Poll: LAC at BAL, Who will win? Who do you want to win?

[lancerman]

Don't agree at all with wanting an easy path to the Super Bowl.

Yeah I want the dog fight of having to face the 04 Colts offense, the 15-1 Steelers, and the McNabb/TO Eagles.

 

[supafly]

Yeah like BGC said a few days ago, Jackson can hurt you with his arm. But San Diego is clearly more balanced on offense. But their D can be up and down even with that talent. I think the answer to this depends on how much one thinks there is a difference between the defenses

While Jackson “can” potentially beat you with him arm, Rivers has a much better chance with his talent, experience, and WR group. Williams and Allen are nuts, and Henry would be back next week, too. There’s also the dump offs to Gordon.

I don’t know, but LA went 7-1 on the road and it would be 8-1 with a victory tomorrow. To me, Baltimore has still shown a tendency to be more up and down. I think LA is much more talented. Bosa, Ingram, Heyward, and the rookie safety from FSU who went to the pro bowl (can’t think of his name). They have some talent on defense, too.

 

[supafly]

Yeah I want the dog fight of having to face the 04 Colts offense, the 15-1 Steelers, and the McNabb/TO Eagles.

With the 2003-2004 era team that went 17-2 in back to back years and had a 21 game winning streak? Sure. Bring on the challenge.

With this current team who got punched in the mouth by JAX, DET, and TEN and lost to 5 non-playoff opponents? Lol. C’mon. We should want the easiest path available. This is a no brainer.

 

[Nikolai]

Boy, that didn't take long. We're already doomed :

Guregian: Worst-case scenario for Patriots after Texans loss – Boston Herald

Dumb article. She goes on about being so scared of Baltimore and talking about how the Pats aren't the same team they used to be. While technically true, are the 2012 Ravens coming to Foxboro next week?

At home, I'm ok with either really, but Baltimore's one-dimensional offense is probably a better matchup for our defense.

 

[fightingirish595]

While Jackson “can” potentially beat you with him arm, Rivers has a much better chance with his talent, experience, and WR group. Williams and Allen are nuts, and Henry would be back next week, too. There’s also the dump offs to Gordon.

I don’t know, but LA went 7-1 on the road and it would be 8-1 with a victory tomorrow. To me, Baltimore has still shown a tendency to be more up and down. I think LA is much more talented. Bosa, Ingram, Heyward, and the rookie safety from FSU who went to the pro bowl (can’t think of his name). They have some talent on defense, too.

Crazy to think LA would have to win 2 consecutive 1 o’clock games on the east coast to reach the AFC ship

 

[fightingirish595]

I am actually willing to bet no team in nfl history located in the pacific time zone won 2 consecutive games in the eastern time zone

 

[carmelo15]

If we can’t beat a rookie qb at home than I don’t know what to say

 

[supafly]

I am actually willing to bet no team in nfl history located in the pacific time zone won 2 consecutive games in the eastern time zone

Really? You sure you’d want to place that bet?

Disclaimer: the very first west coast team I checked (SF) did it during their last SB appearance run (2013). Of course, they were somewhat relevant then.

Edit: SF did it in 2011, as well. I haven’t checked any other team other than SF, and I haven’t even gone past their most recent string of success (‘11-‘13).

Edit#2–Seattle did it back in 2004. It seems like it may be more of a rare occurrence simply due to the fact that 1) you’d have to limit it to a handful of west coast only teams, 2) you’d have to find stretches where those teams were successful, and 3) the NFL simply doesn’t schedule back to back games like that very often.

 

[doesntmatter1]

Bring on the Chargers. I still don't trust our run defense and the Ravens are killing it on the ground. Plus I have had my fill of the Ravens as a playoff opponent.

 

[maineman209]

If we can’t beat a rookie qb at home than I don’t know what to say

If I may suggest something wild and crazy, how about ...

"That teams offense was better than the Pats defense today, and their defense was better than the Pats offense today."

 

[maineman209]

The #1 (by far) rushing offense over the past seven weeks is a better matchup for the Pats' marginal (at best) run-D?

If you say so.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

The #1 (by far) rushing offense over the past seven weeks is a better matchup for the Pats' marginal (at best) run-D?

If you say so.

The rushing defense is a lot worse in nickel or dime packages, which we would probably see a lot of against LA. The only part of their rushing defense that bothers me is Lamar Jackson and his scrambling. I think we can handle Gus Edwards.

 

[supafly]

The #1 (by far) rushing offense over the past seven weeks is a better matchup for the Pats' marginal (at best) run-D?

If you say so.

The other side of the coin is that LA would have an 8-1 road record, with impressive victories occurring @SEA, @KC, @BAL, and @PIT. They also have a better overall team record.

They have a well balanced team that has both a top 10 offense AND a top 10 defense, and their YPC average on the ground (4.7) is actually higher than Baltimore’s was this season (4.5).

I’m really not sure who we should be rooting for. There seem to be positives and negatives for both matchups.

 

[supafly]

If I may suggest something wild and crazy, how about ...

(insert Steve Martin SNL .gif that is too large for the new website standards)

 

[maineman209]

The rushing defense is a lot worse in nickel or dime packages, which we would probably see a lot of against LA. The only part of their rushing defense that bothers me is Lamar Jackson and his scrambling. I think we can handle Gus Edwards.

The Ravens' offense is in RPO on most plays, so Jackson's runs aren't "scrambles". And it's not just Gus Edwards at RB, it's also Kenneth Dixon.

While Jackson doesn't throw often (only 22.6 times per game), he does have some decent targets in Crabtree, Snead and John Brown, plus Javorius Allen as an occasional (reliable) outlet, plus 4 solid blocking TEs who have combined for 86 catches on 127 tgts (68%) for 1071 yds (12.5 ypc) and 5 TDs.

So, when the Ravens are in 2WR, 2TE, 1 RB sets (which is probably most of the time), they have four legit receiving targets while simultaneously having seven solid blockers and 2 very good RBs.

Again, I'm not saying that the Ravens offense is overwhelming, just that it's likely to be a much bigger challenge to the Pats defense than a lot of folks here seem to think it will be.

 

[maineman209]

Gametime forecast for Baltimore:

TEMP: low 50s
PRECIP: none
WIND: 10-15mph steady, gusts to 25+ mph

 

[Patriot Missile]

Whoever comes as the opponent is the opponent. Don’t really care who it is. If they can’t beat them, then this team is not the best candidate for the Super Bowl. All this talk of wanting this team or that team is futile.

 

[luuked]

The #1 (by far) rushing offense over the past seven weeks is a better matchup for the Pats' marginal (at best) run-D?

If you say so.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The other side of the coin is that LA would have an 8-1 road record, with impressive victories occurring @SEA, @KC, @BAL, and @PIT. They also have a better overall team record.

They have a well balanced team that has both a top 10 offense AND a top 10 defense, and their YPC average on the ground (4.7) is actually higher than Baltimore’s was this season (4.5).

I’m really not sure who we should be rooting for. There seem to be positives and negatives for both matchups.

Agree. It really is a dilemma.

I think LAC is a tougher matchup but i just can't stand BAL. From owner to coach just a loathsome group.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Crazy to think LA would have to win 2 consecutive 1 o’clock games on the east coast to reach the AFC ship

I'm wondering if they would stay on the East Coast for the week if they won. It would save them two cross country trips and acclimate to even colder temperatures.......