So Which Do We Want?

[The Fanatic]

We're faced with an interesting choice here right now regarding next Sunday.

Obviously we need to win, which I think we will.

Which brings us to the Cincy/Colts game.

If we win, and Cincy loses, we clinch the division.

If we win, and the Colts lose, we move into the second seed but still don't lock up the division.

That would then leave two games left with Cincy breathing down our throat.

Looking at the Colts' remaining schedule, I'd say Cincy has the best chance of beating them out of their last three games.
The other two they have are at Houston and home against the Dolphins.

Would love to see us lock up the division at home, but having that #2 seed would be real freakin' sweet!!

So who do we root for, Cincy or the Colts?:rolling:

[RavensInBrazil]

Either way, it's a win-win situation, so it's all good. I'd prefer for Cincy to win, to crush the Colts' hopes even more and to give us better home-field position, but that might give Cincy a little too much momentum...

[Heap86]

Perfect Scenario:

We beat Cleveland, Chiefs beat the Chargers and Colts beat the Bengals

We win the Division and would be the #2 seed.

But for any of this to happen, we must first take care of the Browns. That Oakland game in 03 still makes me shutter.

[highwater]

I'm actually hoping the Bengals lose -- looking ahead to the playoffs, they are one team I'd rather not see. The Colts, on the other hand, don't scare me too much.

[deuce]

Either way I will be happy. Not to look ahead but I really think we can win out. Everything else is gravy if we do that.

[WxKevin]

I would rather root for the Colts. I would prefer not to play the Bengals again although I am more comfortable having the game here than there.

[camdenyard]

Man, that's tough.

I'd love to know the division is wrapped up, but my eye has been on that bye for 2 weeks now, and I can't waver. Next week is the best shot we have of sliding into that #2 spot.

So I'll hold my nose and say I'd rather have the Bungs win.

[Gabrosin]

As everyone says, it's win-win either way. But personally, I care more about getting a first-round bye. If the Bengals can help us get to that by beating the Colts, more power to them. I don't want to see them in the playoffs, but if they make it and we're in the top two, they'd have to go through someone else, either the Colts or the Patriots most likely, to even have a shot at us, and then they're more likely to wind up facing the Chargers next anyway (assuming the other wild-card team loses, and none of the other options are that scary). I can live with that. But if the Colts win, and we wind up having to play the first weekend, we could wind up facing the Bengals right there, with the Chiefs and Broncos and Jets all tanking a bit right now. So go Bengals, get that #5 seed for all I care, you can be someone else's problem.

[Losac]

I agree that I am rooting more for the first round bye now. As long as we take care of business and win out, we are division champs and it doesn't matter what the Bungholes do. I do like our chances. We have a relatively easy schedule the rest of the way compared to SD and Indy, with Pitt being the only game I am really worried about. If we win out and SD and Indy lose at least one more, we are set!

[ravenjoe]

FIRST ROUND BYE!!!

However, we still need to take care of business first. And if our O performs like it did yesterday, and Not like they did against Cincy a week ago (when they laid an Egg), I think we're Golden! I believe the Ravens are the Only team right now that matches up against the 'Bolts. One guy that scares me though is their QB, Rivers. This kid is Great - he reminds me a lot of Palmer! So, let's get these cats at home, where our crowd, defense, and Rivers inexperience will make the difference!

[jbecks307]

I think we saw in the last 2 games what is crucial for our post-season success- REST...On a short week in Cincy we looked down-right awful...On 10 days rest, even in a tough tough spot, we looked determined and we had a swagger....As it does pain me, I will be rooting for the Bengals

[Mista T]

I'm coming around to thinking that the #1 or #2 seed is the most important factor to our playoff success. Our offense has looked best each time they have played a game after a long rest. The Ravens running the table coupled with one each losses by the Chargers and Colts would get us the #1 seed, or a loss by either would get us the #2 seed.

I'd like seeing Cincy eliminated, but that looks less likely now, after three WC contenders fell a game back yesterday.

[Greg]

The Bungs still have a few tough weeks. After Indy they go to Denver and then have the Stealers at home. If the Stealers have a chance to knock them out of the playoffs they will give them all they can handle. Don't think they won't do the same for us as well. Denver can get back in it by knocking Cincy off as well.

So, this week let's root Bungs.

[Gwaihir]

As far as I'm concerned its a no brainer! We need Cincy to beat the Indy's. We're going to win the division anyway. I can't see us losing two of our last 3 games and if they can beat the Indy's and either KC or Seattle can trip up the Chargers, with us winning out --- LOOK OUT ! Buy your tickets to Miami !!

Although, actually, with the way this team is playing, getting better every week, I'm not really that worried about having to travel anywhere and Kicking Butt ! As long as they don't have to play in slop! Which shouldn't be the case in either San Diego or Indy! This team still hasn't peaked on EITHER side of the ball yet - and that's SCARY !!

[darb72]

Honestly I don't care how it happens as long as we get a 1 or 2 seed. It will give McNairs arm a nice long rest before we even get to a play-off game.

If the Colts and Chargers lose one more game and we win out then we'll be number 1. I think we might have just moved into the number 2 spot because of our strength of schedule thanks to the Saints win last night.

[Gwaihir]

If the Colts and Chargers lose one more game and we win out then we'll be number 1. I think we might have just moved into the number 2 spot because of our strength of schedule thanks to the Saints win last night.

Actually if the Colts win out they will hold the tie-breaker over us due to common opponents record. That's the third tiebreaker after head-to-head and conference record. Without a loss to Cincy, they would beat us out based on the Denver game!

4. Strength of victory
5. Strength of schedule

[AA-Raven]

the 1st round bye....and the #1 or #2 seed (#1 more so) and the Bengals to beat the Colts this weekend on MNF

[darb72]

Actually if the Colts win out they will hold the tie-breaker over us due to common opponents record. That's the third tiebreaker after head-to-head and conference record. Without a loss to Cincy, they would beat us out based on the Denver game!
Not only are you right about that, I was wrong about us moving up thanks to the Saints victory.

We're now .18 behind the Colts on SOS.

[Mista T]

It will give McNairs arm a nice long rest before we even get to a play-off game.


Actually, with the right results, he would have had 4 extended vacations to rest his arm going into Miami: the bye week, after the Cincy game, the wildcard playoff week, and the 2 weeks between the AFC Championship game and the Super Bowl. His best two games came after long rests:

@ N'Awlins 12/23 73.9% 159 yards 2 TDs 0 Ints 121.5 rating
@ KC 21/27 77.8% 283 yards 1 TD 0 Ints 122.7 rating

[52decleetzu]

We definitely need Cinci to win,so it looks like ocho and the Bungles will have a few more fans come Monday.

[darb72]

So if the Colts and Chargers lose we wind up in the number 1 seed, correct?

-Colts would have a worse record.
-Chargers would have the same record but since we beat them we hold the tie breaker.

[RavensNTerps]

root for cincy....they won't overtake us for the division (we won't lose any of these last 3)

[Sports Steve]

We need to root for the Bengals this week against the Colts. We need to keep winning and take care of business. However if the Bengals beat the Colts and we win out we have the 2nd seed. This is important as we could wait with a bye and have a better chance of someone beating the Chargers in the playoffs having the AFC Championshsip game right here in old Baltimore.

We are a very hard team to beat at M&T Bank Satdium because we have super fans who make noise. I know it's hard to root for the Bengals but we need some help to improve our seed.


:jester: :jester:


GO RAVENS

[corvuscorax]

I want the highest seeding we can get, but pulling for the Bungs ain't gonna be easy for me, or any of us fans, I'm sure.
Hmmm, what happens if they tie?

[PARavensJeff]

I want the Bengals to win, & knock the Colts back. Cincy is not going to catch us for the division, we're playing for the #1 seed. The only way to get there is the teams in front of lose while we win. As hard as it is, & rightfully so, we need to root for the Bengals this week. We also just need to win out & the rest will take care of itself.

[sailorsam]

Looks like we all pretty much agree; get the 1/2 seed and get the bye!!!
I certainly like our chances against Cincy at The Vault with a week off. I'm not worried about the Colts in the playoffs, and I'm really not concerned with the Chargers. Marty Schottenheimer always loses in the post-season; twice he was #1 seed with the Chiefs and lost the first round game, at home (once was against the Marchibroda-Harbaugh Colts, as I recall). Ravens won after the bye week and yesterday after the semi-bye, so that time off is huge, plus the Home Field. If it comes to it, San Diego fans don't have the reputation of, say, KC fans.
start of the year I was hoping for 10-6 and a Wild Card. Greedy now!!!

[MikeinGlennDale]

I don't see how any Ravens fans can 'root' for the bungles. That is almost as bad as the concept of rooting for the stillers.

I want Baltimore to have a first round bye as bad or worse than you do. Everyday I have people ask 'when is the football party?'. My response "After the seedings have occured"

I just want the Ravens to win out and let the rest of the chips fall where they may.

You want some fodder...what happens if the Colts and Bungles both end up in a tie. yeah yeah...I know its not going to happen...that's what message boards are for {grin}

[Poe86]

My concern is that Pittsburgh has nothing to gain, so they will playing dirrrrrty!!!!! If we wrap it up this weekend, we can throw Boller to the wolves and give McNair a rest for the playoffs. If Cincy wins and we have to play McNair v. the Squealers, they are going to be out for blood and he could get injured.

Still a tough choice, but I say wrap it up & let the chips fall where they may. Cincy scares me more than the Dolts.

[Sports Steve]

I don't see how any Ravens fans can 'root' for the bungles. That is almost as bad as the concept of rooting for the stillers.

I want Baltimore to have a first round bye as bad or worse than you do. Everyday I have people ask 'when is the football party?'. My response "After the seedings have occured"

I just want the Ravens to win out and let the rest of the chips fall where they may.

You want some fodder...what happens if the Colts and Bungles both end up in a tie. yeah yeah...I know its not going to happen...that's what message boards are for {grin}

We need to root for things that will improve our chances of going to the Super Bowl. Cincy winning would help us a lot. We don't want to travel if we don't have to.

:jester: :jester:

[PARavensJeff]

I don't want Billick pulling the starters out after 1 series like a pre season game as soon as we wrap it up. The Colts have done this the past few years, & look what that gets them. We need players who stay on top of their game. There's a fine line between leaving them in & pulling them, but at least let them play into the 3rd quarter.

[PurpleRulz]

I want the Clots to win. We can gain the 2nd seed later and if we don't, then that is fine. I don't want the Bengals to make the playoffs after hearing them run their big mouths.

It doesn't matter if the Clots finish with the second seed, because be it in Baltimore or Indy, we will beat the stuffing out of the Clots.

I am also not afraid of playing in SD. The weather will be nice and we do better when the weather is nicer.

Personally, I look for the Marty boys to choke in the playoffs before the AFC Championship game.

[Ravenshon]

I agree with Sports Steve. First, we must take care of business vs. the Browns on Sunday and then have Cincy beat the Indy Irsays. Why? Because I really like our chances of having a 1st round bye. I do not want to travel to SD or IND in the playoffs.:thumbup:

[Mista T]

Hmmm, what happens if they tie?

I believe a tie would be the best of all worlds. Insofar as our playoffs aspirations, it should be equivalent to two losses by our foes. We would regain the 2nd seed over the Colts, and the Bengalese would drop 2 1/2 games behind with two to play, assuming we beat Cleveburg, which would clinch our playoff berth.

Unfortunately, a ties occurs but once every several years in the NFL's 256 game seasons. Odds are maybe 1000:1.

[TTRaven]

I want to see the Ravens beat the Browns and then worry about who to root for on Monday night. The Browns are no push over when we play them. No reason to talk about who we want to win Monday if we can't handle our own business.

[Rochardrik]

As far as I'm concerned its a no brainer! We need Cincy to beat the Indy's. We're going to win the division anyway. I can't see us losing two of our last 3 games and if they can beat the Indy's and either KC or Seattle can trip up the Chargers, with us winning out --- LOOK OUT ! Buy your tickets to Miami !!

Although, actually, with the way this team is playing, getting better every week, I'm not really that worried about having to travel anywhere and Kicking Butt ! As long as they don't have to play in slop! Which shouldn't be the case in either San Diego or Indy! This team still hasn't peaked on EITHER side of the ball yet - and that's SCARY !!

It's a no-brainer, a no- thinker, a given, a no-doubter, a whattya thinking if you think otherwise? A lead pipe lock! We need the bye!!!! Can't root for Cincy, but ya CAN root for the DOHLTS? I'm not EVEN tryin' to hear that!:rolleyes: :179421:

[sailorsam]

Roch is Right. Ravens win the division if they win 2/3 regardless of what Sinci does; if we can't win 2/3 we have bigger problems than seedings.
PAJeff has a point about resting starters, but McNair is so experienced I can't see a week off as anything but beneficial for him. I really want to see how Boller does with the new O system; no reason he can't still be the qb of the future. and run Musa (or Mike A) one game, give Jamal's legs a rest. If things look good maybe they can start in the Buffalo game.
personally I've always liked the Bengals. I like the stripes, rooted for Boomer (the Terrapin), admire Coach Marvin. And I have to root for anyone that plays Pigsburgh twice a year. I'd love to see them go all the way to the AFC CHampionship, as long as the Ravens beat them.

[Art-Florida]

Ideally, I want ro aee the Ravens annihilate the Colts, IN BALTIMORE, at the AFC Championship game.
Whatever sequence of events it takes to make that happen is the ideal scenario.

[Ravens0587]

Now that I think about it the Seattle loss to Sf last night was huge. If SF wins out and if Seattle looses their final 2 games then SF will win the division.

This all becomes relavent because the Seahawks are now in desperation mode. When you back anyone into a corner with their backs to the wall they are going to come out swinging.

The Seahawks plays the Chargers in Seattle. I believe a desperate seattle team could beat the chargers. That accompanied with a Colts loss along with us taking care of business one game at a time =1 seed bitches