Being a Cincinnatian makes me a BIT partial. Must give Much respect and credit to the Steelers for a HELLUVA game, but the question is who is the EARLY (emphasis on early, but it could be decisive) owner of the afc North? Bengals or Ravens?
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Lesson learned from the Bengals & Clippers: It can always get worse, but it will get better.
It's really tough to say. Bengals have beaten some pretty damn good football teams early on in KC and PIT, but the Ravens have played lights-out defense in their first few games. Even though they lost today, don't count the Stillers out either, because I still think they'll be there in the end.
after nearly being beaten by lowly cleveland, the Ravens scare me less than they did before 1:00. I have real concern with Pittsburgh because home field advantage seems to mean nothing between them and my bengirls, but the fact that we could win a dogfight like that makes me feel better about the rest of our schedule.
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Lesson learned from the Bengals & Clippers: It can always get worse, but it will get better.
About the Ravens, they have one RUTHLESS defense, and the offense has improved with McNair to Mason. However, I think Jamal Lewis and Jonathan Ogden are highly overrated.
As a Steelers fan I am going to have to say that the Bengals are the favorites in our division early on, even though they didnt beat the Steelers, the Steelers beat themselves after pretty much dominating that entire game...The Ravens struggled with the Browns who are one of the 3 worst teams in the NFL, they still have yet to play a playoff caliber team, who's defense doesnt look good when they play the Raiders, and Browns?
Bengals look good, but I'm still questioning their defense. I mean Pittsburgh did have success running the ball on them yesterday. That's something I think the Bengals are gonna have to improve on as the season progresses.
The Ravens are used to never getting any respect and thats fine. We were the dogs at home yesterday with a 3-0 record coming into the game with the number 2 ranked defense in the league. The only reason we were number two is because San Diego had a bye week. If you don't know who Bart Scott is you will. The guy is an absolute beast and is playing the way Ray Lewis used to play. We have solid chemistry on our team with the right mix of veterans and youth and we're poised to make a run. Our offense has been slow to get it going but with McNair we have a clutch veteran who makes things happen when its do or die. If Boller were behind center we would be 2-2 right now. If McNair stays healthy, the o-line holds up and hopefully improves, and we get our running game going we'll be okay. Cincinatti gave up 38 points yesterday. Baltimore hasn't given up that many points all season. As far as strength of schedule we won 2 road games. We didn't win 11 straight road games before Tampa and we went in there and demolished them. Its going to be easier for Baltimore to get enough offense going than it will for Cincy to start playing some D. Especially when the inmates are running the asylum.
Yes, I would agree with your assessment of the Ravens thus far (they're turning out to be FAR better than I actually expected!). However, they have a TOUGH one next Monday night in Denver.
The only reason the Ravens were able to come back against the Chargers was because of Marty Shottenheimer's "Marty Ball", conservative, bullsh#t play calling that allowed the Ravens back into the game...The Ravens have shown nothing to consider them among the elite teams in the league...
Burgh1979 wrote: The only reason the Ravens were able to come back against the Chargers was because of Marty Shottenheimer's "Marty Ball", conservative, bullsh#t play calling that allowed the Ravens back into the game...The Ravens have shown nothing to consider them among the elite teams in the league...
A 4-0 start is a good way to become an elite team though isn't it ? Our defense is definately elite and has been for years. Philip Rivers led the Chargers right down the field on their first drive when Rolle got burned on a 30 yard td. The Ravens then started confusing Rivers at which point he was intercepted by Bart Scott which eventually led to a td. The Chargers were not going to air it out on us with that kid and be successful. They had no choice but to run and all Marty was tring to do was sustain drives and get the hell out of there hopefully with his 2 fg lead. It wasn't a bad game plan considering our offense wasn't doing much the entire game. We put up a fight and San Diego didn't have enough gas in the tank to hang..its that simple. McNair flat out turns it on when the 4th quarter rolls around which is more than I can say about Ben Boller and his end zone picks.
Ben Boller, that's hilarious, Ben Boller has a ring, how about McNair? I love Ravens fans, you dont see them for years, then when they finally win a few games they are full of piss and vinegar...Any way the Ravens did finally beat a team with a winning record, congratulations, THE RAVENS ARE BACK!! I will still guarentee that the Sh#tbirds dont win the division.
Pittsburgh plugged in Ben the same way Baltimore plugged in Dilfer during our Superbowl run. His job is to go out there and not fawk it up for the defense. Well guess what Pittsburgh, your D isn't all that. Your special teams is atrocious, Ben throws ill timed picks, Ward and Polamalu are playing like 50% of themselves, and do you really think Willy Parker will last a whole season the way the Steelers are over using him? Porter goes out before the Cincy/Pitt game and talks trash with Housh and Johnson. What did Porter end up with at the end of that game? I think I recall it was 1 assisted tackle. The Superbowl was last season and its time for Pittsburgh to put their money where their mouth is before the division gets too far away from them. After last years 6-10 debacle my hopes have indeed been hightened after seeing what I've been seeing the first quarter of this season.
Raven Lunatic wrote: After last years 6-10 debacle my hopes have indeed been hightened after seeing what I've been seeing the first quarter of this season.
Oh, I see, so now you're a Ravens fan again, good for you...Yes, the Ravens defense has looked phenomenal against Tampa Bay, Oakland, Cleveland, and San Diego, once again congratulations, those are some real offensive juggernauts...By the way, who was Porter talking sh#t to, oh yeah Chad Johnson, he had a great game as well with that one catch and all...
Raven Lunatic wrote: After last years 6-10 debacle my hopes have indeed been hightened after seeing what I've been seeing the first quarter of this season.
Oh, I see, so now you're a Ravens fan again, good for you...Yes, the Ravens defense has looked phenomenal against Tampa Bay, Oakland, Cleveland, and San Diego, once again congratulations, those are some real offensive juggernauts...By the way, who was Porter talking sh#t to, oh yeah Chad Johnson, he had a great game as well with that one catch and all...
-- Edited by Burgh1979 at 19:04, 2006-10-02
I don't understand your point. When the Steelers play an offensive juggernaut they get beat so what does that say about you? Like I already said those wins were important because we hadn't won a road game since December 2004 and we've already won 2 straight on the road. We didn't just win the Tampa game we dominated them every second and they scored zero points. Cleveland always has a lot of motivation to give us a game when we play them so that win was big especially the circumstances involving the 4th quarter comeback. It was a division road win and that may play out to be really important. The Raiders and Chargers were home games which you're supposed to win and we did. There is no fairweather here. I've suffered through plenty of disappointment. Oh and if your defense is giving up 8.3 points a game that is fantastic no matter who you are playing.
The point is that the Ravens have not proven that they are an elite team in the AFC, the best team that they have played is the Chargers, the teams that the Ravens have played have a combined win/loss record of 3-10, to me that is not entirely impressive...
well the kind gents over at footballoutsiders.com place the ravines at 6th in their early variation adjusted rankings (2nd in non adjusted). And the steelers are only 9th (17th in non adjusted) I don't know what it all means, because it's football, and noone really knows what it means. But if they can handle denver next monday, I think I'll finally feel as though they've put together a good team. Also got to really wonder what will happen now that mulitalo is out for the year. Get some youth and athleticism on the line at least.
if this were the denver team from last year, I would agree. But it's not, it's the denver team of this year that has gone 2-1 by losing to a mediocre team and beating two teams who were great for a number of years and now are decidedly mediocre or above average in low scoring affairs. I have a high opinion of this denver defense, but their offense hasn't done much and their special teams are always awful. Jake plummer has thrown for 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions and a completion percentage through the floor. I think that's a recipe for the ravens to return a pick or three for points or great field position.
in answer to your other query, san diego was ranked number 1 before this week, followed by seattle, chicago, and philly. give em a look, it's a good site and alot of great information and discussion.
After seeing this Ravens team for the past 4 weeks, I do believe they have been impressive. However, you should realize Denver is tough at home and Mile High is a difficult place to play. That's why I'm leaning toward Denver in this game. Would I be surprised if the Ravens won...no, but, I just have that feeling this is gonna be a real tough game for them to win.
The Ravens have not played ANYBODY and struggled doing it. Of course their defense is going to look great against those teams. I bet it looks great in practice too, against the 28th ranked offense. I expected more from the Ravens when they got McNair and so far, they have not delivered. Talk about the 4-0 start all you want, but the Saints were 3-0 last week, does that make them elite? You can't go by the records, anyone can squeek out wins (i.e. 2001 Bears). You have to look at HOW they are winning.
The Bengals got whooped, but they are still the best team in that division.
The Ravens have not played ANYBODY and struggled doing it. Of course their defense is going to look great against those teams. I bet it looks great in practice too, against the 28th ranked offense. I expected more from the Ravens when they got McNair and so far, they have not delivered. Talk about the 4-0 start all you want, but the Saints were 3-0 last week, does that make them elite? You can't go by the records, anyone can squeek out wins (i.e. 2001 Bears). You have to look at HOW they are winning.
The Bengals got whooped, but they are still the best team in that division.
Yeah we really struggled beating Tampa 27-0 and Oakland 28-6....Give me a fawkin break. San Diego was the number #1 defense and 2-0 but I guess they arent "anyone" either.
At this point in the season I really don't think any one time looks all that dominant in the AFC North with noticable diffeciencies in the big 3.
Ravens quite possibly could be the best in the conference once McNair becomes more acquainted with "the offensive mastermand" in Baltimore (anyone else think it strange that the team is completely devoid of anything resembling offense since Bellichick came over from Minnesota?). All in all I think McNair is just happy not to be meeting the opposing D-Line taking a lunch break over his body. I know the big arguement is hey look at all the points we point up this season - AGAINST CRAPPY TEAMS. I'm sorry but Tampa Bay's defense is getting way too old to stop anyone but senior citizens (and that may be a stretch). Browns definitely have some old guys on the team as well that could be using walkers to get to the press conference after the game. The Raider's defense - all I can say is I feel sorry for them. And lastly San Diego on the last play of the game you had Donnie Edwards and Shawne Merriman completely wiffing on that tackle and seemingly more interested in knocking the living beejeebus out of Todd Heap than wrapping up. If they would have tried that, game over, 3-1.
The Bengals are just the North's version of the Colts, replaced with a management that likes to sign a lot of convicts(or convicts in waiting) instead of not being able to sign all their draft picks. The Bengals like stopping the run like Ron Mexico protecting his STDs. Their defense just can't wrap up and make a tackle let alone stop a running back. How do you let a rookie run for 100+ yards on you: Oh wait I know watch the Bengals Always Miss A Tackle Video, guarranteed to let running backs run wild on you. Rudi Johnson is having quite possibly one of his best years, but you gotta wonder if this line can pass block any better otherwise their a blown assignment away from going back to being the Bungals all over again.
The Burgh has some questions, about how durable Willie Parker can be. Looking at his work so far this season, he's actually done a comendable job for an undrafted free agent. Gotta wonder when this o-line starts playing up to it's potential though and really starts doing a good job. As for Big Ben, personally can you really fault someone who's gone through everything he's went through (motorcycle accident, appendixices, fever, high winds) to play at a Tom Brady, Peyton Manning type level? Yeah you could definitely ask for a lot more than 5 picks, but given all the rust and other things he's had to play through and the fact that he's thrown up most of the picks taking the game on his shoulders - this is definitely just a passing phase and when him and the play calling realign things should get better. As for the defense, it has been repeatedly put in poor spots this year and asked to perform miracles. The fact that they held the Jags to just FGs is impressive. The defense really hasn't lost anything (minus a disruptive force on the DL), they just need some better field position.
All in all I think the AFC North is most competetive division in the AFC this year. Not sure if I'd say the league quite yet.
Ravens quite possibly could be the best in the conference once McNair becomes more acquainted with "the offensive mastermand" in Baltimore (anyone else think it strange that the team is completely devoid of anything resembling offense since Bellichick came over from Minnesota?). All in all I think McNair is just happy not to be meeting the opposing D-Line taking a lunch break over his body. I know the big arguement is hey look at all the points we point up this season - AGAINST CRAPPY TEAMS. I'm sorry but Tampa Bay's defense is getting way too old to stop anyone but senior citizens (and that may be a stretch). Browns definitely have some old guys on the team as well that could be using walkers to get to the press conference after the game. The Raider's defense - all I can say is I feel sorry for them. And lastly San Diego on the last play of the game you had Donnie Edwards and Shawne Merriman completely wiffing on that tackle and seemingly more interested in knocking the living beejeebus out of Todd Heap than wrapping up. If they would have tried that, game over, 3-1.
For starters the name of the coach is Billick. Regarding your statement about Merriman and Edwards whiffing a tackle that may very well be true but it was not the final play of the game. It was only first down. We gave the ball back to San Diego with over a half of a minute left. I don't understand how you can slight the Ravens because "lights out" couldn't come up with a big play. Thats his fault. What I saw was Heap dragging 3 Chargers defenders into the end zone in order to win the game.
Raven Lunatic wrote: Yeah we really struggled beating Tampa 27-0 and Oakland 28-6....Give me a fawkin break. San Diego was the number #1 defense and 2-0 but I guess they arent "anyone" either.
Yeah, and the Chargers defense was #1, and they were 2-0 against Oakland and Tennessee...Once again the Ravens havent proven sh#t, yes they should be ranked in the top 10, but no they are not an elite team in the AFC until they beat a good team...
Raven Lunatic wrote: Yeah we really struggled beating Tampa 27-0 and Oakland 28-6....Give me a fawkin break. San Diego was the number #1 defense and 2-0 but I guess they arent "anyone" either.
Yeah, and the Chargers defense was #1, and they were 2-0 against Oakland and Tennessee...Once again the Ravens havent proven sh#t, yes they should be ranked in the top 10, but no they are not an elite team in the AFC until they beat a good team...
Okay thats fair enough. I'm not concerned about being labeled an elite team I'm just trying to clear up any misconception of us being a fluke. I realize it is a long season and all it takes is an injury to McNair and we're back to Boller and we're back to being fawked. Without any significant injury to our qb we're in the mix to win the division. My expectations don't have me sitting here booking my hotel room in Miami. I just want us back in the playoffs and then anything can happen.
Well, the Bungles D surprised me when they came here into KC in week1. The Ravens defense, from what I've seen is a little more smashmouth and in your face (if we subract that hit on Green from Geathers). However, Bungles offense is extremely talented with Rudy, Housurmama, and Johnson. Between Carson and McNair, Carson is a little more talented. I'd say Cinci would win in this matchup. Toughest team in the AFC is Indy hands down (even though I cringe as I say that). I hate Indy.
The Ravens have not played ANYBODY and struggled doing it. Of course their defense is going to look great against those teams. I bet it looks great in practice too, against the 28th ranked offense. I expected more from the Ravens when they got McNair and so far, they have not delivered. Talk about the 4-0 start all you want, but the Saints were 3-0 last week, does that make them elite? You can't go by the records, anyone can squeek out wins (i.e. 2001 Bears). You have to look at HOW they are winning.
The Bengals got whooped, but they are still the best team in that division.
Yeah we really struggled beating Tampa 27-0 and Oakland 28-6....Give me a fawkin break. San Diego was the number #1 defense and 2-0 but I guess they arent "anyone" either.
Of course you didn't struggle against those two, only the Raiders and the Dolphins would. What about your other 2 games? You squeeked one out against the BROWNS for god sake. And yes that is correct, the Chargers aren't anyone. Their number 1 defense was because they've had 3 bye weeks (raiders, titans, then their bye). I'm not saying that their 4-0 record is a fluke, I'm saying it's misleading since like I said, they haven't played anyone and have struggled doing it.
The Ravens are just as beatable as Cincy is. This past weekend was a real wakeup call for Cincy. They do have a lot of offensive weapons, but they are built in a similar way to the Colts teams of old with a great offense and a lackluster, (if just not outright bad) defense. And we have all seen where that has gotten the Colts.
If Mcnair continues to progress, (hes my backup fantasy qb) than the Ravens are just going to be tough to take out.
Basically what I'm saying at this point is that the Bengals and Ravens are evenly matched overall, with the Ravens looking like they have a slightly brighter future....even though it is predicated upon Mcnair getting better and staying healthy...which as we know is tough to bank on given his play and presence for the last 3 years.
