Palm Beach Pats Fan

-We were not running this at all in the first Ravens matchup, so they haven't dealt with it.

-Their defenders are older and more bulk-oriented rather than speed-oriented.

-They just came off of playing 5 quarters of football at altitude.

-Suggs and Lewis in particular don't appear to be in as good shape, fitness-wise, as they have been in the past.

-Their pass rush will be nullified by confusion and sucking wind.

The downside:

-Gronk and Woody are usually core members of the fast break lineup. Can Hoo-man and Vereen fill in? I think Vereen for sure, if he handles the blocking, He can certainly set up the screen game. TE #2 is perhaps the bigger concern.

-Ray Lewis will be making the D calls. I am not sure that you will confuse him, but you can wear him out.



bottom line:
I say that for once we take the ball if we win the toss, roll out the fast break offense, RELEASE THE KRACKEN, or however you want to put it, and try to demoralize the Raven defense early.

I hope that we have a whole assortment of plays ready for one-syllable calls from the line with the fast break package, and we can use this >50% of the game and test their stamina.

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Big-T

Rotate the RBs to keep them fresh, run the tempo that was used in the Denver game - Baltimore will have no time to get set and will have no option but to sit back and play passive, it will also, of course gas them too.

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Bella*chick

Apparently, Lewis had the flu in Denver as well.

How he was still standing at the end, I have no idea.

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Palm Beach Pats Fan

It will be interesting if we go with Woodhead (banged-up thumb) over Vereen.

I love Woody, but I think I'd ride the hot hand. Vereen's fly pattern vs. Houston will get people's attention even if he's a decoy.

You have to think that between AHern, Wes, and Vereen/Woody that someone is single-covered by a LB or safety. I'd attack anyone by Ed Reed.

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PatsWickedPissah

How can you even ask that question having seen them run the "fast break" most of the game quite successfully vs Houston using Hoo and Vereen?

Gronk went out 1st series.

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Palm Beach Pats Fan

I was just mentioning possible downsides- believe me, I want to attack.

It strikes me that Baltimore has a lot smarter players on defense and are less tied to one way to play than was Houston (Wade Phillips man coverage). We have a downgrade in experience and perhaps in versatility using Vereen and Hoo-man that Baltimore may be more ready to exploit.

Vereen though showed the deep speed that Woody lacks, a plus. With him I just worry if he will make the right blitz pick-up read.

We need to wear these guys down, for sure.

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RodThePat

Baltimore is also a lot older, slower, and will be more physically spent than the Texans.

VJCPatriot

In short, yes. We will use it a lot when it is to our advantage. The Pats will be playing at home so crowd noise will also be in their favor. With the Ravens scrambling to make substitions and even getting lined up in time, the combination of the fast break and timely quick snaps will have that aged defense gasping for air by the time the 4th quarter roles around.

The 'Lightning Attack', fastbreak, NASCAR, whatever you call it takes a psychological toll as well as a physical toll. The Pats just put up a 40 burger on a talented Texans defense. I think they will put up at least 30 on the Ravens. And then the question will be, can Flacco match that scoring output? It will be a test for our secondary to maintain the lead against the Ravens.

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naF staP

One huge key to this game is the Hurry up offense, the No huddle offense, and the 2-minute offense!! Patriots need to run a combination of these on Sunday and have a high offensive snap volume!!

The Ravens defense during the regular season only averaged 68 snaps. When the Pats played them in week 3 the Pats offense had 77 snaps.

The older Ravens have played a lot of snaps these playoffs already.

Vs the Colts the Ravens defense played 87 snaps

Vs the Broncos in double OT the Ravens played 87 snaps

The Patriots need to keep up this type of offensive pace for this game. Can they... you bet they can, look at some of these snap numbers the Pats have put this season....

Week 5 vs Broncos the Patriots offense had 89 snaps.

Week 6 vs the Seahawks the Patriots offense had 85 snaps.

Week 15 vs the 49'ers the Patriots offense had 92 snaps.

Lets get 85-90 snaps this game and run the old Ray Lewis, Ed Reed & Co. ragged!!

SVN

You can run quick offense if you can convert 3rd downs and get a rhythm going , else it can hurt the team .