They haven't shredded it in the past two meetings but that doesn't mean it can't happen in any given game. Tom Brady is Tom Brady.
The Ravens offense has been cranking up the running game in the last several weeks. Ray Rice hasn't had that marquee breakout game this season yet. I'm hoping he blows up in the playoffs.
We lost our #1 cornerback during training camp. But Ed Reed is on fire right now in the secondary with 8 picks in 10 games. Dawan Landry made the pro bowl as an alternate at strong safety, too. Hope we get the chance to play each other in the divisional round.
I hear you. I’m going to throw out last year, because this team is 360 degrees different than the team you faced in 2009. Tons of new players -- etc. You’re right, the pats didn’t shred you earlier in the year, but I think you’d agree that the current version of the Patriots is a totally different animal than what you faced over 8 weeks ago. Over the last 8 weeks, the Pats have blown out 5 of the NFL’s top 10 defenses. They can run it, pass it, they have a devastating screen game, a no one has had an answer for the TE’s. The reason I’d be worried about my pass defense if I was a Ravens fan (beyond the numbers), is the Pats vs. Jets game. Ryan’s defense is similar to what you run in Baltimore. Aggressive, confusing and blitz happy. Thing is, they have far superior corners and can play legit man…and they got fucking rocked by the Patriots passing game. I’d a lso fear their ability to throw it in bad weather. As you know, defenders are at a disadvantage when the field is slick. The Pats went into Chicago during a blizzard and dropped 30+ on their field. Chicago’s got the 9th ranked D in the NFL, and pass rushers Julies Peppers and Tommy Harris.
The Pats defense continues to create turnovers, while limiting their own. They’ve given it up 10 times this season (an NFL record) and turned it over 34 times. That’s the equivalent of an extra 1300 yard rusher. Devon MCourty is a pro bowler, and frankly, a top three corner, as a rookie. If Darrell Revis is the benchmark, MCourty smoked him rookie season for rookie season. You’ve also got pro bowlers in Wilfork, Mayo (170 tackles), Meriweather, and the return of run stuffer Brandon Spikes, and pass rusher Mike Wright. They give up a lot of yards, but they don’t give up big plays and the make plays. That being said, they’re very soft in the middle of the field.
The Ravens are the pats biggest threat. They have to contain that excellent running game, and manage your pass rushers. If it comes down to Flacco beating them, I don’t think he can do it, but I do realize he is a gamer, and you’ve got some very – very nice offensive weapons to attack them with. It’s going to end up coming down to the wire if they play, just throwing in my .2.
Hope to see you as well!
