The Running Game, the Turnovers, and the Same Ol’ Ravens

[Bama Ravens]

Is there any reason to hope that we hang on to Todd Monken for another year? I’m sick of watching him abandon what’s working, which is usually the downhill running game.

 

[rmcjacket23]

I’d generally agree except for the first 2 point call which was atrocious.

If you get a guy wide open, which he was, its not atrocious. It literally can't be.

 

[Michael M.]

Early in games? We didn't attempt one until late 3rd quarter. What the hell is the point in kicking a PAT, down 2, late in the 3rd quarter?

Not necessary for a team that can't complete them. They lost the game by 2 points, 2 kicks

 

[rmcjacket23]

actually the Bills defense didn't face much zone read at all this season.

I know. I'm pointing out that based on the size and scheme they run, that's not the team I would do read option against. I think they'd do much better at it than PIT did.

 

[rmcjacket23]

Not necessary for a team that can't complete them. They lost the game by 2 points, 2 kicks

Well a) your math equates to a tie, not a win. Kicking PATs pretty much prohibits you from actually taking a lead, and b) if you're down 1 and then give up a TD, you're going to need a 2PC no matter what.

 

[Militant X 1]

id much rather hear some gangsta shit before going out there to play than a prayer. Maybe say a prayer first then let one of the players speak on how the other team could potentially be the reason why i cant feed my family with nfl checks anymore lol

1st....I always thought the team prayed after a game?

2nd...I thought a lot of you cats didn't like that 'rah, rah' stuff when Ray Lewis did it?

 

[rossihunter2]

only gameplan question i do have now the dust has settled...

where was the QB run game stuff? we saw barely any zone read stuff... maybe with the weather they didn't want to use the mesh as much? that's my only thought... in which case the weather was a massive equaliser and help for the bills if that was the case

 

[Michael M.]

Well a) your math equates to a tie, not a win. Kicking PATs pretty much prohibits you from actually taking a lead, and b) if you're down 1 and then give up a TD, you're going to need a 2PC no matter what.

A tie would have given them a chance to win. I'm a believer in taking the points when you can, especially in close games.

 

[gtalk12]

There's a reason why we should lock message boards during and immediately after games...

1. With Lamar, I just don't know. Honestly the INT didn't bother me that much, because every QB in the league does dumb shit like that, and it didn't directly hurt us (though all turnovers indirectly do). That fumble is just so fucking bad. Careless, stupid fucking bad.
2. Andrews had a really bad night. The 2PC I kind of yawn at, because it doesn't mean we win the game. His strip fumble was an absolute backbreaker. Changed the entire momentum of the game.
3. Really didn't like the lack of pass rush
4. I hate that this team struggles to force turnovers, though its basically just regression to the mean after over-performing in that area last year.

I guess if you're going to lose, this is the best way to do it. You beat PIT, you didn't lose to KC or get your heart ripped out by losing in the SB.

And finally, for fucks sake:
a) John is still going to be the HC, as he should be.
b) Andrews is still going to be on the team never year, as he should be. Possibly with a contract extension too.

Need to stop pretending like the last thing you saw is the only thing that happened all year.

It was insane

 

[rossihunter2]

We never generate turnovers in playoff games. It’s wild. We definitely give the ball away tho.

2 forced TO forced in 8 games with Lamar. In comparison :
Chiefs : 21 in 19 games with Patrick Mahomes
Bills : 13 in 11 games with Josh Allen
Bengals : 13 in 7 games with Joe Burrow

that is wild
if you want to quibble and make it 3 turnovers to include the tyler huntley game it still doesnt make this stat look any better lol

the other contenders are averaging more than 1 turnover per game
it's been 4 straight playoff games without forcing a turnover - that's horrible

i guess the question is whether it's a philosophical problem? is the defence too conservative and safe and not built around high variance plays and opportunism?

the other question is... how do you get good QBs to give you the ball... and i think the answer is creating pressure with 4 rushers

 

[29BmoreBird22]

I think the 1st one was going to Likely and he was open, the ball was just tipped at the LoS.

I was just meme'ing on Andrews.

Yeah, ball was tipped by Romo's new favorite defensive player, but it was definitely open if it hadn't been tipped.

 

[OURavensFan]

When Lamar turns the ball over, Tanks says, "What the hell are you doing?!"

When anyone else turns the ball over, Tank says, "Well, there was nothing to be done. The defense just made a great play."

Andrews fumble was on him for sure, he didn’t protect the ball and didn’t even have to try to create more yards

 

[29BmoreBird22]

Andrews fumble was on him for sure, he didn’t protect the ball and didn’t even have to try to create more yards

Andrews was trying to create more yards, which was why the fumble was forced. I'm not sure why Andrews, who is about as graceful as a baby deer on ice, thought it was a good idea to try to completely reverse direction with two defenders right there. Just go down.

 

[rmcjacket23]

A tie would have given them a chance to win. I'm a believer in taking the points when you can, especially in close games.

And based on success rates, not sure getting two yards is that much less likely than kicking a PAT in the snow.

 

[Baltimorican]

Heartbreaking for me as well. My daughter lives 2 hrs from KC, is a major Swifty and i had everything lined up to fly there and watch that AFCCG with her. Two straight yrs you go in knowing the only way we lose is a -3 turnover margin and 2 yrs in a row that's exactly what happens. the odds on that seem ridiculously low statistically yet here we are, here we are.

 

[29BmoreBird22]

that is wild
if you want to quibble and make it 3 turnovers to include the tyler huntley game it still doesnt make this stat look any better lol

the other contenders are averaging more than 1 turnover per game
it's been 4 straight playoff games without forcing a turnover - that's horrible

i guess the question is whether it's a philosophical problem? is the defence too conservative and safe and not built around high variance plays and opportunism?

the other question is... how do you get good QBs to give you the ball... and i think the answer is creating pressure with 4 rushers

Everyone talks about Joe Flacco from the 2012 Super Bowl run, and it was an amazing run, but the defense was massive. People dog on the defense because they were mediocre in the regular season (while being completely torn apart by injuries), but the defense was VERY good in the playoffs.

The defense, despite facing Manning, Brady, and a SF team that had 14 turnovers on the season, forced TEN turnovers.

People act like it was Joe Flacco carrying this abysmal defense, but that defense was absolutely huge for the playoff run. They very likely lose in the divisional had the defense not come up so big.

 

[gtalk12]

Everyone talks about Joe Flacco from the 2012 Super Bowl run, and it was an amazing run, but the defense was massive. People dog on the defense because they were mediocre in the regular season (while being completely torn apart by injuries), but the defense was VERY good in the playoffs.

The defense, despite facing Manning, Brady, and a SF team that had 14 turnovers on the season, forced TEN turnovers.

People act like it was Joe Flacco carrying this abysmal defense, but that defense was absolutely huge for the playoff run. They very likely lose in the divisional had the defense not come up so big.

They picked off Manning at the end to get us in FG range, caused a game changing fumble against the Pats, and picked off Colin in the Super Bowl

 

[Grim]

Everyone talks about Joe Flacco from the 2012 Super Bowl run, and it was an amazing run, but the defense was massive. People dog on the defense because they were mediocre in the regular season (while being completely torn apart by injuries), but the defense was VERY good in the playoffs.

The defense, despite facing Manning, Brady, and a SF team that had 14 turnovers on the season, forced TEN turnovers.

People act like it was Joe Flacco carrying this abysmal defense, but that defense was absolutely huge for the playoff run. They very likely lose in the divisional had the defense not come up so big.

Corey Graham, Jimmy Smith & Ed Reed baby with Suggs, Ngata and a still brilliant Lewis

 

[OURavensFan]

They picked off Manning at the end to get us in FG range, caused a game changing fumble against the Pats, and picked off Colin in the Super Bowl

And goal line stand . Of course Cheffers is throwing DPI on Jimmy Smith tho. Jerome Boger knew better

 

[allblackraven]

They picked off Manning at the end to get us in FG range, caused a game changing fumble against the Pats, and picked off Colin in the Super Bowl

Picked Manning twice, Brady twice. Denver scored 2 TDs on kick returns.