And after watching that turd yesterday, i'm convinced we're heading into the bye week at 3-3 and wondering what kind of team we actually have. We are in trouble.

Vikes will crush Baltimore this weekend. With a tough "D" and stout offensive line, Baltimore will have a tough time adjusting.

Oh NO Pete!!!

Your analysis is the kiss of death for this coming Sunday. Favre will now probably pass for 600 yards and ESPN will have enough highlight reel of Viking recievers spiking the ball in the end zone to last for a month.

Please think it over and predict a Viking win so we can get the reverse lock.

The only problem with your analysis is that the Ravens couldn't flush a turd down a toilet. We have no pass rush at all and our blitzes are so predictable that they are easily picked up.

Unless some sweeping, drastic changes are made to this team and the scheme on both sides of the ball (attacking defense, smashmouth offense), we will not make the playoffs. Harbaugh/Cameron need to realize what works and get back to what wins football games for this team. We've lost our identity and we will not win if we don't get it back.

the ravens defense is no longer feared,they cant mount a pass rush,and there run defense is pourous. ray has lost a step, and is making mistakes.flacco is beginning to look like the second year qb that he is,and other than reed ,we have no pass protection.the coaching is getting sloppy and the schedule gets tougher from here.any qb gunslinger like fauve and the mannings will pick us apart.other than mason, we have below average receivers.looks like a long season.

the ravens defense is no longer feared,they cant mount a pass rush,and there run defense is pourous. ray has lost a step, and is making mistakes.flacco is beginning to look like the second year qb that he is,and other than reed ,we have no pass protection.the coaching is getting sloppy and the schedule gets tougher from here.any qb gunslinger like fauve and the mannings will pick us apart.other than mason, we have below average receivers.looks like a long season.

the ravens defense is no longer feared,they cant mount a pass rush,and there run defense is pourous. ray has lost a step, and is making mistakes.flacco is beginning to look like the second year qb that he is,and other than reed ,we have no pass protection.the coaching is getting sloppy and the schedule gets tougher from here.any qb gunslinger like fauve and the mannings will pick us apart.other than mason, we have below average receivers.looks like a long season.

Gotta disagree with you on this one, Pete. The Ravens' D has struggled against the top QBs recently, and I don't see them going into that hostile environment and getting it done.

Besides, I just saw Favre in that jeans commercial. His line was giving him all kinds of time, and he was throwing the ball well, even in the slop. His receivers did look a little suspect, though.

http://sportspoof.com/

I think the answer to all the Ravens' defensive problems should be obvious. Just hire KS as defensive coordinator.

What was all the talk a couple of weeks ago as the Orioles swooned in to another dismal end of the season..."at least we have the Ravens"?

That is not bringing the warm fuzzies it did 3 weeks ago...

Hope you're right, Pete... There are some bruised egos among Ravens fans this week. 4-2 at the bye is imperative to keeping pace with the rest of the league...

Brett Favre still has what it takes to win in the NFL, nobody should deny that.. To think that the only reason the Vikings signed him was to stick it to GB is just plain nuts. Have been some good points made that the lack of a consistent pass rush coupled with the shortcomings of 3/4 of the Ravens secondary means that this defense is incapable of shutting off the big play or the game winning drive.

Was it just me or did others get the feeling that the CBS team of Johnson and Tasker had Ravens' voodoo birds that they were sticking throughout the contest? I felt like taking a 34 oz maple bat and bashing Tasker upside the head with some of his comments viz the game.

Man does Baltimore have an inferiority complex or what? A pair of hard fought close games with QUALITY OPPONENTS that go the wrong way and everybody is ready to jump off the bandwagon??? What is the matter with you people? Do you forget that we lost 3 in a row last season about this same time before regrouping to make that playoff run? The Baltimoron sports fans on here have the biggest Chicken Little complexes ever!! Have a little faith; these are the type of hiccups that help a team gain in character. They are the necessary defeats that will allow the coaches to tweak the schemes and make the most of the talent that exists on this team. We will still make a strong playoff push this year, regardless of the last two weeks. My violet glasses on, my purple Kool-Aid in hand, I am still happily riding this BANDWAGON. Please feel free to join me!

I am shocked at how quickly people jump on and off the Ravens bandwagon. There must be a lot of turned ankles in the Charm City these days. Quite frankly...it's embarssing.

It's Week 5. We're 3-2. Not 1-4. Relax. We played poorly and the team knows it. It's a long season and things can turn on a dime.

Remember last year's game in Dallas? No one thought we could win that game. We did. My point: the season isn't over. It's far from over.

The Vikings are undefeated and haven't played a complete game yet. Watch out when they start running on all 8 cylinders.

This will be a very tough game for the Ravens to win.

I'm with you, Peter. Ravens in a walk over the Vikings.

Both of the Bengals touchdown drives were over until the yellow flags started decorating the field.

Palmer was sacked on 3rd down but a marginal call that was away from the play gave them a new set of downs that ended in Benson's TD run.

Even though I thought it was just old-school football, I'll admit Ray Lewis' hit on HomoStinko was never going to escape being penalized for the simple reason of how violent it appeared in real time... That said, the call on Frank Walker was pathetic. He played perfect defense and the ref chose to turn it into yet another 1st down for the "Cardiac Cats..."

I can't help but wonder how much the refs heard about Mike Zimmer and his wife's passing or how aware they are of the Bengals' early-season Cinderella status. Consciously or not, I feel that those sort of things factor in and play a role in the way calls are made.

I think the refs see things that aren't there with the Ravens based on their reputation... I feel like they should be sitting at 5-0 (even though yesterday's performance was less than stellar). Instead they have to face Favre & Co. wondering what bogus call will appear out of nowhere to screw them on Sunday.

I agree that they should simply play better to take the close calls element out of the equation, but sometimes a just-good-enough-to-win performance is the ticket... For the love of Pete, look at the Browns/Bills game yesterday. It's criminal that either of those teams is awarded a W for that crapfest. Does anyone believe we're only one game better than the Browns in the standings based on what you've seen for all but the final minutes of the last two games?

Both of the Bengals touchdown drives were over until the yellow flags started decorating the field.

Palmer was sacked on 3rd down but a marginal call that was away from the play gave them a new set of downs that ended in Benson's TD run.

Even though I thought it was just old-school football, I'll admit Ray Lewis' hit on HomoStinko was never going to escape being penalized for the simple reason of how violent it appeared in real time... That said, the call on Frank Walker was pathetic. He played perfect defense and the ref chose to turn it into yet another 1st down for the "Cardiac Cats..."

I can't help but wonder how much the refs heard about Mike Zimmer and his wife's passing or how aware they are of the Bengals' early-season Cinderella status. Consciously or not, I feel that those sort of things factor in and play a role in the way calls are made.

I think the refs see things that aren't there with the Ravens based on their reputation... I feel like they should be sitting at 5-0 (even though yesterday's performance was less than stellar). Instead they have to face Favre & Co. wondering what bogus call will appear out of nowhere to screw them on Sunday.

I agree that they should simply play better to take the close calls element out of the equation, but sometimes a just-good-enough-to-win performance is the ticket... For the love of Pete, look at the Browns/Bills game yesterday. It's criminal that either of those teams is awarded a W for that crapfest.

Good luck with that "this is the week" theory for Favre's demise. That could be similar to predicting an Orioles victory.

Vikes did see enough of a lousy performance from former Raven QB Boller yesterday.

Everyone seems to forget that maybe the national media and Las Vegas might have been correct in predicting a 9-7 season. I never could understand the great optimism based on much tougher schedule.

I think we're right where they (and I) thought we'd be after 5 games (3-2) although I think the SD/Cincinnati results are switched.

Just have to hang in there and hope we can go 10-6 and 10-6 enough to be a wild card. Definitely a big game this week toward that goal.

As for yesterday, I found it hard to believe that with 1:00 to go we were actually ahead with good chance to win. Score no indicator of game.

I know it's way too early to project this, but 11-5 should make the playoffs. That means we have to...

1) Split with the Bengals and the Steelers
2) Sweep the Browns.
3) Beat the Lions and Raiders, and come on, if you can't beat them do you really deserve to go to the playoffs?

That's 8 wins, which means we have to go 3-2 against the Vikings, Broncos, Dolts, Packers and Bears.

Very doable.

As for Raven Nation...what is wrong wth people. We're five games into the season and all I hear is that the season is over. Pease. People need to chill. And if I hear anymore whinign about the refs I'm gonna scream.

We were flat. They weren't. Lets go beat the Vikings.

Re: Score no indicator of game.

If you mean it was too close then yeah. Cincy walked up and down the field, only stopping due to their own turnovers. Ravens had one offensive (fluke) play the entire day. Score was way closer than the game was

So Pete have the Ravens talked to you about heading back to the Middle East?

CAN ANYONE HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE DEFINITON OF ILLEGAL CONTACT?? It seems you can mug a receiver all day long but the minute it's a Raven laying a finger on the guy, it's a penalty. I see close plays all sunday long and no flags, until I watch the Ravens.

Trevor Pryce was being horse collard and held on one play by a Bengal OL yet the Ravens got called for something ridiculous on the same play.

Pete i fell into the trap like everybody else when the ravens were 3 and 0 but in reality this team isn't that good.I know it's way to early to start pointing fingers at ozzie newsome but i just thought i would start the process. If you look back at last season's free agent gains and losses we are so far behind it's pathletic. LOST Bart Scott didn't think we would miss him as much as we do but he was one of the best tacklers on the team and provided additional pass rushing skills that we certainly are lacking now. In addition he had enough speed to cover receivers down field> Nobody has even come close in filling the void. LOST Jim Leonard, great little hard nosed ball player that was a sure tackler and always was around the ball, plus he was a great punt and kick off man. Landry isn't even close to being as good. Lost Jason Brown Great young center who emerged as a great run and pass blocker> Birk was good in his time but now gets over powered by good noise tackles. Gained. Foxworth. will turn out to be the biggest free agent bust in raven history 27,000,00 and 16,500,00 in guaranteed money. Ozzie must have been smoking a joint when he signed him. Chris carr 5,000,00 very soft and couldn't cover you Peter, another terrible signing.Outside of picking Oher up as our number one pick, which certainly looks like he will be a great tackle for many years to come, the rest of the draft was a complete joke. We have 2 pass rushers in jaret johnson, and suggs, pryce is washed up and over the hill, haloti and gregg play the run well but generate Zero pass rush, we don't have one corner back that can either tackle or cover one on one in pass defense. Certainly the offense looks better but yesterday Marvin played cover two and took away our two best recievers in washington and mason, and you thought you were watching billick all over again calling the plays. It's funny how you can get carried away thinking that you are better then you are but the grim reality of things with our schedule we will be lucky to finish at 500 and then people will, start asking ozzie what happened in the off season.

Ravens exposed the last two weeks. Don't worry, Flacco (deaf from dome noise) will throw for 300 but Vikes too efficient and wear down Ravens by the end. Peterson under 100 yards but Vikes win at home by 10.

You've obviously never seen Peterson play. He's just waiting to get at our defense, after the trick that Lewis tried to pull on him this past off-season (gaining weight to get better!) With Loadholt back, 24-14 Vikes. We go to the bye at 3-3.

You've obviously never seen Peterson play. He's just waiting to get at our defense, after the trick that Lewis tried to pull on him this past off-season (gaining weight to get better!) With Loadholt back, 24-14 Vikes. We go to the bye at 3-3.

I watch Peterson every week from my couch... Favre and his receivers improving every week. Teams lining up 8-9 at the line to stop Peterson (which they should). Favre ultra efficient because of this... especially against your secondary (minus Reed of course).

What's going on with the O's? I know nothing big will happen until the postseason's over, but is anything being discussed? It sucks that La Russa's considering leaving St. Louis after their disappointing finish. Maybe we could've gotten him if we hadn't taken Trembley's option, but who knows... Pete, have you heard anything at all about McPhail's (possible) actions on the trade front??

It's not that we lhave lost 2 straight. It's how we have been playing every week since we started with Kansas City. If the Offense doesn't score 21 + points we don't win becasue our D can't stop anyone. You're right throw over Lewis and he can't kleep up with the tight end down the middle. Our D secondary is bad, admit it. Our team use to run and when we won. We throw now to set up the run? We have no GREAT receivers we have one good one and one who drops balls 2 out of 3 times. Todd H. can't always do it when he is doubled. We can't keep throwing 4 yards when we need 6. We can't win that way Billick showed us that! Come more man!! If the secondary doesn't improve every team will gain 300 yards throwing and we won't win. It's as simple as that.

The Raisin’s offence was totally offensive yesterday. If the defense did not get a pick six we would have been almost shut out. Thank goodness for Rice making the game respectable with his amazing run. I have to say the Bengals D was better than ours yesterday and the Bengals Offence is getting better every game they play. I hope we can take them in Cincy.

Couldn't agree with Pete more. The Ravens will bounce back. Stop crying Baltimore. Losses are going to happen.

If I was a betting man, I'd give you 100 to one odds on that one Peter. With Domonique "Dawes" Foxworth in the secondary every QB in the league will look like Brett Favre slinging TD passes.

Okay everyone, let's take a deep breath. So the Ravens aren't as complete a team as we once thought - not the end of the world. I admit, I was singing their praises after the first three weeks. Getting wins can sometimes cause you to overlook problems that you noticed during the game but soon forgot in lieu of celebrating afterward. The secondary is shaky for sure, and it seems that the one member of last year's team that we should have held on to was Jim Leonard. While he lacked the physical skills that Landry has, he made up for it with good instincts, sure tackling and that much-needed 'nose for the football'. Not to mention the fact that he was head and shoulders better at kickoffs and punt returns last year than either Carr or Webb are this year (although I'd look out for Webb as the season progresses to improve in this area).

As for the Cincy game, let's also remember that if Flacco completes that deep pass to a wide open Mark Clayton late in the 4th quarter, a Ravens' win is secured. In my opinion, he makes that throw 9 out of 10 times. The offense indeed was rusty against a better-than previously-thought Cincy defense. Give them credit, the Bengals showed up.

We can beat Minnesota next week, but right now it appears we'll have to play nearly perfect in all three phases of the game in order to prevail. And that, in and of itself, is not a good sign. Here's hoping the entire team improves each week as they did last year.

If I remember correctly we lost 3 in a row the year we won the super bowl as well as last year. I don't think we lose next week though. Hopefully our defense will tighten it up. I'm confident our offense will improve. Very different from the past when I had more confidence in our defense than I had in our offense. Minnesota is due for a loss.

Hey 2nd year QB w/ marginal receivers and leaky O-line... Meet J Allen and K Williams; you'll get real close w/ them for 3 hours this Sunday.

You guys are too much. I am a die hard Ravens fan, but at least I have some sense. The Ravens aren't as bad as they looked last week and not as good as they looked in weeks before. They are right in the middle. I swear, every year, as soon as we lose a game, everyone is here crying about how we will never win again and they need to throw the whole thing out. When we win a game convincingly, everyone thinks we will never lose another. I guess that's why they call fanatic.

If the Vikings aren't THE best team in the NFL, they are certainly one of the top 5 teams. The scary thing for the Ravens is that their offense is getting better each week. Load up to stop Adrian Peterson and Favre will exploit the Ravens porous secondary.
Not sure what dream land Schmuck lives in, but if the Ravens can't beat the Bengals at HOME, tell me how they will beat the Vikings in the Metrodome?
PLEASE tell me!!!

If the Vikings aren't THE best team in the NFL, they are certainly one of the top 5 teams. The scary thing for the Ravens is that their offense is getting better each week. Load up to stop Adrian Peterson and Favre will exploit the Ravens porous secondary.
Not sure what dream land Schmuck lives in, but if the Ravens can't beat the Bengals at HOME, tell me how they will beat the Vikings in the Metrodome?
PLEASE tell me!!!

It's just as much a mistake to throw in the towel because of two close losses as it was to be making Super Bowl travel plans based on 3 wins.
The Ravens are a very good but not great team right now. Hopefully the coaches and players will make the needed adjustments and they will get better. They have weaknesses, but so does every other team in the league. They certainly have a chance against the Vikes, but they must correct some things. I think they'll squeak by and win another close one.

The Ravens will beat the Vikings and Brett

I know you can't blame the officials but some of these calls are ridiculous. Lets just hope it evens out a little.

Anyone picking the Ravens in a rout hasn't been watching the games. The Vikings have a very difficult offense to stop. If you stack the line to stop the run, Favre will kill you. If you blitz Favre, he'll burn you.

Name a game, where the opposing team blitzed Favre and succeeded? He gets rid of the ball faster than anyone out there.

Hey Pete, what makes you think Greg and the Ravens 'D' will 'bounce back'? What evidence do you have to support this theory? I guess they were supposed to bounce back against the Bengals after that loss in NE right? Let be mindful, I don't hold the Bengals in the same category of 'elite' teams such as the Pats. Sure we had some bad calls against the Pats...but we still 'alomost' won. Now, we are supposed to believe that we are going to do good against the Vikings this week? The Ravens showed every weekness they have in 'plain sight' this past game, and I bet every team will be planning for it. You think Brett Farve with the combo of AP running is going to be something that the Ravens will be able to defend 'better'?
I am confused I guess. I just don't see it. We only beat teams that are horrible or are in decline. We all got our hopes up when we beat SD...but they are a mess and are showing to be not 'as good as advertised' before the season started. We almost lost to KC as well...so.....? What is going to happen to the Ravens after they face the teams left in the schedule? It does not look favorable. Granted...I believe we are talented enough to compete...and sometimes may 'squeeze' a win out of it. But those old days of dominating 'D' are done for the Ravens. IMO. At this rate, I would predict that they may finish a game above .500 and could 'possibly' play for a wild card. Who knows this early though. A bunch of teams are only an injury away from being out of contention...including the Ravens.

Damn...this blog needs spell-check. Can you request the Sun to add it? LOL!!!

I looked at your last 2 raven postings and you had a total of 103 entries. You have responded to 1 of them. I recall you telling somebody else on here that you have been extremely busy something i take your word on but it seems that you don't respond nearly as much to raven postings as you do to your favorite team the orioles. I wonder why that is pete. I bet i know why but i will keep it to myself.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Good to have you back, Bob. There wasn't anyone here to question my motives and I was getting lonely. Too things are going on right now. Yes, there have been some circumstances that have made it tough for me to answer a lot of posts, and we've been having a spam problem here on the blog which has balled up the works. I'll be back in a groove soon. I do like the way you've switched sports and are becoming an enthusiastic Ravens poster, however. "You think you're out, and they pull you back in."

Pete i only said that i was going to stop posting to anything concerning the orioles if they hired dave t back..Never said anything about the ravens.

...............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I believe you said you would never post again "here." How you define that is up to you. Happy to have you back.

You're an idiot! The Ravens are 3-2, only winning to the Chargers, the Browns, and the CHIEFS-(who gave them a run for their money)! Yes, the Chargers are a good team, but not a great team... And the game was only a single score game. The Chiefs scored 24 points on the Ravens??? And, you don't think the Vikes can/will put up 35-38? There are people out there that don't believe the Vikes are contenders being 5-0, but only beating teams with a cummulative record of 7-17... The Giants (who I think are highly over-rated) are 5-0, beating teams who have a cummulative record of only 5-19! They haven't played anyone! What makes people believe they are as good as they are? At least the Vikes beat the Pack (who are still a good team) and the 49'rs (who have a great team as well).

My predictions:

Vikes(35) - Ravens(17)

Giants(27) - Saints(31)

Write it on the wall....

Let's get the Vikings... Make Brett an old man again