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The Next 2 Weeks


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#1 BSLJamieSieck

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 10:11 AM

Back to back home games.....first up, Josh Allen and the Bills. Then, the first division game of the season, Joe Burrow and the Bengals coming off of a mini bye. 

 

I don't think it's overstating things to say these next 2 games are absolutely critical for the rest of the Ravens season and where they aspire to go. 

 

The knee jerk reaction is to focus on the defensive lapses and lament about how we can possibly beat either or both of these teams. Taking a step back, looking at the broader perspective, I think it's worth noting that both the Bills and Bengals have to figure out how to stop this high scoring Ravens offense.

 

We need to get a handle on the latest injuries, perhaps we'll see JPP debut this week and hopefully see Tyus Bowser return next week.

 

I know we like to take things one game at a time but how is everything feeling about this important 2 game homestand?


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#2 Mackus

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 10:15 AM

I think its critical to perceptions of where the team is headed, but not necessarily actually critical to achieving whatever goals the team has.  I don't think they're doomed if they get beaten handily in both games.  It'll certainly put them behind schedule and more than the actual record will significantly reduce optimism about their chances of playing well for the remainder of the year.  But it will still be early, whether they go 2-0 or 0-2, lots can change.

 

Home game in-divison and in-conference are a bit more important than other games, so its not just like any other game.  But I can't quite agree with terming them as being "critical".  Big games, will be a good test of where they are now and give us a better idea of where they might be headed.  Do they fix any of the problems we've seen?  Do they get worse?  Do new problems pop up?  Let's find out!



#3 Mackus

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 10:16 AM

The Bills are really good, but I think the Bengals might not be.  At least not right now.  They certainly aren't playing any better than the Ravens are currently.



#4 BSLLukeRollfinke

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 10:31 AM

I find it hard to imagine this Bills team losing two in a row. That being said, their offense was ineffective last week against a Dolphins team that the Ravens put up 38 points against. Definitely winnable. 

 

As for the Bengals, they are a bit of an anomaly to me. I keep waiting for them to put it together like they did last year and it just isn't happening. Excited to see if the Ravens can avenge their two losses to Cincinnati last year. 


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#5 Mackus

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 10:39 AM

The Bills are likely going to be able to move the ball so it may come down to red zone performance.   The Bills were 2 TD and 1 FG in 4 trips yesterday.  They went for it on 4th down twice, once successfully and once unsuccessfully.

 

Special Teams could also be big.  We know the Bills cut their punter, they signed a real guy but that could be a concern.  And they must be having kicking issues as well.  They didn't even try a 51 yard FG as the half ended and Bass missed a 38 yarder.  Stroud shanked one in a key moment yesterday and Tucker missed an XP, but generally the Ravens ST have been excellent this year.



#6 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 10:50 AM

The Bills are banged up defensively. 
The Bengals have a below average offensive line.  Cincinnati will get the mini-bye and extra time to prepare for the Ravens though.

 

If you split the games, obviously you want the win vs. Cincinnati. 



#7 TwentyThirtyFive

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 10:51 AM

Im with slide. Forfeit the game vs the Bills. Give yourself an extra bye week trumping the mini bye of Cincy. Then try to get lucky and eek out a win against them

#8 bmore_ken

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 11:37 AM

I don't think either of those games are critical. You obviously want to put up a good show against the Bills since you may
see them in the playoffs. The Bengals look like a different team than last year. It's not the end of the world they lose either one of those two games or both imo.

#9 You Play to Win the Game

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 12:26 PM

I think Cinci is critical. It will say something about the kind of character this team has. They got owned by the Bengals last year, and they need to jump on them while they’re down.
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#10 Slidemaster

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 12:37 PM

2-3 seems inevitable. Beating Burrow will depend on if they can get pressure, which they have not thus far. Burrow seems to also relish destroying the Ravens.

I'd put the chances of 2-4 at greater than 50%.

#11 TwentyThirtyFive

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 12:38 PM

2-3 seems inevitable. Beating Burrow will depend on if they can get pressure, which they have not thus far. Burrow seems to also relish destroying the Ravens.

I'd put the chances at 2-4 at greater than 50%.

Sunday bans. Im just saying


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#12 Slidemaster

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 12:40 PM

Sunday bans. Im just saying


I'm sorry you can't handle me. Feel free to put me on ignore.

#13 Ravens2006

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 12:56 PM

Wait, is ignore a thing? Somebody school me!

#14 ivanbalt

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 01:13 PM

The horrendous pass defense will certainly be put to the test.  Can't expect another four turnovers.



#15 Steve55

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 02:13 PM

Bills had over 400 yrds of offense. Had the ball over 40 min. They beat themselves yesterday. Might have to out score them to win.



#16 You Play to Win the Game

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 02:24 PM


Bills had over 400 yrds of offense. Had the ball over 40 min. They beat themselves yesterday. Might have to out score them to win.

You have to out score anyone to win. But yeah, offense will likely have to put up a lot of points.
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#17 Mackus

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 02:31 PM

Hard to see less than 35 getting it done but also hard to have seen Miami holding them to 19.  

 

I'm becoming less and less interested in predictions and expectations.  They shape every opinion, but there are also just so many unknowns and different permutations of how things could unfold.


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#18 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 02:55 PM

Wait, is ignore a thing? Somebody school me!

 

Click on your name in the upper right hand corner. 

Then go to Manage Ignore Preferences. 



#19 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 02:57 PM

Not sure yet who Buffalo gets back, but my understanding is they're without 4-6 defensive starters. 
Ravens should get their points. 

Buffalo has trouble running the ball besides Allen. 
He had 60+ passing attempts yesterday. He's going to get his yards. Make the march the field, and tighten up in the RZ.
If you can't get pressure, then you are going to drop back and hopefully you force him into a turnover or two. 
Should be someone spying him too, and trying to limit his running. 



#20 Pedro Cerrano

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Posted 26 September 2022 - 03:35 PM

Always calmer when you go into a game expecting to lose.  Can only be surprised.

 

I have no faith in us winning Sunday simply because the defense cannot be trusted to stop Buffalo.  I mean what's the over under for Bills total punts Sunday?  2?


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