Ravens Playoff Scenarios

Any team hates to have their fate in the hands of another team, but there is not much to do except accept it and move on, so here is what needs to happen in simple terms:

1.  Ravens beat Browns, Chargers lose

Result :  Ravens In

2.  Ravens beat Browns, Cinci loses final two games (Broncos and Steelers)

* Note:  The Steelers still have a lot on on the line, they host a first round playoff game if they beat the Bengals.  That means they will be doing their best to close that one out vs. resting starters.

Raven's Prospects for the draft

Most reports show the Ravens targeting a WR in this year's draft.

See a great breakdown here on Bleacher Report

OC talk

Baltimore Ravens expected to name Kyle Shanahan or Jim Hotler next offensive coordinator

Source HERE

Ed Reed says he wants to play another year for the Jets, but could it be possible we see him back on the sideline in another role?  There is speculation (maybe just from the fans...) that we may see the Ball Hawk back in Baltimore.  He hasn't it ruled it out - and here is an interview from last year. http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ed-Reed-Can-See-Himself-Working-For-Ravens/81fc73aa-f38c-4f57-bbd1-00cbb69d8115

Numerous reports are saying that Kirby Wilson will not be getting another interview for the OC spot.

James Harrison whining again...

Now I know that James Harrison may have some legitimate complaints against the NFL about the penalties he has been seeing as well as the fines, but let's call it what it is. He is using tackling methods that the league deems no longer legal (this has happened before, facemask anyone?), and the league is punishing him for it. Of course he is whining about, who likes change.

But this week he is crying some more...

"Harrison was said to have accused Ravens offensive lineman Chris Chester of intentionally trying to injure him on an extra point attempt in Sunday night's game.

"Of course it was deliberate," Harrison reportedly said. "There's no way that happens on an extra point because [offensive linemen] don't shoot out. It's obvious it was blatant. It was on purpose."

This is from a Huffington Post article shown here.

This reminds me of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. He has bitched and bitched and now no one cares what he is whining about. I find it ironic that he complains that he can't hit like he used to and now is complaining about how people hit him. As Rodney Harrison said on SNF a few weeks ago, the rest of the league has figured it out, and he will, too...eventually.

Very average QB

Joe Flacco has been exciting to watch at times this year, but he has also been downright awful at times. I thought I would look at some stats to see where he fell across the league. The results aren’t overwhelming, they weren’t underwhelming. I guess they were just…whelming.

He is 13^th overall at yards per game with 2132. Bested by the likes of Henne and McNabb (Really? I thought better) but barely beating the likes of Favre (more impressive last season) and Sanchize.

At 18^th in completion percentage (there were several ties), he wallows in the company of Kitna, Cutler, and Freeman.

At only 21^st in pass attempts, I would say that is more a stat about the play calling, or perhaps the success of the running game. That’s in the company of Favre and Rothlisberger, yes the guy suspended the first four games. Perhaps he deserves the ball more.

Some other interesting stats:
10^th – Touchdowns – 16
15^th – Interceptions – 7
10^th – 1^st Downs – 110 (tie with Matt Ryan)
9^th – 1^st Percentage – 37% (Better than Eli, VY, Brees, Brady, and Vick)
26^th – 40+ yd passes (This frustrates me the most, lousy stat considering the WR’s but you have heard that from me before)
14^th – Sacks – 16
16^th – QB Rating – 90.1

All things considered, these stats aren’t alarming. In a year where standouts simply don’t exist, average is good.