[wisedyes]

First of all, I would just like to say that so far the Ravens are a pleasant surprise. Yes, it was only Cincy and Cleveland so far, but hey, you have to make sure you can beat the bad teams first before you can improve, right? They certainly seem headed in a good direction, and I don't think the Raven's defense has lost a step at all.

Second, I think someone owes Tennessee Jedi some love for the Iggles......

Don't worry, though, Stillers fans, I have no illusions that the Ravens are coming into the 'Burgh and beating yins next week an at. I just think that it might not be as bad as I was thinking earlier.

[Tennessee Jedi]

I'm starting to think Eli is for real.
He might do something as a QB.

[mttourpro]

That was a flat out BEATING.

Ben couldn't even breath let alone throw. Whatever the Eagle's blitz strategy was, it clearly worked more than well.


BUT, it was also telling that the Eagle's couldn't put up more points..somehow, they let the Steelers hang around much longer than they should of...and, when you play the Steelers there's usually a price to pay. Ironic that Westy went down by his own doing but McNabb must've got somewhat rocked. Hope he's ok as I have him in another league. At least I'm still undefeated in our FF league.

As for the Raven's, it's pretty telling in that Flacco proved he stinks but maybe the Browns are simply horrible. It'll be a good game next week wisedyes but I think the Steelers are gonna take out their frustrations on your Ravens and give Mr. Flacco a proper introduction to the NFL.

[pappypgh]

Okay, the Iggles spanked us good.

If Baltimore can put up 10 points, they'll beat us.

After yesterday's game...my obeservation of my team:

Steelers will be lucky to finish 8-8. Their O-Line is miserable. Defense on the field WAY too much. HORRIBLE play-calling - Bruce Arians should be looking for a new job right now. NO protection when Philly is blitzing every other down. Empty set much? We deserved to lose that game by more than we did. Our D is still top-notch...that is a fact. But, our O is High School quality.

Browns win the division....ugh, I can't believe I just said that :(

[mttourpro]

[quote="pappypgh]If Baltimore can put up 10 points, they'll beat us.

After yesterday's game...my obeservation of my team:

Steelers will be lucky to finish 8-8.
Browns win the division....ugh, I can't believe I just said that :([/quote]

Step away from the crack pipe. I'll put money against everything you just wrote.

[pappypgh]

I will not bet on any of that, because my HOPES are that Bruce Arians is fired by tomorrow and we replace him with someone who knows how to adjust to a blitz.

There was NOTHING special about Philly's blitzes yesterday. What WAS special was that our moronic OC kept calling passing plays, rather than short screens, draws and other plays that might feature a 2-back set.

IF the Steelers get rid of Arians AND put Keomatu on the bench AND make a trade for a top-notch O-Lineman, they will win the division. If they leave everything as it is, I'll take the bet on them NOT winning the Division (I CERTAINLY wouldn't bet ON the Browns, but I WOULD bet against the Steelers).

[Tennessee Jedi]

I remember one time the Birds went to San Fran,beat 'em bad 40-3,got Stevey Young benched.
The 49'ers went on to win the Bowl and the Birds pooped out.
I wouldn't worry about the game Pappy as it wasnt in your Conference and sometimes those games just dont go well.
Buck up man !
Does anyone know if 3 teams from the same division can make the playoffs ?
I'm thinking cowboys- 12 wins
G Men - 11 wins
Birds - 10 wins
If that happens can the Birds EVEN make the plaoffs?

[mttourpro]

3 teams from the same division can make it, but, it would mean the other divisions' number 2 teams have to lose out to the third team. I believe it's happened before. Entirely possible given the other NFC divisions.

[wisedyes]

Hmmm, I don't think Flacco flat out proved he stinks at all. He connected on almost all of his passes ( did even better if you count the two to the other team ), shows very good poise and doesn't get down. Manages the game and plays within himself and the game plan very well. Plus, he's a rookie making just his second start - I think he's going to be a good one, I really do.

I don't predict the Ravens beating the Steelers in Pittsburgh - even in a good year I don't make that call. But I do think that, given the schedule that the AFC North plays this year, that 9-7 will win the division. And I think that the two Ohio teams are already out of the running.

Watch out, though - if the Pittsburgh O-line is playing that badly, there aren't too many front sevens like the Ravens in the league, you know - I was at the game in B'more when they sacked Roethlisberger ( is that right? How do they fit that on a jersey? ) nine times. He could be in for a long day himself.

[pappypgh]

I agree with EVERYTHING you said WiseDyes, other than "There aren't too many front 7s in the league like the Ravens."

Steelers
Cowboys
Giants
Packers
Chargers
Browns*
Eagles*
Texans*
Jaguars*

*teams that put right in there WITH the Ravens. The others, IMO, are far better front 7s.

[wisedyes]

Well, maybe, but the numbers don't lie - Ravens have not given up over 100 yards in the ground in 21 games in a row now. Before the one game that they gave up over 100 yards in ( to Larry Johnson of the KC Chiefs ), they had not given up over 100 yards rushing in I believe 18 games in a row.

So, if your defense has only given up over 100 yards on the ground once in the last 40 games it's played ( with essentially the same players ), I'd say that you've got something working right for you.

No other defense in the league has that track record over the last few seasons. Not saying that there aren't other great d's, of course there are ( like Pittsburgh's ), but the stats are what they are.

[mttourpro]

Truth be told, I saw none of the Raven's game--maybe I'll see it on NFL replay---but, I did see his numbers and they certainly didn't look very good. He had negative points in terms of FF.

Maybe I'll be impressed next Monday--my guess is the Steelers will make him look a little like Ben looked last night. He wasn't even supposed to start this year so I guess if he's winning games, that's a huge feather in his cap. I think 9-7 will win the division but I think the Steelers will win 10 games.

[Crazy 9.5 Fingers]

Was that all the Packers could do? The Big D gave them a beating on the ground last night. Only two teams concern me in the NFC the Giants and the Eagles. At least they can punch back. I thought the Pack would hit a little harder up front last night. I was not impressed.

When the Dallas schedule came out this summer I thought Cleveland on the road, Philly at home, and GB in Lambeau, I figured I would be happy to see Dallas go through it 2-1. I didn't think they would be 3-0.

If this team stays reasonable healthy, I'll send you all a post card from Tampa in February.

[Tennessee Jedi]

Happy 420
PRO

If this team stays reasonable healthy, I'll send you all a post card from Tampa in February.

Me thinks they will face some kind of turmoil this season as to what I cant know.
Some evil will grip Cowboy Land.
Ha !
Yoko Romo ?
T.O. the suicide bomber ?

[wisedyes]

Yeah, I'm not sure how quarterback ratings are determined, but he went something like 14 of 19 for about 120 yards, but with 2 INT's and no TD's. My guess is that pretty much kills your numbers.

How the Ravens attacked their first two opponents so far is too essentially play Steeler football - smothering, swarming defense, tough against the run, keep the passing game in front of you with physical play from your secondary. On offense, pound the ball mixed in with short, high percentage passes with the occasional shot down field.

What is working really well for them so far is that by the mid third quarter, their O-line has worn down the other defense, and they just start pounding it inside with a heavy jumbo package play after play. Kills the clock, eats up yardage, gives the defense plenty of rest.

I foresee a low scoring slugfest, myself - of course, this means a 48-35 shootout is in the works. My crystal ball ain't all that reliable.