We aren’t as bad as we think

[feltdizz]

I know we aren’t “good” but if you watched the early games on Sunday you saw a lot of sloppy football this week.

Browns game will be interesting since they are banged up and have a short week while we get to rest.

[Eich]

I agree. And the Rats aren’t as good as they think. They squeaked out a few of those wins. It’s a long season. Anything can happen. I was happy to see some signs of life these past two games.

[feltdizz]

I agree. And the Rats aren’t as good as they think. They squeaked out a few of those wins. It’s a long season. Anything can happen. I was happy to see some signs of life these past two games.

Rats could easily be 3-3 just like us.. they literally had a lucky bounce for one of their wins.

We had a rough 3 game losing stretch but we also had tons of injuries during that time frame.

[Northern_Blitz]

We'll know more after the Browns.

I wonder how many division wins we'll need to make the playoffs.

My guess is at least 4. And we've already lost 1/6.

Big game after the bye.

[flippy]

This team could just as easily be 0-6 or 6-0. Literally inches separate the 2 and at this point given what we have, I think we’re overachieving right now.

There’s some nice pieces developing. There’s also some warts that won’t go away.

I think we’ll be playing our best ball by year end, but given the play calling and our QB throwing to or a couple yards past the LOS, I just can’t see us able to compete with the top teams in the league.

I also think we’re gonna have to learn to stop the run which I think is our other Achilles. Don’t see a path to fixing that other than the O putting up lots of points so teams can’t run. But that’s not happening so meh.

[Buzz]

If you think we're close to being as good as the Ravens at this point in the season, you're as deluded as the people that think Lamar Jackson isn't for real.

Now, I'm not discounting that it's a long season, and we could still improve a lot. Maybe by season's end we'll get there. But the Ravens right now are at the top of the league, and we are somewhere in the murky middle. That's not a fluke, or a matter of luck. The Ravens could easily be 3-3 by now? Well, we could just as easily be sitting at 1-5.

[feltdizz]

If you think we're close to being as good as the Ravens at this point in the season, you're as deluded as the people that think Lamar Jackson isn't for real.

Now, I'm not discounting that it's a long season, and we could still improve a lot. Maybe by season's end we'll get there. But the Ravens right now are at the top of the league, and we are somewhere in the murky middle. That's not a fluke, or a matter of luck. The Ravens could easily be 3-3 by now? Well, we could just as easily be sitting at 1-5.

Not sure saying the Ravens are a few bounces from 3-3 is the same as saying we are as good as them.

We haven’t player them yet so have no idea if we are as good as them or not.

Obviously they have a better record but the point was a missed FG and a lucky bounce on a FG are the difference between 3-3 and 5-1.

and these were games against the Colts and Lions.

Lamar has struggled against us too so I’m not ready to crown them or say they are better than we are..

if we played the Lions and Colts instead of the Bengals and Packers who knows.. like you said, its a long season.

[Captain Lemming]

This team could just as easily be 0-6 or 6-0. Literally inches separate the 2 and at this point given what we have, I think we’re overachieving right now.

There’s some nice pieces developing. There’s also some warts that won’t go away.

I think we’ll be playing our best ball by year end, but given the play calling and our QB throwing to or a couple yards past the LOS, I just can’t see us able to compete with the top teams in the league.

I also think we’re gonna have to learn to stop the run which I think is our other Achilles. Don’t see a path to fixing that other than the O putting up lots of points so teams can’t run. But that’s not happening so meh.

Very accurate assessment Flippy.

[Northern_Blitz]

Our problem is going to come the last 7 games.

@Cincy (already beat us soundly at home)
Rats
@Vikings
Titans
@KC
Stains
@Rats

I think we probably need to win the next three (CLE, CHI, DET) to make the playoffs. At least 2 provided one of them is CLE.

The good news is that these should all be winnable games. CLE and CHI are both 0.500 and DET is 0.000.

This win streak we're on has me thinking we'll end in the Bills zone of 7-9 wins with no playoffs.

[feltdizz]

Our problem is going to come the last 7 games.

@Cincy (already beat us soundly at home)
Rats
@Vikings
Titans
@KC
Stains
@Rats

I think we probably need to win the next three (CLE, CHI, DET) to make the playoffs. At least 2 provided one of them is CLE.

The good news is that these should all be winnable games. CLE and CHI are both 0.500 and DET is 0.000.

This win streak we're on has me thinking we'll end in the Bills zone of 7-9 wins with no playoffs.

every one of those games is winnable IMO.

We play the Rats tight so I think he have a chance.

[Steel Maniac]

This team could just as easily be 0-6 or 6-0. Literally inches separate the 2 and at this point given what we have, I think we’re overachieving right now.

There’s some nice pieces developing. There’s also some warts that won’t go away.

I think we’ll be playing our best ball by year end, but given the play calling and our QB throwing to or a couple yards past the LOS, I just can’t see us able to compete with the top teams in the league.

I also think we’re gonna have to learn to stop the run which I think is our other Achilles. Don’t see a path to fixing that other than the O putting up lots of points so teams can’t run. But that’s not happening so meh.

Much appreciated Flippy.

["BuzzNuter"]

The Ravens play the Bengals this Sunday. We'll see who is the top of the division. I expect improvement from us going forward. Despite what many of you think I believe Ben is a good QB. He will improve and the OL will improve. When I say improve I mean get a rapport with Najee, Friermuth and DJ. Those are the key receivers. The Yards per attempt statistic, well I think it is bullsh*t. I remember when Rich Gannon threw 50 passes against us and I bet none were greater than 10 yards. They beat us(Raiders) and then Brady did the same thing the next week. If you can complete 65% of your passes, no INTS and average 6 yards a completion. I'll take that all day. This new analytics and Fantasy football crap is distorting what's good and what's not. The object is to win the game as Herm would say. I think we come out of the bye and after 3 weeks we are 6-3.
That being said if we lose to the Browns our season is done. If we can't get up for them after last year then we are done.

[NorthCoast]

every one of those games is winnable IMO.

We play the Rats tight so I think he have a chance.

If Tuitt is back for the game I like the Steelers chances a whole lot better...

[Northern_Blitz]

every one of those games is winnable IMO.

We play the Rats tight so I think he have a chance.

I don't see how we can score enough points to beat KC. Asking the D to keep them under 20 points (which seems to be necessary for us to win) seems like too much.

[feltdizz]

I don't see how we can score enough points to beat KC. Asking the D to keep them under 20 points (which seems to be necessary for us to win) seems like too much.

hoping by that time our offense has an identity.

Also, that KC defense is BAD and the offense leads the lead with 14 turnovers.

They can score in bunches but I think we can hang with them. I think this needs to be a ball control game where Najee gets a ton of touches.