Pete,

How can you you be so critical of the ravens after beating a west coast team.

This same team beat Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

To win this game on the west coast with so much on the line is comendable.
Ravens at San Diego for the AFC Championship.

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: I'm all for that. See you there.

It was a nail biter for certain. I would like to remind everyone who the Raiders have beaten over the past few weeks - especially The Steelers in their own stadium. I do believe that we're likely one and done, Wes Welker notwithstanding, next weekend, but, we got this far.

Joe Flacco had only been slightly more mobile than Elvis Grbac. That's a big concern.

it was a great win Pete...... come on!

The raiders are a dangerous team who had nothing to lose. It's documented who they've beaten and I'll bet you most feel their defense is better than the Patriots D, especially in the secondary.

That said, The Ravens must have a passing answer for when teams shut down Mason (like today).

A Baltimore team is in the post season, again. What a great organization! Hint!

.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: One more reason this is a great forum with the greatest group of bloggers in the Mid-Atlantic region (and far beyond, European Prof and Kevin in Iraq). Wayne has just called ME out for being too negative. He may have a point.

In other words, the refs were not a factor today. No, the NFL is not that stupid.

But now the big question is, who does the NFL help next week? Ravens could advance.

lol.... See Pete, I told you winning matters to me more than anything!

Oh my, I was about to say that Pete was starting to sound like one of his many bloggers, good ol' wayne.....and now here's wayne signing on and saying something positive!!!!! The world is indeed turning upside down. Now if we can only get wayne to say something, ANYTHING!, positive about the Orioles.

Never happen.

McGahee came through big time. It's good to see him "get his legs" a bit in this game. The running combos the Ravens have available in fairly fresh form should provide a lot of options for them and concern for the opposition.

Absolutely--nice win. But-once again-shows the holes in this team. NO, INDY, NE--they rested people. We had to play our hearts out because of stupid, knuckleheaded plays in too many previous games. Let's hope this is a turn around moment, because otherwise it's just a one and done.

ken,

People think I'll also be sour when/if the O's ever win. They're wrong though!

I've loved the Orioles most of my life. Been a season tix holder for 2 decades. I even wear an O's hat when I go to the games (amazing how so few do).

Meaningful games is all I ask for ken.... meaningful games. It's been so long though and unfortunately, it appears it'll be a long time still.

I'm just so glad we have the Ravens for half the year. WInning is so much more enjoyable!

Does anyone on the coaching staff know how to pick up a blitz? Obviously.....not! And, can anyone tell me why Mark Clayton plays ahead of Demetrius Williams? Not only does Flacco rarely throw to him, he rarely even looks in his direction! Playoff team - yes! Super Bowl contender.....NOT!

The Ravens had NO passing attack and the pass defence
(against poor qbs}.was absent.Maybe they just cannot play and be careful not to commit fouls at the same time.

Last week all I heard was the Ravens were the better team but lost. How come the purple kool aid drinkers aren't telling the truth about this game; the Raiders should have won the game since they outplayed the Ravens. Charlie Frye completely outplayed Flacco who stank up the field. If it wasn't for McGahee the Ravens and their fans would be blaming the refs again for another loss. No way in hell does New England lose at home to this mediocre team. Frye and Russell consistently beat the usual mediocre secondary (Foxworth, Walker, Carr) so Brady with one arm tied behind his back can easily beat them. Then things will go back to normal as the fans and Ravens blame the refs for another loss. And to those who refuse to believe Ray Lewis is a has been, did you see him get beat big time by the rookie on the TD? Did you see players constantly running by him and into the Ravens backfield? Did fatso Suggs play? How about Mason? Heap? Keep wearing the purple shades because it all comes crashing down next week.

I'll take this win, happily. We ran effectively, grinding away the way we'll need to in colder climates like NE.

Ravens are playoff bound, and the win sends the Steelers fan away cryin' in their terrible towels.

Nice!

Pete,
for only the second time in Ravens history, the Ravens have made the playoffs. I thought this game would be tough because the Raiders have played better of late. Remember the second Browns game. Everyone was whining about the 16-0 win. But look at how the Browns have finished. They got a lot of things fixed on their bye week, and played well after that. The Raiders finally figured out the Russell is not the answer at quarterback. In fact Russell had two critical turnovers today.

Things are actually setting up nicely for the Ravens. Brady is banged up and probably no Wes Welker.

GO Ravens !

Those days are coming, wayne, my boy.

Trust me, I know how hard it is, I feel the pain, too, ya know, and I suspect so do just about all of the "warehousers". We all want winning baseball, and football, for that matter.

But I really and truly believe that things will be better starting next season, these are real baseball players they will be putting out there, kids who are hungry and with something to prove.

But ya know what? If they don't show any improvement after next season and management still won't let loose with a couple of big signings, I'll be right with you in calling for Mac's head.

But until or if that happens, when the Baby Birds start showing they are ready to fly, meet me at Boog's, the beer and brat's on me!!!!

Obviously, I meant only the second time that the Ravens have made the playoffs in two consecutive years.

2000 and 2001
2008 and 2009

Sorry, I should read these before I post them.

Who cares HOW the ravens won or win any game? As long as they win that is all that matters. If Pittsburgh and Denver would have beaten the below .500 teams the ravens wouldnt even be in the playoff conversation. Just like the year we won the superbowl we didnt score a touchdown for 5 games and still won it all.

The Ravens are in the playoffs and now we have to hear about how they didnt stomp the raiders in a PLAYOFF CLINCHING VICTORY!

Pete, you are getting as bad as Preston!

Good win. Reminiscent of tough nose, grind it out, Raven's teams of the past. That being said, a lot of chinks in the armour the playoff caliber teams we haven't beaten all year will exposed.

-Good corner made our #1 receiver and virtually the entire passing game non-existant.

-Frank Walker seems to have been flagged for demise from the NFL or the officials. Not that I think he's good or anything but they simply won't let him play the game without flagging him everytime he steps on the field. The one today against McFadden was total BS. That along with the calls against the rest of our weak defensive backfield will only be magnified in Foxboro.

-As a result of the receivers hardly ever being open, Flacco needs to pull it down and run forward for positive yards. He seems mobile enough running sideways to throw it away or backwards in some cases, but there always seems to be 15 yards of open field up the middle that he refuses to exploit and seems content to take sack after sack the last couple of weeks.

-Pressure, pressure, pressure. They did an okay job of getting to the QB today against a below average offensive line, but the few sacks they got appeared to be out of luck or QB error more than an outstanding pass rush. This has been a weakness for some time and I can't understand why guys like McClain and Barnes who actually get to the QB and make big plays aren't out there more often.

Grateful to be in the playoffs. It validates the entire season, but unfortunatly I'm not expecting a run in the dance like last year.

Early prediction for next week:
Not the score!
Ravens 12 penalties for 165yds.
At least 5 pass interference or illegal contact penalties.
And at least 3 penalties for getting within 5yds of Tom Brady.

Dick,

Get your head out of your rectum and get off this bmore site. No one want to hear your BS.

Bo

My whole family is discouraged. What direction are we going? Harbaugh National Championship??? Uh.... this is the NFL. Mattison, if ray Lewis and JJ were not on the team you would be fired! 3rd in the NFL because of these 2, otherwise, in the 20's. Your defensive backfield is pathetic. Walker...enough said, Chris (fair catch) Carr, tackles like a pee-wee football player, and Suggs, what are you even doing? Thanks for nothing.

As for the offense. I have to congratulate Washington on his one and done performance again tonight. Hey buddy can you do more than one thing a game. (aka Travis Taylor) And a special thank you to Cam Cameron on starting Clayton. Have you ever thought of maybe letting some ofthe other players play after our starting terrible receivers lay yet another egg. (Williams, Tyree, Anyone) This coaching staff has a lot to learn before they bring another "National Championship" to Baltimore. Players, play hard for yourselves, hopefully you can overcome your real handicap... $$ over ability.

It's great that we won, but I think if Frye would have played the whole game there might have been a different result... but so what? we get a break in our favor for a change!!! Way to go McGahee... what an awesome performance! Flaco didn't look very good today but the defense were on him so fast it's no wonder... no one is going to do well if they don't have any time.
Go Ravens!
It is also very gratifying to being able to force the Steelers out of the playoffs

I'm afraid I have to agree. The win was good in that we go to the playoffs but it was pretty underwhelming win. Flacco looked pretty bad, pocket presence was non-existent and he missed on some throws. I know the Raiders beat the Bengals and the Steelers but it was not with Frye or Russell at QB, Frye had way more success then I thought he would.

That being said, we did see McGahee have a HUGE game and hopefully he gets more involved next weekend. Hopefully we can make some noise, I don't think New England is impossible for us, especially with the unfortunate news about Welker, but Foxworth will have to have as good a game as in Week 4 against Moss for that to happen.

Reality Check, your team lost. Get over it. It wasn't pretty but the half filled stadium says a lot about Oakland fans.

ken,

deal!

Can we *please* get a long snapper? There hasn't been a clean, correct snap on a FG or EP in weeks.

This is not exaggeration -- 90% of these snaps are low and to the right. Fix it. Finding a long snapper is a lot easier than finding a CB or WR.

Am I the only who thinks the big difference between last year's teams performance and this year's can be summed up in 2 words: Matt Stover. Not only have his replacements stunk but the whole offense has been demoralized by no longer being able to rely on him to make field goals!

The Ravens kept the Steelers out of the playoffs...that was a victory in itself, no matter what the rest of the playoffs bring!!!

The Ravens kept the Steelers out of the playoffs...that was a victory in itself, no matter what the rest of the playoffs bring!!!

The running game was the difference maker today; McGahee had a career day and Rice was his usual explosive self. The biggest concerns were Flacco and the defense on third and long. Time after time Oakland got it done on third down, and Flacco's illegal forward pass when he had ten yards of nothing but turf in front of him makes me wonder if his unflappable self is turning flappable.

Just heard Welker is definitely out, and game is 1:00 Sunday, which helps after a West Coast late game. It will be winable, but we have to have a balanced attack with a more accurate Flacco, and the defense needs to force 4th downs.

Overall, it's great to be back in the post season!

Wayne...

September 2010

Flacco--Managed the game like a journeyman; did not lead as he should by this point. Threw several bad balls when Mason was WIDE open.

Rice--Looked good at times, seemed to sulk at Willis' success.

Willis--No two-step-and-fall over; must have been given an ultimatum.

Where was Demetrius and Mason?

The defense played okay, but it is good that Russel is sooo bad.

Might beat the Patriots, but one and done is a more likely scenario.

Would it have been too much for Al Michaels and Cris Collingsworth to come right out and call the Bengals-Jets game tonight a farce?

Apparently so.

Selling the brand, and boy did it stink tonight.

POOR WAYNE:

"lol.... See Pete, I told you winning matters to me more than anything!"

It's ashamed Wayne does not see professional sports is about ENTERTAINMENT and not TRIBALISM!

ah bigeddie,

good point!

winning is entertaining indeed!

Two things need to happen for the Ravens to win the Superbowl- 1. they need to beat the Patriots and 2. The jets will need to take out Indi again....

Hey 'Reality Check'... how's the weather in Pittsburgh?

On topic... Pete... let's remember Flacco is still just a second year QB. And a pretty good one at that. The majority of his games he's played well. Above the NFL average, that's for sure. But, just like ace pitchers in the bigs, they're going to stink up a game every now and then. That's just how sports works. My guess here is they just planned to do nothing but run the ball pretty much and Flacco just wasn't on the same page with his receivers, or vice-versa.

I expect them to work on a good, balanced game plan for next week and Flacco will be just fine. With Welker likely out that takes away a huge threat to a New England offense that isn't much ahead of our own overall on the year. And our defense has excelled during the second half, ranking first in virtually every major category. I believe we sit third overall on the season.

As long as we don't beat ourselves, we'll be moving on to San Diego in two week.

That's my take.

Hey 'Reality Check'... how's the weather in Pittsburgh?

On topic... Pete... let's remember Flacco is still just a second year QB. And a pretty good one at that. The majority of his games he's played well. Above the NFL average, that's for sure. But, just like ace pitchers in the bigs, they're going to stink up a game every now and then. That's just how sports works. My guess here is they just planned to do nothing but run the ball pretty much and Flacco just wasn't on the same page with his receivers, or vice-versa.

I expect them to work on a good, balanced game plan for next week and Flacco will be just fine. With Welker likely out that takes away a huge threat to a New England offense that isn't much ahead of our own overall on the year. And our defense has excelled during the second half, ranking first in virtually every major category. I believe we sit third overall on the season.

As long as we don't beat ourselves, we'll be moving on to San Diego in two week.

That's my take.

Hey 'Reality Check'... how's the weather in Pittsburgh?

On topic... Pete... let's remember Flacco is still just a second year QB. And a pretty good one at that. The majority of his games he's played well. Above the NFL average, that's for sure. But, just like ace pitchers in the bigs, they're going to stink up a game every now and then. That's just how sports works. My guess here is they just planned to do nothing but run the ball pretty much and Flacco just wasn't on the same page with his receivers, or vice-versa.

I expect them to work on a good, balanced game plan for next week and Flacco will be just fine. With Welker likely out that takes away a huge threat to a New England offense that isn't much ahead of our own overall on the year. And our defense has excelled during the second half, ranking first in virtually every major category. I believe we sit third overall on the season.

As long as we don't beat ourselves, we'll be moving on to San Diego in two week.

That's my take.

Hey 'Reality Check'... how's the weather in Pittsburgh?

Hey 'Reality Check'... how's the weather in Pittsburgh?

On topic... Pete... let's remember Flacco is still just a second year QB. And a pretty good one at that. The majority of his games he's played well. Above the NFL average, that's for sure. But, just like ace pitchers in the bigs, they're going to stink up a game every now and then. That's just how sports works. My guess here is they just planned to do nothing but run the ball pretty much and Flacco just wasn't on the same page with his receivers, or vice-versa.

I expect them to work on a good, balanced game plan for next week and Flacco will be just fine. With Welker likely out that takes away a huge threat to a New England offense that isn't much ahead of our own overall on the year. And our defense has excelled during the second half, ranking first in virtually every major category. I believe we sit third overall on the season.

As long as we don't beat ourselves, we'll be moving on to San Diego in two week.

That's my take.

still two costly penalties; pass int on third and long leads to OK TD;block on punt return takes ball from mid-field to 20. We were lucky but watching end of Denver game realize things could be worse given implosion of Denver which Ravens started. Flacco seems to regress each week.

still two costly penalties; pass int on third and long leads to OK TD;block on punt return takes ball from mid-field to 20. We were lucky but watching end of Denver game realize things could be worse given implosion of Denver which Ravens started. Flacco seems to regress each week.

Can anyone help me out with the NFL Replay rule? It was obvious that Flacco threw his pass beyond the line of scrimmage -- but NO PENALTY was called on the field. Since when can the officials use the replay to determine whether they should have thrown a flag? What if, on the replay, they see a hold or an offsides or illegal contact that wasn't flagged?

Why did Flacco throw the ball (past the line of scrimage or not) when he should have easily run the ball into the endzone. NOT very smart!

R. Lewis, R. Rice, W. McGahee, T. Heap, all appear to ready to win a playoff game in NE. Unfortunately, Joe Flacco, Mark Clayton, & Demetrius Williams aren't even close to being ready.
RBs can't cover his weaknesses forever.

Pete once again you are correct when you say 2 years 2 playoff appearences for coach harbaugh .Once again people will say joe flacco 2 years 2 playoff appearences.See i will be the first to tell you how glad i am that the ravens have made the playoffs, however as you know i am a fan that looks way beyond wins and losses . Coach harbaugh again made a bad in game decison when he tried that 51 yard field goal when the ravens were only up by 8 points. he knows that he has a snapper that has been hurt and can't even come close snapping the ball correctly, he knows that his kicker is just another average reject that drifts from team to team because he can't be depended on . But he decided to kick it anyway, you know the result. If charlie fry didn't get hurt in that game yesterday we wouldn't be talking about the ravens going to the playoffs because we wouldn't be going. And that brings me to issue no 2. Joe flacco must have misplaced those 2 round things he has between his legs because he absolutley looks lost and afraid out there. Why last year he caught passes , he ran for towchdowns, had mobility out of the pocket and actually showed some excitement to actually be out on the field. This year he has no pocket awareness what so ever,, looks like his feet are in cement, never hits the hot receiver when a team blitzes, and is afraid to run the ball . But yet with all that said i should be happy and satisfied that we are going to the playoffs because how could you say anything else and not be labeled negative.

The Ravens defensive backs were terrible yesterday. Expect the Ravens to get blown out against NE

Pete - you always entertain...and inform. So help me out with a couple things here: 1st, I see someone else asked this already but I really want to know how it is possible, in all my years of watching the NFL, I have never seen a booth review to see if a penalty should be called when wasn't at the time of the play. This move poured gas on the already high flames of the tin-foil hat wearing conspiracy theorists who believe the NFL manipulates games against the Ravens (and I should add that I am not wearing the hat yet, but I have at least made one...). My other question is this - anybody remember a little known player who quietly slipped away after last season. He wasn't terribly good or reliable, but he did come through everyone once in a while. I think his name was Matt something and he kicked a few field goals while he was here.

Sometimes being a Ravens fan can just hurt! And yet, I continue to bleed purple.

Three Questions:
1) Where is the Ravens' Pass Rush?
2) Where is the Ravens' Pass Blocking?
3) How come Rice takes the ball to the Red Zone and then they give it to McGahee?

What we wouldn't have been going to the playoffs if Frye didnt get hurt! I guess I must have been looking at some thing else but I seem to remember the Raiders where never winning yesterday!!!!!!!!!

Also yes Flacco had a bad day but come on he has played well this year except for about 4 games! His passed for 700 more yards,completetion percentage is better, 14 tds to 21tds, and a qb rating of 88.9 this year and 80.8 last years! He has improved every part of his game this year!

Pete you need to answer this. Since when can a "non-call" be reviewed by instant replay? Whether Flacco threw beyond the line of scrimmage doesn't matter if there was no call. You would think a pro coach would question this to the officials.

hahahaha called Suggs a fatso is a bunch of bull. That is just crazy the guy is in shape! How could he not be by now!!!! I guess no one saw him knock the ball from Russells hands to create a fumble, wow that was awful,!!! Not to mention he had a sack, and the fact that he hit frye about 4 times in the first half, but I guess that dosent count either!

Pete

A win is a win and its always big when you have to have it.

I wasn't very impressed by how they played, but good teams have been getting knocked off by mediocre teams all season. The Ravens haven't had that happen all year but they have lost to all the teams they are likely to play from this point on except San Diego. Still almost every one of those games was close.

Let's see if they can raise their intensity level like they did last year for the playoffs.

At least they are playing...what would we be saying if they had started 6-0 like Denver and then not made it?

Hey Tony you must be watching the ravens games on a purple TV, because you obviously haven't been watching the same games as myself. If you went by stats alone then yes joe flacco is improved from last year, but if you watch joe flacco the player you and can't see all the obvious flawsthen you better call your Cable Provider because there has to be something wrong with your set. And the same holds true concerning Charlie Frye yesterday , he was picking them apart at will. If Russel didn't have to come in the game and committ those turnovers then you wouldn't even have to get that PURPLE TV fixed,

What a bunch of whining Nancy-boys around here.

We're in the playoffs, people! The NFL playoffs. Enjoy it. There are millions of fans who would love for their teams to be "only" 9-7 and playing another week.

Congrats to the Ravens. Go make us proud, boys!

Pete:

I'm not a Steeler-hater like many other Ravens fans, but those that are might like to know that, on this day after we made the playoffs and they didn't, Luke RAVENStahl was sworn in for his 2nd term as Pittsburgh's mayor!!! (I'm a little surprised that guy's name doesn't get more attention around here.)

Reality Check: Take the yellow towel, aka the "Whining Towel," wrap it around your head, and place both where the sun never shines.

Fans: Lighten up. We're in the Tournament. We're underdogs. We're the 6 Seed. What happened the last time we were in this situation?

Steelers kept the Steelers out of the playoffs...don't oversell the situation...focus on your squad...you guys have lots of issues...Flacco isn't making big plays, Your D is a shadow of its former self, and your coach is suspect on his decision making. Nice to make the playoffs but for you unfortunately its is One and Done! Go Pats! Yeah!

Pete: Can you find the answer to this? Marc, Gil and I all want to know whether the officials' use of the replay on Flacco's pass (beyond the line of scrimmage) was legit.

I thought that if an infraction not called during the play, but was subsequently spotted during a replay, the rule does not allow the official to enforce the penalty.

That's exactly what happened during Sunday's game. What gives?

I looked at the Rules Digest on nfl.com, but I couldn't find anything. Maybe you know someone who could educate us? Thanks!

similar to out of bounds, the refs can check whether the qb is over the line.

what I want an explanation on is when exactly is the player down with a completed catch? The Murphy (?) catch clearly came out as he was hitting the ground and being hit by Reed. Worse thing was the catch was called incomplete and overturned on what evidence? The ball dragged on the ground.

Here is Pereira's explanation from the Murphy drop earlier in the year. they show a Steve Smith TD where he bounced 7 ft out of bounds and and they called it incomplete. Murphy (?) rolled over and lost the ball. Can't find a video of it though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7QwZCIwMyc&feature=related

It will be great to watch Oakland Raiders,i have bought tickets from http://ticketfront.com/event/Oakland_Raiders-tickets looking forward to it.

It will be great to watch Oakland Raiders,i have bought tickets from http://ticketfront.com/event/Oakland_Raiders-tickets looking forward to it.