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Believe it or not, I actually have more confidence in the Ravens in the aftermath of Sunday's mind-boggling performance in Pittsburgh. If you're interested in the logic behind that, check out today's column in the print edition or you can read it right right here.
Peter Schmuck wants you to know that, contrary to popular belief, he is more than just a bon vivant, raconteur and collector of blousy flowered shirts. He is a semi-respected journalist who has covered virtually every sport -- except luge, of course – and tackled issues that transcend the mere games people play. If that isn’t enough to qualify him to provide witty, wide-ranging commentary on the sports world ... and the rest of the world, for that matter ... he is an avid reader of history, biography and the classics, as well as a charming blowhard who pops off on both sports and politics on WBAL Radio. That means you can expect a little of everything in The Schmuck Stops Here, but the major focus will be keeping you up to the minute on Baltimore’s major sports teams and themes, whether it’s throwing up the Orioles lineup the minute it’s announced or updating you on the latest sprained ankle in Owings Mills. Oh, and by the way, that’s Mr. Schmuck to you. 
> Schmuck column archive
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Comments
I like the analysis in your column, but in as much as the mental aspects are also part of the game, the only team the Ravens beat were themselves. But yes, I'm still hopeful.
Posted by: Jonathan | December 30, 2009 12:29 PM
3 plays stand out to me this season: 1.) Mason dropping the wide open ball in the end zone against Pittsburgh; 2.) Hauschka missing a 43 yd field goal in the dome in Minnesota; 3.) Clayton dropping the 4th down pass in New England when it hit him square in the numbers. 3 road games where they played better than the home team and lost. Those 3 plays are why this team is 8-7 right now, rather than 11-4 and being spoken of as a Super Bowl contender. The margin of error in the NFL is small. This team has played well enough to beat the elite teams. Make the plays in the playoffs and they can put a run together. Heck we even played Indy tough and lost 17-12. I think the team can match up with anyone in the AFC if they are focused. That is a big "IF" based on some of their losses - including last weeks. Don't look past Oakland and just get into the playoffs. I believe Arizona went into the playoffs 9-7 wildcard last year, and came within a miracle Santonio Holmes catch(and Steeler referee bias) from becoming Champions.
Posted by: HP | December 30, 2009 1:06 PM
20 teams are going home...... 20!
If the Ravens make the playoffs, they deserve to make the playoffs, period!
Funny, people talk about how beating the Bears means nothing. Yet the Bears beat Pittsburgh and just beat Minn in a crucial game for Minn. That the Ravens destroyed them however, means nothing to the media and fans.
The loss to Pitts was awful! But who want want to trade places with the Steelers right now? They are out, and they know it!
Miami, Jax, Denver, Houston, Pitts and 5 other AFC teams would all LOVE to be in the position the Ravens are in today.
If you make the playoffs, you deserve to be in, If you don't, you don't! The Ravens play meaningful games more times than they don't. The fans of Baltimore are lucky that way, especially since the stadium across the lot is always about losing.
Be grateful, and jump on the bandwagon!
Posted by: wayne | December 30, 2009 1:21 PM
They've been formidable all season with the exception of the Green Bay game. And maybe the Cleveland Browns Monday-nighter. They just can't seem to control themselves at the critical moments. If they could get it all together they would be a scary team. Maybe they are anyway. Gotta get by Oakland first.
Posted by: Pathetic Fan | December 30, 2009 3:43 PM
The Raiders win their games by getting ahead early, taking time off of the clock, and letting their defense pin their ears back and go bonkers.
The Ravens lose their games with incomplete first halfs and working themselves into a desparate frenzy in the second half where anything less than perfect is no good.
The recipe is there for the Ravens to be none-and-done for the playoffs. Yet, the talent is there to win this game and in any given playoff game that lies ahead.
I'm predicting BAL > OAK, 20-15. Unfashionable but solid. Not mistake-free but not mistake-prone.
Yes, the Ravens are 2-5 on the road, but the Raiders are 2-5 at home. I have BAL as currently being the 12th best team -- 15 spots ahead OAK.
I'm not sure about the bandwagon talk as I root for the Ravens regardless if they're 4-12 (1996) or SB XXXV winners. Being grateful is all fine and dandy if that's how you choose to view things. I can list ten teams happy they are NOT in BAL's position. That means little if BAL is playing GB in the SB (my preseason pick) or if BAL slops themselves to death this Sunday.
My 20-15 prediction is emblematic of my lack of confidence rather than a statement of confidence. After all, while I have a .713 picking percentage (171-69) after last week's debacle, I am only 10-5 picking BAL and 9-6 picking OAK.
Oh, and the big wins over CHI, CLE (twice), DEN and DET shouldn't be poo-poo'd as an unnamed "Raven Insider" would have you believe ... but let's face it, it means nothing the following week when the score is 0-0 and there are 60 minutes left to play. It only shows momentum is a falacy in sports.
Posted by: waspman | December 30, 2009 3:54 PM
Ravens win Sunday to match preseason Vegas and SI predictions. Then everyone can get all excited about playoffs until they lose the following weekend.
Posted by: Bob W. | December 31, 2009 4:45 PM
The Ravens are 0-5 in the past 5 games against Pittsburgh that Ben has played in, garbage team is garbage get over it.
Posted by: matt | December 31, 2009 5:12 PM
Hey Matt,
Congrats on the win! Now enjoy watching the post season my man... Just another team that misses the playoffs after the SB. Great coaching by the way!
Maybe you can watch tape of last years playoff run! Pretend it's current day and you'll be good to go.
Posted by: wayne | December 31, 2009 10:43 PM