Now let's see...

[Fang]

I couldn't disagree more! Out of Denver, NE and Baltimore, the Ravens have the toughest schedule for the next four. Denver probably has the easiest schedule and will probably be #2. Then NE will get #3 and the Ravens #4 seed.

The Ravens blew it big time yesterday!

I understand. But if the Ravens have Superbowl aspirations then they have to play with these teams and beat them this time of year. Somehow I don't think Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are looking at schedules and fearing who they can't beat this time of year. The Ravens control their own destiny and either they'll take care of business or they won't.

[OriginalColtsFan]

I understand. But if the Ravens have Superbowl aspirations then they have to play with these teams and beat them this time of year. Somehow I don't think Tom Brady and Bill Belichick are looking at schedules and fearing who they can't beat this time of year. The Ravens control their own destiny and either they'll take care of business or they won't.

They sure didn't take care of business yesterday, did they? Other teams locked up playoff spots and/or division titles. The door was open for the Ravens, but they screwed the pooch. How can you dismiss that reality?

[NCBirdfan]

And yet speculating is exactly what you were doing when you "speculated" in response to AFKAR7's post. And really...all we're really doing most of the time is speculating here on sports message boards since none of us is ever in the clubhouse. I think it's more accurate to say that you'd rather not speculate on the scenario I posed to you, is all. N/P.

First of all, that wasn't speculating on AFKAR7'S post.

I said:

...barring a complete collapse, the Ravens should reach the playoffs.

It is a fact, backed up by math. If the Ravens win one or two games they will be in the playoffs again. If they lose all four games like you suggested, they still have a chance to back in the playoffs, depending on what other teams do.

With that said, you have to understand that my posts during and after the games are usually not as rational as other times; I am usually more emotional too. In fact, I even made remarks to another poster last night that I regret now. I just get caught up in the moment.

You are accurate that I'd rather not speculate on such a negative scenario that you proposed. It could indeed happen, and has happened to several teams in history. But, the odds favor the Ravens reaching the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year. And if they do make the postseason, there is no team that they cannot beat if they bring their A game - same can be said of every team in the playoffs. It's a new season after the first 16 are played.

[OriginalColtsFan]

First of all, that wasn't speculating on AFKAR7'S post.

I said: It is a fact, backed up by math.

It's not a FACT; it's an opinion/projection, which, by definition, is speculation. It's merely that YOUR speculation is in line with the way you'd like to see things play out, and mine runs contrary to that. But any way you slice it, it's still speculation. Not "Fact".

But regardless...I'm not interested in debating over semantics. The Ravens showed some of their true colors last night, and it's going to impact the rest of the season, one way, or another. THAT'S the bottom line. (In my "speculative opinion, of course.)