Once underrated, now overachievers? The Ravens are still overlooked though. The Ravens entered the season with high hopes for the team. The Ravens have fixed their holes in the offseason on defense and offense: Trading for McNair The main goal was to find someone to take the helm of the Ravens offense because the Ravens have really relied of the defense but failed to score any points on offense. McNair provided that, along with leadership qualities, and the clutch factor. Drafting players Ray Lewis complained about he can't be a playmaker without a big guy in front of him, so they drafted Haloti Ngata. The Ravens also drafted players to fill their void at the nickel back, punter, and offensive line. Signing veterans Trevor Pryce may have been overpaid, but he surely earned it with the way he has been playing the last few weeks. Not everyone liked the Ravens before the season. Many, and I mean MANY, believed that the Ravens are predicted to be at best, a Wild Card team. Which was somewhat reasonable with the Super Bowl Champions Steelers and the rising Bengals. But when you think about it, right now, the Ravens seem to be the best shape in the division. Unlike the Steelers, the Ravens are still hungry for a super bowl title. Unlike the Bengals, the Ravens have avoided off-the-field issues. Unlike the Browns, well... I'll stop there. Standing at the #2 seed as of this week, the Ravens are only one game behind the Indianapolis Colts. But, knowing Brian Billick, he is only keeping their minds on just getting to the playoffs. They are the #2 seed because they have a head-to-head win over the San Diego Chargers in week 4. In the NFL, it's hard to call any team the most balanced/perfect team. Let's break down some of the other playoff hopeful teams. Indianapolis Colts (9-1): Currently, no one questions their offense with Manning leading them. But the main weakness in this team is that they cannot stop the run. And the defense is clearly not the same without Bob Sanders. San Diego Chargers (8-2): They may be one of, if not the best team in the AFC but the only reason they might not reach the Super Bowl because it depends on how far Philip Rivers can take the team. At first, it was the head coach, but he seems to have thrown Martyball out the window. Most of it can be because of the lost to the Ravens. New England Patriots (7-3): The best one I can say is that they keep losing assistant coaches year after year. Denver Broncos (7-3): Jake Plummer may be the reason they won't make it to the Super Bowl. Other AFC teams: Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4), Kansas City Chiefs (6-4), Cincinnati Bengals (5-5), and New York Jets (5-5): They are still fighting just to make it to the playoffs. The Ravens have weaknesses as well. They have struggled with pass coverage since they have aggressive corners and manly play man coverage. And the running game struggled early but seems to be getting on track. Though the Ravens, haven't been severely hit by the injury bug, anything can happen in the NFL. Now with that said, there is all the more reason for Ravens fans to be optimistic for postseason hopes. 1. The Ravens finally have something they haven't had in a while, offense. 2. Though they win games, they haven't played their best yet. 3. They have one of the most cohesive locker rooms in the NFL, more as a team than I. With one side, of course there has to be a way for the Ravens not to be pesimistic (spelling?). 1. Age of starters, they average an age of 29 with seven starters over 30. 2. The Ravens face a harder remaining schedule with the Chiefs, Bengals, and Steelers twice. 3. They are in the AFC, enough said. And I'm guessing why I put the title, Florida Calling?, it's because the last time the Ravens went to the Super Bowl, it was in Tampa Bay. That was the first time they won a Super Bowl, is it a coincidence that the next Super Bowl is in Miami, which is in Florida?
Balance is certainly a key in getting to Florida, but so is depth. Injuries can happen to any team, but there are a couple players in the Ravens lineup that would really kill the team if they went down, primarily due to the style of play the team has. For example, <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>They have struggled with pass coverage since they have aggressive corners and manly play man coverage.</div> If McAlister goes down, does the defense continue to let Oglesby play the same way McAlister did: a very aggressive man coverage? I would guess not, so that would have a domino effect on how they do their run defense etc. This does nothing to take away from Baltimore's good chances, just an observation and an extension of your weakness observation. Perhaps nothing would change. Look at Jacksonville. They've put together a pretty strong team that doesn't beat any good teams up too much, but they are typically right in every game. They are a lot like Baltimore. Tough defense....trying to establish more of an offense than they've had and coming into their own a little. Jacksonville lost their best LB (Petersen), their best DE pass rusher (Hayward), and now Darius in the secondary. I have a feeling that you could run the playoffs three times through and come up with different results each time...in both leagues.
I think San Diego is getting too good of an education right now to not be the favorites to make the super bowl. The next few weeks will be telling as to who should really be favored...
I am going on the theory that the Colts will lose in the playoffs like they have in the past. Though, I hope its not true. Regardless, its looking like the Ravens & Bears for the upcoming Super Bowl. I am not writing off the Chargers and am giving a slim chance to both the Panthers and Seahawks in the NFC.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MKIV_Supra)</div><div class='quotemain'>Unlike the Steelers, the Ravens are still hungry for a super bowl title. Unlike the Bengals, the Ravens have avoided off-the-field issues. Unlike the Browns, well... I'll stop there.</div> #1. Steelers are nothing without the Bus.. Forcing Bigben to throw thew football 30 times is a disaster #2. The only problems cinci has is on Defense #3. The browns are a very young talented team but its hard to compete when Your team is constantly depleated by injury. #4. the ravens are a good team and deserve the division title. their whole Team is getting old so i see this season as the last before it comepletely rebuilds
Willie Parker has been as good if not better than Bettis was, Parker is having a great season and its completely not the Steelers problem right now. As for the AFC I've got to pick the Chargers at this point in time, LT just cant be stopped hes the MVP of the league I think. The problem with them lately has been the defense but with Merriman coming back they'll revert back to the defense they were in the beginning of the season and the offense will keep killing defenses with Rivers throwing and LT dominating. I think the Ravens are good but I personally dont think they'll get into the Superbowl its just a gut feeling I have, Jamal Lewis has to keep it up from the last game the Ravens have to establish the run a bit more. The offense (McNair) has been good but they have had some setbacks and some inconsistancies, but they are a good team definatly they are finding ways to win. Its gonna be a great AFC playoffs I cant wait. Denver is definatly on the downfall. Their defense is great but the offense worries me, Jake Plummer is just not having the season he was having last season. Even last season when they failed to make the Superbowl people were wondering if Plummer was holding the Broncos back, it may be so and Shanahan is not going to put Cutler in this season so its up to Plummer to step up his game and take the Broncos somewhere. Personally though I dont think they can beat the Colts, Chargers or Ravens. the wildcard is wide open too, its gonna be a good playoffs lol :thumbsup:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Cowboy71)</div><div class='quotemain'>Balance is certainly a key in getting to Florida, but so is depth. Injuries can happen to any team, but there are a couple players in the Ravens lineup that would really kill the team if they went down, primarily due to the style of play the team has. For example, <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>They have struggled with pass coverage since they have aggressive corners and manly play man coverage.</div> If McAlister goes down, does the defense continue to let Oglesby play the same way McAlister did: a very aggressive man coverage? I would guess not, so that would have a domino effect on how they do their run defense etc. This does nothing to take away from Baltimore's good chances, just an observation and an extension of your weakness observation. Perhaps nothing would change. Look at Jacksonville. They've put together a pretty strong team that doesn't beat any good teams up too much, but they are typically right in every game. They are a lot like Baltimore. Tough defense....trying to establish more of an offense than they've had and coming into their own a little. Jacksonville lost their best LB (Petersen), their best DE pass rusher (Hayward), and now Darius in the secondary. I have a feeling that you could run the playoffs three times through and come up with different results each time...in both leagues.</div> When I said that the Ravens are aggressive in man coverage meant that they are willing to "one up" on a reciever, thus allowing the front seven blitz or whatever they want to do, which is what the Ravens do best with all the packages they have for the linemen and linebackers. But the secondary is a key area for the Ravens to improve on. We have a pretty good nickel back in Ronnie Prude, he is rumored to maybe take the starting role if Samari Rolle continues to let big plays go. McAlister has been duped by recievers. His weakness is when it comes to the double move, he bites easily and other teams seem to be using that to their advantage. Ed Reed isn't the being playmaker as he was few years back. He move to the Free Safety position because they don't think that Dawan Landry is as physical as they wanted him to be and is still in the learning process. Ed Reed does most of his plays when he is up near the line of scrimmage. But with the departure of Will Demps, he has to be that "extra leg" in case something falls apart. The most accurate one I can say is the Panthers-Ravens game. There was a few plays where Steve Smith was set free by one of the cornerbacks and Delhomme threw it to him. They must have either thought that Ed Reed would try to keep him in front of him but it must have been a huge blown assignment. Another one was where the Ravens were trying to play conservative in the Saints-Ravens game. In the second half, they didn't seem to have tried to put alot of pressure of Brees but still couldn't stop Joe Horn and Marques Colston. Why? I have no idea. As for other positions, when Edwin Mulitalo was injured in the Chargers game, he was replaced with Jason Brown. And in Atlanta's game, Chris Chester, a second round pick, made a start and did pretty well. What seems to be different with the running game is that they have more strength with the linemen. In earlier years with the Ravens, Jamal absolutely loved his linemen. He had strong blockers that would help push the middle so he would pound the ball. Now with the departure of players like Bennie Anderson and Orlando Brown, the Ravens lost the strength but added more versatile linemen. The Falcons running game feature those kind of linemen as well. But they did have a speedy running back. Jamal Lewis is no Warrick Dunn. While Warrick Dunn has a quick running style, whether running off tackle or on pitches; Jamal Lewis is more of a up the gut, or middle, whatever. The linebackers are pretty okay with Dan Cody who might take the outside linebacker spot next season if Adalius Thomas isn't re-signed. Jarret Johnson saw and increased role when Ray was out, mainly in passing situations. Mark Clayton seems to have taken the WR1 position over Derrick Mason, Demetrius Williams seems to be a good #3 WR. The scariest thing I'd imagine is when Steve McNair goes down. He'd be replaced with Kyle Boller and is very scary to see him in the game because he has no pocket presence. He's like Vick and how he panics and runs with the ball, it's just that he isn't as fast as him and makes mistakes.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bears#1Fan)</div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MKIV_Supra)</div><div class='quotemain'>Unlike the Steelers, the Ravens are still hungry for a super bowl title. Unlike the Bengals, the Ravens have avoided off-the-field issues. Unlike the Browns, well... I'll stop there.</div> #1. Steelers are nothing without the Bus.. Forcing Bigben to throw thew football 30 times is a disaster #2. The only problems cinci has is on Defense #3. The browns are a very young talented team but its hard to compete when Your team is constantly depleated by injury. #4. the ravens are a good team and deserve the division title. their whole Team is getting old so i see this season as the last before it comepletely rebuilds</div> The Steelers seem to be okay without Bettis, Parker seems to be doing fine with his increased role near the goal line. Their defense is still good. But it's just that they rushed Roethlisberger. He should have at least sat out some games. Charlie Batch did a great job at helm and easily could have kept them in the race for the playoffs. But they did the same thing like Miami with Culpepper. If the problem for the Bengals is defese, shouldn't it be along with the issues? O'Dell Thurman was suspended the whole year, I think... They didn't seem like the whole team was together and it showed when the Ravens beat them. Chad Johnson was pretty distanced from the team but it doesn't seem like that now. And the signing of Sam Adams did little to nothing to their defense. He seems a little old and heavy than he was before. They also have been hit with the injury bug. Their offensive line suffered and some of their players at the middle linebacker position as well, they had to even force Ahmad Brooks to play and he was their #3 MLB. The Browns have a good team but they are still two years from actually being a legit playoff team. They did draft some good players on offense like Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. Romeo Crennel is rumored to be on the hot seat but I doubt it with the injuries in the secondary.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J-E-T-S 1083)</div><div class='quotemain'>Willie Parker has been as good if not better than Bettis was, Parker is having a great season and its completely not the Steelers problem right now.</div> My issue is not w/ Parker as a footbal player. Its with the Steelers motivation. If you constantly need the emotional lift that one player provides then you don't deserve squat.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J-E-T-S 1083)</div><div class='quotemain'>Willie Parker has been as good if not better than Bettis was, Parker is having a great season and its completely not the Steelers problem right now. As for the AFC I've got to pick the Chargers at this point in time, LT just cant be stopped hes the MVP of the league I think. The problem with them lately has been the defense but with Merriman coming back they'll revert back to the defense they were in the beginning of the season and the offense will keep killing defenses with Rivers throwing and LT dominating. I think the Ravens are good but I personally dont think they'll get into the Superbowl its just a gut feeling I have, Jamal Lewis has to keep it up from the last game the Ravens have to establish the run a bit more. The offense (McNair) has been good but they have had some setbacks and some inconsistancies, but they are a good team definatly they are finding ways to win. Its gonna be a great AFC playoffs I cant wait. Denver is definatly on the downfall. Their defense is great but the offense worries me, Jake Plummer is just not having the season he was having last season. Even last season when they failed to make the Superbowl people were wondering if Plummer was holding the Broncos back, it may be so and Shanahan is not going to put Cutler in this season so its up to Plummer to step up his game and take the Broncos somewhere. Personally though I dont think they can beat the Colts, Chargers or Ravens. the wildcard is wide open too, its gonna be a good playoffs lol :thumbsup:</div> Okay, I know Jamal and McNair haven't been the most consistant but it's not like they are asked to do much. The defense can score as well. But think about it, the Ravens are winning even if they aren't having the best offensive output that week. McNair isn't having to ask too much since they are a run first offense. But only in rare occasions where McNair has to take the game into his hands like he did against the Titans and he got the job done. And just think about it, what if? What if the the offense played it's best? He already score enough points to win and though we aren't a offensive powerhouse like the Colts, we can always rely on Matt Stover, who is pretty clutch if you ask me. But you don't have to ask since I've said it the sentence before. And after watching the way the Colts were beat by the Cowboys, I was thinking. It wasn't that Peyton struggles against teams that played 3-4 defenses but the way 3-4 defenses play. They feature quick linebackers, constant pressure on the QB, and being physical. The Ravens do exactly that but only in the standard 4-3 with occasional packages where they play 2 down linemen, but with the body frame of Jarret Johnson and the old position of Terrell Suggs, it's like we have 5 linebackers in there and sometimes one of the safeties come down into the box to stop the run. Even though the matchup of the Colts WRs and Ravens CBs are in their favor, I wouldn't be surprised to see them try to play physical with them or try to copy what the Broncos did to Marvin Harrison, and that I do not know since we don't have a Champ Bailey on the team. On offense, it wouldn't hard to give them a huge dosage of Jamal against their bad run defense. But against the Chargers, I'm still working on that since they really changed since they played during week 4.
