just an idle thought on stopping the Ravens' offense.
So much of it is based on misdirection in the backfield and the running ability of their QB. With a non-running QB, like Brady, run defense becomes a LOT easier since the defense has a natural 11 vs 10 advantage. When you have that run/pass option with your QB, that of course negates the defense's edge.
But here's the thing to watch. Back in the day (long long long ago) when the triple option and Houston veer attacks were prevalent, I always felt that looking into the backfield for LB and secondary cues was a fool's errand, There was always so much to see that it paralyzed your LB's into always being too late.
I found that there were 2 ways to get your back 7 to react decisively (most of the time). That was to do what the DL does on every play. All read DL actions as determined by keys given by the OL, whether it was a pull, block down, or just a helmet to one side or the other. So that rather than looking into the backfield, the key to getting your LB's aggressively attacking the ball was to give them keys from the OL thru to the backfield. (same for your safeties) By nature skill position people LIE all the time (like a Trump presser......sorry I couldn't help myself
) But on the other hand (for the most part the OL tells the truth.
I think the key for any success the Pats have in stopping the Ravens' #1 running game will be in IF the coaching staff can give their LB's and S's great OL keys. Again back in the day when hitting a QB with the front of your helmet got you a helmet sticker and NOT 15 yds (again sorry, I couldn't help myself. 3-4 ILB's got their keys from the G's. If they fired out the LB would attack the block and move to the ball. If they blocked down or out the LB would fill to the LOS. If he pulled, he'd follow. If he set to pass block, he'd drop to his man or zone. I don't know how the Pats will play the ravens, but these Okie reads are still as valid as they were when Bud Wilkerson developed them in the mid 50's.
So early in this game I'm going to miss a lot of the action because I will be watching the Raven's OL to see if they are giving the Pats any consistent keys to their run game.
The second way to eliminate indecision was to run blitz with your LB's and or safeties. These usually were down and distance and or formation triggered. Given the state the the Pats LB situation, this may be something they do more than usual.
BTW- another idle thought was to play this offense with another defense from long ago (the early 70's which was the Penn State 4-4. This is a D when played well is very difficult to run block. Sorry but it would take longer than I wish to stay to explain how it works, and how it forces offensive lines to execute difficult schemes to block it. Perhaps another time.