Ravens' new message: It's a two-game season
You are going to hear this for the next week -- the Ravens' new mantra.
It's a two-game season.
After Sunday's heartbreaking 13-9 loss to the Steelers, hopes for the AFC North championship evaporated. But by running the table at Dallas Saturday and at home against Jacksonville in the final game and finishing 11-5, the Ravens can lock up a wild-card spot.
With that in mind, the Ravens immediately turned to the future in the locker room after the game. Ray Lewis was intense, as usual. Joe Flacco was unflappable, as usual. Terrell Suggs was articulate and colorful, as usual. But the message was the same.
Lewis: "One of the things I'm going to tell my young guys is, is that we have to keep going. There's two more games left, we can go in 11-5. You deal with what you deal with. The bottom line is your motivation cannot change. You take a loss just like you take a win -- strap it up, short week, let's go to Dallas."
Flacco: "Dallas is a good team. It's the last game in [Texas] Stadium. We're going to go there ready to play. We've got two games left to get some wins and prove that we're a playoff team, and that's exactly what we're going to do."
Suggs: "Two games, the rest of our season. We win out, we're in the playoffs. We don't, it's not looking good. So we better handle business."
Comments
Unfortunately, it won't be easy. Dallas is still making a playoff push plus in addition to Indy with a wild-card, there are the three AFC East teams with the same record as the Ravens. Jacksonville also played strong today. The receivers were the main reason the Ravens lost today; they kept dropping many routine passes or mistimed stuff; Flacco played a little too conservative. I'd say the Ravens' Playoff chances are around 40%.
Posted by: Michael Pannoni | December 14, 2008 10:41 PM
If Cameron repeats his imitation of Brian Billick again next week by having Flacco "manage" the game and "play not to lose", Dallas will beat us, too! What happened to our imaginative, productive offense today? With good field position most of the game and the defense coming through with timely "turnovers", we should have gone for the "jugular", instead of being ultra-conservative with its predictable results!
Posted by: The "Armchair" QB | December 14, 2008 11:11 PM
Bill sadly I do not see the Ravens winning In Dallas on Saturday and they should finish up at 10-6 which this year most likely will not be good enough to get Into the playoffs. 11-5 Is the record that they must get to and that will be a hard task going Into the final game In Texas stadium I thought they would be 4-12 so 10-6 Is like a super bowl year this year they have their QB of the furture and the Ravens are looking up It has been a GREAT season.
Posted by: Donta | December 15, 2008 12:42 AM
OK, 2 game season or not. Have not the Ravens exceeded our fondest expectations? Their accomplishments speak volumes of what they can be in 2009 and 2010. A bench that has stepped up to first string, while good players are on IR. Bench strength in the next couple of years will be awesome. Yes, the referees jobbed Baltimore again. BUT people, this is a lot better than the 4-5 games we were expected to win, isn't it. The Steelers defense is #1, and we're #2. Make the playoffs or not, it has already been a good year, so let's stop with the negativity all ready.
Posted by: Norris | December 15, 2008 6:59 AM
Yea , two games left but only one winnable. If any one thinks they can beat Dallas at home on a special night they're crazy. Without Rice and Washington healthy ... there is no hope, sorry just the facts man , just the facts.
Posted by: spy | December 15, 2008 10:43 AM
Bill-- If the Ravens lose in Dallas and win at home vs the Jaguars, cant they still make the playoffs at 10-6?
Even if we finish 10-6 it is still a great season to build on.
-------------------------------------------
Ben,
Yes they can but they need help.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Ben | December 15, 2008 1:25 PM
hey bill,
what are the chances the ravens would miss the playoffs and what do the ravens need to get to the playoffs? do they hope the dolphins to lose 2 games and patriots to lose 2 games and how likely is that scenario?
--------------------------------------
John,
As we said, if the Ravens win it, they go to the playoffs. If they go 1-1 and especially if that victory is over Jacksonville, they can still go if they get some help. The chances of the Patriots losing two are slim. They play Arizona which has its division won and seems locked in for the No. 4 seed after glancing at the standings and Buffalo. Miami has San Francisco and what could be a game that decides the AFC East against the Jets. The Jets have Seattle and the Miami game. In a 10-win scenario, the Pats are the team to be concerned about as an 11-win second wildcard.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: john calloway | December 15, 2008 7:50 PM
If Ray Rice was healthy, the Ravens would have probably beat the Steelers. It all comes down to Rice and Washington. If they are healthy, the Ravens will win out. If not, it will be tough to win the last two games.
Posted by: George Samryk | December 16, 2008 11:53 AM
"Yea , two games left but only one winnable. If any one thinks they can beat Dallas at home on a special night they're crazy. Without Rice and Washington healthy ... there is no hope, sorry just the facts man , just the facts"
you were saying spy?
Posted by: Jay | December 22, 2008 4:01 PM