feels eerily like 2000

[Galen Sevinne]

I wasn't going to post this because of my superstitiousness but I can't help it. There is something about this year and really right now that feels eerily like 2000 to me.

The idea that the Ravens have no pressure on them to win in the postseason unlike in 2006 when the pressure with the bye as well as the return of the colts had the city on fire. There is no one giving the Ravens respect which is always a good thing. No one is looking at us.

Our team plays equally as well on the road as at home. Any team that could go into Dallas Satuday night and control the flow of the game as the Ravens did under those conditions shows their true mettle as a road team. Flacco seems to enjoy the road as well as games in primetime.

But there is something else...a certain "coolness" to this team that makes everything they do very understated. Preston kind of hit on it today in his article and that is what got me thinking about 2000. My gut is that this team surprises a lot people when the money is really on the line in the postseason. We have played only one really bad game this season....that's pretty remarkable.

I don't know how far we go in January but I really think the losses to Pittsburgh and to Tennessee will end up being good things. Those teams have the pressure on them at home and they know...you know they do...that they were lucky to get out of town with wins. Even without the purple shades on, I think we controlled the momemtum of those games. We were the better team. I think we learn lessons from those games that Tenn and Pitts. don't.

The only thing that gives me concern is Indy. Somehow Baltimore is still carrying the curse from that transaction and I don't know why. Maybe this is the year we shake it but I wouldn't want to take my chances.

This final game of the season against Jax reminds me a lot of the final game in 2000 against the Jets. I didn't think we would lose then and does anyone think we will lose now?

Even sitting here looking out the window at the sky, there is something eerily familiar about it. I don't know if I can even put my finger on it but I like the way we are going into this postseason.

[camdenyard]

I don't see as many similarities, except that McClain looks like a young Jamal, and maybe the young coach parallel. The QB situation is vastly different. The crowd is very different. We didn't know what winning was back then, now it's expected. Don't know about you, but I fully expected us to go toe to toe with Dallas. I expect us to win every game. That wasn't the case until late in the year in 2000.

[xmradiodave]

I am cautiously optimistic. I keep (kept) waiting for the wheels to fall off.

I know there is one game left in the regular season, and when we win, we not only go into the playoffs, but have an 11-5 record. But it seems unreal. Like something was supposed to go wrong. We were not supposed to get here.

[Dave Lap]

We don't quite have the defense we had in 2000 but our offense is better.

We have a defense equal to the 2006 unit and an offense that is much better.

I think we are finally learning how to play with the better teams.

I honestly think we will have a good chance to go all the way providing we beat the Jaguars. That should happen.

I don't see that much difference in talent between the playoff teams except for the Giants. They are a notch above but still beatable.

[Jeremiah W]

I did a preseason comparison to the 2000 roster, and of course got a lot kool aid stuff and purple glasses crap, but the similarities are even more obvious now.
I also think that we have as good a chance this year as we would next year with a healthy Tom Brady back in the mix, SD and Indy maybe getting home games and bye weeks instead of 2 teams I think the Ravens should beat holding the 1 and 2 seeds, and no team in the playoff picture we can not match up with.
We are never going to get a better Ed Reed, Trevor Pryce and Ray Lewis. They may still have a lot of good football in them, but the vets like Heap, Mason, Neal, Anderson and so on are not going to be playing at a higher level than right now with the ring in reach.
The Ravens will be a contender for years with Flacco under center, but you never know when they will have the kind of depth and balance they have shown this year.

[Losac]

I don't see that much difference in talent between the playoff teams except for the Giants. They are a notch above but still beatable.
I just hope someone knocks off the Colts before we would have to play them (if we make it that far).

For some reason that team seems to have our number and Rex has no answer for Peyton.

[Jeremiah W]

I just hope someone knocks off the Colts before we would have to play them (if we make it that far).

For some reason that team seems to have our number and Rex has no answer for Peyton.

If we get to go to Indy for a chance at the Sb I would be thrilled. They are maybe the most dangerous team, but not the best top to bottom. They have had as many stinkers this season as games like they did against us. Also I like our chances a lot better with Washington and Rolle out there than C Mac on one leg and Walker man to man on Wayne.
The matchups last time did not go the right way, but they did have to use 8 man fronts to stop our run, and we could stop them from running with 6, just could not cover the back side with the 5 we had available.

[Mwjergs]

I just hope someone knocks off the Colts before we would have to play them (if we make it that far).

For some reason that team seems to have our number and Rex has no answer for Peyton.

I wouldn't agree with that totally.
The playoff game in 2006 the defense held to 5 FGs. The offense was unable to get anything going.

To me that's been the bigger mystery as the Colts have had trouble stopping a lot of teams but seem to be able to bottle up the Ravens.

Oh well - WIN 1 and IN.

[camdenyard]

In 2006 we had a healthy CMac and Rolle.

Now we hang our hopes on a beaten up Fabian Washington and (gulp!) Frank Walker.

Peyton would eat them for lunch.

[StingerNLG]

I just hope someone knocks off the Colts before we would have to play them (if we make it that far).

For some reason that team seems to have our number and Rex has no answer for Peyton.

The problem with the Colts are once they get on their roll, no one has a formula for beating them. Even when you have them down by 14 points going into the 4th quarter, Peyton and the offense rips off 3 touchdowns with no problem. They are on a freaking 8 game winning streak. And they are 9-2 against the conference. And yes, I know they beat up on Cincy, Cleveland, Houston, Jacksonville, and Detroit. But 8 wins in a row is still nothing to be overlooked. They've beaten us plenty including this year.

I do not want to go to Indy in the playoffs. I'm still waiting for the Ravens to simply run out of gas. And I won't blame them one bit after the league screwed us out of our regular bye. But just getting INTO the playoffs this year is going to be an enormous accomplishment for this team.

[camdenyard]

I think we can go all the way if we get in. Seriously.

We are the #2 rushing offense and #3 in rushing defense (#2 overall D). That is a potent combination in the postseason.

There isn't anyone in the first 2 rounds that we can't beat or have already beaten in some way. Flacco wins on the road. As long as we can stay healthy and not face Indy, we can go all the way to Tampa.

And meet the Giants. Ironic, eh?

[Losac]

I think we can go all the way if we get in. Seriously.

We are the #2 rushing offense and #3 in rushing defense (#2 overall D). That is a potent combination in the postseason.

There isn't anyone in the first 2 rounds that we can't beat or have already beaten in some way. Flacco wins on the road. As long as we can stay healthy and not face Indy, we can go all the way to Tampa.

And meet the Giants. Ironic, eh?

I like the way you think!

It's going to be a tough road, but if your scenario plays out I don't think I'll be able to contain myself!

[Losac]

Another similarity to 2000: we had to go on the road to Tennessee in the divisional round too (that's where we'd play if we win the wild card round).

If we block a Tit field goal and run it back for a TD then start ordering your Super Bowl tickets now. :thumbup:

[StingerNLG]

I think we can go all the way if we get in. Seriously.

We are the #2 rushing offense and #3 in rushing defense (#2 overall D). That is a potent combination in the postseason.

There isn't anyone in the first 2 rounds that we can't beat or have already beaten in some way. Flacco wins on the road. As long as we can stay healthy and not face Indy, we can go all the way to Tampa.

And meet the Giants. Ironic, eh?


I can go with that scenerio. I think we can definately beat Miami. I think we can beat Pittsburgh if we got a 3rd crack at them. Tennessee is beatable too.

The Jets I'm unsure of. And the Patriots I am unsure of.


I'll be honest, i am not sure of the Giants making it either. Apparently losing Plaxico Burress hit them pretty hard. I think Carolina beats them.

[Khaine]

I think a repeat of Giants V Ravens in Tampa is do-able. And if we stop the kick return we'll shut them out this time.


Damn, my kool-aid is empty, gotta get a re-fill. :jester:

[Rxdoxx]

The similarity to me starts with the season expectation.
Banks vs Boller the whole QB uncertainty definitely similarities
Recievers? We still weren't sure on Travis(Clayton), and had to live with Patrick Johnson (Figurs)
RB and TE looked solid Priest-Jamal (Willis-Rice) Shannon (Heap)
Jamal 1st round pick, Rice 2nd.
The O definitely had a similar emotional feel to me, with the possible expectations and uncertaintys, the hopes but lack of sure confidence
I agree - eerie
Even as the seasons unfolded, games where O-Tds were hard to come by.

I was figuring 8-8 and secretly hoping my best case of 10-6 would happen.
And when we hit this point, I just relaxed and held on for whereever the ride was going to go, just unexpected extra gravy that I was gobbling up.

[ravenjoer]

I see some similarities to the 2000 year.

1. This team thrives on being disrespected
2. Great ball control
3. Plays better on the road than at home!!!!

I believe this team has a shot to go all the way and I think that loss to Pissburgh was a good thing because it started a fire and this past week the stuff with Dallas just fueled it even more!!! We have vet's here that know this could be it

Let's enjoy the ride
HAPPY HOLIDAYS and almost happy festivous

[SHORTTRACK]

If we get to go to Indy for a chance at the Sb I would be thrilled. They are maybe the most dangerous team, but not the best top to bottom. They have had as many stinkers this season as games like they did against us. Also I like our chances a lot better with Washington and Rolle out there than C Mac on one leg and Walker man to man on Wayne.
The matchups last time did not go the right way, but they did have to use 8 man fronts to stop our run, and we could stop them from running with 6, just could not cover the back side with the 5 we had available.

The Ravens record v. Indy is 2-7
Indy has beat the Ravens the last 6 times.
The last time the Ravens won in Indy was - NEVER (0-4).
If you think that C MAC was on 1 leg rather than REALLY hungover from the night before than I guess thats the new code word for it.

No thanks I'll take Tenn, Pitt, NYJ, Den, SD,probally even NE over Indy again.

[Galen Sevinne]

i wasn't saying that this team reminds of the 2000 team. Yeah, there are some similarities but it is more of a feel that is reminscient of 2k.

The idea that we are getting no attention, the idea that we are better than what we appear to be, we are comiong together as a team at the right time and as Billick was famous for saying more or less, we are not afraid of walking into the lion's cage carrying a two by four asking where in the hell is the son of a bitch. That seems to be our team right now.

I would hate to see Indy put an end to it.

[crpravens]

Hopefully the final result will be the same

[Dave Lap]

In 2006 we had a healthy CMac and Rolle.

Now we hang our hopes on a beaten up Fabian Washington and (gulp!) Frank Walker.

Peyton would eat them for lunch.

Not neccessarily. Indy has played teams with less than stellar corners and lost to them.

I think one of the reasons we played so badly against them earlier is that there was too much freelancing and plain old mix ups going on in the secondary. We also blitzed too many guys too often and couldn't get to Manning in time. We can put a better pass rush on those guys then we did that night.

[SHORTTRACK]

Not neccessarily. Indy has played teams with less than stellar corners and lost to them.

I think one of the reasons we played so badly against them earlier is that there was too much freelancing and plain old mix ups going on in the secondary. We also blitzed too many guys too often and couldn't get to Manning in time. We can put a better pass rush on those guys then we did that night.

The Ravens record v. Indy is 2-7
Indy has beat the Ravens the last 6 times.
The last time the Ravens won in Indy was - NEVER (0-4).

I guess there has either been too much free-lancing, mix-ups, blitzing OR Manning has the Ravens number.

[Rxdoxx]

i wasn't saying that this team reminds of the 2000 team. Yeah, there are some similarities but it is more of a feel that is reminscient of 2k.

The idea that we are getting no attention, the idea that we are better than what we appear to be, we are comiong together as a team at the right time and as Billick was famous for saying more or less, we are not afraid of walking into the lion's cage carrying a two by four asking where in the hell is the son of a bitch. That seems to be our team right now.

I'm with you totally on this.
I was mentioning players, not to start comparing x vs y but trying to re-create some of the feel.
To go back to player examples... Jamal, high draft pick, knees with damage, will he be able to produce? Rice, high draft pick, carried a massive load in college, is he too beat up to be a decent pro, was he a collegate wonder only?
Then taking the focus off individuals, we as fans had an inner turmoil with questions we didn't know answers to. So the eerie feeling that we are experiencing started at the beginning, although we weren't really aware of it back then.
And as the season has progressed, what you are saying above is intensifying the DejaVu ... different team, different circumstances, but it is stirring things deep within us that say "this is familiar" "I seem to remember", and if we had to identify a season, 2000 rises to the surface as the one that seems to be an eerie match for what we are seeing/feeling now.
We have come further than anybody thought, nothing to lose, bring them on!
That was 2000 and is now.

[Merlin]

Not sure why everyone is worried about Indy (not that we're a bad matchup, but that we're unlikely to play them)

The far more probable scenario is that

1.) We play Miami at Miami and beat them

2.) We play Tennessee at Tenn -- if we beat them that will be highly reminiscent of 2000

If those 2 events happen I think we'll likely play at Pittsburgh rather than at Indy -- and usually teams don't beat each other 3 times in a row.

Can't wait for Sunday !!

[jbecks307]

Neither the Giants nor the Ravens are making the Super Bowl. All of this back in Tampa hoopla is exactly that....hoopla. The COLTS and GIANTS both whipped us bad, BAD. The play-calling this year as been questionable at best- without the D winning a few games (Philly, Wash, Houston) we would not even be thinking playoffs. Our Passing Offense is worse than last year- thats right, worse than last year.

Stop drinking the Kool-Aid people, we arent even in the playoffs yet.

[Mr OC]

Neither the Giants nor the Ravens are making the Super Bowl. All of this back in Tampa hoopla is exactly that....hoopla. The COLTS and GIANTS both whipped us bad, BAD. The play-calling this year as been questionable at best- without the D winning a few games (Philly, Wash, Houston) we would not even be thinking playoffs. Our Passing Offense is worse than last year- thats right, worse than last year.

Stop drinking the Kool-Aid people, we arent even in the playoffs yet.
I prefer to drink the Kool-Aid, thanks. That's why I'm a fan - I'd rather enjoy what's going on and be optimistic than worry about what might happen, even if that's the more realistic approach. In my opinion, being a football fan is supposed to be fun!

[xmradiodave]

Neither the Giants nor the Ravens are making the Super Bowl. All of this back in Tampa hoopla is exactly that....hoopla. The COLTS and GIANTS both whipped us bad, BAD. The play-calling this year as been questionable at best- without the D winning a few games (Philly, Wash, Houston) we would not even be thinking playoffs. Our Passing Offense is worse than last year- thats right, worse than last year.

Stop drinking the Kool-Aid people, we arent even in the playoffs yet.


Shhhhh... you sound bitter and jaded that this team is winning. Shut it and enjoy the ride. Did we not go into the playoffs and win a SB because of our defense? We have never had a solid offense. This year's offense is putting up points and typically not losing the games. Who pissed in your wheaties?

[Lee Van Cleef]

I don't like thinking about the playoffs, if we beat Jax, then I'll be thinking about Miami or NE (I'd prefer Miami).

[Jeremiah W]

Neither the Giants nor the Ravens are making the Super Bowl. All of this back in Tampa hoopla is exactly that....hoopla. The COLTS and GIANTS both whipped us bad, BAD. The play-calling this year as been questionable at best- without the D winning a few games (Philly, Wash, Houston) we would not even be thinking playoffs. Our Passing Offense is worse than last year- thats right, worse than last year.

Stop drinking the Kool-Aid people, we arent even in the playoffs yet.

The G men also got whipped by the Clowns and Indy needed a late D td to escape Clowntown in playoff position. They have had a few other stinkers along the way as have the Giants.

I do not know what you are drinking, but you need to put down the vinegar or piss and sip on something sweeter.

[Merlin]

The bottom line is that there is no dominant team in the AFC. On any given Sunday, I think we can beat the Titans, Steelers and Dolphins.

So I'll continue to enjoy my purple Kool-Aid. And I will especially enjoy it when the Patriots become the first 11-5 team NOT to make the playoffs on Sunday!

[camdenyard]

So I'll continue to enjoy my purple Kool-Aid. And I will especially enjoy it when the Patriots become the first 11-5 team NOT to make the playoffs on Sunday!

The Donkeys were 11-5 once in the 90s (I think) and failed to make the playoffs.

[StingerNLG]

The Donkeys were 11-5 once in the 90s (I think) and failed to make the playoffs.

The Broncos? 1985 they were 11-5 and didn't make the playoffs.