499 replies to this topic

[PrimeTime]

But they had pressure on Stroud practically all game and that took away those deep shots. They also smothered whatever running game Houston tried to establish.

From reading some of the post game stuff from the players, it sounded like they weren't terribly concerned about getting sacks but keeping Stroud on the run. Then, just smothering pass catchers and not allowing big plays. Cleveland got burned by Stroud by bringing pressure, then miscommunications in the secondary resulted in wide open. receivers.

[PrimeTime]

Damn, on that TD to Likely Lamar said he threw it to his back shoulder on purpose because he thought Stingley was trying to undercut him and he needed it behind him to prevent him from doing that. I rewatched the video and he was spot on, Stingley got outside leverage on Likely running toward the sideline, so behind him was the safest spot. Lamar sees the game at such a high level. Stingley played that pretty well.

Lamar has always been very adept at throwing away from coverage. I think some people mistake it for inaccuracy because it may look like his throw was behind a receiver. In reality, he was putting the football where only his guy could get it.

[TwentyThirtyFive]

Ricker has said a few times of late that this is the year where it feels like we have to pounce. We are really good. KC and Buf appear to be down a little bit. Burrow and Cin ended up out of the mix. Hou and Stroud arent quite there yet but it appears they may be a force in the coming years. I think thats where a lot of my angst has come from. Its all there for the taking. Call it rust. Call it being tight. Playing poorly. Coaching poorly. Through 1 half it felt like we were gonna blow it. 2nd half they went out and proved they are them. Anything can happen next week but the jitters are out for me. Lets go play and see what happens. No being scared. If we play our best or even bring the A- game we will win.

[85Knight]

Great halftime adjustment by Monken to take Lamar's spy out of the game. I noticed a lot more Ricard in the 2nd half and it completely changed what Lamar was able to do.

If the defense plays like that it won't matter if we're playing against Mahomes or Allen. That was total domination against a good young qb.

[Mike in STL]

Looked like a lot more designed runs for LJ, and we saw them go for big gains. In the season they lead so much, they probably kept a lid on some of that. Didn’t seem like many outside of some read options. Looked like the unleashed him now that the playoffs are here.

[SonicAttack]

Dominating performance on both sides of the ball.  If the Ravens play like that for the next 2 games = SB champs X3.

[Mike B]

Great day at the Stadium yesterday.  It was cold and the first half was nerve wracking, when the Ravens blitzed down the field to start the second half it seemed clear that they were going to a level the Texans could not match.  The defense was magnificent the entire game, and Lamar is the best player in the NFL.  The Ravens are the best team in football and I think they are going to prove it.    

[Mike B]

One more note.  For those who have been saying the Raven's fans don't care as much or they do not create a home field advantage, if you were there yesterday, you would not say that again.  The place was rocking.  I can not wait until next Sunday.

[Biggsy]

Looked like a lot more designed runs for LJ, and we saw them go for big gains. In the season they lead so much, they probably kept a lid on some of that. Didn’t seem like many outside of some read options. Looked like the unleashed him now that the playoffs are here.

May have also been a response to what Houston was doing defensively. On a couple of the options Lamar pulled, the edge guy bit really hard on the handoff to the RB. Lamar pulled it and had 10+ yards of open space on those.

Houston called a great game defensively in the first half. The non-stop 5 or 6 man blitz caught Monken and the offense by surprise. At one point they showed Ryans defense had blitzed on 73% of the plays. At halftime, Monken did what he's done all season. He made the right adjustments, he changed his playcalls to have an extra blocker, and shorter developing routes.

Credit goes to the coaches as much as the players. The coaches threw a perfect game in the second half. And the players executed perfectly. So far this season, no team has been able to fool Macdonald or Monken for a full game. Huge change from Wink and especially Roman.

I think they should prepare for a lot of the same from either Buffalo or KC. Whoever it is, is going to see the success Houston had in the first half with the non-stop blitz.


Credit to Macdonald and the defense as well. They were run all over in some games at the end. Yesterday, they only gave up one run. And even that run Singletary didn't have a hole, he just made a couple guys miss. If the defense can completely blank Pacheco/Cook like that, and make the opponent one dimensional again, I like our chances.

[NewMarketSean]

One more note.  For those who have been saying the Raven's fans don't care as much or they do not create a home field advantage, if you were there yesterday, you would not say that again.  The place was rocking.  I can not wait until next Sunday.

I think this is the fourth or fifth time I wake up the next day after a game with no voice. The place was rocking and we generated at least four false starts. 
 

I was never cold. I may have even overdressed somewhat. Next weekend looks to be much warmer. Seeing temps near 50 and sunny. That’s hoodie weather. 

[You Play to Win the Game]

One more note. For those who have been saying the Raven's fans don't care as much or they do not create a home field advantage, if you were there yesterday, you would not say that again. The place was rocking. I can not wait until next Sunday.

It was. Well done. Sunday is going to be insane.

[bmore_ken]

Not as much time as I use to for posts now that I'm a newlywed, but Lamar and the D did the dam thing. That's the post. 

[You Play to Win the Game]

Not as much time as I use to for posts now that I'm a newlywed, but Lamar and the D did the dam thing. That's the post.

Nice, congrats Ken.

[bmore_ken]

Nice, congrats Ken.

Thanks brother. we've been together for 22 years happily unmarried, then the U.S healthcare system stepped in 

[PrimeTime]

Houston really broke tendency on defense. I mentioned on the podcast this week that Houston blitzed at a 21.9% rate for the regular season. For them to blitz at that insane rate yesterday was not something I saw coming.

[bmore_ken]

Houston really broke tendency on defense. I mentioned on the podcast this week that Houston blitzed at a 21.9% rate for the regular season. For them to blitz at that insane rate yesterday was not something I saw coming.

Sometimes you have to do something unexpectedly. Just didn't work out for them. 

[mdrunning]

From reading some of the post game stuff from the players, it sounded like they weren't terribly concerned about getting sacks but keeping Stroud on the run. Then, just smothering pass catchers and not allowing big plays. Cleveland got burned by Stroud by bringing pressure, then miscommunications in the secondary resulted in wide open. receivers.

The Ravens also forced Stroud into an intentional grounding, which is just as good as a sack. He's a hard guy to get to anyway, largely due to that quick release. Reminds me a bit of Dan Marino in that he releases the ball from just behind his ear.

[mdrunning]

Not as much time as I use to for posts now that I'm a newlywed, but Lamar and the D did the dam thing. That's the post. 

Hey, congratulations!

[mdrunning]

First AFC championship game in Baltimore since January 3, 1971.

 

In fact, the two teams that acted as hosts for the first-ever AFC and NFC championships will be doing it again this year.

[Pedro Cerrano]

I think this is the fourth or fifth time I wake up the next day after a game with no voice. The place was rocking and we generated at least four false starts.

I was never cold. I may have even overdressed somewhat. Next weekend looks to be much warmer. Seeing temps near 50 and sunny. That’s hoodie weather.

You must have been bombed if you were never cold lol. My feet were FREEZING. I have these dumb boots that are supposed to be warm and waterproof. Did neither. And they’re uncomfortable — my feet are killing me today.