We're past the 53 man cut-down, both our rosters are for the most part set in stone. It's time to talk real football.
Ravens lost a few players on defense this offseason, but acquired Henry. LJ has been talking big about how much weight he's lost this offseason to be faster than ever, I suppose. Don't know much about their draft, but the Ravens traditionally draft well so I'll assume the same this year.
We're likely down Hollywood Brown, but no other major injuries.
Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin:
Agree 100% about the 3peat, but did the opening loss really matter?
I mean, I think this team showed last year that they're that much better than everyone else that they can kind of coast through the regular season trying stuff out (offense, particularly) and then flip the switch in the playoffs.
Obviously, the defense won't be as dominant this year, so it would help to get off to a strong start, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary. They could lose the first two (they won't, mind you) and I wouldn't worry that much.
Just win enough games to get into the playoffs and then take care of business. I think when the playoffs get here, they will have a laser like focus that no other team can match and they will understand they are playing for something that few teams in the history of the sport have EVER had the opportunity to do.
No other team will have THAT at stake and can match that type of motivating factor, IMO.
I think that raising a SB banner and then losing to the Lions left a mark. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bob Dole:
I think that raising a SB banner and then losing to the Lions left a mark.
It did, but ultimately didn't really matter.
And if we're being honest, we know the only reason (besides Toney being a dumbass) we lost is because we were without 2 of our 3 best players in that game, so it didn't really prove anything for the Chiefs or Lions.
We're at full strength this year (minus Hollywood) and I expect us to raise that banner and then treat the fans to a solid victory.
That said, if we somehow managed to lose, I'm not gonna freak out about it (assuming no serious injuries or anything) [Reply]
Yea, week 1 usually yields us one good “this player/this (pick one) room” sucks and is in need of upgrade.
Or a nostalgic “Andy never changes/doesn’t challenge/can’t be trusted with the clock” threads.
I wonder if certain CPers believe that because we're the dynasty of this generation, we need to be world beaters and blow teams out, never have a weakness, never make mistakes, never make coaching errors, etc.
It just doesn't happen. The NFL isn't Madden. Every good team has a weakness, every good team has an off week, every good team makes mistakes. But the really good teams seem to know when to flip the switch and focus in when the games actually matter.
The regular season matters to an extent, I dont want to be limping into the playoffs. But just get there in a decent spot and we've got a great chance. [Reply]
I'm not sure how many "must win" games there are in week 1, but I'd say this one is as close to that as it can be. Having a win in our back pocket, and then one against Cinci the next week, would be absolutely massive as we work through the season and the stacked AFC.
As for the game, my initial thought is that we're going to get bootlegged to death trying to gang up on Henry. But, as has been pointed out, Spags always plays him tough. Spags in general seems to always have a fantastic game plan against mobile QBs, so let's hope he and the defense brings it. I'm a little nervous with no Willie Gay or Sneed out there, but in Spags I trust. [Reply]
Originally Posted by TomBarndtsTwin:
Agree 100% about the 3peat, but did the opening loss really matter?
I mean, I think this team showed last year that they're that much better than everyone else that they can kind of coast through the regular season trying stuff out (offense, particularly) and then flip the switch in the playoffs.
Obviously, the defense won't be as dominant this year, so it would help to get off to a strong start, but I don't think it's absolutely necessary. They could lose the first two (they won't, mind you) and I wouldn't worry that much.
Just win enough games to get into the playoffs and then take care of business. I think when the playoffs get here, they will have a laser like focus that no other team can match and they will understand they are playing for something that few teams in the history of the sport have EVER had the opportunity to do.
No other team will have THAT at stake and can match that type of motivating factor, IMO.
Last year was against an NFC opponent, not a front runner for the AFC one seed.
Originally Posted by saphojunkie:
Last year was against an NFC opponent, not a front runner for the AFC one seed.
This game is HUGE.
If we go 2-0 against ravens bengals we pretty will crush every other teams souls but if we go 0-2 it will gives them hope and we don’t want that , I need salty tears to feed on. [Reply]
I expect a heavy dose of Derrick Henry. That's fine but the jokes is on them because they are going to run Ol' Henry into the ground by post season and they will be one and done.
We've contained Ol' Henry to 69 yards in the AFCC game against the Titans we can do it again. [Reply]
