Baltimore is key to me

A man named Brady said:

The ravens are a bad matchup for us

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Actually they aren't. Their offense this season has been heavily reliant on the pass with their running game practically non-existent due to a shaky OL and Rice dealing with injuries. Their receivers are bigger and have straight-line speed, but don't have the sudden change in direction that Gordon and Steve Smith have that gave Talib trouble. The only mismatch they have is Pitta, but he is just coming back from an injury. Not to mention that Flacco has taken a step back this year with some horrendous throws.

On defense, they've been inconsistent all season. Jimmy Smith has played well at CB while Webb has struggled, Suggs has played more bad games than good games so far, and the rest of the DLs and LBs still haven't gelled.

While the Ravens at home will always pose a challenge, the Dolphins should be a much tougher opponent than the Ravens.

BKBroiler said:

Not to mention that Flacco has taken a step back this year with some horrendous throws.

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I think you mean, "Is playing at his normal skill level after a statistical aberration last year"

PATS16N0 said:

I'm not trying to be that guy here, but this Miami game is not a game you should be over looking with Gronk out for the season.

I'm actually expecting a tough game.

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Indeed, over the years Brady has had some of his worst games down in Miami

102 Pat said:

Indeed, over the years Brady has had some of his worst games down in Miami

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And against Baltimore.

These next two games are going to be tough. I could easily see us loosing the next two and finishing the season 11-5. With that said, I, along with many others, have questioned the mettle of this team before and come up looking like fools. Brady and Belichick are made of a lot more than you or I, and I could easily see them pulling out both games. Who knows.

Personally, if someone told me that this team would loose Wilfork, and Kelly, and Mayo and Gronk, have Ridley benched because of fumbling, have Amendola limited all year with injuries, and still win 10-11 games, I would have said you are crazy. What this team has done this year is amazing. A season for the ages if you ask me...

Offensively, the Ravens don't concern me. They look like a good match-up for the Patriots defense, frankly.

The Ratbirds suck on offense this year. 29th in yards and 24th in the league in points. Flacco after signing a big contract? QB rating of 77, the lowest of his career with 18 TDs and 17 interceptions. The Ravens is a team that the defense can hold to under 20 points.

The key to the Ravens game is to be physically tough and for the Pats to jump on these guys and make them play from behind. Get on the scoreboard early, for a change. If the Pats get shut out in the first half again, a comeback will be tough.

I agree that Baltimore is deeply flawed, but look what happens when I make a few key replacements to what you said:

Rob0729 said:

Beating New England at home is always tough, but let's not go overboard here. They are a deeply flawed team just like all teams fighting for a playoff spot in the AFC.

They let the Jason Campbell led Browns this past weekend at home score 26 points and escaped with a last minute victory. And that was with an onside kick recovery necessary for the last possession.

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I'm not impressed with the Ravens either. But then, I honestly thought we were going to whoop them last year in the AFCCG. Since 2009, it seems like they ALWAYS play us hard.

And let's not forget the only team in the league with a better home winning % since 2002 is us (regular season):
1. New England Patriots: 80-15
2. Baltimore Ravens: 73-22
3. Indianapolis Colts: 70-24
4/5: Green Bay and Pittsburgh: 66-26-1
6. Seattle Seahawks: 65-29 (Included because they're 14-0 2012-2013)

I really hope we come out and cream them, and they actually play to their level for once. But it seems we always bring out the best in teams, mediocrity has a tendency of bringing out the worst in us, and the fact is in the past 3 out of 4 years we've faced them in the playoffs, they've blown us out twice, and missed a chip shot to force us into OT. ALL at home. Where we're the most dominant team in the NFL.

Until we get a resounding W over Baltimore, no way am I sleeping on that team. I don't care how dysfunctional they look.

i wanna see us play baltimore every damn playoffs. bring it on. let's see what we are made of

Nunchucks said:

Patriots need to beat Miami in Miami, worry about Baltimore during Baltimore week.

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except we're not the patriots, we're their fans....so we are allowed to think ahead.

goheels22002 said:

Offensively, the Ravens don't concern me. They look like a good match-up for the Patriots defense, frankly.

The Ratbirds suck on offense this year. 29th in yards and 24th in the league in points. Flacco after signing a big contract? QB rating of 77, the lowest of his career with 18 TDs and 17 interceptions. The Ravens is a team that the defense can hold to under 20 points.

The key to the Ravens game is to be physically tough and for the Pats to jump on these guys and make them play from behind. Get on the scoreboard early, for a change. If the Pats get shut out in the first half again, a comeback will be tough.

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You either discredit the Ravens O too much or think our D is playing much better than recent performances indicate. The Texans scored a season best 31 against the Pats D and Jason Campbell almost threw for 400 yards. I don't see this D holding anyone under 20 going forward. Hopefully Brady can carry and will this team to more dramatic unbelievable wins.

Except the Miami game is possibly more important because they could still win the division (it would take the Patriots losing at home to the Bills but nothing would surprise me at this point). And I expect the Patriots to drop the next two games because Miami seems too good to be swept and Baltimore will PI their way to beating us.

aztecafut said:

And against Baltimore.

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I got the feeling watching that playoff game last year with Baltimore that the Ravens are in Brady's head. That clock mismanagement at the end of the first half was uncharacteristic of Brady and when he put his leg up to keep Reed from spearing him, that indicated he feels these guys aren't out to play football, they are out to maim the opposition.

bradydaman29 said:

I got the feeling watching that playoff game last year with Baltimore that the Ravens are in Brady's head. That clock mismanagement at the end of the first half was uncharacteristic of Brady and when he put his leg up to keep Reed from spearing him, that indicated he feels these guys aren't out to play football, they are out to maim the opposition.

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Sorry to say, but I think you're right. And that needs to stop. Brady owned the Ravens for many, many years, until probably the (Sterling Moore strip) AFC Championship game.

This is one of the reasons why I believe the Baltimore game is key. Brady has to get over the hump.

QB12 said:

Sorry to say, but I think you're right. And that needs to stop. Brady owned the Ravens for many, many years, until probably the (Sterling Moore strip) AFC Championship game.

This is one of the reasons why I believe the Baltimore game is key. Brady has to get over the hump.

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baltimore is fighting for a playoff spot so they'll be tough in their own building.

baltimore added pitta and we lost gronk. Thats a big swing in the AFC imo. Miami is the tougher game for me . The martin fiasco has made them come together and play harder. Few yrs ago, no way they win a cold/snow game up in pittsburgh. I wont be surprised if we drop this game .Going to be a very difficult game.

QB12 said:

We go down to Miami and beat the Dolphins IMHO. Then Baltimore. I think we beat them in a playoff type game, gutting out a 20-17 type victory. That's where our SB mettle is forged and tested. In the words of T-Sizzle, 'can't wait!'

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I think Miami is just as important as Baltimore. Just because we spanked them for 30 minutes in the first game doesn't mean a lot now. If I recall both Baltimore and Miami are jockeying for that #6 seed.

They are all tough games with Brady and the offense playing like Sanchez and the Jets in the first half of games. The 3 and outs, turnovers, and gooseggs on the scoreboard are putting ridiculous pressure on tattered defense...

hwc said:

They are all tough games with Brady and the offense playing like Sanchez and the Jets in the first half of games. The 3 and outs, turnovers, and gooseggs on the scoreboard are putting ridiculous pressure on tattered defense...

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They're not themselves in the first half for sure, But Sanchez and the Jets ?

That's cold man !

The only thing missing from the offense in the first half Sunday was a butt fumble.

It is what it is. For the last month, a 3 and out has been one of the best first half series for this offense.

QB12 said:

Brady owned the Ravens for many, many years, until probably the (Sterling Moore strip) AFC Championship game.

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2009 called. :bricks: