First Take: Opening Thoughts on Ravens at Patriots Showdown
 Rob Gronkowski and the Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday at Gillette Stadium. (USA TODAY Images) |
The New England Patriots will host the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium, Saturday Jan. 10 at 4:35 EST.
After defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday night, the Ravens are once again headed to face the Patriots in the playoffs. New England and Baltimore did not play each other in the 2014 regular season.
Here's a few opening thoughts on Saturday's contest. --
The Ravens won't go easy, but the Patriots should win this match-up. New England is the better team and have been more consistent throughout the season. Baltimore, however, has played good football at times and looked like a strong opponent in the Wildcard Round.
In his last five post-season games, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has thrown 13 touchdowns and zero interceptions. While Flacco isn't an elite QB, he plays well in the playoffs.
Many Pats fans have flashbacks to tough playoff contents over the last few years. These two teams are significantly different than in 2012, though, when the Ravens came away with a 28-13 victory over the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game before going on to win the Super Bowl.
With the Ravens overhauling their defense, moving on from Hall of Fame talents like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, they're defense isn't quite the powerhouse it use to be, but the front seven still has a lot of talent. Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil, Haloti Ngata, Pernell McPhee, C.J. Mosley and Daryl Smith will give New England's shaky offensive line all they can handle.
At first glance, this could be where the game is won or lost: Baltimore's defensive front vs New England's offensive line.
On the flip side, the Patriots are much improved and will be going into this contest as healthy as any NFL team can wish for at this juncture of the season.
New England was without All Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski in the 2012 playoff match-up and defensive end Chandler Jones played only two snaps due to injury.
Darrelle Revis and the Patriots eighth-ranked defense has changed the way this team wins games. While many will look back at this 2012 playoff contest to try and draw comparisons, both franchises are very different and New England is a more well-rounded group.
Baltimore's vertical passing attack will be a big talking point heading into the game. How will the Patriots defend Torrey Smith, Steve Smith Sr. and Jacoby Jones? All three proving to be home-run hitters and have the ability to make plays down the field. Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia will have to be cautious of the Ravens deep passing attack and eliminate big plays.
More on this game throughout the week, stay tuned.
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