Ravens@Steelers

[DkBlue]

I hope he folds up just like last year in Pittsburgh.

I know, I know, that isn't what you were getting at but I couldn't let the soft ball go by without swinging a bit, ya know?

Of course but a lot of football people share that opinion.

[Ravens75]

Straight across the board, it seems like most people are picking the Ravens to win this game. Even all the Sun writers picked Baltimore. I wish I had the same kind of confidence but I know how horrible this team plays on the road and if anything, having Roethlisberger out will give Pittsburgh added incentive to beat the Ravens. I hope I'm wrong, but I still see the Steelers winning this game and then dropping the one in Baltimore.

While you have a point about playing poorly on the road the Ravens and Flacco have played well in Pitt the last 3 reg. season contests. Really the Ravens should be on a 3 game reg. season winning streak at Heinz.

As for the theory of playing poorly on the road the Ravens are .500 on the road and basically undefeated at home the last 3 years. While it doesn't always look pretty they find a way to win. Last I checked only 1-2 teams are dominant on the road and at home (Pats, Steelers at times). Even the really good teams like the Ravens are mostly .500 on the road regardless of the competition.

[Ravens75]

Of course but a lot of football people share that opinion.

They share the opinion that he's inconsistent. The guy takes some hard shots and gets right back up firing. His biggest issue is processing information versus the defense he sees. That leads to hesitation which leads to uneven play.

He has though seemingly found a comfort level versus LeBeau's defense. I look for Dick to have his corners in press man and force Flacco to make plays down the seams to the TE's where Clark and Mundy will be waiting to deliver big hits. This could lead to TO's and some easy points.

[DkBlue]

They share the opinion that he's inconsistent. The guy takes some hard shots and gets right back up firing. His biggest issue is processing information versus the defense he sees. That leads to hesitation which leads to uneven play.

He has though seemingly found a comfort level versus LeBeau's defense. I look for Dick to have his corners in press man and force Flacco to make plays down the seams to the TE's where Clark and Mundy will be waiting to deliver big hits. This could lead to TO's and some easy points.

From a Steeler's fan point of view, I think there is too much negativity about Flacco.

He has his resume on tape which has been excellent. Sometimes listening to your fan base and the media it seems they expect the guy to be Superman. He has been an excellent franchise quarterback.

When pressured he makes mistakes which seems to be his one negative.

[DkBlue]

They share the opinion that he's inconsistent. The guy takes some hard shots and gets right back up firing. His biggest issue is processing information versus the defense he sees. That leads to hesitation which leads to uneven play.

He has though seemingly found a comfort level versus LeBeau's defense. I look for Dick to have his corners in press man and force Flacco to make plays down the seams to the TE's where Clark and Mundy will be waiting to deliver big hits. This could lead to TO's and some easy points.

The other thing that puzzles me about Flacco is his sideline behavior. Many quarterbacks spend their time talking to the O Co-oridnator or their receivers between plays. Flacco seems to sit by himself and not get involved as opposed to Manning for instance who huddles the offense up and talks strategy.

Ben annoys me as well when he says, "I'm not a film guy." I wish he was.

[Ravens75]

The other thing that puzzles me about Flacco is his sideline behavior. Many quarterbacks spend their time talking to the O Co-oridnator or their receivers between plays. Flacco seems to sit by himself and not get involved as opposed to Manning for instance who huddles the offense up and talks strategy.

Ben annoys me as well when he says, "I'm not a film guy." I wish he was.

I think the cameras focus on Joe when its opportune for them....ie when he looks disillusioned and uninterested.

Last week after his pick he was shown talking to Cam and Jacoby Jones about what happened (after Joe chewed out Jones). The networks love to push this image that Joe is an aloof weirdo when he's not.

As for Ben I think he plays to his image as a lumberjack who happens to play football. He studies and knows the game inside and out.

He's just a drama queen.

[OriginalColtsFan]

The other thing that puzzles me about Flacco is his sideline behavior. Many quarterbacks spend their time talking to the O Co-oridnator or their receivers between plays. Flacco seems to sit by himself and not get involved as opposed to Manning for instance who huddles the offense up and talks strategy.

Ben annoys me as well when he says, "I'm not a film guy." I wish he was.

There is a clear dysfunctional disconnect between Flacco and Cameron. That's why most informed analysts said that one of them had to go, just like up with the Jets between Sanchez and Schotty. The problem is that the Ravens chose to re-sign Cameron, and even after hiring Caldwell, who's up in the booth and not on the sideline, the dysfunctional communication and relationship between him and Joe is obvious.

[DkBlue]

I think the cameras focus on Joe when its opportune for them....ie when he looks disillusioned and uninterested.

Last week after his pick he was shown talking to Cam and Jacoby Jones about what happened (after Joe chewed out Jones). The networks love to push this image that Joe is an aloof weirdo when he's not.

As for Ben I think he plays to his image as a lumberjack who happens to play football. He studies and knows the game inside and out.

He's just a drama queen.

Wow, any other conspiracies I should be aware of? That nasty network. And Ben turns on the light at midnight when no one is around and runs the tape. I get it. A rational explanation.

[can you hear me now!]

Straight across the board, it seems like most people are picking the Ravens to win this game. Even all the Sun writers picked Baltimore. I wish I had the same kind of confidence but I know how horrible this team plays on the road and if anything, having Roethlisberger out will give Pittsburgh added incentive to beat the Ravens. I hope I'm wrong, but I still see the Steelers winning this game and then dropping the one in Baltimore.

horrible road, just horrible...look at these stinking numbers from just theor AFCN road games....

In the last 2 seasons + this years trip to the Cleveland, the Ravens are 6-1 in AFCN road games....last loss was the 2nd game of 2010 at Cincinnati.....

absolutely disgusting results...I don't know how they make the playoffs with such crappy road performances in the division...I'm baffled...got an answer....

[OriginalColtsFan]

horrible road, just horrible...look at these stinking numbers from just theor AFCN road games....

In the last 2 seasons + this years trip to the Cleveland, the Ravens are 6-1 in AFCN road games....last loss was the 2nd game of 2010 at Cincinnati.....

absolutely disgusting results...I don't know how they make the playoffs with such crappy road performances in the division...I'm baffled...got an answer....

Okay...that was sarcastic, right?

[can you hear me now!]

Okay...that was sarcastic, right?

it depends...do you believe in perception being reality...or reality being reality?

if you believe the former, then it's not sarcasm, it's a factual rebuttal...if you believe in the latter, you'd get that it was pure sarcasm...

this bad road team meme people cling to is really sad....when you start peeling back the onion, it becomes apparent the road woes are probably related to playing fairly unfamiliar opponents.....do agree 6-1 is a fairly solid road record against division rivals?

[Pittsburgh$$$]

From a Steeler's fan point of view, I think there is too much negativity about Flacco.

He has his resume on tape which has been excellent. Sometimes listening to your fan base and the media it seems they expect the guy to be Superman. He has been an excellent franchise quarterback.

When pressured he makes mistakes which seems to be his one negative.

Well said DK. Watching Flacco the past four years I feel he has grown into a solid Quarter back who has improved in most facets of his game. Better pocket presence. More accurate throws and an overall improved command of the offense.

Are you from the Burgh?

[DkBlue]

Well said DK. Watching Flacco the past four years I feel he has grown into a solid Quarter back who has improved in most facets of his game. Better pocket presence. More accurate throws and an overall improved command of the offense.

Are you from the Burgh?

Yes, born and raised and a Steeler's fan since I was eight years old. Business took me to Florida but Sunday Ticket lets me see all the games. I had season tickets for many years.
.

[Pittsburgh$$$]

Yes, born and raised and a Steeler's fan since I was eight years old. Business took me to Florida but Sunday Ticket lets me see all the games. I had season tickets for many years.
.

Ok. Grew up in Mt Lebanon. Moved to Peters Township a few years ago.

Sunday ticket is awesome. NFL Red Zone is great as well.

[DkBlue]

Ok. Grew up in Mt Lebanon. Moved to Peters Township a few years ago.

Sunday ticket is awesome. NFL Red Zone is great as well.

I have Verizon FIOS throughout the house and added Direct TV in my man cave.

I switch inputs from Direct TV to Red Zone and back. Works well.

[OriginalColtsFan]

it depends...do you believe in perception being reality...or reality being reality?

if you believe the former, then it's not sarcasm, it's a factual rebuttal...if you believe in the latter, you'd get that it was pure sarcasm...

this bad road team meme people cling to is really sad....when you start peeling back the onion, it becomes apparent the road woes are probably related to playing fairly unfamiliar opponents.....do agree 6-1 is a fairly solid road record against division rivals?

What I've seen is that some people seem to have gone off the deep end with this whole "Joe can't win on the road" meme. (Somebody on the other Sun board stated that EVERY QB in the NFL is better than Joe. I just shook my head in total disbelief.)

[jamesdean]

horrible road, just horrible...look at these stinking numbers from just theor AFCN road games....

In the last 2 seasons + this years trip to the Cleveland, the Ravens are 6-1 in AFCN road games....last loss was the 2nd game of 2010 at Cincinnati.....

absolutely disgusting results...I don't know how they make the playoffs with such crappy road performances in the division...I'm baffled...got an answer....

I was talking about this year. If they had played decent teams in Kansas City and Cleveland, both would have been losses. They got blown out in Houston and lost in Philly. They've played horrible on the road this year and that's what I was basing my prediction on. If they prove me wrong, wonderful. I'll love every second of it. I hope they do. But until I see a solid, 4-quarter performance from this team on the road against a quality opponent, I'll stick with my opinion. Pittsburgh 23; Baltimore 20.

[can you hear me now!]

now it's just this year...well that changes exactly nothing...winning on the road in the NFL such an easy thing to do, I keep forgetting that....the style point column mist be maintained...and oh by the way, they philly game came down to an atrocious call...the terrible chiefs team just lost to in OT to Steelers.....

what the saying about ifs and buts?

I say your best bet is to cower in a corner and turn your tv off....

[jamesdean]

now it's just this year...well that changes exactly nothing...winning on the road in the NFL such an easy thing to do, I keep forgetting that....the style point column mist be maintained...and oh by the way, they philly game came down to an atrocious call...the terrible chiefs team just lost to in OT to Steelers.....

what the saying about ifs and buts?

I say your best bet is to cower in a corner and turn your tv off....

I won't be cowering in the corner but I will be under the covers in bed. I'll record the game, wake up the next morning and see if I want to watch it or delete it. Something tells me I'll be deleting it.

[Grindelwald]

Steelers 17-10.