I don't know why other than the once in a lifetime game last year, that Patriot fans fear the Ravens.
The Ravens have a terrible record against the Patriots over the last decade and a half. They are 1-6 since 1996 with six of those games against Belichick coached teams.
That is even more dominant than against the Steelers.
As regards their single, 1, one, o-n-e, victory it was just "one of those games". Historically, Brady has an occasional 4 INT terrible game against some team proving he is only human. They were behind 24-0 to the Ravens, after only a few minutes in the First Quarter.
The only thing slightly surprising is it happened in the Playoffs. The rebuilding Patriots simply did not have the tools to outscore the Ravens in the balance of the game without Welker, relying only on a double and triple covered Randy Moss.
At 1-6, the Ravens are a a particular 'creme puff' for the Patriots. Plus their secondary is suspect. Ed Reed is injured again with a re-occurance of his leg injury, that has cost him most of the 2010 season.
The Raven's Defense is aging and slowing down. Just what a quick fast Offense delights in exploiting. On Offense, Falcco just never produced as a high pick QB should do, especially with a constantly revised and talented wide out corps, given to him to improve his stats to no avail.
I actually think the Chiefs can beat them, especially without Reed. Everyone is downgrading the balanced Chiefs just like the 2001 Patriots were dismissed. They have a talented O-line, allowing them to both run and pass. Their Defense has the big rusher, a very good LB, and their CBs are not chicken feathers.
Most of all this is a QB league. Cassel is a better QB than Flacco, trained in the funadmentals by the best in Bill Belichick. I never bet against the better QB.
