Quote:
Originally Posted by OneWinningDrive
Respectfully, the Ravens are in a different class than those franchises.
The Ravens have won more Super Bowls in their 28-year history than the Titans, Bills, Bengals, and Eagles have combined in their entire histories. And for as touted as San Francisco is as a franchise, they haven't won a title since the Ravens have existed, and the Ravens are 6-2 against them all time. The Ravens have a pedigree that those other franchises don't.
As to this season, the 2023 Ravens team aren't just a normal number one seed; by advanced metrics, they're historically great. Weighted DVOA has them as the best team ever tracked (the forum won't let me embed a link since I'm new, but here's the link: twitter.com/ASchatzNFL/status/1749454434705211633). The 2019 Chiefs are also on that list, and the 2020 Chiefs beat another team on that list, so anyone doubting the Chiefs is a fool. But again, the idea that the Ravens are no different than the Titans or Bengals is insulting.
As a Ravens fan, I was rooting for the Chiefs to beat the Bills last week. Not because I think the Chiefs are an easier matchup; to the contrary, the Chiefs are the boogeyman even in a "down" year. The reason why I wanted the Chiefs is because if this Ravens team wants to be remembered as historically great, I want them to go through one of the best QBs/coaches of all time who are defending their crown.
I'm confident in saying that the best team will win on Sunday; I'm just not sure which team that is.
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I get what you are saying and when I was referring to the other teams, I was referring to their fanbases. The "We're gonna smash KC because we are awesome" mindset is not new and something we have heard many times before.
The Ravens are very good this year and there is no debating that. Games are played on the field for a reason. Even the best team of the modern era (2007 Patriots) did not win it all. They actually lost to an Eli Manning led Giants team that was a wild card.
I get it that this is a down year for KC and even in a down year, they are still in the AFCCG. Everyone thinks because the offense is not as explosive that it usually is that KC is weak. Their offense is not as elite as it has been in many years, but their defense (which I still think is overlooked) is elite this year with stars at all three levels.
I had mentioned on here before the playoffs started that the Chiefs are the most experienced team in the playoffs and that matters. They know how to win when the lights are brightest. They are not the Carolina Panthers.
For the first time since the 2018 season they are not the hunted (despite being the defending champs), but get to be the hunter. There is zero pressure on them to win. As such they can go out and play loose.
As I also mentioned, Baltimore could win, and if they do then awesome. I will pull for them over SF (but not Det). I actually don't have anything against them and I think highly of Jackson. I just don't think Baltimore is so much better than KC that they will blow them out.