So let's get in our wayback machine to January of 2010, when the Pats and Ravens met in the playoffs. Most people don't like to even think about this game because of the horrendous first quarter, but I feel like a few things need to be pointed out.
1: 2nd-4th quarters. It is easy to focus on the first quarter mess (long run by McGahee, turnovers), but you end up overlooking the fact that the defense tightened up. If we only look at the last three quarters, we win 14-9. "But Jared!" you cry out. "Even 14 points is really bad for us this year!" You're right. So let's look at who were the...
2: Leading receivers.
Randy Moss: 5-48
Julian Edelman: 6-44
Kevin Faulk: 6-37
Sammy Morris: 3-15
Sam Aiken: 1-5
Bet Watson: 1-3
Chris Baker: 1-2
Randy Moss was a shell of his former self, and Welker had just blown up his knee in Week 17. Welker Jr. (Edelman) did his best, but after that we were throwing to an already ancient Kevin Faulk and three guys who are all no longer on the team for various reasons.
This year we have our All Pro WR back. We have a very solid complimentary WR in Branch. Ben Watson and Chris Baker are replaced by #87 and #84. The Ravens won't be able to double and triple one guy like they did in 2009 to Moss.
But the last and most dreaded item:
3. Turnovers. 3 INTs and 1 lost fumble on an early strip sack. Those plus a terrible receiving corps were the primary reasons for the loss.
Lesson: Yes 2009 playoffs against the Ravens sucked. But there were good points (the later quarters), areas of weakness in 2009 are now areas of strength in 2011 (WR/TE), and the main cause of the drubbing (turnovers) are completely fixable.
1: 2nd-4th quarters. It is easy to focus on the first quarter mess (long run by McGahee, turnovers), but you end up overlooking the fact that the defense tightened up. If we only look at the last three quarters, we win 14-9. "But Jared!" you cry out. "Even 14 points is really bad for us this year!" You're right. So let's look at who were the...
2: Leading receivers.
Randy Moss: 5-48
Julian Edelman: 6-44
Kevin Faulk: 6-37
Sammy Morris: 3-15
Sam Aiken: 1-5
Bet Watson: 1-3
Chris Baker: 1-2
Randy Moss was a shell of his former self, and Welker had just blown up his knee in Week 17. Welker Jr. (Edelman) did his best, but after that we were throwing to an already ancient Kevin Faulk and three guys who are all no longer on the team for various reasons.
This year we have our All Pro WR back. We have a very solid complimentary WR in Branch. Ben Watson and Chris Baker are replaced by #87 and #84. The Ravens won't be able to double and triple one guy like they did in 2009 to Moss.
But the last and most dreaded item:
3. Turnovers. 3 INTs and 1 lost fumble on an early strip sack. Those plus a terrible receiving corps were the primary reasons for the loss.
Lesson: Yes 2009 playoffs against the Ravens sucked. But there were good points (the later quarters), areas of weakness in 2009 are now areas of strength in 2011 (WR/TE), and the main cause of the drubbing (turnovers) are completely fixable.