, and without the job Joe D and Greg Roman have done this year, I can tell you where the Ravens would be this season and that's in the crapper.

Hear Hear!

I dunno, Max. The Chiefs have played a lot of tough teams this year especially early on. But, I get your enthusiasm and I'm with you. I'm just saying if they go 11-5 that is a damned good season in the NFL.

Good day for us, sucky day in Cleveland and Indianapolis. Thought we would win but wtf happened to the Browns and Colts? Anyway, win next week and we're in. Will probably be one and done but with this league, this year, anything can happen with the possible exception of the Chiefs losing. If we win next week, you have to call it a good year in the face of great adversity regardless of what happens in the playoffs.

Giants defense will keep it tight but I think the Giants offense has just as much trouble scoring as their defense has success preventing it.