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Patriots – Ravens Keys, Who Has the Razor’s Edge?

Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri on Twitter
December 9, 2016 at 6:00 am ET

Patriots – Ravens Keys, Who Has the Razor’s Edge?
(PHOTO: Winslow Townson - USA TODAY Sports)
🕑 Read Time: 5 minutes

Prediction:
This game should be another seat of your pants Patriots – Ravens games that we’ve become accustomed to. The two teams know each other well and have a healthy disdain for one another which, on the national stage of MNF should make this a compelling watch.

The keys to the game from a Patriots perspective is to be successful on early downs. If they get in third and long offensively, the Ravens defense will eat them up. They must get in third and short situations that are much more manageable.

The Ravens are also one of the best red zone defenses, while last week’s settling for three points was an easy decision against the Rams, they have to score six when the get close this week. Look for Brady to go to the hurry up this week if they get a first down to try to keep the Baltimore defense off-balance. The Patriots will try to use their quickness with Edelman underneath and isolate one of the running backs on a linebacker to get some mismatches.

The defense will have their hands full with the deep passing game of Baltimore. Look for Pitta to be Flacco’s go-to guy in the middle of the field where they were so successful last week. A late score will be the difference and home field advantage is key for the Pats success. Patriots 24-21

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About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)


Tags: 2016 NFL Season Baltimore Ravens Bill Belichick C.J. Mosley Chris Hogan Danny Amendola Dennis Pitta Dion Lewis Dont'a Hightower Jabaal Sheard Joe Flacco Julian Edelman Kenneth Dixon LaGarrette Blount Malcolm Butler Martellus Bennett Miami Dolphins Mike Wallace New England Patriots NFL Patriots Patriots edge rushers predictions Rob Gronkowski Rob Ninkovich Steve Smith Terrance West Terrell Suggs Timmy Jernigan Tom Brady Trey Flowers

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