Congratulations on your 5th SB appearance in 10 years!

[MassPats38]

Patriots have a better record and a much better offense, so I don't see the "nearly ever metric". Please explain...

That would be 7-0 against playoff teams. Try to keep up, Deus.

 

[RobertWeathers]

**** you mean, Nice Try. i grew up going to Pats games back when Foxoboro was bleacher seats

"by nearly every metric" was hyperbole but if you look at things objectively, I think that Baltimore has a strong case to make. they had the 3rd ranked defense in the league and beat every playoff team they played, every single time. i know we're all enamored of offense this year, but i don't think the "defense wins championships" maxim just went out the window this year. they played in a much harder division than the Patriots did this year and had a harder schedule. the fact of the matter is, the broncos were a horrible team this year and even though we're all happy we finally won a playoff game, it came against a .500 team with a below average quarterback. Flacco didn't play well yesterday but Houston's defense was not a joke. the pats struggle with good defenses, we've seen it a few times over the last few years.

im not saying baltimore is going to win, but anyone making plans for the SB are out of their skull. this is going to be a fight....it always is with these two teams even back to 07 when they almost ended the undefeated season. are you that much of a homer you can't acknowledge that Baltimore is a good team that got the 2 seed in a harder path and is in the AFCCG for a reason?

Your point is taken but I'd argue that the "defense wins championships" maxim is an overrated one. BAL has had a superior defense for 10 years now. How many Super Bowls have they won since 2000? Zero. Why? Because they have not had a QB who made big plays when he needed to. In 2000, it took a defense for the ages and a Kerry Collins quarterbacked Giants team for BAL to win its title.

Brady is not Kerry Collins and this BAL defense is not even close to the 2000 squad.

For BAL to beat the Pats, Flacco has to have the best playoff game of his life. BALs D will slow down the Pats but unlike matchups in other years, Brady has more weapons at his disposal.

If the Pats play D somewhere between the DEN playoff game and what they did during the regular season when they made plays when they had to, the Pats will win by 10 points.

 

[Deus Irae]

**** you mean, Nice Try. i grew up going to Pats games back when Foxoboro was bleacher seats

"by nearly every metric" was hyperbole but if you look at things objectively, I think that Baltimore has a strong case to make. they had the 3rd ranked defense in the league and beat every playoff team they played, every single time. i know we're all enamored of offense this year, but i don't think the "defense wins championships" maxim just went out the window this year. they played in a much harder division than the Patriots did this year and had a harder schedule. the fact of the matter is, the broncos were a horrible team this year and even though we're all happy we finally won a playoff game, it came against a .500 team with a below average quarterback. Flacco didn't play well yesterday but Houston's defense was not a joke. the pats struggle with good defenses, we've seen it a few times over the last few years.

im not saying baltimore is going to win, but anyone making plans for the SB are out of their skull. this is going to be a fight....it always is with these two teams even back to 07 when they almost ended the undefeated season. are you that much of a homer you can't acknowledge that Baltimore is a good team that got the 2 seed in a harder path and is in the AFCCG for a reason?

I get the schedule issue. I get that Baltimore has a good, though declining, defense. What I don't get is the mindset behind "nearly every metric". While I've questioned the Patriots a lot this year, they're still a good team with an excellent offense.

Can the Ravens win? Sure, any team in the NFL could beat the Patriots on the right day. We're not looking at the 2007 Patriots here. On the other hand, we're not looking at the 2000 Ravens here, either.

This will be strength against strength and weakness against weakness, and most of the advantages should favor the Patriots. In the end, there's only one Tom Brady, and the Patriots have him. He's the key to the game, and the season.

 

[Grizzafted]

the Patriots are really, really good this year. I'm just nervous. It strikes me that success against tough competition and sound defensive play are strong indicators of a team's overall capability. On that note I do think the metrics favor the Ravens. Mainly I was just reacting to all this talk about how Flacco is a bad QB and some early comments about a SB XLII rematch.

Luckily I feel like the worst Pats performances come when they're playing a team they probably secretly anticipate walking through....and I highly doubt anybody in that locker room feels that way about Bmore.

On the issue of Flacco having the game of his life in order to beat NE....thats sort of my point. I don't think that's the case at all. If they can run the ball and disrupt our offense it'll be close even if Flacco plays an average game. At that point it could well come down to who has the ball in the last few minutes.

I'm sure I sound like I'm being chicken little here, I'm just a lot more nervous than what seems to be the euphoric pulse of the board after Saturday's (extremely satisfying) beatdown of a very weak opponent.

 

[Modest]

lol and exactly what makes Terrell a thug? Because he's black, talks smack and wears his hat tilted slightly? I always assumed you had to commit crimes, or maybe those things actually are crimes

A Wire reference! You're now my favorite Ravens poster.

 

[RobertWeathers]

On the issue of Flacco having the game of his life in order to beat NE....thats sort of my point. I don't think that's the case at all. If they can run the ball and disrupt our offense it'll be close even if Flacco plays an average game. At that point it could well come down to who has the ball in the last few minutes.

You're not getting it.

BAL has had defense and running games SB worthy all decade.

The four key reasons why BAL has not won a title since 2000 are....

Brady
Manning
Roethisberger
MVP year by Rich Gannon in 2002.

Decent/good defenses get to the SB all the time. It's all about QB play. QBs make plays and a difference when they need to. Flacco has not done that. The Pats will score 27-35 points on this BAL D.

Flacco needs to have the game of his life.

 

[Deus Irae]

the Patriots are really, really good this year. I'm just nervous. It strikes me that success against tough competition and sound defensive play are strong indicators of a team's overall capability. On that note I do think the metrics favor the Ravens. Mainly I was just reacting to all this talk about how Flacco is a bad QB and some early comments about a SB XLII rematch.

Luckily I feel like the worst Pats performances come when they're playing a team they probably secretly anticipate walking through....and I highly doubt anybody in that locker room feels that way about Bmore.

On the issue of Flacco having the game of his life in order to beat NE....thats sort of my point. I don't think that's the case at all. If they can run the ball and disrupt our offense it'll be close even if Flacco plays an average game. At that point it could well come down to who has the ball in the last few minutes.

I'm sure I sound like I'm being chicken little here, I'm just a lot more nervous than what seems to be the euphoric pulse of the board after Saturday's (extremely satisfying) beatdown of a very weak opponent.

I think it's more than fair to have concerns about this team. At times, the defense has looked as if it couldn't stop a high school opponent. Flacco, while not an elite QB, is capable of doing some real damage in this game if the Patriots can't make him uncomfortable. All it takes to see that is to look back at last year's game.

On the other hand, the Ravens have shown that they can lose focus, particularly on the road. Going 4-4 on the road while losing to teams like Jacksonville and Seattle tells us that they can be gotten to.

When I look at this game, I see a game that will likely come down to three questions, assuming no flukes:

Was Brady kept clean and largely free of pressure coming up the middle?
Was Flacco made uncomfortable in the pocket?
Was Rice controlled?

How those three questions are answered will probably go a long way towards telling us the outcome.

 

[Deus Irae]

You're not getting it.

BAL has had defense and running games SB worthy all decade.

The four key reasons why BAL has not won a title since 2000 are....

Brady
Manning
Roethisberger
MVP year by Rich Gannon in 2002.

Decent/good defenses get to the SB all the time. It's all about QB play. QBs make plays and a difference when they need to. Flacco has not done that. The Pats will score 27-35 points on this BAL D.

Flacco needs to have the game of his life.

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.

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

One thing needs to be clarified: The Ravens D is not old.

With the exception of Lewis and Reed, and it should be noted that the Ravens D remained dominant when Ray was out, this Ravens D actually relies heavily on its young talent. Ngata is obviously a beast. Cody can't be moved on running downs. Pernell McPhee is already one of the better interior rushers and Paul Kruger brings a lot of heat on third downs. Webb was one of the best corners in football this season and Jameel McClain is at least as good as Bart Scott was.

 

[Bella*chick]

Talking smack makes thugs? Making one 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

Well, that may be but we don't have any last names that rhyme so well with "thug".

 

[Grizzafted]

You're not getting it.

BAL has had defense and running games SB worthy all decade.

The four key reasons why BAL has not won a title since 2000 are....

Brady
Manning
Roethisberger
MVP year by Rich Gannon in 2002.

Decent/good defenses get to the SB all the time. It's all about QB play. QBs make plays and a difference when they need to. Flacco has not done that. The Pats will score 27-35 points on this BAL D.

Flacco needs to have the game of his life.

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.

 

[supafly]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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]

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]

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 sh!t 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..

 

[Betterthanmost]

Soon we will also have Stinger Bell and Clay Davis posting here.

 

[NinjaZX6R]

Is the OP banned for good or just temporarily?