Buffalo @ Baltimore

[tsylvester]

So many questions buzzing around our Ravens, now one of the hottest teams in the league migrated to town for a Sunday night game.

One of the biggest questions is: what happens to the defense when the 4th quarter starts?

The answer may be as simple as what the offense does in the 3rd quarter, where they have struggled for one reason, penalties, cough cough, or another.

Yes, last week the offense seemed to find its rather, for a while, but it will mean little if they cannot keep it rolling this weekend.

Who ya got?

[oldno82]

What to say...another very tough game coming up. But we're at home, the offense improved last week. If only the D can avert a last quarter collapse, they actually may have a chance. As usual it won't be a relaxing game. I just hope it is a W somehow at the end.

[tsylvester]

The last time these two teams met, 2022, the Ravens lead 20 to 10 at half time. Of course, the Ravens led 20-3 just before half when the Bills went on a drive that resulted in a touchdown with 9 seconds left in the half.

As it turn out, that would be a starting point for a big comeback.

The Ravens would not score again, with Buffal winning 23-20.

It is one of many games where the defense let's up later in the 2nd quarter, and the offense disappears in the 3rd quarter.

If this team wants to make a case for being a legit playoff team, they are going to have to sustain drives, score touchdowns in the 3rd quarter.

This will help the defense rest a bit and give them a shot in the arm.

People point out all of the blown leads by the defense, but I say, it starts with the offense in the 3rd quarter. Stop the drive killing penalties, sustain the blocks, throw the right pass, makes the crucial catch.

[papasmurfbell]

We are no longer the ravens.

[oldno82]

Can't really explain it but I'm beginning to think the Ravens pull this one out. If they play up to their potential and the secondary gets straightened out, we all might be feeling better Monday. The Bills aren't really scaring me.

[tsylvester]

I'm looking to see if they have progressed, both offensively and defensively. Can the line continue to improve? Can the back half of the defense as well. This includes the linenackers who have been lax at getting depth in their drops.

This is one reason why the deep middle has been been gutted so far this season.

Let us not forget the pass rush, Owe & company have done a pretty good job of pressuring the pocket, can they continue? Can Mads and Pierce crush the middle to give Josh no where to escape?

How about the play calling on both side of the ball? That area needs to be better as well.

Improvement, capitalize on last week's good parts, improve on the bad, play, penalties.

If they have over 100 yards in penalties again, they won't stand much chance of beating the Bills.

[tsylvester]

Vorhees likely not to play

[oldno82]

15 minutes ago, tsylvester said:

Vorhees likely not to play

That hurts...the offensive line really needs stability with so many new faces.

I think the pass rush will be fine, the secondary has the talent but needs to demonstrate it, Orr needs to tighten up the D in the fourth quarter and the O-line, somehow, has to create holes for Henry and give time for Lamar to throw. If they don't win, they at least have to show improvement from week to week.

[tsylvester]

Well, it does give Cleveland the game where he seems to perform better than practice.

[oldno82]

Very true. Maybe they'll let him out of the doghouse to give it a go. I did read though that they would prefer Mekari to LG and Rosengarten to RT.

[papasmurfbell]

The ball is still a loaf of bread.

[tsylvester]

Wow! Went to bed when it was 14-3 and the Ravens were controlling the Bills.

Wake up to a kept their foot on the gas and a 25 pt win! Woo Hoo

[tsylvester]

Just watched the condensed version, man, that third quarter haunted the team again. Lamar fumbles, the defense allows a huge play on broken coverage. Penatlies to end drives, bone headed deciscion to call a time out when you cannot.

But then, you knew that there would be a but, the front four really got after Allen, the secondary bent but stopped Bills's drives.

Then the offense got back to pounding the rock.

Screens that actually worked incredibky well! A fortunate fumble recovery by Riccard in the endzone and a 35-10 win.

Yes, that Allen fumble, strip sack by VanNoy, who continues to push a side age and be a force helped to stem the tide.

But this was the Ravens, against a very good team, not on a short week. Their best, minus a few players, against our best, minus a few players.

If they can play like this, playoffs are sure.

[oldno82]

Listen, bro, this was a resounding win. Just what they needed to salvage the season and shoot for the playoffs. Lamar was hot all week on leadership, Henry was the beast and. van Noy was the defensive leader. 
 

They overcame adversity of self inflicted wounds and Harbs timeout brain fart. This team is loaded with talent. If it’s coached properly the sky is, the limit.

Schedule ahead is tough but if they play like last night, there’s nothing to fear in this league.

Time for Harbs to step up and keep the team focused.

Now we have something to look forward to.

[tsylvester]

I suggest you listen/ watch Henry's locker speech, I'll link if I can find it. Quite nice to hear, motivating, echoing what Lamar has been saying. In short, similar to what you said; they have the talent, they can win it all if they stay focussed.

Ah, here is it is

https://youtu.be/DegxqqQMCIQ?si=R34vP_lgP1X1EzMc

[oldno82]

Yes! They have the right mindset now: confidence along with the need to keep focussed. Harbs was fired up and he has to stay that way and keep from having timeout issues. Henry is a beast...I just hope he can hold up for a whole season. And, over the last two years now, Justice Hill has come out of nowhere to be the perfect complement to Henry.

Lamar had a great night though that fumble almost cost them the lead but i like the way he talked to every member of the offensive line on the sideline after that. He is growing as a leader.

We have yet another tough game coming up with the Bengals who always give us fits. We really have to concentrate on Burrow---he's a Raven killer.

[tsylvester]

I wonder, as big of a fan as I am of Vorhees, is the line that much better, pass & run, with Merkari at left guard and Rosegarden at right tackle?

Both Lamar and Henry praised the line with Jackson going a step further with pointing out the big fella and Rosegarden

[oldno82]

Well I think that just based on talent, Mekari is better, at this stage, than Vorhees. Rosengarten really played well. I'd keep the line the same for the Bengals.

By the way, a shout out to Zach Orr...he called a tight game and utilized Hamilton more like last year, though still not as much as McDonald did.

[GrubberRaven]

Seahawks weren't so hot last night...against real talent

[tsylvester]

4 hours ago, GrubberRaven said:

Seahawks weren't so hot last night...against real talent

I watched the condensed version, love the you tube, quite a game.

Miami is now wishing they had not signed noodle arm. Granted he was only there for 2 weeks, but still.... oye

[oldno82]

Ya gotta give the Seahawks some time. I really think McDonald will succeed there. Detroit is awfully good now too.

[tsylvester]

I see that Adams and the Raiders are set to part ways, Raiders want a 2nd and compensation.

I also see that some fans are losing their collective sh, sensibility over acquiring him, using Bateman, the Big Fella, as compensation... Oye

He is owed 17 million this year, yes he would be a great target, ala Boulden, but that cap hit, even if they could squeeze him in big oye.

He is a giod guy, great receiver, unselfish, unlike some other great receivers.

With some 11 draft picks next year, and many, many guys up for new deals, i am not sure a 2nd or more is worth it considering Lamar's inability to throw deep and his eratic throws along the sideline.. Thoughts?

[papasmurfbell]

Lamar could not use him correctly.

[oldno82]

17mil and a 2nd is too much. Plus, I don't think we need him. Like you said, we have a lot of guys whose contracts are up this year.

[tsylvester]

I would not be surprised to see a 3 team trade between the Jets, Cowboys and Raiders. Jets trade Riddick to the Cowboys who have issues on defense including injuries to their 2 starting ends. Then trade the picks to the Raiders for Adams, with the Raiders taking some of his salary cap hit.

The Jets are in win or gut the team mode..