We're on to Baltimore

brady is due for a great game against ravens in the playoffs. we are going to smoke them.

ravens - 17
pats - 37

Jlaff said:

"Great looking frozen octopus"? I always assumed eating that required you to look past the presentation.

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When you're getting it frozen, the size and appearance of pre-cleaned octopus can make a difference. Getting it fresh isn't all that easy around here, unfortunately.

I just want to note that this years Baltimore Ravens team went 10-6, but if you break it down they had

2 wins against the Cleveland Browns
1 win against the Titans
1 win against the Jaguars
4 wins against every team in the NFC South, the most pathetic division in recent history of the league.

Thats 8 of their 10 wins against sub .500 teams.

The only good team the Ravens have beaten this year is the Steelers, two out of three times, once without Le'veon Bell. This is not the same Baltimore Ravens team of old, and this is certainly not the Patriots defense of years past either. This game should be a cake walk *knocks on wood*
37-17 Patriots.

Rob0729 said:

I would not say there is no way the Colts win. They aren't really built like a team that is designed to exploit the Broncos' weaknesses, but the way the Broncos have been playing in the last six weeks any good team has a chance to beat them even in Denver. Especially if it is cold.

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Considering how much denver is relying on the run and how easy it is to run on the colts, this is a tailor made matchup for broncos.

Deus Irae said:

Now we get to the heart of this thread. C'mon PFS'74, let's get some details on your recipe for braised lamb.

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Actually, I start by making my own stock (takes two days), marinate the lamb for 24 hours in a combination of mirepoix and red wine, brown the lamb on all sides, then slowly braise it for three or four hours in the stock and red wine at a low temperature in a Dutch Oven with a parchment lid until it literally melts in your mouth. I let it rest for 24 hours in the fridge to intensify the flavors, boil down the sauce and then serve it with small white onions (browned, of course), parslied new potatoes, haricot vert and a splendid claret.

Since it was prepared the day before, all I have to do is heat it up and serve it at half time. Of course, everyone is so drunk by then that they can't appreciate it, but, what the hell, I know it's good!

PatsFanSince74 said:

Actually, I start by making my own stock (takes two days), marinate the lamb for 24 hours in a combination of mirepoix and red wine, brown the lamb on all sides, then slowly braise it for three or four hours in the stock and red wine at a low temperature in a Dutch Oven with a parchment lid until it literally melts in your mouth. I let it rest for 24 hours in the fridge to intensify the flavors, boil down the sauce and then serve it with small white onions (browned, of course), parslied new potatoes, green beans and a splendid claret.

Since it was prepared the day before, all I have to do is heat it up and serve it at half time. Of course, everyone is so drunk by then that they can't appreciate it, but, what the hell, I know it's good!

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Sounds great. Are you making/using lamb stock, or beef stock, as that base?

Deus Irae said:

Sounds great. Are you making/using lamb stock, or beef stock, as that base?

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I start with beef stock and then take some lamb bones, sear them at a high temperature and incorporate them into the beef stock to give it a lamb essence. I wish I could say it was my idea, but I am following Thomas Keller all the way.

It did not take the Ravens long to start talking. Suggs is already saying that the NFL does not want them to win, because they want a Brady/ Manning matchup.

PatsFanSince74 said:

I start with beef stock and then take some lamb bones, sear them at a high temperature and incorporate them into the beef stock to give it a lamb essence. I wish I could say it was my idea, but I am following Thomas Keller all the way.

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Thanks for the 411. I do a fair amount of braising, but I've never done lamb. I'm going to have to change that soon.

SVN said:

Considering how much denver is relying on the run and how easy it is to run on the colts, this is a tailor made matchup for broncos.

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The Bengals run the ball better than the Broncos and that didn't get them to score more than 10 points today.

I expect the Broncos to win, but I wouldn't be surprised if they lose especially if the Colts can score points and force Manning to throw it.

This game comes down to the Patriots o line's ability to give Brady time against a four man Rush to throw the ball.

If brady has time, we should be good if we do not turn over the ball.

If Baltimore blitzes, they may get to Brady a few times, but otherwise, Brady picks then apart.

Does Connelly play and is he healthy?

I don't think our receivers or tight ends will have problems getting open. as long as Brady has the time, I think we will be okay. If we lose, I don't think we will be saying afterward it was because receivers couldn't get open. The ravens should score no more than 20 in this game

Deus Irae said:

The Ravens were 1-6 against winning teams in the regular season, and they just beat the only one of those six again. So, they were 0-5 against winning teams not named the Steelers. With that, there's no excuse to panic. On the other hand....

The Ravens allowed 13 points or fewer in 7 of 16 games this season, and finished ahead of the Patriots defense in both points and yards despite the extra two losses, so there's no excuse to be ****sure, either.

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If you're saying the Ravens are demonstrably 'beatable' but their D has played well enough to possibly shut down the Patriots O to make victory much much more uncertain? I agree with it.

The OL's ??? by itself leaves me ****sure-less. But I believe if the Patriots show up with their A game (including the OL's A game), it's quite reasonable to be optimistic. (((If the Patriots don't bring their A game? We'll cross that potentially ugly bridge if it comes to pass)))

Blech. How annoying it is to read Posters parroting clueless Writers from the Herald and The Pravda bleating about Players "bringing their "A" Game" and "showing up to play."

Are you seriously suggesting that any of our guys are going to give less than their best?? On a Belichick Team??? You don't think that he aggressively ferrets out Slackers constantly??

Gentlemen: Players virtually always "bring their "A" Game."

The Problem is that their Foes also virtually always "bring their "A" Game".

Statistically speaking, approximately half of these Players lose, anyway, despite "bringing their "A" Game."

You can look it up.

Talent & Tactics are what win Games...and Championships.

I have a feeling the Pats are going to lose. This is what I foresee. I think Flacco will use is ****** luck to chuck the ball downfield at will with under thrown balls. He'll either get completions or defensive pass interference calls especially against Browner. He'll also get a lot of 10-20 yard passes over the middle of the field. You'll hear a lot of the announcer saying "Wide open over the middle!". Steve Smith Sr. and Torrey Smith will have at least 100 yards each with at least one touchdown each also. I think Baltimores D-line will cause fits for Brady. Ngata will have at least one strip sack. Elvis and Suggs will have at least one sack each as well. Our O-line will be like wet toilet paper. The whole team will seem rusty from not playing in 3 weeks.

Brady 179 yards 2 TD 3 INT
Flacco 425 yards 4 TD 0 INT

Pats 20
Ravens 41

#$%@ this game

Colts will get run over. Anderson will have 134 and 2 TDs

Blount will also have 2 TDs

Off The Grid said:

Gentlemen: Players virtually always "bring their "A" Game.

Are you seriously suggesting that any of our guys are going to give less than their best?? On a Belichick Team??? You don't think that he aggressively ferrets out Slackers constantly??

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I have long said this:

If the Patriots "bring their 'A' game," they win, period. The Patriots' 'B' game is good enough to beat many teams' 'A' game, too. [I can't remember a single game where the Pats played well and still lost.]

When I say this, I'm talking about execution on the field. "Bringing their 'A' game," to me, means they don't make careless mistakes, earn stupid penalties, make nonsensical play calls, etc.

Rob0729 said:

The Bengals run the ball better than the Broncos and that didn't get them to score more than 10 points today.

I expect the Broncos to win, but I wouldn't be surprised if they lose especially if the Colts can score points and force Manning to throw it.

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I guess, but I assume the colts werent worried about Andy Dalton. They will need to account for manning.

Off The Grid said:

Blech. How annoying it is to read Posters parroting clueless Writers from the Herald and The Pravda bleating about Players "bringing their "A" Game" and "showing up to play."

Gentlemen: Players virtually always "bring their "A" Game.

Are you seriously suggesting that any of our guys are going to give less than their best?? On a Belichick Team??? You don't think that he aggressively ferrets out Slackers constantly??

The Problem is that their Foes also virtually always "bring their "A" Game".

Statistically speaking, approximately half of these Players lose, anyway, despite "bringing their "A" Game."

You can look it up.

Talent & Tactics are what win Games...and Championships.

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Give less than their best? No. Giving their best, though, does not equal execution. Edelman is trying extremely hard even when he drops a ball in his hands. I'm sure Cannon wants to win very badly even if he jumps to a false start. Solder is giving 110% even when he whiffs on a block or mixes up the assignment. Brady will be at the height of competitiveness even when he overthrows the receiver, or the receiver cuts the wrong way. I am sure Gronk was eyeing the endzone and getting that all important score even though a defender strips the ball/creates a turnover.
I don't doubt whatsoever the Patriots will show up and give it everything they have. I can't imagine a BB team not doing that. This, however, is not the same as execution. A game = executing (not turning it over, not jumping offside or false start, catching the ball, passing the ball accurately, etc etc ......).