Reasoning Flaws in Mike Preston’s Analysis

Today on Ravens Insider, there is a post where Mike Preston gives his opinion regarding Sunday’s matchup between the Ravens and the Broncos.

The headline reads, “Mike Preston, calling Broncos soft, picks Ravens to win.”

Idiot.

Really? A team that is 6-0 with wins over Dallas, New England and San Diego is by no means soft, in any sense of the word.

Let’s examine Preston’s logic in his video spiel.

“I am picking the Ravens to win…I have always liked Denver in the past, but whenever I picked them, they turned out to be Mr. Softy.”

Conclusion of the argument: Ravens win

Evidence: When big Mike picks the Broncos to win, they play soft.

Assumption on which the argument depends: There is a direct correlation to Preston’s picks and Denver playng soft.

So in turn, Preston picks the Ravens to win, makes sense right?

“The Ravens are desperate for a win they have lost three in a row, they are in a crucial stretch right now where they have to win games…when their backs are against the wall the Ravens respond. What we’ll see is a team that is desperate…”

Conclusion: The Ravens are desperate and will respond.

Evidence: Because they have lost three games in a row and are in a critical stretch right now.

Assumption on which the argument depends: Keeping in mind the overall theme of Preston’s video is the Ravens will win, because the Ravens are desperate, they will win.

Really? If you follow Preston’s logic, these are the only reasons why the Ravens will win. Not because they had a bye week to prepare and make changes in the secondary, or maybe because Jared Gaither returns and Flacco won’t have ankles stepped on, or maybe just maybe Preston is an idiot and cannot follow his own logic.

He assumes that past experiences of picking the Broncos and the result being that they play soft are related (but let’s just block out the last time Denver played Baltimore, Denver won 13-3). Fine. So, Preston picks Baltimore to win.

Logically follow this argument here…

Preston picks Denver —> Denver plays soft

Denver does NOT play soft —-> Preston did NOT pick Denver

Way to screw us Mike, you better be right because logically, you’re wrong.