For our defense, Baltimore poses many of the same problems that Atlanta posed - a balanced offense with a big-play QB and a strong running game. They have a solid OL and 3 good RBs. Their WRs were considered weak going into the season, but they have managed so far. They are average over 34 PPG through 3 games.
It will be a good test of our defense to see whether we can continue to hold opponents to low scoring games. Through 3 games our defense has given up just over 14 PPG (17 + 16 + 10 = 43 points, not counting the Brady INT for a TD against Buffalo). 34 PPG vs. 14 PPG - something's gotta give.
Offensively, this should be a reprisal of the NY game and should give us a chance at redemption. Baltimore will attack from all angles, especially with their LBs. Their DL is stronger than NYs, their secondary weaker overall (their CBs are only average, though Ed Reed makes up for a lot). I doubt they have anyone who can shut down Randy Moss the way Darrell Revis did. If Welker is back, it will be a big plus. The key for the Pats offensively is obviously how they handle the defensive pressure. I'm guessing they will do a better job than they did against NY, and hopefully do a lot of the things I had hoped they would do against the Jets - run, use play action, use screens, use misdirection, use 2 TE formations with extra blockers to pick up the rush, etc.
This will be a great test. Win, and we are back in the "elite" mix in the AFC. Lose, and we are 2-2 and still struggling to find our groove.
