Congratulations on your 5th SB appearance in 10 years! - Page 12 - New England Patriots Forums

supafly · 01-16-2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzafted

yes, and the three key reasons why the Patriots haven't won a Super Bowl in the past four years have been their struggles against big-time defenses. I'm not sure how you anticipate them ringing 35 up on Bmore....granted Gronk wasn't in rhythm last yr but it took us 4 quarters to put up 20, and even then that required some late game heroics. do you really think I'm being crazy in suggesting that strong defenses can give Brady fits.....it's the same principle we relied on back when we were knocking The Forehead out of the tournament every year a decade ago.

I'm not saying that Baltimore should be favored, but that when Brady says "toughest challenge of the year" he's not just being diplomatic. Dont look at Flacco's weaknesses and think they'll have to play out of their minds to win, this is a very, very even matchup...but traditional logic would probably favor Baltimore very slightly given the way they match up against the Pats. I hope I'm feeling like an idiot next Monday after watching them dial up 38 on Bmore, I really do.

I agree on all counts.

This is the 1 vs 2 seed matchup in the AFFCG.

There's absolutely no reason to take the Ravens lightly, and I can appreciate the BAL fans sticking up for their team.

That said, I do think that the Pats have a good shot at winning the game, but they will need to play with an incredible amount of physicality, have a great gameplan, AND execute all of those things to the fullest amount.

robertweathers · 01-16-2012, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deus Irae

Flacco did nothing in 2009, yet the Patriots got smacked down. Flacco put up very solid numbers last year, yet the Patriots won in overtime.

Flacco's a part of the equation, but the larger parts are Rice and the defense, IMO.

Thats another year BAL went nowhere. Flacco had a bad arm and could do nothing vs Indy.

ATippett56 · 01-16-2012, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 52decleetzu

You guys deserve it, I mean why even play the game? You should just get another bye this week because the Ravens are the closest thing to it.....according to this board and all the experts at WEEI.

We can't cover anyone on your offense with our old, tired and slow defense.

Joe Flacco sucks.

Easy money, start booking the hotel reservations.

Might be Denver all over again.

So represent the AFC well in Indy!

Were you not banned?

Modest · 01-16-2012, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avon Barksdale

Talking smack makes thugs? Making one questionable play that you cant even say for sure was even intentional makes a thug? Your team then is as full of thugs as the Ravens and every other team in the NFL. I could have sworn thugs kill and rob people and commit crimes, but maybe i just give people too much credit

So does Ray Lewis qualify?

robertweathers · 01-16-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzafted

yes, and the three key reasons why the Patriots haven't won a Super Bowl in the past four years have been their struggles against big-time defenses.

Agreed in 07 but your statement is too absolute. Asante's butter hands, Tyree's sticky helmet and a non-call in-the-grasp changes the perception of that game. No Brady in 08. No Welker in 09 and bad O plus horrible red zone, zero sacks and INTs vs the Jets in '10 are also reasons.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzafted

I'm not sure how you anticipate them ringing 35 up on Bmore....granted Gronk wasn't in rhythm last yr but it took us 4 quarters to put up 20, and even then that required some late game heroics.

I said 27-35 is totally reasonable vs BAL. Brady has put up 27 on BAL twice before with less diverse offenses. BAL got 34 put on them vs SD. They are 4-4 on the road. Their D will slow NE down, but not stop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzafted

do you really think I'm being crazy in suggesting that strong defenses can give Brady fits.....it's the same principle we relied on back when we were knocking The Forehead out of the tournament every year a decade ago.

I absolutely agree that BAL will slow NE down. Stop? No.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzafted

I'm not saying that Baltimore should be favored, but that when Brady says "toughest challenge of the year" he's not just being diplomatic.

I agree. BAL has played TB & the Pats tough no question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzafted

Dont look at Flacco's weaknesses and think they'll have to play out of their minds to win, this is a very, very even matchup...

We'll disagree here. I think its a good matchup. Very even? Thats overstating it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzafted

but traditional logic would probably favor Baltimore very slightly given the way they match up against the Pats.

In the BB/Brady era, BAL has beaten the Pats once and that was w/o Welker vs 4 losses. Pats have averaged 23 ppg in those five games. Why would logic say that they would be favored?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzafted

I hope I'm feeling like an idiot next Monday after watching them dial up 38 on Bmore, I really do.

Your logic is not flawed. My logic is that the it's a QB league more than ever. Look at the SF/Saints game. SF has a D just as good as BAL and they got 32 points put up on them.

randomk1 · 01-16-2012, 02:59 PM

Why do opposing fans feel the need to come here? Go and ***** on your own forum. Nobody over here gives a **** about your sorry ass QB or aging defense as you put it.

This obviously doesn't include guys like pherein and jcdavey who actually have something insightful to say instead of just crap to stir the pot.

supafly · 01-16-2012, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randomk1

Why do opposing fans feel the need to come here? Go and ***** on your own forum. Nobody over here gives a **** about your sorry ass QB or aging defense as you put it.

This obviously doesn't include guys like pherein and jcdavey who actually have something insightful to say instead of just crap to stir the pot.

I agree. We've seen many posters here from other teams such as the ones you mentioned, and a few more that are great.

But the majority are just here to start ***** for no apparent reason, and I really don't understand it either.

I don't mind a good football discussion with other fanbases, but the high majority of them do not have much to offer besides the same-old, same-old reasoning..