AFC Divisional Round: Ravens@Broncos

[HI-FI]

I don't get how people can see Baltimore really outplay (not on special teams, obviously) a team against whom they supposedly had "no chance," who slaughtered them in the regular season, and then say Baltimore has no chance to beat a team whom they did beat in the regular season and whom they whom they would've beaten last playoffs if not for a dropped pass.

I could totally see the Ravens losing next week, but I wouldn't be surprised in the least to see Brady have less success against that defense than Manning did.

It's all on Flacco.

I absolutely hope Ravens beat the Patriots and Brady has a tier game. if anything, they should be more pumped up about that game considering last year. I think there is a lot more bad blood between the two. whats funny is if Brady has a worse performance than Manning, yet Patriots win, it sort of proves my point about the narrative between the two. Hopefully Ravens win though.

[Chinook]

If the Ravens win it all this year, the big story's going to be the graceful descent of Ray Lewis and the rise of Joe Flacco. Joe took a huge step toward being an elite quarterback today, and if he can get the Ravens to the big dance, he'll finally silence the critics (and earn is $100 Million contract).

If both Flacco and the Defense play like they did today, I can't see the Patriots winning. I think the defense is here to stay. We'll see if 5 can outduel Brady again.

[Chinook]

I absolutely hope Ravens beat the Patriots and Brady has a tier game. if anything, they should be more pumped up about that game considering last year. I think there is a lot more bad blood between the two. whats funny is if Brady has a worse performance than Manning, yet Patriots win, it sort of proves my point about the narrative between the two. Hopefully Ravens win though.

And I don't mean that I think Brady will throw more interceptions. I mean that he will probably throw fewer touchdowns, put up fewer scoring drives in general and get sacked more.

[LnGrrrR]

9-11

Never forget

[Pelicans78]

Never forget

[LakerHater]

[irishock]

lol Novak

[Chinook]

Worth bumping. Amazing how people can be so wrong in their predictions and then make the same prediction again.

Besides that, this thread was a great read. With as many twists and turns that this game had, it's fun to see it captured in posts.

[HarlemHeat37]

The only thing that worries me is that the Broncos may be due for a let down, tbh..

On paper, the Broncos shouldn't have problems..Baltimore's defense is inconsistent and shaky, Manning has never had problems figuring them out, even at their peak..defensively, Flacco will be pressured all game, unlike vs. Indy..

I'd be surprised if he doesn't cover Boldin, especially after today's game..

Champ doesn't usually cover speed guys like Smith for more than a handful of plays..

I called it decently, tbh..

Champ struggles against speedy guys at this point of his career, Denver was due for a let-down with all the hype, etc..

On paper, the Broncos should have killed them on paper..


And this thread should be a reminder to John Fox's vanilla ice cream, tbh..

[Chinook]

I called it decently, tbh..

Champ struggles against speedy guys at this point of his career, Denver was due for a let-down with all the hype, etc..

On paper, the Broncos should have killed them on paper..


And this thread should be a reminder to John Fox's vanilla ice cream, tbh..

Sure, but now that we have more evidence, the "on paper" evaluation of the players should be different. If Ryan Clady couldn't contain a one-armed Suggs with a bad leg, what is he going to do with a healthy Suggs? Denver is missing their center and perhaps one of their guards. And they're supposed to stop a healthy Ngata and Canty? How much better is an ailing Welker than Stokely last year? Without Champ, the Broncos should have a harder time containing Smith. The special teams probably have a better game plan for Holliday. Dumervil is an upgrade to Kruger, and Smith and Brown should be much better in coverage. Webb is back.

I understood why people thought Denver was better last season. But for the life of me, I don't understand why they believe so this season. I can see Denver winning (pretty easily even), but home-field advantage seems like a bigger factor than anything to me. On an even field, I don't see how people can pick the Broncos.

[Michael Jordan.]

Sure, but now that we have more evidence, the "on paper" evaluation of the players should be different. If Ryan Clady couldn't contain a one-armed Suggs with a bad leg, what is he going to do with a healthy Suggs? Denver is missing their center and perhaps one of their guards. And they're supposed to stop a healthy Ngata and Canty? How much better is an ailing Welker than Stokely last year? Without Champ, the Broncos should have a harder time containing Smith. The special teams probably have a better game plan for Holliday. Dumervil is an upgrade to Kruger, and Smith and Brown should be much better in coverage. Webb is back.

I understood why people thought Denver was better last season. But for the life of me, I don't understand why they believe so this season. I can see Denver winning (pretty easily even), but home-field advantage seems like a bigger factor than anything to me. On an even field, I don't see how people can pick the Broncos.

Manning's arm looks a bit weaker to me too.

[HarlemHeat37]

Sure, but now that we have more evidence, the "on paper" evaluation of the players should be different. If Ryan Clady couldn't contain a one-armed Suggs with a bad leg, what is he going to do with a healthy Suggs? Denver is missing their center and perhaps one of their guards. And they're supposed to stop a healthy Ngata and Canty? How much better is an ailing Welker than Stokely last year? Without Champ, the Broncos should have a harder time containing Smith. The special teams probably have a better game plan for Holliday. Dumervil is an upgrade to Kruger, and Smith and Brown should be much better in coverage. Webb is back.

I understood why people thought Denver was better last season. But for the life of me, I don't understand why they believe so this season. I can see Denver winning (pretty easily even), but home-field advantage seems like a bigger factor than anything to me. On an even field, I don't see how people can pick the Broncos.

I meant in last year's playoffs, as I said..

As I said in the other threads, as a Broncos fan, I'm not optimistic at the moment and I don't know what to expect, tbh..

I don't think Baltimore is going to repeat, but I think they're still the best team in the AFC North, and they have become underrated, while a team like Cinci is severely overrated IMO..the AFC is extremely weak, though, so it's wide open..

[Chinook]

I meant in last year's playoffs, as I said..

As I said in the other threads, as a Broncos fan, I'm not optimistic at the moment and I don't know what to expect, tbh..

I don't think Baltimore is going to repeat or come close, but I think they're still the best team in the AFC North, and they have become underrated, while a team like Cinci is severely overrated IMO..

I know you meant last year. I think your takes were solid given what we knew then. I'm talking about the other thread and the point spread in general that pretend like the Ravens weren't better on offense and defense during the playoffs. It's as if they think that a regular-season game in which the Ravens sat many of their best players is more informative than a playoff game with much higher stakes.

I expect the Ravens to do what they usually do, which is get to the playoffs and win at least one game. But unless Marlon Brown or Aaron Mellette becomes a bona fide starter, they don't have a very high ceiling. They're definitely a team in transition, even if they're not rebuilding.

[Chinook]

Manning's arm looks a bit weaker to me too.

It may be weaker. I expect him to fall off soon. Being old and having such a debilitating injury do not bode well for long-term success. Denver better hope the running game really shows up, because Manning isn't going to beat good teams if they don't have to worry about stopping the Broncos' backs.

That being said, Manning is going to be about as good as he'll be for the rest of his career tonight. If he and Welker have any chemistry, Manning's lack of arm strength may not matter.