OT:why no respect for baltimore ? - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

***Michael*** · 12-25-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LloydBraun

Stop Lewis and the run game, force McNair to throw, hold them to 17 points or so. If we protect Brady, run a little, we can find a way to score 20-24 and win. .

That was the plan against the Donks last year. And it worked perfectly only the bogus PI flag handed the Donks their first score with less than a minute left in the half.

SVN · 12-25-2006, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

Not meaning to rely solely on Football Outsiders but that's the easiest way to take a good, overall quick look.

They have Baltimore #1, Chicago #2, Jax #3 (before this past week when we played Jax). We've played #2 and #3 and averaged 20.5 against them. And those three defenses, while 1,2,3 are pretty much a statistical dead heat - way above the #4 defense but virtually tied themselves (-23.9%, -23.7%, -22.5% with 4th being -11.4% and we're 5th also at -11.4%). So we've scored against defenses basically the same.

Oh, and Baltimore's offense was ranked 15th - ours was 8th and could move up after a good game against the #3 defense.

i hope it works out like that and is true..Balt D seems to be a lot more fast and has a lot more talented players at all positions. Oddly our team this yr has struggled at pressure D's and blitzes which is quite unsual since brady picks up blitzes quite well...

***BelichickFan*** · 12-25-2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVN

i hope it works out like that and is true..Balt D seems to be a lot more fast and has a lot more talented players at all positions. Oddly our team this yr has struggled at pressure D's and blitzes which is quite unsual since brady picks up blitzes quite well...

I haven't watched a single Raven game - all I have is the numbers. But I doubt they're faster than the Bears.

The only thing that worries me more about Baltimore is that the Bears are a Tampa 2 team (just a lot better at it than Indy) and we've played against that a ton. Baltimore, OTOH, is a lot more disguise and surprise and we haven't played them. That's a concern.

Seymour93 · 12-25-2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

I really like how we match up with SD and Baltimore. They have respectable passing games for sure but they're run based and I think we can stop the run as well as anyone, expecially once Wilfork is back.

Tomlinson and Brees ripped apart our D last year. The D, the run defense in particular, has improved granted, but Tomlinson is playing even better this season. Rivers is a downgrade to Brees however. Still I'd much rather play the Ravens, but that's looking unlikely.

PatsSteve1 · 12-25-2006, 04:19 PM

If the J-E-T-S and Bronco's are the WC teams, that'll mean 3 of the 5 possible playoff opponents have beaten the Patriots and the other 2 will be the top 2 seeds if all holds. I'm not saying the Patriots can't beat these teams, but they've have to play very well to beat any of them. That's winning the turnover and physical LOS battles, play good D, no stupid penalties, execute well and playing smart football.

***BelichickFan*** · 12-25-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seymour93

Tomlinson and Brees ripped apart our D last year. The D, the run defense in particular, has improved granted, but Tomlinson is playing even better this season. Rivers is a downgrade to Brees however. Still I'd much rather play the Ravens, but that's looking unlikely.

You're right but our defense back then couldn't touch what we have now. That was the Beisel/Brown era inside

***Box_O_Rocks*** · 12-25-2006, 05:22 PM

Baltimore D is physically a rematch with Jacksonville - the challenge will come from the Coaching adjustments.

Baltimore O is decent with a smart QB, but nothing the Pats D can't handle.

Where I don't have any insight on the Ravens is their Special Teams, we've seen time and again how critical the Teams are to field position and momentum shifts.