Game Thread -- Ravens @ Bengals (Pseudo Preseason Edition)

**Ravenswintitle** · 12-30-2012, 03:25 PM

Someone start the "wheels are falling off " thread

**ActualSpamBot** · 12-30-2012, 03:26 PM

Lol at the idea that missing the last 3/4s of a meaningless game makes our starters "rusty."

Some people just need to be miserable to feel good.

I'm in DC tonight with my inlaws (Skins fans). THEY understand what a gift making the playoffs is and are threw the roof at the mere possibility. Meanwhile we had a chance to rest our injured and protect out starters because we sewed up a spot last week and no matter which choice we made, half the board was prepared to piss and moan that it was idiotic.

**bmorecareful** · 12-30-2012, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

You also said we'd lose the rest of our games before the NYG game. I think that's way too negative IMO. The Ravens clearly didn't want to tip their hand. What have Indi done on the road this year? Nothing.

Btw Houston lost against the 2-14 Colts last season too.

After we lost to Pittsburgh I said we'd lose out. So far, I'm 3 for 4, thankfully I was wrong at least once. I would have preferred to go 0-4, but alas. I would much prefer to not be negative, but I have to call it like I see it.

I won't predict the Indy game until I see what kind of work our injured players put into practice this week, but I don't feel confident at all.

**Dirt1** · 12-30-2012, 03:29 PM

I think the Ravens are fine. I was actually encouraged by how well the defense played today, especially vs the Cincy starters. Ellerbee seems to be a key player for them. Also, I would consider putting Hall or Tyson ahead of Cody on the depth chart.

**bmorecareful** · 12-30-2012, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by ActualSpamBot

Lol at the idea that missing the last 3/4s of a meaningless game makes our starters "rusty."

Some people just need to be miserable to feel good.

I'm in DC tonight with my inlaws (Skins fans). THEY understand what a gift making the playoffs is and are threw the roof at the mere possibility. Meanwhile we had a chance to rest our injured and protect out starters because we sewed up a spot last week and no matter which choice we made, half the board was prepared to piss and moan that it was idiotic.

6 of 22 starters were INACTIVE today and most of them didn't practice or were limited all of this past week. Say what you will, but historically teams that have rested starters often come out flat and looking rusty.

I know you don't like hearing this, but sometimes being realistic and calling it like you see it means you can't predict all the best things in the world for your team. Go back and read my posts, I'm not the kind of guy who simply hates on his team non stop.

I'm both appreciative that we're making the playoffs and not optimistic about our chances of doing anything while there. Is that so incomprehensible to you?

**Paintballguy** · 12-30-2012, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

6 of 22 starters were INACTIVE today and most of them didn't practice or were limited all of this past week. Say what you will, but historically teams that have rested starters often come out flat and looking rusty.

I know you don't like hearing this, but sometimes being realistic and calling it like you see it means you can't predict all the best things in the world for your team. Go back and read my posts, I'm not the kind of guy who simply hates on his team non stop.

I'm both appreciative that we're making the playoffs and not optimistic about our chances of doing anything while there. Is that so incomprehensible to you?

How do you explain Harbaugh's very good record after bye weeks? How come the Ravens aren't rusty after bye weeks?

**leachisabeast** · 12-30-2012, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

6 of 22 starters were INACTIVE today and most of them didn't practice or were limited all of this past week. Say what you will, but historically teams that have rested starters often come out flat and looking rusty.

I know you don't like hearing this, but sometimes being realistic and calling it like you see it means you can't predict all the best things in the world for your team. Go back and read my posts, I'm not the kind of guy who simply hates on his team non stop.

I'm both appreciative that we're making the playoffs and not optimistic about our chances of doing anything while there. Is that so incomprehensible to you?

I just can't see Indi coming into M and T and winning at all, I wouldn't put any stock into this game.

**DarienA** · 12-30-2012, 03:34 PM

This board is not happy unless it has something to worry about... I just don't see the huge concern the rest was truly needed for the folks who played little to no time today...

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**Corey** · 12-30-2012, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenswintitle

How about getting a rested Yanda, Ngata, Ray Lewis, Suggs, etc... Does that inspire confidence?

You say rested, I say rusty.

**NC Raven** · 12-30-2012, 03:38 PM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

How do you explain Harbaugh's very good record after bye weeks? How come the Ravens aren't rusty after bye weeks?

Exactly. By his logic, the 1 and 2 seeds are at a disadvantage by getting first round playoff byes. They would get "rusty"

**ActualSpamBot** · 12-30-2012, 03:40 PM

Harbs is undefeated after a bye. Amazing considering all the rust.

**CptJesus** · 12-30-2012, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by ActualSpamBot

Harbs is undefeated after a bye. Amazing considering all the rust.

We were also undefeated at home for 15 games. We hadn't lost 2 games in a row in the Harbaugh Era. So much for those streaks. I actually agree with your points, but I'm getting tired of hearing these pointless statistics. These streaks can end at any time.

**bmorecareful** · 12-30-2012, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by NC Raven

Exactly. By his logic, the 1 and 2 seeds are at a disadvantage by getting first round playoff byes. They would get "rusty"

Credible arguments have been made in the past that the bye IS actually a disadvantage. Case in point the Chargers in 2009--they came out and looked absolutely lost after having a week off. The Jets knocked them off in their house en route to the AFCCG.

The difference between rest and rustiness is complicated and dictated by the character of your team. The Ravens do have a good record after bye weeks, and that's encouraging. Hey, I would love to be wrong on this one and maybe I am. It just seems that given the streaky nature of this team THIS YEAR, it might have been better to go in on a big win like the Giants did last year and the Packers the year before that. Both teams were similarly streaky/"Jekyll and Hyde"

**leachisabeast** · 12-30-2012, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

Credible arguments have been made in the past that the bye IS actually a disadvantage. Case in point the Chargers in 2009--they came out and looked absolutely lost after having a week off. The Jets knocked them off in their house en route to the AFCCG.

The difference between rest and rustiness is complicated and dictated by the character of your team. The Ravens do have a good record after bye weeks, and that's encouraging. Hey, I would love to be wrong on this one and maybe I am. It just seems that given the streaky nature of this team THIS YEAR, it might have been better to go in on a big win like the Giants did last year and the Packers the year before that. Both teams were similarly streaky/"Jekyll and Hyde"

That argument doesn't hold much water, simply because the Ravens have never lost a game after a bye week or week 1 under Harbaugh.

Both the Packers and the Giants HAD to win their games to make the play offs.

**StingerNLG** · 12-30-2012, 03:59 PM

It's not the fact they rested players. It's the fact they rested players after losing 3 out of their last 4 games. If the Ravens were on a winning streak and the offense was looking good, I don't think anyone would be complaining about this.

Hell, if the starting offense was out there for a quarter or so and started moving the ball and THEN got yanked I think most people would be happy with that.

But the fact is it feels like we are backing into the playoffs on a losing trend. We now have the same record as the Bengals, and a worse record than the Colts. We're only the 4th seed now because we won the division.

If you feel fine looking at next week, that's ok. But I can't say I do. And no one who holds that opinion should be attacked by other forum posters for it.

**bmorecareful** · 12-30-2012, 04:02 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

That argument doesn't hold much water, simply because the Ravens have never lost a game after a bye week or week 1 under Harbaugh.

Both the Packers and the Giants HAD to win their games to make the play offs.

And those are good things, but this isn't a game after a bye week or a week 1 game. They didn't have a bye week, they had a week of practice for Cincy and now they have a week of practice for Indy. I'm not sure it's really comparable to the situations you're citing no matter how much they tried to treat this past week like a bye week.

We don't really have a great point to compare from. The Ravens under Harbaugh have had to play WC weekend 3 out of 4 years in the past, and they NEVER went into that game off a loss in week 17. In fact, they'd won at least 2 straight games 2 out of 3 years.

The closest situation is 2009, when we came off a fairly underwhelming win at Oakland, but a win on the road is what it is. We had to go on the road again and we spanked New England. Obviously that was on the road and we're at home now, but a 33-14 beat down would be fine with me.

**Ravenswintitle** · 12-30-2012, 04:04 PM

Indy just won an emotional game against Houston while the Ravens have been game planning for Indy all week. I see a Ravens win at home

**Justlovemybirds** · 12-30-2012, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Ravenswintitle

Indy just won an emotional game against Houston while the Ravens have been game planning for Indy all week. I see a Ravens win at home

Yup, just like the first Ravens Steelers game last year they've been gaming for this for a while now.

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**4G63** · 12-30-2012, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

Indianapolis is absolutely red hot right now. They can beat anybody anywhere when they're on, and they're on. The Ravens have no momentum and numerous key starters will be playing rusty and banged up. They have catastrophic timing, rhythm, and confidence issues on offense.

That's not to mention that IF they beat Indianapolis, they have to take the show on the road and beat (in all likelihood) Denver. It isn't impossible, but it sure doesn't seem likely.

So you're gonna go play in traffic during next weeks game, right?

**ActualSpamBot** · 12-30-2012, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by bmorecareful

And those are good things, but this isn't a game after a bye week or a week 1 game. They didn't have a bye week, they had a week of practice for Cincy and now they have a week of practice for Indy.

If you think that anyone but Tyrod spent more than an idle afternoon prepping for Cincinnati this week, I have some swamp land in Florida to sell you.