broncobryce
10-09-2010, 12:05 PM
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Ravens-wary-of-trap-game.html
Team coming off emotional win over Steelers
*Aaron Wilson
OWINGS MILLS, Md.– If the Baltimore Ravens are about to fall into a trap Sunday against the Denver Broncos following an emotional victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, then it won’t happen because of a lack of awareness or vigilance.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he raised the issue with his team Wednesday morning.
“That’s something we’ll all be very vigilant about,” Harbaugh said. “We talked about it. We understand that as a team. Our guys get that. I’m not going to have to walk in there and tell these guys you had a big win, so you can relax.
“We’re playing the best passing offense in the league. We’re playing a real physical, get-after-it defense. This is a very important football game. It’s a home conference game. They understand that.”
The Ravens’ history after Steelers game does create some cause for concern.
Baltimore is 3-6 in games immediately after playing their archrivals.
The Ravens are even worse after beating the Steelers, going 1-3 in the ensuing game.
Does Harbaugh believe in the so-called trap game?
“I’ve never liked the term,” Harbaugh said. “The only trap I know about is when you pull a guard and hit a tackle and run it straight up the middle. That’s a trap.
“I think it’s a bettor’s term, actually. For us, it doesn’t really exist and we don’t care. They’ve got a lot to play for. They’ve got a lot of talented guys. So, it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
Last year, the Ravens beat the Steelers in overtime in Baltimore.
The following week, they lost by 13 points to the Green Bay Packers.
"There's a week between a game, just like there is every other week," said quarterback Joe Flacco, who threw the game-winning touchdown last week. "If you can't get your emotions back in check and get ready to play the game, then we're not the team that we think we are."
All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis said there shouldn’t be any lack of intensity after winning three of four games with only one home game.
"We got through the first quarter of the season 3-1 playing three hard games on the road," Lewis said. "Now, coming back home and having that momentum, offense, defense and special teams, now we can kind of carry that momentum coming home. If we have any motivation, that would be it."
Harbaugh acknowledged that the Broncos against the Ravens doesn’t carry the same type of extra emotions involved with the fierce Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry.
The Ravens are 4-0 at home against the Broncos, including the playoffs, so it doesn’t exactly qualify as a true rivalry.
“Well, it’s not Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh,” Harbaugh said. “It’s Denver at Baltimore. Every game, every challenge stands on its own two feet. We love playing Pittsburgh. I think Pittsburgh loves playing the Ravens. It’s probably the greatest rivalry in the NFL. We sure think so.
“But this game is really important. It probably comes back down to preparation, to attention to detail, to what you do in the meeting room, to what you do on the practice field. I guarantee our guys are going to be excited to play on Sunday. They know who they’re lined up against. They know what the challenge is, and we’ll have to be up for it.”
Team coming off emotional win over Steelers
*Aaron Wilson
OWINGS MILLS, Md.– If the Baltimore Ravens are about to fall into a trap Sunday against the Denver Broncos following an emotional victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, then it won’t happen because of a lack of awareness or vigilance.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he raised the issue with his team Wednesday morning.
“That’s something we’ll all be very vigilant about,” Harbaugh said. “We talked about it. We understand that as a team. Our guys get that. I’m not going to have to walk in there and tell these guys you had a big win, so you can relax.
“We’re playing the best passing offense in the league. We’re playing a real physical, get-after-it defense. This is a very important football game. It’s a home conference game. They understand that.”
The Ravens’ history after Steelers game does create some cause for concern.
Baltimore is 3-6 in games immediately after playing their archrivals.
The Ravens are even worse after beating the Steelers, going 1-3 in the ensuing game.
Does Harbaugh believe in the so-called trap game?
“I’ve never liked the term,” Harbaugh said. “The only trap I know about is when you pull a guard and hit a tackle and run it straight up the middle. That’s a trap.
“I think it’s a bettor’s term, actually. For us, it doesn’t really exist and we don’t care. They’ve got a lot to play for. They’ve got a lot of talented guys. So, it’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
Last year, the Ravens beat the Steelers in overtime in Baltimore.
The following week, they lost by 13 points to the Green Bay Packers.
"There's a week between a game, just like there is every other week," said quarterback Joe Flacco, who threw the game-winning touchdown last week. "If you can't get your emotions back in check and get ready to play the game, then we're not the team that we think we are."
All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis said there shouldn’t be any lack of intensity after winning three of four games with only one home game.
"We got through the first quarter of the season 3-1 playing three hard games on the road," Lewis said. "Now, coming back home and having that momentum, offense, defense and special teams, now we can kind of carry that momentum coming home. If we have any motivation, that would be it."
Harbaugh acknowledged that the Broncos against the Ravens doesn’t carry the same type of extra emotions involved with the fierce Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry.
The Ravens are 4-0 at home against the Broncos, including the playoffs, so it doesn’t exactly qualify as a true rivalry.
“Well, it’s not Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh,” Harbaugh said. “It’s Denver at Baltimore. Every game, every challenge stands on its own two feet. We love playing Pittsburgh. I think Pittsburgh loves playing the Ravens. It’s probably the greatest rivalry in the NFL. We sure think so.
“But this game is really important. It probably comes back down to preparation, to attention to detail, to what you do in the meeting room, to what you do on the practice field. I guarantee our guys are going to be excited to play on Sunday. They know who they’re lined up against. They know what the challenge is, and we’ll have to be up for it.”