NFL Playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs!?!

[CountDeMoney]

I actually feel more comfortable about this match-up on the road against New England than I did at home with the Texans.

Defensively, NE will not be able to collapse the pocket with 4 man rushes, like Houston could;  they don't have the horses.  They'll need to bring 5 and 6 to blitz, and that will allow one-on-ones in space;  if Flacco can be given the time, and Rice gets going with the running game to the point they can sell it to the defense, he will obliterate them.

Conversely, the vertical game of the Patriots is non-existent;  it's the middle of the field the Ravens need to stake a claim to.  And that means linebackers and safeties--arguably their strong suit.  And Brady gets extremely rattled when he's touched or gets pressure, he's not dangerous like Rapistburger or the Red Rifle or even Yates, who can do just as much damage outside the pocket as in it.  And the Pats have no running game.  Look for sell out blitzes by the Ravens non-stop.

What is of paramount importance is sending a message at jump.  First time Hernandez or Teh Gronk goes over the middle, need to twist that nigga's cap back.  Take the 15 yards.  Send the message.

Only way to beat the Pats is to either 1) beat on Brady, or 2) beat on his receivers.  As the referees will slant the game towards the golden boy anyway, #1 is not as much as an option. The Pats wideouts are too small, the Ravens CBs can be physical with them, and as long as Welker is contained, that job is done.  But they have to destroy those TEs.

Ravens keys:
--Keep Brady off the field by being consistent and converting 3rd downs.
--Keep the defense fresh by getting off the field on 3rd down and getting turnovers.  If the Ravens are losing the time of possession at halftime, it's over, regardless of the score.
--Outscore the referees.  Don't let them be in a position to change the outcome, like the last 3 meetings with the Patriots.

[Neil]

I look forward to seeing Webb on Welker, because I think that Webb might be the most complete corner in the AFC.  He might not have quite the virtuosity in coverage of Revis or Joseph, but he's probably the best tackler at the position.

[Admiral Yi]

Gronk is a gigantic Polack slab.  I don't see where you can hit him that it would hurt.

[Neil]

Gronk is a gigantic Polack slab.  I don't see where you can hit him that it would hurt.

The neck.  The groin.  The knees and ankles.

[Kleves]

Someone could rip his eye out, Any Given Sunday style.

[Alcibiades]

[derspiess]

I actually feel more comfortable about this match-up on the road against New England than I did at home with the Texans.

Defensively, NE will not be able to collapse the pocket with 4 man rushes, like Houston could;  they don't have the horses.  They'll need to bring 5 and 6 to blitz, and that will allow one-on-ones in space;  if Flacco can be given the time, and Rice gets going with the running game to the point they can sell it to the defense, he will obliterate them.

If Rice can get 100 yards rushing, the Ravens win.  And hell, if the Patriots blitz a lot he could end up with 100 yards receiving.

[sbr]

Weren't you a Packers fan a few months ago?

[Neil]

Weren't you a Packers fan a few months ago?

He's always been both.

[Eddie Teach]

I've always been a fan of the-team-playing-against-the-Patriots. 

[CountDeMoney]

Gronk is a gigantic Polack slab.  I don't see where you can hit him that it would hurt.

Yeah, he's a big moosie, but if anybody could hit him so he'd notice, it'd be Ray Ray or Bonecrusher Pollard.

[Admiral Yi]

Who is #55 and how does he make Brady's hair grow so fast?

[Neil]

Gronk is a gigantic Polack slab.  I don't see where you can hit him that it would hurt.

Yeah, he's a big moosie, but if anybody could hit him so he'd notice, it'd be Ray Ray or Bonecrusher Pollard.

I think the best hit of the year though was the one JJ laid on Ward.

[Alcibiades]

Weren't you a Packers fan a few months ago?

He's always been both.

[sbr]

Useless stat of the day:

The Patriots have two wins over playoff teams, both against Denver who had no business in the playoffs.

The Ravens have seven wins over playoff teams:  2 vs Pittsburgh, 2 vs Cincy, 2 vs Houston and one vs San Fran.