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All this focus on stopping Ray Rice misses the Patriots' accomplishments in the running game this year.
The Ravens rushed for 1,996 yards this year with a 4.35 yards/carry while the Patriots rushed for 1,764 yards for a 4.03 yards/carry. Not that big a difference.
Both teams pass more than they run the ball (a surprise to me) with the run/pass ratios not all that far apart. Patriots run the ball 42% of the time vs the Ravens who run the ball 46% of the time.
Over 16 games of the regular season, the Patriots averaged 110 yards per game on the ground compared to the Ravens' 124.
In some ways, the Patriots defense has it easier. They know that Ray Rice is The Man to stop as the leading rusher and receiver. The Ravens have to worry about a multi-headed beast in both the rushing and passing games.
It is reassuring to look at the Patriots rushing statistics to see more balance with the passing game than we might think, and a potent enough running attack to move the chains with nearly the same effciency as the Ravens.
The Ravens rushed for 1,996 yards this year with a 4.35 yards/carry while the Patriots rushed for 1,764 yards for a 4.03 yards/carry. Not that big a difference.
Both teams pass more than they run the ball (a surprise to me) with the run/pass ratios not all that far apart. Patriots run the ball 42% of the time vs the Ravens who run the ball 46% of the time.
Over 16 games of the regular season, the Patriots averaged 110 yards per game on the ground compared to the Ravens' 124.
In some ways, the Patriots defense has it easier. They know that Ray Rice is The Man to stop as the leading rusher and receiver. The Ravens have to worry about a multi-headed beast in both the rushing and passing games.
It is reassuring to look at the Patriots rushing statistics to see more balance with the passing game than we might think, and a potent enough running attack to move the chains with nearly the same effciency as the Ravens.