Baltimore at Cincinnati, 11/30

[BaltimoreTerp]

Good luck to the Ravens tonight.

[orioles119]

Good three and out...

[The Wedge]

Oh my god, Gumbel is HORRIBLE. On the first three and out he called it "and the Bengals turn it over on downs." Rudi Johnson runs for the second time, and he annouces "Johnsons first touch of the game."

I know he's high profile, but they couldn't have gotten anybody better? Collinsworth is fine, but Gumbel is just...bad. Not even the mistakes, just how he calls it, too, his cadence, etc.

[The Wedge]

He just did it again! "They'll give it up on downs." No, they won't! That's after fourth down, you knob.

[orioles119]

Collinsworth should do this game by himself. Gumble is beyond horrible.

[october]

it was the same thing with the Thanksgiving night game, Gumbel is just not cut out for this. Pathetic really.

[The Wedge]

I'd mute it and throw the radio on, but I don't like the new crew. I'd rather listen to Gumbel and complain. It's almost like I want to hear how he screws up next.

[The Wedge]

Great, this is what happens when you let a team have short plays on a consistent basis. Dink and dunk all the way down the field.

[orioles119]

I'd mute it and throw the radio on, but I don't like the new crew. I'd rather listen to Gumbel and complain. It's almost like I want to hear how he screws up next.

There's a drinking game in there somewhere.

[The Wedge]

Gumbel is prone to hyperbole, too. "Henry looks for a flag, but that prayer goes unanswered"? Hey Bryant: call...the...game.

[october]

Somewhat Brent Musburger-esque

[orioles119]

Oh great... the NFL Replay commercial. How I yearn for ESPN/TNT/FOX/CBS.

[orioles119]

Somewhat Brent Musburger-esque
At least Musberger has the voice for play-by-play.

[The Wedge]

I'd like to thank the uber hot on fire super sexy Ocho Cinco for screwing his team that series.

[october]

At least Musberger has the voice for play-by-play.

He has it all over Gumbel.

[orioles119]

I'd like to thank the uber hot on fire super sexy Ocho Cinco for screwing his team that series.
And my fantasy team as well, lol.

[The Wedge]

Bryant, anyway. I can stand Greg.

[The Wedge]

Is it just me, or are the Bengals really showboating for flags/calls? Lots of demonstrations at the refs, making signals for them, making flag motions, etc.

[geschinger]

Is it just me, or are the Bengals really showboating for flags/calls? Lots of demonstrations at the refs, making signals for them, making flag motions, etc.

It's not just you. Can't blame 'em though, this past weekend I saw numerous occasions where players do a little campaigning and get a flag long after a play is completed.

[The Wedge]

Oh, man, after all that progress, Jamal looks like the broken Jamal again. His legs aren't moving. Slick field?

[The Wedge]

Oh man, Gumbel can't even call the replays right. This is starting to get less annoying and more funny.

[The Wedge]

Oh man, Palmer has eons of time to throw. Come on, guys.

[The Wedge]

Oh man, how many posts can I start with "oh, man"?

[orioles119]

Oh man, how many posts can I start with "oh, man"?
Oh man, Wedge did it again.

[The Wedge]

Oh man, we gotta score before the half.

[The Wedge]

Oh, man...that looked like a knee giving out on Sams.

[orioles119]

,Oh man, that looked like an ACL.

[orioles119]

,Oh man, that looked like an ACL.
Damn, we're in a tight spot!

[The Wedge]

Oh, man, Jamal broke off a nice run there.

Who is the back up returner?

[orioles119]

O,h, m,a,n, Bryant Gumble can't even get the score right.

"At the two minute warning, the Bengals are ahead 3-0."

Dope.

[october]

Oh, man, Jamal broke off a nice run there.

Who is the back up returner?

Cory Ross I think?

[The Wedge]

Oh man, a Cowboys/Giants discussion at the half? Be still, my beating heart!

[The Wedge]

Oh man, it's about time a color man has called Jamal on his stutter stepping.

[The Wedge]

Oh man, I can't believe Gumbel and Collinsworth thought for for a second that the Ravens wouldn't just kick a FG before the half.

[orioles119]

Oh man, I hate Marvin Lewis right now.

[The Wedge]

Oh, MAN! How the heck did Stover miss that? Oh, that's how. Piss poor snap.

Marvin Lewis looks like a genius for that sneaky ass late timeout.

[The Wedge]

Okay, halfs over, that's it for the Oh man schtick.

Defense has to adjust better to the no huddle.
Offense has to stop making the Bengals look like the Ravens.

[The Wedge]

Apparentely, Musa Smith is the back up returner.

And Sams done for the year, broke his leg.

[snatch311]

The defense held them to 6 points. Could've been a LOT worse.

[The Wedge]

Christ, talk about perfect play calling. We go bear front, they pull a flea flicker.

[BaltBird 24]

Maybe it's going to get alot worse in the 2nd half? Gotta start moving the ball on offense a little...

[BaltBird 24]

Can we just blame it on Samari Rolle?

[Sports Guy]

This game has been all about the Bengals O-line.

The Ravens can't get pressure and the Cinci receivers are too good to stay with 1 on 1. Palmer can stand back there and pick us apart and we can't do anything to cause turnovers.

[The Wedge]

At this point, I don't care if we lose, I just don't want to get shut out.

[Tony-OH]

This is why you don't let up. Billick gave his team two days off then had them run through a practice with no pads. This is the kind of stuff that annoys the crap out of me with Billick. He plays this stupid little game where he says he going treat his players like men and expect them to be ready.

Whatever. This team looks totally ill prepared and motivated to play tonight. I place this DIRECTLY at the feet of Billick.

The other scary part of this is the fact we've played two games in bad weather and both times McNair has looked pitiful. Not good.

How in the world we are down 13-0 with a Bengals banged up offensive line and defense that is 31st in the league is BEYOND PITIFUL!!!!!!!!!!

P-I-T-I-F-U-L!!!!

Hmm, do you think I'm a little perturbed? :)

[The Wedge]

Note to defense. Don't dive at a player who is standing still. Lock 'em up.

[Tony-OH]

This game has been all about the Bengals O-line.

The Ravens can't get pressure and the Cinci receivers are too good to stay with 1 on 1. Palmer can stand back there and pick us apart and we can't do anything to cause turnovers.

That's definitley the main problem defensively, although it doesn't help with Ed "I'm big freakin cheater because I'm tired of never making the big play this year" Reed completely sells out on the run and gets fooled by the fea-flicker.

Offensively, it doesn't help when it appears it takes McNair more than four days for his arm to recover because he's making Stoeny Case look like he had a gun. No zip on any pass.

[The Wedge]

We finally get a decent pressure on Palmer, and he still completes the pass. It was a short on 3rd down, but still.

[The Wedge]

Okay, I just had to check myself, since I realized I was hoping for McNair to tweak something and for Boller to get a look. He can't do any worse, anyways.

[Tony-OH]

Okay, I just had to check myself, since I realized I was hoping for McNair to tweak something and for Boller to get a look. He can't do any worse, anyways.

I agree. Nothing longterm here, but maybe Boller can spark them. McNair has no zip on his passes tonight.

[The Wedge]

I agree. Nothing longterm here, but maybe Boller can spark them. McNair has no zip on his passes tonight.

Yeah, I didn't mean anything longterm. But yeah. Something. Though Boller in bad weather is a risky prospect too. I said he couldn't do any worse, but that's not true, he could throw it right at Bengals.

[Tony-OH]

I keep waiting for ASton Kutcher to come running onto the Ravens sidelines yealling, "You got Punk'd"

[The Wedge]

Wow, a first down, I forgot what those were like.

[Fist Bump]

How come our guys are not trying to get out of bounds?

[The Wedge]

How come our guys are not trying to get out of bounds?

That's the least of our worries.

[Fist Bump]

That's the least of our worries.

It should be a worry since we are not going to have time to even attempt a comeback.

[DuffMan]

The Bengals are missing 3 of their starters on the O-line and we still can't get pressure. I don't think we are blitzing enough either.

[Tony-OH]

It was the 3rd quarter. too early to worry about saving time..... We need a TD here though...

[PaulFolk]

It should be a worry since we are not going to have time to even attempt a comeback.
Isn't there another whole quarter remaining?

[The Wedge]

It should be a worry since we are not going to have time to even attempt a comeback.

They have to sustain a drive before they can think about stopping the clock on a comeback.

Plus, I think the clock runs even if you go out of bounds untill a certain time in the 2nd and 4th. I've noticed that this season, haven't looked too closely in to it. Might be a rule tweak to help speed up games.

[The Wedge]

I am sick of those late flags.

And our veteran QB has way too many IG penalties this season.

[Fist Bump]

Isn't there another whole quarter remaining?


But we can't assume that the Bengals won't kill some clock and possibly score again.

It would have been very easy for Jamal to just step out of bounds. When it's so easy to stop the clock, then why not do it when you are trailing by 13 pts? (With only a quarter left)

[Tony-OH]

Terrible Burress-like play by Clayton here. He just gave up on the route.

My God McNair is just purely aweful tonight. Time to put Boller in and go with the backups and bag this game. What a waste of a national TV game. Totally turd by the Ravens.

[Fist Bump]

We need an interception now!

[Tony-OH]

But we can't assume that the Bengals won't kill some clock and possibly score again.

It would have been very easy for Jamal to just step out of bounds. When it's so easy to stop the clock, then why not do it when you are trailing by 13 pts? (With only a quarter left)

I'd love to debate this issue, but it's one of the least concerns of the Ravens tonight. they are just terrible and need to actualy look like they care before worrying about the intricacies of clock management.

On the bright side, this should get the national media off our bandwagon for awhile. The Ravens always play better when no one believes.

[The Wedge]

Even though he's ragging on us, I'm really enjoying the color of Collinsworth.

[Tony-OH]

Even though he's ragging on us, I'm really enjoying the color of Collinsworth.

He's been right on. This team, especially offensively deserves to be ragged on. They are embarrassing themselves.

[The Wedge]

I'm also reminded of Neccesary Roughness:

Now, let's analyze what's been working for us...NOT A G*D DAMN THING'S BEEN WORKING FOR US!

[Fist Bump]

I'd love to debate this issue, but it's one of the least concerns of the Ravens tonight. they are just terrible and need to actualy look like they care before worrying about the intricacies of clock management.

On the bright side, this should get the national media off our bandwagon for awhile. The Ravens always play better when no one believes.


Put it another way then, if I was a fan of the Bengals I would be very happy that the Ravens players make no attempt at stopping the clock when they could've easily done it. That's just my opinion. I know other teams have done the same thing against the Ravens defense in the past and I am like "Thank you" for running time off the clock.

[BaltimoreTerp]

I keep telling myself, "Remember Cleveland! Remember Cleveland!"

The I remember I was about to have McNair drawn and quartered up through the first 58 minutes, so now I say, "Boller! Boller!" :D

Seriously though, he's made some passes tonight that are worse then plenty of what Boller was skewered for.

Just need to find some pressure on Palmer.

[The Wedge]

He's been right on. This team, especially offensively deserves to be ragged on. They are embarrassing themselves.

Indeed. Collinsworth nailed it: ineptitude.

All color men should listen to Collinsworth. He's gotta be one of the best color guys I've heard in a long time. Only rare Capt. Obvious moments, very insightful comments, etc.

[TGO]

Jeez, Jason Brown is down.

[The Wedge]

Jeez, Jason Brown is down.

Somebody on one of the two pregame radio shows was talking about how lucky they've been injury wise.

I could kill him.

[Tony-OH]

CUT OUT THE RUNNING BILLICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE are down 13-0, you have to go through the air....

Even the coaching is bad tonight.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Why are we running directly at Sam Adams?

[TGO]

Mason looking good right now.

[BaltimoreTerp]

CUT OUT THE RUNNING BILLICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE are down 13-0, you have to go through the air....

Even the coaching is bad tonight.
It's not the running, it's the running right up the middle when that hasn't worked all night.

At least they went for it on fourth down.

[TGO]

Horrible throw to Heap there.

[BaltimoreTerp]

See, THAT is what we need to be doing with Jamal.

Get him into the open field, whether it is a screen or a run around the corner, and let him break tackles.

He's not going to bowl over Sam Adams.

Especially since, if this was a Madden game, McNair's rating would have a big (-10) next to it right now. He looks bad except when he runs.

[BaltimoreTerp]

I rest my case, even if he DID slide too early.

[TGO]

If you're gonna run on 1st and 20, make it a draw.

[The Wedge]

Just bleepin' score. I don't want to get shut out by the Bengals. I can handle the loss away.

[orioles119]

Oh man! Oh ... nevermind.

[TGO]

4th and 3. Or as Gumbel says, "4 and 3."

[drarray]

See, THAT is what we need to be doing with Jamal.

Get him into the open field, whether it is a screen or a run around the corner, and let him break tackles.

He's not going to bowl over Sam Adams.

Especially since, if this was a Madden game, McNair's rating would have a big (-10) next to it right now. He looks bad except when he runs.

Jamal can no longer beat people around the corner. One of his problems is that his speed is dead. if he still had his burst he would have broken his first run for a TD.

[The Wedge]

And that's the ball game.

We just got shut out by the F'N BENGALS!

SHOOT ME.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Ballgame...

[TGO]

That was tunnel vision right there. Horrible decision.

[Hank Scorpio]

They just didn't give enough of a sh*t tonight. A poor effort from veteran players in a big game.

A shame to see.

[geschinger]

Put it another way then, if I was a fan of the Bengals I would be very happy that the Ravens players make no attempt at stopping the clock when they could've easily done it. That's just my opinion. I know other teams have done the same thing against the Ravens defense in the past and I am like "Thank you" for running time off the clock.

It made no difference. The clock is restarted after a player goes out of bounds until the last 5 minutes of the 2nd half.

[BaltimoreTerp]

And that's the ball game.

We just got shut out by the F'N BENGALS!

SHOOT ME.
Just remember that they're going to lose to the Raiders next week, and you'll be OK :D

[BaltBird 24]

Anyone else think that was a fairly lame attempt by Clayton to pull that one in? Seemed like he just swatted it away.

[The Wedge]

Just remember that they're going to lose to the Raiders next week, and you'll be OK :D

No, I won't. It has nothing to do with the Bengals going down, it has to do with my own perception of our chances postseason.

OH, and THAT'S JUST F##$*$# PERFECT.

[geschinger]

I don't know how Ravens fans take it... This is one of the few games I've seen every snap of and my god, it's excruciating watching their offense and their 4 yard pass plays.

[BaltBird 24]

Well, if that wasn't the game, this was DEF the game.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Well, Ivy's getting cut.

[TGO]

First rule of punt returning?

Catch the GD ball!

[The Wedge]

I don't know how Ravens fans take it... This is one of the few games I've seen every snap of and my god, it's excruciating watching their offense and their 4 yard pass plays.

Since Billick took over as OC, it wasn't this bad. This is the worst I've seen it in awhile.

[The Wedge]

First rule of punt returning?

Catch the GD ball!

I can't be too mad at him, he's the 3rd stringer and it's pouring.

[The Wedge]

I'm so freaking depressed right now.

[TGO]

Since Billick took over as OC, it wasn't this bad. This is the worst I've seen it in awhile.

I think it's a combo of McNair having rag arm tonight and the Bengals having a pretty good rush on our OL.

[Hank Scorpio]

Well, Ivy's getting cut.

I'll bet your your Orioles bedsheets he's not getting cut!!!

He's been a huge plus for us all year on special teams... just not returning kicks. Best part about BJ Sams - NEVER and I mean NEVER drops a punt or a kick.

Never. Good guy, too. It's a shame what happened to him.

[Fist Bump]

It made no difference. The clock is restarted after a player goes out of bounds until the last 5 minutes of the 2nd half.


It restarts after the referee signal - not immediately.

[BaltBird 24]

Can I just hate the NFL for this Thursday night BS?

[The Wedge]

Can I just hate the NFL for this Thursday night BS?

For the Thursday night BS, and for subjecting us to Bryant Gumbel all night.

[Fist Bump]

Can I just hate the NFL for this Thursday night BS?

Yes you may!!

[TGO]

I can't be too mad at him, he's the 3rd stringer and it's pouring.

He looked up right at the last second. You can't do that. You have to catch the ball.

It's possible he hasn't practiced, which is the coaching staff's fault, but either way...

Figures these guys put up a stink bomb in the first game I've watched this year.

[clapdiddy]

So....who thinks the Bengals are the better team?

They certainly have the weapons on offense and if their defense keeps playing like the 2000 Ravens, they will be a tough team to beat.

I'm not serious...we just didn't show up tonight. Next week's game against KC will be a big one. KC is fighting for their playoff lives as well.

This game was a royal turd.

[Fist Bump]

So....who thinks the Bengals are the better team?

They certainly have the weapons on offense and if their defense keeps playing like the 2000 Ravens, they will be a tough team to beat.

I'm not serious...we just didn't show up tonight. Next week's game against KC will be a big one. KC is fighting for their playoff lives as well.

This game was a royal turd.


When it's bad weather we seem to have ZERO offense.

[BaltimoreTerp]

How about throwing the ball downfield?

I mean, it's not like an interception will cost the game at this point.

Just have Mason and Clayton post-pattern the rest of the game and be done with it.

Hell, bring in Boller if we have to. He's got the arm "Air" McNair wishes he had at this point.

[The Wedge]

So....who thinks the Bengals are the better team?

They certainly have the weapons on offense and if their defense keeps playing like the 2000 Ravens, they will be a tough team to beat.

I'm not serious...we just didn't show up tonight. Next week's game against KC will be a big one. KC is fighting for their playoff lives as well.

This game was a royal turd.

If the defense isn't just playing out of their heads because it was the Browns, then us in the rain, then yes, they are the better team. Their offense eclipses ours, and the slightest hint of a strong defense would make them better.

[Sports Guy]

This game was a royal turd.
Yep..Just one of those games..The defense looked really good other than the flea flicker.

But the offense has looked poor...We are not going downfield at all. Everything is just a few yards and then get tackled...McNair has looked bad as well.

Even right now, it is like screen passes in the middle of the field...Makes no sense.

[The Wedge]

Nice hands, Demetrius.

[BaltimoreTerp]

McNair has given up.

He should be embarrassed.

[TGO]

Jesus, more awful clock management from this team.

That was a nice run by Anderson for the first but you have to get out of bounds. And a three yard throw to Heap inside the hash mark? Come on, scramble out and throw it away if no one better is open. Then we just wait for the two minute warning.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Nice hands, Demetrius.
That was the longest pass attempt of the night, I think.

[The Wedge]

It was almost like they threw the game on purpose.

[BaltimoreTerp]

It was almost like they threw the game on purpose.
Hmmm......

[TGO]

Delay of game on 4th and 5. Awesome.

Thank god for the 1st. And finally a spike.

[Fist Bump]

Yes - at least it's not a shutout!

[Sports Guy]

We finally go downfield.

[OregonBird]

God gawd! I just tuned into this game.

5 minutes of Gumble and Collinsworth and I'm sick of listening to them!

It looks like the Ravens just wanted to get this game over with.....

[BaltimoreTerp]

FINALLY!

See, this is why you throw the ******* ball down the ******* field.

[The Wedge]

Hmmm......

If I could come up with a good reason why they would, I'd consider it.

Okay, I feel marginally better now that there's no shutout.

Marginally.

Very, very marginally.

[TGO]

It was almost like they threw the game on purpose.

McNair tried to throw the game but he came up short by about five yards.

[The Wedge]

God gawd! I just tuned into this game.

5 minutes of Gumble and Collinsworth and I'm sick of listening to them!

It looks like the Ravens just wanted to get this game over with.....

Gumbel is awful. Collinsworth is great.

[Hank Scorpio]

Well, we've got 9 days to worry about Kansas City.

It's the NFL. Sometimes you look like world beaters, sometimes you suck.

[TGO]

Great play Derrick Mason.

[Sports Guy]

Gumbel has made a minimum of 8 mistakes tonight.

[The Wedge]

Gumbel has made a minimum of 8 mistakes tonight.

I'd handicap him higher than that. I think he made 8 in the first half alone.

[Hank Scorpio]

Who scored? I turned it off.

[Sports Guy]

Who scored? I turned it off.
Mason...36 yard pass.

[The Wedge]

Who scored? I turned it off.

Ravens. McNair to Mason, basically just chucked it and Mason made a play for it.

[Sports Guy]

What the hell kind of kick was that?

[The Wedge]

See, this is why Collinsworth is so good. He knows his stuff.

[BaltimoreTerp]

If I could come up with a good reason why they would, I'd consider it.
To get people to stop paying attention so that when we clinch next week, no one cares, and we can just go back under the radar again.

Remember, Billick IS a genius (and I'm not being facetious).

[AgentOrange]

That reminded me of the Denver game.

We bounced back well from that. Lets see what happens this time.

[The Wedge]

To get people to stop paying attention so that when we clinch next week, no one cares, and we can just go back under the radar again.

Remember, Billick IS a genius (and I'm not being facetious).

Yeah, but why would they play hard enough to get so many injuries? Just a byproduct of the rain...and if so, why just us?

[BaltimoreTerp]

What the hell kind of kick was that?
I've never seen anyone fair catch an on-side kick before :D

[Fist Bump]

Maybe we should bring Fassel back ;)

[Hank Scorpio]

These games happen. We're still 9-3 and in good shape.

[Hank Scorpio]

I've never seen anyone fair catch an on-side kick before :D

Not typical to see an NFL kicker pop one up, either. It's a very smart play - saves you from getting beheaded!

[Sports Guy]

These games happen. We're still 9-3 and in good shape.
Oh yea, not worried at all.

Short week, bad weather, desperate team, division game on the road.

That's why i said this was a bonus game.

We held their offense down and our offense has played well the last month and a half. Just a stinker game.

The big loss was Sams, not the game.

[Fist Bump]

These games happen. We're still 9-3 and in good shape.

And hopefully the extra time off will help down the stretch.

[Fist Bump]

The big loss was Sams, not the game.

Agree - Sams is a very big loss.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Thank God Cincy will hit a speed bump when they play Indy and Denver on the road in back to back weeks (one of those games we play Cleveland at home). They are on fire right now.

[Hank Scorpio]

Oh yea, not worried at all.

Short week, bad weather, desperate team, division game on the road.

That's why i said this was a bonus game.

We held their offense down and our offense has played well the last month and a half. Just a stinker game.

The big loss was Sams, not the game.

Yes sir. You're 100% right - losing BJ hurts us badly.

I know he's an important part of the offense and all, but they should put Clayton back there.

[geschinger]

Oh yea, not worried at all.

Short week, bad weather, desperate team, division game on the road.

That's why i said this was a bonus game.

We held their offense down and our offense has played well the last month and a half. Just a stinker game.

The big loss was Sams, not the game.

You are one game back in the race for home field advantage and 1 game up on the Chargers for a playoff bye and it's not a big loss? I don't buy that it was a bonus game.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Just got back from the bar and this game really boiled down to one thing (excuse me if it's been discussed already); pressure on Palmer. It seemed like they did a brilliant job of picking up our blitz packages thus putting tons of pressure on our secondary. Since I'm not in love with our secondary to begin with (although Landry has been a pleasant surprise), I saw trouble coming from a mile away.

If I'm the Ravens, I figure out what the hell happened tonight in terms of getting pressure on the QB. We were so good at it last week, and terrible at it tonight. I'm convinced if we had done a better job of getting to Palmer tongiht, we'd have won this football game because, once again, a team was unable to run the ball against us despite having a very good running back.

[BaltimoreTerp]

I said in the How will the Ravens finish the season? (http://www.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40795) thread that I believed we would lose either here or at Kansas City.

Now, we just need to beat Kansas City :D

Of course, a week and a half to prepare, plus being royally pissed after tonight, should equal a nice win.

[Hank Scorpio]

Just got back from the bar and this game really boiled down to one thing (excuse me if it's been discussed already); pressure on Palmer. It seemed like they did a brilliant job of picking up our blitz packages thus putting tons of pressure on our secondary. Since I'm not in love with our secondary to begin with (although Landry has been a pleasant surprise), I saw trouble coming from a mile away.

If I'm the Ravens, I figure out what the hell happened tonight in terms of getting pressure on the QB. We were so good at it last week, and terrible at it tonight. I'm convinced if we had done a better job of getting to Palmer tongiht, we'd have won this football game because, once again, a team was unable to run the ball against us despite having a very good running back.

The Bengals just wanted this game more than we did.

I'm not disagreeing with you, but in a macro sense... that's what it boils down to.

[Fist Bump]

The bright side of this game was that they didn't play well but only lost by 6.
Worst part of this game is losing a very vaulable special teams player in Sams.

[Sports Guy]

You are one game back in the race for home field advantage and 1 game up on the Chargers for a playoff bye and it's not a big loss? I don't buy that it was a bonus game.
I personally think we will get the 3 seed, regardless of tonight.

[geschinger]

I personally think we will get the 3 seed, regardless of tonight.

After tonight I'd agree, but they'd of had as good a chance as SD or Indy w/a win tonight.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Just got back from the bar and this game really boiled down to one thing (excuse me if it's been discussed already); pressure on Palmer. It seemed like they did a brilliant job of picking up our blitz packages thus putting tons of pressure on our secondary. Since I'm not in love with our secondary to begin with (although Landry has been a pleasant surprise), I saw trouble coming from a mile away.

If I'm the Ravens, I figure out what the hell happened tonight in terms of getting pressure on the QB. We were so good at it last week, and terrible at it tonight. I'm convinced if we had done a better job of getting to Palmer tongiht, we'd have won this football game because, once again, a team was unable to run the ball against us despite having a very good running back.
Palmer is just so far beyond Roethlisberger it's a shame Little Ben gets all the hype he does.

Just look at the passes Palmer completed tonight as he was being tackled. He's good.

[Hank Scorpio]

Palmer's the real deal.

His receivers are much, much better than Pittsburgh's as well.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Palmer is just so far beyond Roethlisberger it's a shame Little Ben gets all the hype he does.

Just look at the passes Palmer completed tonight as he was being tackled. He's good.

Yes but you agree that we did a very poor job of getting to him to begin with right? I don't know about O-Lines and whatnot, but there's no way that Palmer was under as much intense pressure tonight as Little Ben was last week.

The fact that Palmer is better and has better receivers only compounds the problem.

[BaltimoreTerp]

I personally think we will get the 3 seed, regardless of tonight.
We have the tiebreaker against the Chargers, and they still have to play Denver and Kansas City, and go to Buffalo (looking tough) and Seattle.

I still think we end up 12-4 with the #2 seed.

[Sports Guy]

After tonight I'd agree, but they'd of had as good a chance as SD or Indy w/a win tonight.
NE will get it and i have always felt they would.

Their schedule down the stretch is easy.

The Ravens and SD have a tough schedule...Both will be fortunate to come out 12-4 this season.

[Sports Guy]

We have the tiebreaker against the Chargers, and they still have to play Denver and Kansas City, and go to Buffalo (looking tough) and Seattle.

I still think we end up 12-4 with the #2 seed.
I think we end up 12-4 as well but i think NE will as well and they will have the tie breaker over us.

[BaltimoreTerp]

Yes but you agree that we did a very poor job of getting to him to begin with right? I don't know about O-Lines and whatnot, but there's no way that Palmer was under as much intense pressure tonight as Little Ben was last week.

The fact that Palmer is better and has better receivers only compounds the problem.
Sure.

However, when we did get to him, he still made plays.

That gives the offense confidence, and keeps the defense from playing with the same emotion they did against Pittsburgh.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Sure.

However, when we did get to him, he still made plays.

That gives the offense confidence, and keeps the defense from playing with the same emotion they did against Pittsburgh.

Yea it was just a frustrating night overall (p.s. sorry about asking the leading question before).

I still think we can get the #2 seed. KC's bread and butter is the run which we have shown to have been able to stop (Exhibit A: holding the guy having the best season in NFL history for an RB to less than 4 a carry).

Trent Green has been shaky at best since coming back and I don't see them being able to throw the ball. I really think we'll win next week and then win two of our last three (home Browns and Bills) at worst. We'll be either 12-4 or 13-3 IMO. It all boils down to NE. They have to lose at least one more, preferably to an AFC team.

[Hank Scorpio]

Yes but you agree that we did a very poor job of getting to him to begin with right? I don't know about O-Lines and whatnot, but there's no way that Palmer was under as much intense pressure tonight as Little Ben was last week.

The fact that Palmer is better and has better receivers only compounds the problem.

I didn't see most of the game, but I'll you one thing : Willie Parker couldn't block ME. That was probably a big part of the difference.

[The Wedge]

Yeah, it was one of the things Collinsworth astutely pointed out a few times. The Bengals backs were picking up the rush very well, and last week the Steelers backs had one of the worst outings as far as blocking goes.

[NewMarketSean]

Wow. Was Fassel hired to call the offensive plays for this game? It felt like it. Late in the game there was no urgency again and they were running the ball and killing clock when they needed 2 scores to win the game.

That said, the execution was pizz-poor all night, and you just have to tip your hat to the Bengals. They came out, controlled the game, and beat us almost as bad as we beat the Steelers last week. It really showed that they wanted this game more than the Ravens, and for good reason. But I just can't believe the Ravens looked so flat when the division title was theirs for the taking.

The only bright side to this game IMO is that it is over and we have 12 days to prepare for another tough game in KC. We could easily be 9-4 after that, but I still think the division is ours, barring a monumental collapse and the Bengals running the table. But getting a first round bye is going to be that much harder now, though.

And have the Ravens ever won a rainy game since the 1996 game against Pittsburgh?

[TGO]

Wow. Was Fassel hired to call the offensive plays for this game? It felt like it. Late in the game there was no urgency again and they were running the ball and killing clock when they needed 2 scores to win the game.

That said, the execution was pizz-poor all night, and you just have to tip your hat to the Bengals. They came out, controlled the game, and beat us almost as bad as we beat the Steelers last week. It really showed that they wanted this game more than the Ravens, and for good reason. But I just can't believe the Ravens looked so flat when the division title was theirs for the taking.

The only bright side to this game IMO is that it is over and we have 12 days to prepare for another tough game in KC. We could easily be 9-4 after that, but I still think the division is ours, barring a monumental collapse and the Bengals running the table. But getting a first round bye is going to be that much harder now, though.

And have the Ravens ever won a rainy game since the 1996 game against Pittsburgh?

In a way, this loss could be good for us. We were on a winning streak and starting to get talked up. Had we kept going and won out, there's about a 99% chance that we lay this egg in the playoffs. I'd rather lay it now so these guys can reload and now go on another run. The extra time off will help with that. They have to live with this disgusting performance for a couple of extra days.

As for the rain, I think a lot of it comes down to Billick being soft on these guys. He's got to have this team practice in bad weather more often.

I don't mind running late in the game, especially against the Bengals. You have to keep running to keep the defense honest. My problem is with how they were running: I-formation runs up the middle right into Sam Adams. Jeez, we of all teams should know how stupid that is. Run some draws, do something off tackle, get a little more creative. Spread the field and run out of a 3-WR set.

[NewMarketSean]

I thought that the loss might wake us up a little bit too. But the division was at hand. Now we've got to go into KC. It's not going to be easy.

[Hank Scorpio]

Yeah, it was one of the things Collinsworth astutely pointed out a few times. The Bengals backs were picking up the rush very well, and last week the Steelers backs had one of the worst outings as far as blocking goes.

To be fair to Willie Parker, I am a BEAST off of rush end.

All 173.5 pounds of me.

[nadecir]

The game last night showed again there are some deficiencies in this team that need to be addressed.

First of all, the lack of a speed threat at receiver allowed the Bengals to sit on the short routes. As Collinsworth pointed out, the Bengals gave the Ravens' receivers no respect in getting deep on them. The Bengals close coverage underneath caused our short to intermediate passing game problems. We should have taken more shots deep, if just to loosen the Bengals coverage up a bit.

Second, it's pretty clear that Jamal does not have the burst to get outside anymore. The lack of an outside running threat allows a defense to stack the middle, making it more difficult to run inside the tackles. I'd like to seen them run the wide receiver end-around to keep the defense honest last night.

Third, Billick's and the Raven's poor clock management continues to cost us. The drive at the end of the first half should have been much more efficient. In the last two minutes, we called a timeout after a three yard run, and a three yard pass, causing us to run out of timeouts with 45 seconds left. We needed to be ready with another play after these short gains and conserve our timeouts. Also, we needed to throw the ball in the end zone with 12 seconds left instead of downing it. Twelve seconds is plenty of time to take a shot in the end zone instead of downing it. We need to have a pass play ready for just that situation. It was terrible that we wasted two plays in that series by downing the ball.

On the long drive that took about 7 minutes in the fourth quarter, we showed bad clock management again. Not only did we not show any sense of urgency down two touchdowns by not running a quick huddle, did anyone else notice that we actually ran the play clock down to 1 or 2 seconds before snapping the ball on several plays as the time clock ran? Down two scores with less than 10 minutes left in the game, at the very least we've got to get the play in and the ball snapped quicker.

A veteran QB and a veteran coach need to be better prepared for crunch time in a game than they were last night.

Fourth, someone's got to convince Ed Reed to be more disciplined on defense. He's been beat deep more than once this year by trying to cheat on plays, and it has really cost us.

[Sports Guy]

They didn't respect the receivers because the Ravens didn't even attempt to go deep. Everything was underneath. The Ravens did a poor job of extending the field last night, something they have done a good job of doing the last 5 weeks.

[porterhouse]

The game last night showed again there are some deficiencies in this team that need to be addressed.


Yes, unless we are able to control things with our defense, the offensive deficiencies become glaring.

We really don't have any big-play guys, or at least it sure didn't look like it last night. We have 3 good posession receivers (and a tight end who is used like a receiver) and backs who hardly ever get deep into the secondary. But there is no real deep, home run threat.

The Ravens are able to get away with this when the defense is keeping things in check, otherwise it gets ugly.