not the kind of article you want in SI ......

[Rael]

Didn't Baltimore beat NE? Isn't that the tie breaker?

If it was a two way tie then yes but currently they are in a three way tie and since you cannot judge head to head effectively in a three way tie, that criteria gets thrown out and I believe conference record is next and NE only has one conference loss.

[baltiMOREO&R]

record > conference record > head to head

just google AFC playoff picture and you'll see NE as the 2nd seed

the Ravens really blew it on Sunday.. and when the coach said "one game doesn't define us"... does losing a BYE AND a home game define your S.B. chances - absolutely 'yes'

he has no clue

[West Chester Raven]

I agree with most of what you posted, but "accepting" what may be the fifth straight playoff appearance is what we fans will have to do.

There are two ways to look at this:

1. The Ravens have made the playoffs each year under Harbaugh, and Cameron of course. Despite some obvious coaching flaws, the Ravens coaching staff did a pretty good job getting the team prepared for the season. The Ravens may have not won the Super Bowl, but they got into the playoffs to set up that opportunity each year; and getting the opportunity is what a team needs to do to eventually get to the promise land. Teams in the playoffs are only a short winning streak from winning it all.

2. Harbaugh and company made the playoffs mainly because the talent was there and the teams were able to defeat enough "inferior" teams to get to the postseason, year-in and year-out. The teams of the past five years won in spite of the coaches. The coaching just was not good enough when the team played the elite (playoff) teams and sputtered in the end. This is the reason the Ravens need new blood - to take them over the hump.

If you agree with the first argument, then you just sit back and wait; you enjoy the trip as every year your team gets to the playoffs. Many other fans really don't have that fortune. You are happy the team is always good, even though it has come up short of the championship at this point.

If you agree with the second argument, you feel getting "better" coaches will mean better results. You feel there needs to be a major change. But with change, especially change from a team that by all accounts has been successful for 5 year, could give results that may not be positive.

There are two major examples where other teams have been impatient with coaches that just got them into the playoffs, but never winning it all.

1. Bum Phillips coached the Houston Oilers to the playoffs consistently, but was canned one year when his team lost in the playoffs. After his firing, the Oilers never were the same. In fact, things got so bad they had to move their franchise to another city.

2. A recent example is in San Diego, where Marty Schottenheimer finished the season with a 15-1 regular season record only to be fired after his team lost in the playoffs. How many Super Bowls have the Chargers been in since? Have they been better after Schottenheimer's exit?

This is a very measured and rational post. Nice job. While I do get frustrated - it's only because I want the same thing we all want - a championship. We debate endlessly on what needs to change, but I've always been thankful we have a quality organization in Baltimore. Are we spoiled by the winning? Maybe. But there is a sense of urgency here - because the new talent replacing the old talent isn't as good. That is one thing you didn't address.
Nevertheless, I like your post.

[West Chester Raven]

LOL. There are a TON of coaches out there, and you can't think of ONE who could POSSIBLY be better than Cameron. I think the limitation is in your scouting ability, NOT on the lack of better coaches out there. Every time I hear the "Who are the better coaches?" line it just makes me cringe. (For one...JIM CALDWELL is better than Cameron. And he is RIGHT HERE ALREADY. Saunders is better than Cameron, and HE was here already. So really...don't roll out that tired nonsense, okay?) Just my 2 cents.

I know, right? It's like the "who else you gonna get?" reply we hear we there is discussion of alternatives at the QB position. Like there isn't anyone else who could provide the same level of production for less money.