Why this game is more important to the Ravens

**sopranocorleone** · 12-30-2011, 11:05 AM

I've been hearing and reading a lot from the national and local media about how this game is "do or die" for the Bengals. How a "win-and-in" scenario for Cincy trumps the Ravens incentive for getting a bye and playing at home.

I have to say that I disagree that there is more on the line for Cincy. For the Ravens, this is the culmination of three years of playing on the road under the Harbaugh regime. This game is quite possibly the key for the franchise turning its fortune. This is a game they've been building for since before the off-season.

For the Bengals, they have a shot to accomplish something no one ever thought they would do before the season started. If they don't find their way into the playoffs, they still had a phenomenal season.

I know I'm beating a dead horse of sorts. I hope the point of struggling on the road in the playoffs the past three years is being preached hard in that locker room until Sunday.

The Bengals have not earned anything. The Ravens need to make them aware of that fact early and often.

**alien bird** · 12-30-2011, 11:11 AM

Seriously? The Ravens are in the playoffs one way or the other. The Bengals don't make the playoffs by losing, and there are no moral victories in the NFL. It's not a phenominal season if you don't make the playoffs - no matter how you try to spin it. Only a biased Raven fan would suggest that it's a bigger game for the Ravens than it is for the Bengals.

**HoustonRaven** · 12-30-2011, 11:19 AM

Can't agree with the OP.

It's a much larger game for the Bengals. They have been a perennial loser and now are pretty close to being one and done in terms of making the post season. No matter what happens Sunday, we are in the tournament. And we can still get #2 seed if we lose and the Browns manage the upset.

They lose, and they are most likely playing golf, given they need a few teams to lose.

**Corey** · 12-30-2011, 11:21 AM

The Bengals can still make the playoffs if they lose. If they lose it's not like their playoff chances are done. If the Ravens don't win there is no way and hell that they get that 2nd seed. Which means they go on the road where they have struggled the most.

**PGCountyRaven85** · 12-30-2011, 11:39 AM

The whole season is basically riding on this game for the Ravens. IMO, the outcome of this game will decide whether or not it'll be the Ravens or Steelers representing the AFC in Indy. For the Ravens the goalthe entire lockout and off season has been getting the home playoff game(s). Yeah, I know the Patriots are there, but having watched several of their games, their defense isn't stopping anyone in the playoffs. The deciding factor between Pitt and Balt in the playoffs in '09 and '11 has been that homefield advantage momentum late in the games. I think if they come to Balt, the Ravens win a close one, in Pitt the Ravens probably lose a close one. Any way, the Bengals are an up and coming team but this is the Ravens time to take the AFC North.

**sopranocorleone** · 12-30-2011, 11:39 AM

The Bengals can still make the playoffs if they lose. If they lose it's not like their playoff chances are done. If the Ravens don't win there is no way and hell that they get that 2nd seed. Which means they go on the road where they have struggled the most.

Bingo. The Bengals wouldn't be out of it. There are a number of scenarios in which they can still make the playoffs.

It's pretty much mission critical for both teams. But this is about the big picture. It'll be interesting to see which team actually plays with a greater sense of urgency on Sunday.

**alien bird** · 12-30-2011, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Corey

The Bengals can still make the playoffs if they lose. If they lose it's not like their playoff chances are done. If the Ravens don't win there is no way and hell that they get that 2nd seed. Which means they go on the road where they have struggled the most.

Why is it that you can make the "Bengals can still make it if they lose" argument, but then turn around and say "no way in hell" the Ravens get the #2 seed in losing. You can't argue the losing angle from both sides of your mouth. The fact is that the Ravens have a better chance in getting the #2 seed in losing (only Pittsburgh need also lose) than the Bengals have in making the playoffs by losing (which would require two other teams to also lose).

The bottom line is that the Ravens are in the playoffs and their season is not over with on Sunday, no matter the outcome. The Bengals simply cannot say that. This game is important to the Ravens, but it is imminently more important to Cincinnati. There is no rational way to argue otherwise.

**Bhcforlife** · 12-30-2011, 12:03 PM

It's equally important for both teams. A win is just as important for the Ravens because a loss means another trip to Heinz Field for a rested Steeler team in two weeks, and they ain't winning there twice this season.

Ravens lose, and you may as well forget any hopes you had of making the Super Bowl this year. Silly to say that the game is more important to either team when you consider what is at stake.

**MarkS** · 12-30-2011, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by Bhcforlife

It's equally important for both teams. A win is just as important for the Ravens because a loss means another trip to Heinz Field for a rested Steeler team in two weeks, and they ain't winning there twice this season.

Ravens lose, and you may as well forget any hopes you had of making the Super Bowl this year. Silly to say that the game is more important to either team when you consider what is at stake.

If we get the 5-seed and Pgh has the #2 (the most likely scenario if we lose Sunday), a trip to Pgh in the 2nd round is possible, but less than likely, and would require the 6-seeded Bengals upsetting the Texans in Houston.

Win or lose, we are already in. Bengals are not. As important as this game may be for our SB hopes, it's simply more important for theirs.