what do you attribute the ravens success to?

**Section 502 Raven** · 11-20-2012, 09:09 PM

the ravens have one of the toughest schedules in the league.

The Ravens offense ranks 21st in yards per game (338.7) and the defense is 25th in yards allowed per game (382.3).

yet we are 8-2. it has to be the culture on the team of a hard hitting team first mentality.

besides jones's punt return for a TD the biggest play in the pissburg game was pollard seperating the ball from cotchery with his hard hit at midfield with 24 seconds left. if that perfect pass was caught the steelers had a chance for a tying FG with one more completion.

the ravens just know how to win.

**wickedsolo** · 11-20-2012, 09:16 PM

I agree.

I think that the red zone defense cannot be overlooked. Teams can rack up yards all day long, but points win games...not yards.

Second, the offense has made plays when they had to. It isnt the high flying circus we see in Green Bay, but it works and they have found ways to win.

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**alienrace** · 11-20-2012, 09:52 PM

People put far too much stock in yardage rankings. They really don't mean a lot.

**JustaslowZ06** · 11-20-2012, 10:02 PM

Yardage means jackshit. We are 7th in PPG on offense and 5th in PPG allowed by the D. THOSE are the stats that matter.

**Paintballguy** · 11-20-2012, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by JustaslowZ06

Yardage means jackshit. We are 7th in PPG on offense and 5th in PPG allowed by the D. THOSE are the stats that matter.

Bingo. I believe the redzone D is still ranked first, and the offense redzone efficiency is up there. Points >> yards

**Justlovemybirds** · 11-20-2012, 10:29 PM

Making plays on both sides when it counted (for the most part).

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**goldenelite28** · 11-20-2012, 10:37 PM

Honestly it has to be Flacco.

I think that every player in that locker room believes that Joe can bring us back in any game.
He may never lead the NFL in any QB statistic, but there is no doubt that he can win the big games for us.
Aside from two games he has delivered whenever we have needed him this year.

**Paintballguy** · 11-20-2012, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by goldenelite28

Honestly it has to be Flacco.

I think that every player in that locker room believes that Joe can bring us back in any game.
He may never lead the NFL in any QB statistic, but there is no doubt that he can win the big games for us.
Aside from two games he has delivered whenever we have needed him this year.

It is flacco. Some people don't want to admit it but he's been the constant here since 08. We've historically had a good defense but we haven't won consistently until flacco.

He delivered in the eagles game but the replacement refs took away a td.

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**goldenelite28** · 11-20-2012, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by Paintballguy

It is flacco. Some people don't want to admit it but he's been the constant here since 08. We've historically had a good defense but we haven't won consistently until flacco.

He delivered in the eagles game but the replacement refs took away a td.

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Yea the Jones TD should have counted, but Joe had a chance at the end and he failed. Not a big deal since nobody is perfect in comebacks.

Whats crazy is that the Ravens have a very real chance of finishing with the best record or even tied for it. If that happens you won't find one person picking or even suggesting Flacco for MVP.
Everyone has ragged on our defense, for good reason, all year and yet we keep winning. Flacco is the reason.

**Dade** · 11-20-2012, 11:16 PM

Stats only tell a part of the story.

The 2012 Baltimore Ravens seem to be a team that just cares about wins. No matter how they get there, no matter how many yards they give up or gain, all they want is a win. This is truly a team. Each man playing for the other.

**2gigch1** · 11-20-2012, 11:32 PM

As I have contended in another thread I believe we are seeing the effects of a truly well rounded effort - not super in any one area but excellent in most. And that includes things like front office, cap control, depth of players, drafting, ownership - as well as all the things that happen during the 60 minutes of play.

The totality of the effort is what makes a winner. When one part of the team fails a bit, other parts rise to help out.

**FlawlessVictory** · 11-20-2012, 11:44 PM

Offensively

We basically are creating the same amount of offense, with a bit more pass, and a bit less run - but more efficient in the red zone.

Red Zone Eff..
2011 51.02%
2012 61.29%

Turnovers..
2011 1.5/gm
2012 0.9/gm

Through 10 games in 2011, we had 18 TOs... 10 games in 2012... 9 TOs

Defensively

Opponents Red Zone Eff..
2011 38.10%
2012 35.14%

Through 10 games in 2011 29 red zone attempts, through 10 games in 2012... 37 - more attempts, less efficiency for opponents

Turnovers..
2011 1.63/gm
2012 2.10/gm

We had 26 INT/FR on D all last (regular) season, and if you recall (I bet you do), 7 of those were in the first game. We have 21 this year through 10 games.

What they have lacked in other areas, they made up for, albeit some close calls.

STs
Return threat speaks for itself...

On the negative side:

Sacks
2011 3.0/gm
2012 1.67/gm

I think we see more pressure as Suggs and Ngata get healthier - which we will need with the list of QBs we are about to face..

**runrayrun27** · 11-21-2012, 12:02 AM

TBH, they are similar to the Chiefs in they have an amazing roster of talent, but unbearable coaching (both offensively and defensively). However, they have enough talent to pull out wins. This team, despite being 8-2 (sounds ridiculous), is playing far under their potential

**leachisabeast** · 11-21-2012, 01:55 AM

Originally Posted by runrayrun27

TBH, they are similar to the Chiefs in they have an amazing roster of talent, but unbearable coaching (both offensively and defensively). However, they have enough talent to pull out wins. This team, despite being 8-2 (sounds ridiculous), is playing far under their potential

That may be true, or it may be very far from the truth, it really is hard for any fan to know that, especially with an 8-2 team. We can sit here and complain about the offensive play calling for good reason at times, and we can sit here and complain about the defensive calls, but at the end of the day, we've been winning for 5 years straight now, with pretty much the same system through out. If the coaching was so bad, we would have ended up being like what the Jets are like now.

We have talent everywhere but our defense gives up a chunk of yards simply because we have so many injured players not playing, or playing hurt on our D. We have a former 7th round pick as our number 1 corner, a special teams ace playing the other side, and a bunch of undrafted players in out front 7. If anything, our coaching staff deserves a little credit for what they've done with such an inexperienced playerbase on defense.

Offensive wise we have one of the most talented groups in the NFL, no questions, and to me it has to be a coaching issue that we can't go on the road and play lights out like we do at home. There is a big difference between home and away, I am aware of that, but it can't make that much of a difference to arguably the best offense in football while playing at home and turning into one of the most average and predicable, stale, and 1960 style offenses on the road.

**leachisabeast** · 11-21-2012, 02:07 AM

And to answer the OPs good question.

I think yes, Joe Flacco is having his best season to date, and is a big reason why we are 8-2, especially at home. On the road he needs to be more consistent, no questions about that, but at least he's played for the most part mistake free football.

I think a big reason why we are 8-2 is because of our turnover ratio yet again we are up there with the best. We are +12 in turnover ratio, tied for second in the league with the Bears. Turnover ratio doesn't always determine the best teams, but more times than not, teams win when they are in the +'s.

Defense turns the ball over a ton, they are first in the league for turnovers on 3rd down, that's a HUGE stat IMO. We are the number 1 redzone defense for like the 3rd time in 4 years, very important statistic, arguably just as important as yards. Then you have the most important one, points scored and given up, we are top 10 in both of those areas.

This team is not that different from teams in the past, the only difference really is yards given up, and a hugely upgraded offense in progress. Our defense gives up chunks of yards, and that's either on the players, or the change in schemes, or most probably a bit of both. Either way, as crazy as this may sound, or no matter what people say about the D when we give up a first down, we are still a good defense if you look past the yards.

The most important thing that we need to improve if we want to get to the SB, is 3rd down conversions on both sides of the ball, we seem to be terrible at both.

**wickedsolo** · 11-21-2012, 05:47 AM

Originally Posted by FlawlessVictory

Offensively

Offense:
Turnovers..
2011 1.5/gm
2012 0.9/gm

Through 10 games in 2011, we had 18 TOs... 10 games in 2012... 9 TOs

Defensively
Turnovers..
2011 1.63/gm
2012 2.10/gm

We had 26 INT/FR on D all last (regular) season, and if you recall (I bet you do), 7 of those were in the first game. We have 21 this year through 10 games.

These stats are great numbers to consider.

Winning the turnover battle can win those close games almost every time.

**Captain Offense** · 11-21-2012, 05:59 AM

" Jack of all trades, Ace of none."

I think that this team has a lot of good parts but there are some young/average veteran parts in some places too. There are also injuries that could sink a team, while trying to adjust the schemes with lesser players. I have to disagree about the coaching in general being the problem, although there are some irritants. I think that the coaching has kept the team close enough to let the Wins fall into place. The Eagles game was a Coaching Loss to me, but the Texans were simply a better team. As to some of the Wins, the Chiefs fumbling into the endzone and just playing sloppy football; the Cowboys missing a game-winning FG; the Browns game at home came down to a Hail Mary in the endzone; Browns II is helped by a stupid 4th down call by their coach; we get the Steelers without Ben. The Bengals, Patriots and Raiders games were ones that looked like the team belongs in the Playoffs.

So what do you take from all of that about this team? It is there in almost every game, but cannot be consistent in how it wins. It is a "box of chocolates." It makes it tough to go into a game and not to know what to expect, but it is possible for any of the parts to produce a win. That is truly a "Team", and that goes to the coaching.

**ed from Bel Air** · 11-21-2012, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by wickedsolo

These stats are great numbers to consider.

Winning the turnover battle can win those close games almost every time.

We are playing very efficient football. The turnover stats and red zone percentages highlight this. Flacco seems more in control, in spite of a constantly revolving O-line. Last year we were stopped on goal line short yardage many times. This year we seem to be breaking through on those attempts. To be 8-2 with our injuries is a credit to our coaching.

But I think the biggest reason we have been successful is there are no super teams in the NFL this year. Every team is flawed, and the difference between the top teams and those near the bottom of the standings has never been closer. Little things make the difference in the NFL this year, and the points raised by the posters above are all little things, but when you add them up, they make a difference.

Don't agree? I think the proof of this is the Cleveland Browns. They have played much better in the games I have seen them play this year, but have little to show for it. They do not know how to win, because they can't seem to do the little things to put them over the top.

Big Cleveland fan this week. Let's hope they find a way. They have never had a better chance then this week.

**Ravenalytics** · 11-21-2012, 06:51 AM

I think Flacco's a huge part of it. For example, even though he didn't play great in Pitt, he didn't cost us the game by throwing a pick.

Credit also to Oz and Harbs and the rest of the coaches for keeping us competitive with so many young guys on the team.

**saintmatthew** · 11-21-2012, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by Captain Offense

The Eagles game was a Coaching Loss to me, but the Texans were simply a better team.

What about the coaching did you feel led to that loss? I thought the use of timeout's before the end of the first half to get the ball back and take the long field goal was pretty shrewd considering most teams would let it run to get them off the field. I didn't see it coming and thought it was pretty aggressive since we were already up on them and were getting the ball coming back from halftime. If we'd gotten in to field goal range at the end, those three points at the end of Q2 would have been huge.