NFL Playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs!?!

[KRonn]

Niners vs. Patriots in the Super Bowl

I'm hoping for this, but a NE vs Giants would be an interesting rematch, the Giants having beaten NE a few years ago.

Still need to get past the Ravens, and even though the Pats had a good defensive game last week, I'm still  worried over their defense, and rightly so.

[jimmy olsen]

Reed throws Flacco under the bus. 

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Baltimore-Ravens-Ed-Reed-calls-out-shaky-quarterback-Joe-Flacco-011712

I can't wait for Championship Sunday. It's the single best day on the NFL calendar. It's often better than the Super Bowl. I want to scream that Sunday is going to be epic with two pick-'em games. I want to rant and rave how all four teams left in the tournament have an equal chance to make the Super Bowl.

But I can't. I won't. Even though I love everything about the Ravens, I don't think they will win the Super Bowl. I don't have faith in Joe Flacco.

Flacco pretty much nailed it last week in his whiny, defeatist rant, saying the critics would find a way to knock him around and not give him credit if Baltimore won. Well, the Ravens beat the Texans, and Flacco had another pedestrian game.

If you don't believe me, take Ed Reed's word for it.

Reed joined us Monday on the SiriusXM Blitz, and we asked an open-ended question seeking his analysis of Flacco's performance. Reed's response was telling:

"Joe was kind of rattled a little bit by that defense. They had a lot of guys in the box on him and they were giving it to him. I think a couple of times he needed to get rid of the ball. It just didn't look like he had a hold on the offense."

Whoa!

Then Reed added, "He can't play like that. One specific play that sticks out to me was when Ray Rice came out and got pushed out of the backfield and (Flacco) still threw him the ball and he had Torrey Smith on the outside. I can say that sitting on the sideline or sitting in the stands. You don't know what someone else is seeing."

Joe Flacco hasn't been trustworthy this season. He hasn't been consistent. His commentary to the media last week was rather alarming, sounding beaten-down, marching to a loser's lament, worried more about perception than the actual game.

I love John Harbaugh. He's an excellent coach. Every year Baltimore gets a top ranking in my annual organizational rankings, led by Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta. Ray Rice is an elite back. I voted for him as a first-team All-Pro. The Ravens defense, led by Reed's savvy and play-making skills, is outstanding. Terrell Suggs can't be blocked. Haloti Ngata is a beast. Ray Lewis seems healthy and looks like he's drinking from the fountain of youth. And Baltimore isn't scared of the Patriots in Foxborough, having won in New England two seasons ago in dominant, bone-crushing fashion. It actually lines up for a potential upset special.

Now ask yourself if you trust Flacco. Can you picture him pitching the perfect game necessary to best Tom Brady?

If Flacco fizzles on Sunday instead of shining, would it be time to explore Plan B to get Baltimore over the hump? I think it would be that time. Too strong, or right on, according to Reed.

[Neil]

Why does everyone think that exemplary QB play is needed to beat the Patriots?  Joe's game in 2009 involved a lot of handoffs, and yet the Ravens completely destroyed the Patriots.

[fhdz]

Why does everyone think that exemplary QB play is needed to beat the Patriots?

Yes, a good pass rush goes at LEAST as far, and good coverage even further.

[CountDeMoney]

Reed throws Flacco under the bus. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

FWIW, Flacco's first TD pass was an Flacco improvisation.

[Admiral Yi]

I haven't seen a team yet that had figured out NE's double TE formation; will be interesting to see what the Ravens come up with.

[jimmy olsen]

Why does everyone think that exemplary QB play is needed to beat the Patriots?  Joe's game in 2009 involved a lot of handoffs, and yet the Ravens completely destroyed the Patriots.

Ravens D is 2 years older. I don't see them being able to contain Gronk.

[fhdz]

I don't see them being able to contain Gronk.

That dude is such a powerhouse.

[Neil]

Why does everyone think that exemplary QB play is needed to beat the Patriots?  Joe's game in 2009 involved a lot of handoffs, and yet the Ravens completely destroyed the Patriots.

Ravens D is 2 years older. I don't see them being able to contain Gronk.

Hit Brady in the chest and break his ribs.

Besides, the Ravens D is younger now then it was then.

[katmai]

I haven't seen a team yet that had figured out NE's double TE formation; will be interesting to see what the Ravens come up with.

The quarterback must go down, and he must go down hard.

[CountDeMoney]

Patriotard fanboi on ESPN ignites Flacco's Italian blood!

Joe Flacco, he wants his respect, he hasn't gotten it, and he's going to get his opportunity against New England, because there's going to be multiple lead changes.  He may have to bring his team back in the fourth quarter.  You want it, you've got it, Joe Flacco. Here's opportunity right now, because right now Tom Brady is Michael Corleone and Joe Flacco is Fredo.  That's who he is.  He's Fredo.  He wants his respect.  Well, if you want your respect, you're going to have to be that quarterback that plays --  well, not better than Brady, but leads your team to victory.  So you want it, you've got it.
--former New England Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi, ESPN

[Admiral Yi]

You and Teddy look a lot alike.

[Valmy]

Ravens D is 2 years older. I don't see them being able to contain Gronk.

The Ravens have lots of great young players on defense (and some new ones who are not so young like my man Cory Redding )

Say what you want about the Ravens but their GM knows how to draft defensive players.  It is just ridiculous if you look at their drafts since 1996 of how consistently they hit on defenders.  The only two guys who are really aging are Lewis and Reed though, granted, those are their two leaders.

[CountDeMoney]

You and Teddy look a lot alike.

So I look cromagnon.  Lovely. 

[Valmy]

Could be worse.  You could look like a Neanderthal.