Finish

**HKusp** · 01-20-2013, 09:04 AM

I think all the pressure is on the Patriots. Once again they are already annoited the winners before playing the game. It is expected by most, and they have to live up to so many other peoples expectations. Every year they don't win the Superbowl with the Amazing Brady and Belicheck duo, is a failure to the umpteenth degree.

The Ravens have some pressure to get there, but not many have expected them to get To where they are. Hell, we had supposed fans of the Ravens so convinced that they would lose last week against Manning, that they didn't even watch the game! In most peoples minds, the Ravens are playing with house money since beating "the best team in the NFL". Now people are saying "Now THIS time, really, the Patriots ARE the best team. And besides, you got lucky last week." This could be what lets them come out loose and the Pats tight. Here's hoping.

**HoustonRaven** · 01-20-2013, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by HKusp

I bet Jim Kelly and Marv Levy would probably have a thing ortwo to say about the "myth" of the hump. Maybe Fran Tarkenton would too.

I think the Bills kind of prove ASB's point, no?

Wide right ....

**HKusp** · 01-20-2013, 09:13 AM

No. His point being there is no hump, that it's a bunch of made up bullshit. Having been a fairly competitive athlete, I think his assessment is what's bullshit. I think it's a bunch of pseudo-intellectual crap. There are humps in sport that some people can get over and some can not.

**ActualSpamBot** · 01-20-2013, 09:16 AM

So since Joe threw a game winning TD last year, I guess he cleared the hump only to have Lee Evans shove him back down?

**Maelstrom** · 01-20-2013, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by ActualSpamBot

"The hump" is the biggest myth in sports.

"The Hump" is psychological, and real. Our thoughts are real. Not everyone or every organization faces a huge hump, but some do, and everyone faces a hump of one kind or another at some point in their lives.

It is like my 15 year old daughter who was learning to drive and afraid to drive the car out on the street instead of in a parking lot. She did not get over "the hump" until we made her do it, and then, once she did it, there was not an issue any more.

**Terpsfan82** · 01-20-2013, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by ActualSpamBot

So since Joe threw a game winning TD last year, I guess he cleared the hump only to have Lee Evans shove him back down?

Ummmmm. We lost that game. You can't throw a game-winning pass in a game your team loses. Just saying.

**Ravenswintitle** · 01-20-2013, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Justlovemybirds

All I can say is that I'm probably the least nervous I've been before a game (playoffs or regular season) since I've been a fan.

+1

**ActualSpamBot** · 01-20-2013, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Terpsfan82

Ummmmm. We lost that game. You can't throw a game-winning pass in a game your team loses. Just saying.

Except he did. From Joe's perspective, he did everything possible to get over the hump.

He can't make Lee Evans catch it. If one is going to claim that there is some sort of psychological hump that an athlete must clear, Joe's performance was clearly good enough to clear it. Only Lee Evans and Cundiff's weren't.

If the hump is real, Joe cleared it with that throw. If it's bullshit, then there was never a hump to clear. Either way, he can lead us to the SuperBowl and this nonsense about getting over something is just that- nonsense.

**akashicrecorder** · 01-20-2013, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

My wife commented tonight that I'm much more calm this weekend than most.

She's right. I'm very confident about tomorrow.

There's something special about this organization right now. And I'm not necessarily talking about winning the Super Bowl.

The Broncos win was a special thing. Just like what the Immaculate Reception did for the Steelers so too did this won for the Ravens.

We're poised for something very special right now. Now it's up to the players to make of happen.

This is me right now, too. I can't explain it, but although I am eagerly waiting for the game to start, I don't have my usual nervousness. I don't have any fear. I am weirdly confident, more so than I've ever been going into a playoff game.

It's like, after seeing what the Ravens did in Denver, you know they can do anything. Literally. It's just a question of will they? And that is something I can't control, so I guess that's why I'm calm.

**Hammerhead** · 01-20-2013, 10:35 AM

Great perspective.

Do you guys remember that 2000 run? Every game had a magic play in it (most with Shannon Sharpe involved)

WC game -- Shannon returns a tipped ball 60 some yards for a freak touchdown
Divisional -- Blocked FG returned for a TD by Anthony Mitchell
AFCCG -- 96 yard TD to Shannon Sharpe

We got some magic last weekend. Can we keep it going?

**CincyCat** · 01-20-2013, 01:26 PM

The interviews of Ravens players on Fox right now shows the confident feel of this team. I feel really good about this match up. Brady will have a tough day.

**lowrider** · 01-20-2013, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Maelstrom

"The Hump" is psychological, and real.

Exactly right. "Hump" is just a word that describes the psychological barrier that exist where you are trying to accomplish a goal and just can't quite get there. Until you accomplish said goal, you will lack the confidence to achieve it. It is real and it is a huge part of all competetive sports.

**s.r.genovese** · 01-20-2013, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by lowrider

Exactly right. "Hump" is just a word that describes the psychological barrier that exist where you are trying to accomplish a goal and just can't quite get there. Until you accomplish said goal, you will lack the confidence to achieve it. It is real and it is a huge part of all competetive sports.

But why can't you get there? Is it because of the psychological barrier or is because your team isn't as good as the other team?

A lot of times the 'psychological barrier' isn't preventing you from winning at all. A lot of times (like with the Eagles), every time they got to the 'big game' they faced a better, more well rounded team. The hump didn't prevent them from winning. The other team did.

**ActualSpamBot** · 01-20-2013, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by s.r.genovese

But why can't you get there? Is it because of the psychological barrier or is because your team isn't as good as the other team?

A lot of times the 'barrier' isn't preventing you from winning at all. A lot of times (like with the Eagles), every time they got to the 'big game' they faced a better, more well rounded team. The hump didn't prevent them from winning. The other team did.

THIS.

**Gabrosin** · 01-20-2013, 09:58 PM

Take possession of the ball up two scores with about seven minutes left... and run five of them off the clock against a defense that knows what's coming?

THAT'S HOW YOU FINISH.