No one is talking about that one team......

KamikazeKnight said:

Buffalo is looking like a dangerous team to face on the road

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Uhhhh. Pats won't be facing them on the road because the Pats put up 37 on Buffalo in Buffalo back in October and beat them by 15. The game coming up is in Foxboro.

I don't understand why some are discounting Baltimore. Regular season woes you can just throw out the window with the Ravens. 2012 Ravens weren't even that good, they were 10-6 with two complete bogus wins with the missed field goal and the 4th & 29 yd marker fail. They will come to play. I have doubt they'll find a way to make it competitive if they end up in Foxborough. I like our chances vs the Ravens offense a lot better this time around. As for the Steelers, I don't think their defense will slow our offense down. Their offense can certainly hang with almost anybody but I think we would beat them soundly.

Deus Irae said:

When you look at the AFC, the only team people should not be "talking about" is Indianapolis.

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Are you saying Cincy>Indy? I would LOVE to have Marvin Lewis and Andy Dalton come to town for a playoff game. Sadly, the only way that could happen would be wildcard weekend.

Froob said:

Are you saying Cincy>Indy? I would LOVE to have Marvin Lewis and Andy Dalton come to town for a playoff game. Sadly, the only way that could happen would be wildcard weekend.

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No, but the Colts don't match up with the Patriots. Every other team has recently shown that they can play, and beat, the Patriots.

Deus Irae said:

No, but the Colts don't match up with the Patriots. Every other team has recently shown that they can play, and beat, the Patriots.

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I don't see them as much of a threat, especially in Foxborough. But, Luck can certainly put up some pts in a hurry. Wasn't their run defense suppose to be good or was that overrated before that SNF pounding?

Deus Irae said:

Every other team has recently shown that they can play, and beat, the Patriots.

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Recently?

So with Pittsburgh you are citing a 2011 game and with Baltimore you are citing the 2012 AFCC and the 2012 replacement ref game? Ya real good logic there. So does that mean I can cite how a worse Pats team blew out both Pittsburgh and Baltimore last year or no? Oh wait both teams were bad last year and are much improved and the Pats are the same as last year.

Let's face it, the AFC will be showcasing a strong playoff field. You can look at all of the potential playoff teams with concern, but ultimately I think the team we would most want to face is Cincinatti. If I'm not mistaken, the Red Rifle has yet to win a playoff game.

As for Baltimore, I think it's the aura of Baltimopre makes it seem like their bark is as big as their bite. The reality is that they are just a slightly better than average team. Of course, they do know how to turn it on in the playoffs so that is my biggest concern.

When I first saw the title of this thread I thought it was going to be who is this years 2012 Ravens, or 2011 Giants. That team that has been looking like crap all year but somehow someway squeeks into the playoffs and gets hot for 4 games. A team that everyone gives no chance to be more then a one and done but some weakness they have had suddenly becomes a strength. My vote would be the Detriot Lions. They are battle tested having played a lot of very close games. Thier defense is really good. The offense has some play makers and names that have not been living up to the hype but if they turned it on I could see them scoring 30 on almost anyone (I am talking for a game or two obviously not a full season). There are better teams in the NFC like the packers, seahawks, and cowboys so I don't think its likely but it wouldn't shock me if they suddenly got hot.

I think the Ravens are a dangerous team. They have a good pass rush, good coaching, good balance on the Offensive side of the ball and they wouldn't be intimidated to play us, but the one area I think they are really weak in is their pass defense. I think we could exploit that area. I think Gronk, Edleman and LaFell would have big games.

41-7

This Balt team is different. Secondary is pure garbage

I think the Ravens are a team to watch out for despite their weak secondary. They can run the ball really well, and are very very threatening rushing the passer. If Solder doesn't bring his A game if we face them, it could be trouble.

NO i'm not afraid of them, they got swept by the bengals.If we lose to them in our house that would be a massive disappointment.

Average team, soft schedule, there's a reason people aren't talking.

I was gonna start a thread but figured it wasn't worth it seeing it was a hypothetical. Who would win a playoff game between Baltimore @ Pittsburgh?

Steelers may not be great defensively but they have a QB whose having a career year, whose been to the SB 3 times before, the best receiver in the league, and quite possibly the best running back in the league.

Assume that New England gets to choose any AFC foe to play, but they have to play that foe when they're on top of their game, Steelers at their best are better than Denver, Baltimore, Cincinatti, Kansas City or Indy.

Had they not crapped the bed late against Tampa and New Orleans, they'd be in contention with us now for HFA.

who are their corners? gronk laughs at the ravens!

New England Pride said:

I was gonna start a thread but figured it wasn't worth it seeing it was a hypothetical. Who would win a playoff game between Baltimore @ Pittsburgh?

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Both teams have terrible CB play, albeit for different reasons. If they meet for a third time, it's probably going to be a "chuck it up" game. That suits the Steelers more, so I'd give them the edge, especially since you have Pitt at home in your hypothetical.

**** the Ravens. I'd be more nervous to play Pittsburgh than Baltimore

ausbacker said:

These Patriots look and feel like the early 2000's Patriots. For the first time in a long time, I feel as if this team could go toe to toe with Baltimore (well, anyone for that matter) and repeatedly smack them in the mouth before standing over them encouraging the next contender to take their best shot.

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Not sure I think they can straight up out duel the Ravens in both trenches, however, I believe the Patriots can hold their own. IMHO holding our own is all that is needed to be likely to win in Foxboro.

I feel better about the DL more than holding their own. Our OL? I'd take them coming close to holding their own. IMHO as long as those two items happen the game is the Patriots to lose.
Side note: Sooooo much of this SB run will be about Chandler Jones. Seeing him back against the Phins was a stark thing to see. Our pass rush doesn't need to be swarming every play, not at all (it would be nice but it isn't necessary). But over the course of a sustained drive only one sack or key pressure can be the difference. With CJ getting that one key pressure/sack, or getting enough attention to free someone else up to do it -- this is huge! With this secondary and this stout run D we have?? If you add in a key sack or pressure every so often it will be very difficult for teams to score the kind of points needed to beat the Patriots.