The Weekend Comes Early - TNF Ravens vs. Falcons

[wwharton]

Senator Palmer, thanks for the great write up. I'll add some specifics...

The Ravens secondary isn't nearly as bad as many believe. They came into the year with a ton of injuries but got healthier quicker than expected, and now Reed's back and Wilson is proving to be a great pick up. Webb is on his way to becoming one of the great corners in the NFL (in a couple of years... still pretty good already). The Ravens problem is with the pass rush. Guys they expected to help (Kindle, Kruger, Cody) can't or haven't. This makes the pass defense pretty inconsistent and hard to predict. Being in a loud dome in prime time would push me to lean towards the Falcons in the passing matchup.

The Ravens run D isn't holding up to it's rep this year. Hillis is proving he can run on anybody but what he did against the Ravens was still a huge reality check. It's not 2000 anymore for this group. It seems like they can dig deep and look as dominant as last year on occassion, but they can't do it consistently. I have a feeling a guy like Turner is going to do work.

The Ravens O line isn't as good as expected either. Gaither seems to be a bigger loss than they expected. The group is getting better and starting to gel, but there were a couple of series just last week that were head scratchers, and the break down seemed to be up the middle (wouldn't expect Birk to be a weak link) so tomorrow may be a good test to see where this group stands.

I know that's a bunch of gloom and doom but I just wanted to add to the already great breakdown included, so no need to touch on the good stuff. I still would consider this game a toss up, personally. Overall, I think the Ravens are a better team, but on the road, on short rest, in a dome definitely evens the playing field... at least.

[TheWatcher]

Quote: Originally Posted by elgreazy1

Wish I could watch this game too. Thank you NFL for selling off all your games and putting so many viewing restrictions so that the average man can't afford to even watch a game from home anymore.

There's always a way. I should be able to help you with that. I'll send you a PM when I have it situated.

[TheMatrix31]

Don't know if I should root for Baltimore to join the AFC pack or to pull away and thin the herd.

[z Revis]

Quote: Originally Posted by TheMatrix31

Don't know if I should root for Baltimore to join the AFC pack or to pull away and thin the herd.

Lose and join the AFC pack. At this point, I still see both wild card spots going to the 2nd place finishers in the AFC East and North. In order for 1 of the 2 WC spots going to a team in the South(say your Texans for example), one of the teams in the East or North has to fall(between the Steelers, Ravens, Jets, and Pats).

[wwharton]

Quote: Originally Posted by z Revis

Lose and join the AFC pack. At this point, I still see both wild card spots going to the 2nd place finishers in the AFC East and North. In order for 1 of the 2 WC spots going to a team in the South(say your Texans for example), one of the teams in the East or North has to fall(between the Steelers, Ravens, Jets, and Pats).

Coming with logic doesn't make you less of a *****.

[z Revis]

Quote: Originally Posted by wwharton

Coming with logic doesn't make you less of a *****.

Hehe, Go Falcons!

[z Revis]

NFL-N has the worst broadcasting crew of any network. Seriously, they're terrible.

[Kobalt]

It's gonna be a great game. Real physical