Ravens 6 1/2 point favs

[cravnravn]

Ow wow

[papasmurfbell]

Seems high but I think the Ravens win.

[vmax]

Luck won't be able to think Sunday because it will be so loud.

He should settle for a Ray Lewis autograph and go home.

[vmax]

“The Colts (minus-16.0 percent DVOA, minus-14.0 percent weighted) are, by far, the worst of this year's playoff teams,” he wrote. “This past weekend's victory over the Texans was easily their best win of the year, but the rest of their résumé consists mostly of nail-biters against bad teams. A ridiculous 9-1 mark in close games has inflated their record. The Ravens (9.8 percent, 8.3 percent) look like solid favorites here.”

 

In an ESPN SportsNation poll of 4,742 votes (as of Wednesday morning), fans were asked: What team do you want to see Denver play in the divisional round?

 

 

Results:

1. Indianapolis: 60 percent
   
2. Cincinnati: 24 percent
   
3. Baltimore: 16 percent
   

 

The Patriots will play the highest seeded-winner of the wild-card round: Houston Texans (No. 3), Ravens or Colts.

 

In a WEEI (New England radio station) poll of 765 votes (as of Wednesday morning), fans were asked: Who do you want to see the Patriots play in the divisional round?

 

Results:

• Doesn't matter. Patriots will be well-rested and prepared: 43 percent
  
• Colts. Andrew Luck is still a rookie quarterback in playoffs: 23 percent
  
• Texans. Houston is very vulnerable and banged up: 22 percent
  
• Ravens. Patriots want revenge for last-second loss in September: 12 percent
  
• http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Late-For-Work-12-Broncos-Pats-Fans-Dont-Want-To-Face-Ravens/544fa616-80d3-4eeb-91d2-f4890b17908d

[oldno82]

I'll be pleasantly surprised if we can cover that spread.

[cravnravn]

Daytona Newspaper has us the 11th weakest playoff team in the playoff field, the Hawks being 12th and last, they have the Bungles 5th, thats when I snotrocked into the newspaper and folded it back up and left..

[papasmurfbell]

They have won 7 of their last eight. The Ravens have lost 4 of their last 5. I would say that the Texans should be behind the Ravens and Atl.

[cravnravn]

The Bungs havent scored an offensive TD in 2 games, and if it wasnt for Tyrods pick 6, they lose to our 3rd stringers..But they are getting the Texans spiraling.

[papasmurfbell]

SO. Then throw out that last game. it is 6 of 7 wins. They are hot.

[cravnravn]

Defensively they are hot, Offensively, not so..

[papasmurfbell]

So you discount the 2000 SB?

[varaven45]

Another factoid of interest, courtesy of NFL stats,

 

Total Offense/Pts Scored

 

Ravens 16th/10th

Colts 10th/18th

 

 

Total Defense/Pts Against

 

Ravens 17th/12th

Colts 26th/ 21st

 

 

Its interesting to note the Colts rush defense is nearly last in the league at 5.1 yards/carry. The Ravens allow 4.0 yards/carry.

 

No ands, ifs or buts that we absolutely have to pound the ball early/often and Rice/Pierce need to have huge games in order for us to win.

If nothing else, this would provide balance and give Joe a comfort level in running the offense.

 

[thundercleetz]

My primary concern about the Colts matchup is Bruce Arians. Arians had our number when he played us as OC of Pittsburgh. He is very good with route progression and getting receivers open downfield. I am worred Arians will make adjustments throughout the game to find the defining big play.

[varaven45]

Cleetz,

 

Yep. All the more reason to pound Rice/Pierce and the Indy D into submission and keep Luck off the field.

[papasmurfbell]

Run run run to daylight. Do not let this kid hand around.

[vmax]

3rd down will be the key. The Ravens offense has to convert and the D has top get off the field. Easy to say that....

 

The stakes and intensity ratches up. Conservative won't get it done. To win, teams have to attack and be aggressive.

That doesn't mean the Ravens have to throw like crazy. Pounding Rice and Pierce, physically wearing down the defense, is aggressive.

Also...the Ravens receivers have to aggressively go after the ball, concentrate and make the play. They did that against the Giants. Keep the chains moving.

1. win the field position battle.

2. get in field goal range.

3. after that, score touchdowns. The 7's carry a lot of weight in the playoffs.

[papasmurfbell]

Scott has been explaining how against elite QB's the Ravens are 1-4. Against 2nd teir they have a perfect record.

[oldno82]

3rd down will be the key. The Ravens offense has to convert and the D has top get off the field. Easy to say that....

 

The stakes and intensity ratches up. Conservative won't get it done. To win, teams have to attack and be aggressive.

That doesn't mean the Ravens have to throw like crazy. Pounding Rice and Pierce, physically wearing down the defense, is aggressive.

Also...the Ravens receivers have to aggressively go after the ball, concentrate and make the play. They did that against the Giants. Keep the chains moving.

1. win the field position battle.

2. get in field goal range.

3. after that, score touchdowns. The 7's carry a lot of weight in the playoffs.

And continue to throw some down the middle like they did two weeks ago.

[cravnravn]

Cleetz,

 

Yep. All the more reason to pound Rice/Pierce and the Indy D into submission and keep Luck off the field.

 

 

This Colts team is a close reminder of the 06 team that won it all, there D is not the strong point..First we have to get Luck out of his comfort zone, force him into mistakes, he will make them..Secondly, then we pound the rock with the 3 headed monster...Most importantly, TD's instead of FG's, put the dam dagger in them, step on their throats and dont let up..We go into that 4th quarter less than 10 points up, we will be in trouble.

[vmax]

This is going to be one great game for the fans....

 

Quarterbacks are always aware of where Ed Reed is on the field. Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck should really be wary of the Ravens safety because he steps up in the playoffs. Reed has eight interceptions in 11 playoff games, which ranks as the most among active NFL players and is one shy of tying the all-time mark. Luck finished the regular season with 18 interceptions, one shy of league leaders Tony Romo and Drew Brees. However, Luck had seven potential interceptions dropped by defenders, most in the NFL.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/tag/_/name/final-word-2012-wildcard

[vmax]

From Stan the Fan...

 

Indianapolis at Baltimore -6 ½

The spread number didn't change one iota the entire week for this game. The Colts' Andrew Luck is going to be an awesome quarterback. But as good as he is, he hasn't met the intensity level he'll face on Sunday from the Baltimore defense and the noise Ray Lewis' dogs will be making. The Colts' defensive line will not be able to slow down Ravens running backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce. That means Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco will also have some inviting opportunities that offensive coordinator Jim Caldwell will allow him to exploit. Lewis' announcement that he'll retire at the end of the season is the motivational edge the Ravens needed during this one, but the game is in Flacco's hands. Though the Colts have had a great story of their own as coach Chuck Pagano has battled cancer during the team's turnaround season, they will not be able to deal with Flacco. His salary push starts in earnest here.

Prediction: Baltimore 34, Indianapolis 16

http://www.pressboxo...ory.cfm?id=9819

 

One more...

No team in the history of the NFL has given up fewer points per game during the postseason than the Baltimore Ravens.

http://www.pressboxonline.com/blog.cfm?id=5655

Edited January 6, 2013 by vmax

[papasmurfbell]

I think arians not being there hurt but I don't think they would win either way.