Consider the Ravens

Reasons to Doubt

1. Billick. This is the coach that literally didn’t believe in two minute drills until last season. There is no reason to believe that he will suddenly start making good play calls or using the clock wisely. He’ll continue to stubbornly stand by players that aren’t getting the job done. Overall, he’s a good coach, but he’s got many tragic flaws to overcome in a serious title run.
2. Age. The team is old. They’re going to have to blow up next season. Injuries have already become an issue. McNair, especially. He looks every bit his 34 years old. However, this is one place where Billick comes in handy. One of his positives is his record of pacing the team and managing the veterans and their bodies.
3. Pittsburgh. I don’t care what anyone says about their opponents. They’re good. They had a down year last year, but at heart this is still the same team that has dominated since Roethlisberger’s arrival (and even before then). This is a watered down league with maybe four truly great teams. Not just any team would roll through these first three opponents. It’s the teams that win when they should and learn how to win convincingly (pay attention, Ravens) that perform down the stretch.
4. Defense. Still dominant, still intimidating. But where are the sacks and interceptions from a year ago? The pressure is about a half second behind where it needs to be. The reason this team is fading in the fourth quarter is b/c they have to play a solid four quarters as opposed to the ridiculous lights out first half with 3 sacks and an interception of last year. The nine sack Pittsburgh game from last year is a perfect example. This defense was built to knock you around and make you quit early, not play four perfect quarters.
5. Offense. If the offense scored touchdowns in the first quarter of the Cardinals game instead of field goals (after 14 play, 7 minute drive) the Cardinals would have been in a huge hole and wouldn’t have been able to come back. Same as the Jets game. The problem isn’t the 4th quarter. IT’S THE 1ST QUARTER! If you allow a team to hang around, it will believe and eventually score. The offense needs to find some long plays that score. Running the ball this well, there should be more effective play action.