What I didn't like was Baltimore seemed afraid to win the ballgame. They are 2-0, just drove down the field in a couple minutes to tie the game, held Pittsburgh, then got the ball with 1:49 and one timeout left. Granted, it was on the 15-yard line, but I didn't like Baltimore not at least taking a shot. Do you think Dallas runs out that clock and plays for overtime? Indianapolis? San Diego? I don't think Pittsburgh would have ran out the clock. But Baltimore, afraid to try and win the game because they might lose it, sat on the ball. And when it was over, they were beat.

What I didn't like was Baltimore seemed afraid to win the ballgame. They are 2-0, just drove down the field in a couple minutes to tie the game, held Pittsburgh, then got the ball with 1:49 and one timeout left. Granted, it was on the 15-yard line, but I didn't like Baltimore not at least taking a shot. Do you think Dallas runs out that clock and plays for overtime? Indianapolis? San Diego? I don't think Pittsburgh would have ran out the clock. But Baltimore, afraid to try and win the game because they might lose it, sat on the ball. And when it was over, they were beat.

 

With rookie QB Flacco, at the helm I think Balt did the right thing in that situation. The teams you mention all have top of line experienced QBs. Big difference between Peyton Manning and Joe Flacco.

With rookie QB Flacco, at the helm I think Balt did the right thing in that situation. The teams you mention all have top of line experienced QBs. Big difference between Peyton Manning and Joe Flacco.

 

Agreed. Flacco was clearly rattled by what Lebeau was throwing at him in the second half, and trying to do too much there may have resulted in what ended up happening to Kurt Warner at the end of the first half against the Jets.

Some observations from what I saw.

 

A. Ben is gunshy. Can't really blame him, but he doesn't find the hots half the time because his head is on a swivel.

B. Ray Lewis is still a bad man.

C. Santonio Holmes is a beast. They have to get him the ball more.

D. The AFC North is the worst division top to bottom in football.

E. I thought that the Steeler D was better than the Ravens D.

F. I think 9 wins is the tops in the division. Perhaps 8.

G. Flacco is going to be a decent NFL starter. And if the D there stays healthy, the Ravens will be in every game they play.

H. The Ravens have upgraded at the head coaching position.

I. James Harrison is a bad, bad man.

J. Mendenhall will be spending his forseeable future in the mending-hall.

 

and finally,,,,,this was one hard hitting football game from the first play to the last.:thumb:

 

A. :thumb: Will the loss of Simmons make things even worse, or is it so bad right now that they can only get better?

B. :thumb: Is it just me or does it seem like the Ravens D is dominate one year, then the next they struggle (usually due to injuries), then everyone writes them off as too old and done for, only to see them get healthy and become dominant once again?

C. :thumb:

D. :thumb: Only because the Browns and Bengals are so pathetic at the bottom. The NFC West might be worse though.

E. Disagree. The difference to me is that Pittsburgh's D was facing a rookie QB in his third start, his first road start and his first Monday night game...and his first game against a real NFL team and defense. Baltimore was facing a team with a Super Bowl winning QB and one of the tops in the game with far better weapons at the outside skill positions.

F. :thumb: I said 9 wins, maybe even 8, would win the division when the season started. That's based largely on the brutal schedules they face having to play the AFC South and NFC East and Pittsburgh gets the Pats and Chargers to boot.

G. :thumb: I like what I saw of Flacco. The latter part is always true when this defense is healthy and playing well.

H. :thumb:

I. :thumb:

J. :thumb: I haven't been impressed with what I saw from Mendenhall prior to the injury. I expected much more from both he and Ray Rice.

As for E. The Ravens were facing an OL with 3 new unproven faces (and then a 4th when Simmons took the plunge). Not to mention the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th RBs. And the P'burgh D was without 2 of their starting front 3 (No Probowler Hampton and Keisel). I say at a minimum it was push.

As for E. The Ravens were facing an OL with 3 new unproven faces (and then a 4th when Simmons took the plunge). Not to mention the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th RBs. And the P'burgh D was without 2 of their starting front 3 (No Probowler Hampton and Keisel). I say at a minimum it was push.

 

The Ravens o-line is nothing special and there's no Ogden at LT any more. The difference there is not even close to being enough to offset the difference in skill talent at WR and the difference in QB play and experience. The Ravens were facing a far more dangerous and capable group with a more experienced and superior guy at the wheel.

The Ravens o-line is nothing special and there's no Ogden at LT any more. The difference there is not even close to being enough to offset the difference in skill talent at WR and the difference in QB play and experience. The Ravens were facing a far more dangerous and capable group with a more experienced and superior guy at the wheel.

Steelers lost All-pro Faneca, got a new average at best Center, new RT. Not a stellar group whatsoever. (See Pilly week 3:eek:)

I'll be interested to see Baltimore's defense against some different more proven offenses before I annoint them the leagues best. I'll still take P'burgh with a healthy Troy. And definitely with a healthy Casey Hampton.

Steelers lost All-pro Faneca, got a new average at best Center, new RT. Not a stellar group whatsoever. (See Pilly week 3:eek:)

I'll be interested to see Baltimore's defense against some different more proven offenses before I annoint them the leagues best. I'll still take P'burgh with a healthy Troy. And definitely with a healthy Casey Hampton.

 

Whoa there now...I don't think either of these defenses are the league's best. I just think Baltimore's defense, when healthy, is better than Pittsburgh's. And, a healthy Ed Reed vs. a healthy Troy is a push at worst...so that's a wash. The Ravens have equal or better personnel pretty much across the board.

The Ravens have older personnel pretty much across the board.

 

Fixed that for you.

Whoa there now...I don't think either of these defenses are the league's best. I just think Baltimore's defense, when healthy, is better than Pittsburgh's. And, a healthy Ed Reed vs. a healthy Troy is a push at worst...so that's a wash. The Ravens have equal or better personnel pretty much across the board.

I know, I know, you think that the Titans D is the best and that's okay. I will take the Steeler D and their coordinator, and hopefully soon, a healthy lineup.

I know, I know, you think that the Titans D is the best and that's okay. I will take the Steeler D and their coordinator, and hopefully soon, a healthy lineup.

 

Hey, I wouldn't complain with the Steelers defense. I just don't think they're as good as Baltimore. That's all. I doubt I'm in the minority with that opinion, but you never know.

 

And, at this point, it's not hard to make a case for Tennessee...

 

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that Albert Haynesworth stays healthy for the entire season. They may not keep him past this year, but it sure is nice to have the best defensive lineman in football playing for a big contract...

Fixed that for you.

 

Defensive Line

LDE - Trevor Pryce (33) vs. Aaron Smith (32)

NT - Kelly Gregg (31) vs. Casey Hampton (31)

RDE - Haloti Ngata (24) vs. Brett Keisel (30)

 

Average Age: Baltimore (29.3) vs. Pittsburgh (31)

 

Linebackers

LOLB - Jarret Johnson (27) vs. LaMarr Woodley (23)

LILB - Ray Lewis (33) vs. James Farrior (33)

RILB - Bart Scott (28) vs. Larry Foote (28)

ROLB - Terrell Suggs (25) vs. James Harrison (30)

 

Average Age: Baltimore (28.3) vs. Pittsburgh (28.5)

 

Secondary

CB - Chris McAlister (31) vs. Ike Taylor (28)

SS - Dawan Landry (25) vs. Troy Polamalu (27)

FS - Ed Reed (30) vs. Ryan Clark (28)

CB - Samari Rolle (32) vs. Deshea Townsend (33)

 

Average Age: Baltimore (29.5) vs. Pittsburgh (29)

 

Total: Baltimore (29) vs. Pittsburgh (29.4)

 

As I've discovered in life, perception is often different from reality. :sssh:

 

And seriously, how many of those matchups are in Pittsburgh's favor...I'd give Baltimore the nod at both DE positions. I'd give Pitt the edge at NT, but Gregg is no slouch. They have a clear advantage at LOLB...Lewis and Scott are the better guys inside. I'd go with Suggs on the other side. Baltimore has the advantage at 3 of the 4 secondary positions.

Edited October 2, 200817 yr by 5wide