CLOSE win

[sailorsam]

whew, that one was close. for a while there I didn't think the Ravens would pull it out.
are the Brownies better than we thought? are the Ravens not as good? or just luck/breaks?
I sure hope we put things together next week.

[Stealthbirds80]

I think that was just a typical divisional game. See Pats/Bills.

[pyite32]

I am worried about this season after this game. Not impressed.

[Jeremiah W]

I think that was just a typical divisional game. See Pats/Bills.

Yup.

Plus they are pretty good for an 0 and 3 team. They coulda shoulda woulda won all 3 with one or two more or less plays.

I did not like the way they were running the ball on us. Buddy Lee was getting blown up by Mack and a combo block. I think we need to be playing McKinney and Cody in there vs center and G combos like that a little more. Gregg and Redding got pushed around a bit.

[HoustonRaven]

I think that was just a typical divisional game. See Pats/Bills.

Disagree.

I would go along with that thinking if, like the Bills, the Browns consistently played up to us.

Instead, I saw a Ravens team that played down to the Browns.

A second string RB just lit up our D line.

Mason's diva personality again cost us yards in a crucial situation.

Our running game has yet to really show this season.

I will celebrate tonight but things need to change if we are to make a playoff run again.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

I am worried about this season after this game. Not impressed.

I agree.

I'm not giving up on this season, but seeing teams expose our supposed team strengths is not comforting IMHO.

What the hell has happened to our run defense? Rex took it with him to NY.

What happened to our commitment to the run?

I'm glad we won, and we can still do special things this year, but considering the expectations, this year is not what I had hoped so far.

D and O needs to double strap the chinstraps next week as we are going to get a heavy dose of Mendenhall and probably the best defense in the game.

[Stealthbirds80]

Disagree.

I would go along with that thinking if, like the Bills, the Browns consistently played up to us.

Instead, I saw a Ravens team that played down to the Browns.

A second string RB just lit up our D line.

Mason's diva personality again cost us yards in a crucial situation.

Our running game has yet to really show this season.

I will celebrate tonight but things need to change if we are to make a playoff run again.


I would agree to a point only that it seems that we took the foot off of the gas once they got to 14. I still say this Brown's team is better than the record indicates. Shown by their last couple games of last season and the first two of this one.

This isn't that same team from last year. Enter in the Holmgren effect with his veteran players, draft picks, and style of play. Big difference.

That second string RB wasn't just making the plays, the Browns offensive line was making the plays vs. our defensive line. They were moving us off the ball. That made him look better than anticipated

Agreed on Mason's diva attitude. What happened to caring about winning?

Our running game may have alot to do with Rice now being known since the long runs he used to get were a result of him breaking more tackles. I've seen him brought down 1x1 alot this year, that never was the case last year.

Again I think this was a divisional hard fought game. I expected the Browns to play like that considering the way they have lost this year. They have been in every game.

[Purpleguy]

The o-line is a major concern. They are inconsistent. Since it seemed the team was planning on dumping Gaither anyway you think they would have had a better contigency plan in place for replacing him.

[Beerracuda]

I still wouldn't get too upset about the defense. Remember, with the record-breaking 2000 season, the Ravens allowed 36 points and nearly 400 yards passing to Marc Brunell and the Jacksonville Jaguars during Week 2, here at home. After that game, it took 5 more games for the opposition to score 36 points COMBINED.

I know this isn't the 2000 defense, but they're still damn good. They'll be ok.
Remember, we hadn't even allowed a TD until today.

[edreedisgod20]

What the hell has happened to our run defense? Rex took it with him to NY.



The Ravens led the NFL in yards allowed per carry last season.




What happened to our commitment to the run?


Were you disappointed in the production of the passing game today?

[RavenScallywag]

We really need Mt Cody back in there...he was inactive again this week, despite having good practices this week. Hopefully he's back next week for Steelers, we need him in our run defense, which has been suspect all season (gave up fair chunks to LT, Benson, and got steamrolled by Hillis)

On Offense, my main concern is the injury to Rice. Rice has been getting it going, but they've stuck to the pass more often. With Rice likely out, not so sure McGahee and McClain can provide a decent run threat to Steelers D. And if we're having to press the pass...awww crap, Joe could look EVEN WORSE than the Bengals game.

But I'm no chicken little. we found a way to get it done, and we'll get our shit together for next week. I just hope we can send the Steelers to 3-1 under Big Ben, because otherwise, all we're going to hear is PITT SB all year.

[baltimore_hokie]

Still shows up as a W in the standings. There were some troubling things about the game, but we are now in a position to get back near the top of the AFCN with a win next week.

Cody should be 100% by then. We get Kruger back. Wilson and Webb are finally starting to get significant reps in the secondary.

[RavenScallywag]

We get Kruger back.

When was he ever not available? Unfortunately, I think we just need to face facts that he's a huge project and at BEST, he'll be able to contribute next year.

I really tried to defend the guy, but getting inactivated three weeks in a row? You can't explain that without an injury or being not good enough.

[baltimore_hokie]

When was he ever not available? Unfortunately, I think we just need to face facts that he's a huge project and at BEST, he'll be able to contribute next year.

I really tried to defend the guy, but getting inactivated three weeks in a row? You can't explain that without an injury or being not good enough.

Shoulder injury?

[Sua Sponte]

[QUOTE=HoustonRaven;224886]

Instead, I saw a Ravens team that played down to the Browns.

A second string RB just lit up our D line.

Mason's diva personality again cost us yards in a crucial situation.

Our running game has yet to really show this season.

QUOTE]

The Browns fielded a new team this year and are an NFL team, they played well today. They have been in every game so far this year.

As far as Peyton Hillis, many of you probably don't know Hillis, but he was a beast with Denver, but him and McDaniel bumped heads, so he was sent packing. I still try to figure out why teams don't start him, the guy has always produced. The run D has been subject to big gains, not to blame it all on McClain, but I don't see how he is starting, the guy sucks at run D and is not that great in space/passing. Cody should have been active, I love Buddy Lee, but he is getting up there. I'm still waiting on that pass rush from the front 3/4 that was re-fined in OTA's and training camp.

Yup Mason is still a Diva and should be benched after his crying multiple times today.

Althought the running game has not showed up yet, neither have the amount of carries, I would put some of that on lack of O-Line play, and T.O.P was misleading after the game. The O moved the ball rather quick through the Air and The D was on the field all day.

[RavNMadMan]

I am worried about this season after this game. Not impressed.

I was not impressed either. This is the 3rd game in a row where the Ravens played inconsistently overall. When it got to 14-3 and we had a lot of momemtum I turned to my buddy sitting next to me and said "now our defense can start doing some damage". Instead our offense slowed down and we allowed a long drive by the Browns while they ran the ball down our throats culminating in a touchdown.

I hate to admit this, but I'm glad I'll be watching the Pittsburgh game on TV rather than attending in person. My reason, I think we're going to get our asses handed to us if we keep playing like we have so far.

[Mike B]

The o-line is a major concern. They are inconsistent. Since it seemed the team was planning on dumping Gaither anyway you think they would have had a better contigency plan in place for replacing him.

I thought the O Line played well today.

As for right tackle, I think the coaches have weakened 2 spots by moving Yanda out. Let Moll or Cousins play, help them with the TE or extra OL and move Yanda back where he is an absolute beast at right guard.

[psuasskicker]

The Browns have lost by a combined 12 points to three teams that are a combined 7-2, two of those games being on the road. They're not at all the pushover they were last year.

- C -

[xmradiodave]

Disagree.Instead, I saw a Ravens team that played down to the Browns

THIS!


I honestly did not expect the Browns to have that many yards agains us. The Ravens D definitely seemed to be playing soft. Soooooo many missed tackles.

[AirFlacco]

According to the Ravens site, Cody could have played last week and again today but they
wisely held him out to be on the safe side after minor knee surgery. They
sure could have used that big body to stop their big back or at least take
up extra bodies blocking for him.

He'll be ready for Squeelers.

Don't bet on Kruger. He might have a chance to suit up if Redding is out
but something more than injuries kept him on the inactive list for his 13th
of 22 pro games.

It most likely has to do with special teams.

[xmradiodave]

According to the Ravens site, Cody could have played last week and again today but they
wisely held him out to be on the safe side after minor knee surgery. They
sure could have used that big body to stop their big back or at least take
up extra bodies blocking for him.

He'll be ready for Squeelers.

Don't bet on Kruger. He might have a chance to suit up if Redding is out
but something more than injuries kept him on the inactive list for his 13th
of 22 pro games.

It most likely has to do with special teams.

I agree with the decision to rest Cody for the Browns game. Cody is a big (heavy) kid and the more recovery time he gets, the better he will be when he returns. We will definitely need him against the Steelers. I hope he is ready to go.

[btownraven]

In many ways the NFL is becoming like the NCAA tourney. Just find a way to win and move on. Look at the Colts' results last year, which included epic home wins of 14-12 over Jacksonville and 18-14 over San Fran early in the year. It's still September and we're where we could have reasonably expected to be after 3 games (that Jets win keeps looking better).

If the Ravens can find a way to win in Pittsburgh they'll be set up nicely for the rest of the season, tied for first at the quarter poll with 2 of their 3 road division games behind them. If they lose, they're going to be facing an uphill battle the rest of the season, two games back behind the Squeelers with you-know-who coming back. Next week is HUGE.

[Raveninwoodlawn]

The Ravens led the NFL in yards allowed per carry last season.



Were you disappointed in the production of the passing game today?

WE have also allowed 4 100 yard rushers in the last 19 games. No we are not the 06 Colts, but when you are used to giving up 87 yards a game on the ground on an annual basis and you start off the year giving up 128...yeah, that is a concern.

And as for the run/pass thing...again, we are averaging like 3.1 ypc so far this year. Joe is not ready to carry this offense against the really good defenses, so yes, I'm concerned.

[baltimore_hokie]

WE have also allowed 4 100 yard rushers in the last 19 games. No we are not the 06 Colts, but when you are used to giving up 87 yards a game on the ground on an annual basis and you start off the year giving up 128...yeah, that is a concern.

And as for the run/pass thing...again, we are averaging like 3.1 ypc so far this year. Joe is not ready to carry this offense against the really good defenses, so yes, I'm concerned.

I have to ask: would you rather give up 90 yards per game on the ground and give up 5 more points per game? What is the point of that?

There are 22 teams who have given up less yardage on the ground than us so far this season. There are 4 teams that have given up less points. There is 1 team giving up less yards through the air than us. There are 0 teams giving up less total yards per game than the Ravens.

Moral of the story: chop up the yards however you want, but if they aren't moving the ball and they aren't putting many points on the board, I don't really give a shit!

[NCRAVEN]

Moral of the story: chop up the yards however you want, but if they aren't scoring and they aren't putting many points on the board, I don't really give a shit!

:word

[DVGN]

IThere is 1 team giving up less yards through the air than us.

Considering the state of our much maligned secondary, this is an absolutely amazing statistic.

I don't know what Harbs has been feeding those guys, but they have really grown into a strong unit.


A second string RB just lit up our D line.


Hillis killed us, not because we're weak on the run, but because those big Brandon Jacobs-style battering rams are the backs that we are vulnerable against.

We'll hold Mendenhall and the rest of the Steelers run game to about fifty yards next week.


If you were disappointed in a division win over a team whose quarterback and running back were having career days, you should do yourself a favor and stop watching football.

I can't imagine how unpleasant it must be to see everything through bile-tinted glasses.

It was a great game, a hard fought win, and a virtuoso performance by our "horrible" quarterback.

GO RAVENS!