Better 9-2 team?

Originally Posted by bearsfan_51

And running the ball. It's not like the Bears are slouches at stopping the run, it's still under 100 yards per. Give me a sec, I'll look up the stats for the NFC, since this is what the argument is really about.

As for running the ball, Jamal Lewis is starting to run harder and stronger again. The Ravens running game isn't as good as the Bears yet, but it's definitely picking up, from what I've seen of the past 3 games.

[Basileus777]

Originally Posted by bearsfan_51

Ok well by your standards the Bears and the Cowboys should be the best two teams in the playoffs.

Of the teams likely to make the playoffs the Cowboys are #1 in run defense and the Bears are #2. The Bears are #1 in turnover margin and the Cowboys are #2.

I don't think many would really dispute that the Bears and Cowboys are the two best teams in the NFC.

[bearsfan_51]

Originally Posted by Basileus777

I don't think many would really dispute that the Bears and Cowboys are the two best teams in the NFC.

Then unless people feel like the Ravens will make the AFC Championship game, the vote should go to the Bears.

Maybe there is just a lot of love for the Ravens...personally I still am not sold on their offense compared to the Colts or the Chargers.

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

Turnover margin is really more important than just taking care of the ball. if you turn the ball over once, not a big deal, but if you dont force any, you lose the turnover battle. If you give up two, but force three or four, you have a better chance.

Anyway, I hate to do this as a Broncos fan, but I think the Chargers might be the best team period, regardless of record.

[Star Wideout]

Originally Posted by Basileus777

I don't think many would really dispute that the Bears and Cowboys are the two best teams in the NFC.

Yup IMO they will be the #1, and #2 seeds in the NFC respectively.

[doingthisinsteadofwork]

Bears Total Turnovers 34.
Ravens Total Turnovers 29.
Even with those i would still pick Baltimore to win it all because
A.Rex Grossman has lack of playoff experience.
B.Rex Grossman when pressured and gets hit turns the ball over to much.
C.Steve McNair has plenty of playoff experence.
D.Steve McNair more mobile.
Baltimore wins.

[MichaelJordanEberle (sabf)]

Originally Posted by doingthisinsteadofwork

Bears Total Turnovers 34.
Ravens Total Turnovers 29.
Even with those i would still pick Baltimore to win it all because
A.Rex Grossman has lack of playoff experience.
B.Rex Grossman when pressured and gets hit turns the ball over to much.
C.Steve McNair has plenty of playoff experence.
D.Steve McNair more mobile.
Baltimore wins.

The question isnt so much can the Ravens beat the Bears, but can they beat 2 or 3 out of Denver, KC, Cincy, San Diego, Indy or New England? That's tougher. The Bears will most likely cruise to the NFC Championship game, at least.

[Cavalier17]

JLew is back. This keeps the D (most vital part of Ravens) resting while the offense is driving the field. McNair is a vet leader, meanwhile Grossman has a lack of experience and turns the ball over under pressure, which is what happens in the playoffs. I think Rex has a day like Eli did last year against Carolina, and they were even home. If Bears are on road and Rex doesn't play well, they are done.

[bearsfan_51]

Originally Posted by ChrisCybulski

The question isnt so much can the Ravens beat the Bears, but can they beat 2 or 3 out of Denver, KC, Cincy, San Diego, Indy or New England? That's tougher. The Bears will most likely cruise to the NFC Championship game, at least.

Exactely. And Steve McNair isn't more mobile than Grossman. He hasn't been since 2002.

[dcarey20]

Call me a homer but of course I had to go with the Ravens..if we continue to play like we did against Pitt, it will be hard for anyone to beat us.

[jkpigskin]

Originally Posted by Number 10

The 2 Most important aspects of football in January....taking care of the ball and stopping the run.

so true

our offense is coming along and we are just hitting stride... jamal is getting back to form after billick took over the play calling.. our passing game has multiple threats with mason, clayton, williams, and heap...

also i dont think theres a defense in the NFL that fires up their offense as much as the ravens do... also the ravens have had an int in all but one games and have had sacks in every game

[Ravens1991]

Jamal is looking good, McNair was 1 yard short of a super bowl victory so I think he will come in pumped up since this is probably his last chance.

[PalmerToCJ]

I'm not extremely impressed with the Ravens at this point.

They're obviously a good team, I just feel their record is just a tick better than they've played. Say if they were 7-4 that would seem about right to me.

[ccB]

both teams suck.

[sweetness34]

Originally Posted by dcarey20

Call me a homer but of course I had to go with the Ravens..if we continue to play like we did against Pitt, it will be hard for anyone to beat us.

Oh you mean that inept Pittsburgh team this week? Don't mean to harp on ya but that win is not very impressive (well 27-0 is impressive but it's the Steelers), considering Pittsburgh is blowing monkey balls this season (they lost to the friggin Raiders).

Not that the Bears beating the crap out of San Fran and Buffalo is any better, but you did lose to Carolina at home as well, a team that just lost to Washington.

I know this isn't saying much with Rex but I question Air McNair's durability and Boller behind him. At least we've got a solid vet if Rex goes down. Plus we have 3 very capable RB's in TJ, Cedric, and AP. Who's behind Lewis on the depth chart?

And Jamal Lewis has rushed big against teams who give up over 100 yard per game on the ground. The best rush defense he's rushed against in the past 3 weeks or so has been Pittsburgh, and they're ranked about 9th or 10th in the league at 100yd/pg...The other two are giving up over 115 a game in Cincy and the Titans.

[rchrd]

Originally Posted by bearsfan_51

When the Bengals beat the Ravens and the Bears beat the Vikes this week everyone will start saying the opposite thing. Fans in this league are so fickle from a week to week basis. We lose by 4 points to the Patriots and all of the sudden we're in a free-fall. Get real.

To be fair I notice that a lot more from the bears fans than others. It's a good thing though, it's why people like you guys because you're not so far up your own a**** that you can see daylight through the other end.

[sweetness34]

Originally Posted by rchrd

To be fair I notice that a lot more from the bears fans than others. It's a good thing though, it's why people like you guys because you're not so far up your own a**** that you can see daylight through the other end.

Whoo Hoo!! I see the light rchrd. :D

Btw, I can't get enough of that Crystal Palace quote in your sig. Cracks me up everytime I read it.

[TIP]

Originally Posted by dcarey20

Call me a homer but of course I had to go with the Ravens..if we continue to play like we did against Pitt, it will be hard for anyone to beat us.

As a PItt Fan, lemme say, Freaking USC could have destroyed us last game. NO discredit to you, but that was the most pathetic display I've ever seen from an O-Line. It's the same s*** every game. Bad O-Line play, stupid turnovers and stupid penalties. If you can do that to a good team...I'll be impressed.

[ccB]

Originally Posted by sweetness34

Oh you mean that inept Pittsburgh team this week? Don't mean to harp on ya but that win is not very impressive (well 27-0 is impressive but it's the Steelers), considering Pittsburgh is blowing monkey balls this season (they lost to the friggin Raiders).

Not that the Bears beating the crap out of San Fran and Buffalo is any better, but you did lose to Carolina at home as well, a team that just lost to Washington.

I know this isn't saying much with Rex but I question Air McNair's durability and Boller behind him. At least we've got a solid vet if Rex goes down. Plus we have 3 very capable RB's in TJ, Cedric, and AP. Who's behind Lewis on the depth chart?

And Jamal Lewis has rushed big against teams who give up over 100 yard per game on the ground. The best rush defense he's rushed against in the past 3 weeks or so has been Pittsburgh, and they're ranked about 9th or 10th in the league at 100yd/pg...The other two are giving up over 115 a game in Cincy and the Titans.

You really cant gauge our team by who we beat and lost to. I mean we beat the chargers and people have them as the best team in the league. But at the same time weve lost to the Panthers who have been a dissapointment.

The win against the steelers was impressive because the steelers usually always give us a tough game and we completely destroyed them. More of a moral victory.

Also at RB we have Musa Smith and Mike Anderson backing up Jamal. Both are quality back ups IMO.


Both teams have unimpressive offenses and great defenses. Both teams have had pretty easy schedules. But in the end both teams are 9-2 and top 5 teams in the league so you cant discredit either one.

[Shane P. Hallam]

Chargers are best 9-2 team, no doubt. They were bound to have a letdown against the Raiders, who have a decent defense.

I think the Bears are more talented, but they will lose early due to QB play being inconsistent.

Ravens could face SD in the AFC Championship.

[TIP]

Originally Posted by sweetness34

Oh you mean that inept Pittsburgh team this week? Don't mean to harp on ya but that win is not very impressive (well 27-0 is impressive but it's the Steelers), considering Pittsburgh is blowing monkey balls this season (they lost to the friggin Raiders).
Not that the Bears beating the crap out of San Fran and Buffalo is any better, but you did lose to Carolina at home as well, a team that just lost to Washington.

I know this isn't saying much with Rex but I question Air McNair's durability and Boller behind him. At least we've got a solid vet if Rex goes down. Plus we have 3 very capable RB's in TJ, Cedric, and AP. Who's behind Lewis on the depth chart?

And Jamal Lewis has rushed big against teams who give up over 100 yard per game on the ground. The best rush defense he's rushed against in the past 3 weeks or so has been Pittsburgh, and they're ranked about 9th or 10th in the league at 100yd/pg...The other two are giving up over 115 a game in Cincy and the Titans.

Be kind...

[ccB]

I think its funny how alot of people were like "Oh the steelers are going to beat the ravens" Than once we completely demolish them people are like "Oh well they suck so thats unimpressive"

[BigDawg819]

Originally Posted by danman253

The Chargers just went 4-0 without Shawn Merriman. They are my super bowl pick right now, I see no one who can stop LT.

If you go back a few weeks you will see that the Ravens did stop LT.

[bearsfan_51]

Originally Posted by Charm City Byrdgang

I think its funny how alot of people were like "Oh the steelers are going to beat the ravens" Than once we completely demolish them people are like "Oh well they suck so thats unimpressive"

Welcome to the life of a Bears fan.

[CC.SD]

Originally Posted by BigDawg819

If you go back a few weeks you will see that the Ravens did stop LT.

Yeah, but they stopped LT because the Chargers only called 4 passes in the second half or something crazy. Martyball to a nauseating extreme, and it still took a last second drive for us to throw the game away. It was the last straw before Marty cut Rivers loose and we started really dominating.

I guarantee SD wins the rematch, possibly in the playoffs this year.