AFC Championship Game: Baltimore @ New England

[PuRock]

I'll say the same thing to Pats fans that I said to Broncos fans. This isn't the Ravens first rodeo (or second like the Texans). We know how to play playoff football. We will be in Foxboro for a game. It's going to be a close battle. But we are coming to play.

[Gordo52]

I have a feeling Boldin makes Talib his little buddy. BIG GAME coming from Q.

[1/28/01]

Oldie but a goodie!

[Img]http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a190/Brett_Is_A_Dick/brady_band_aid.jpg[/img]

[Neil]

The O-line stiffled the Broncos pass rush, which is much more powerful than that of the Patriots. I predict a Ravens win.

2009 all over again.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1358128014' post='1310745']
I have a feeling Boldin makes [b]Talib[/b] his little buddy. BIG GAME coming from Q.
[/quote]

Here's to him being he's the next Cory Webster

[Brady's Stunt Double]

OK, the Ravens and Pats both had bad stretches this year. Certainly as a Pats fan after losing to the Seahawks, I never thought this team had what it took. But here we are. Congratulations to the Ravens. Ray Lewis' retirement announcement certainly was well-timed, and your team looks like one of destiny right now. I still can't believe your win in Denver yesterday. Props for winning in a very tough place to do so.

I spent some time with you all this time last year and am looking forward to doing so again. I've only seen you guys play a couple of times this year (against the Pats, and yesterday), so what I think about your team is based on very little actual knowledge. Tell me what is right and what is wrong:

1. Offense: after the game he had last year against the Pats and that throw yesterday, it's hard for me to write Flacco off. He has great arm strength, and seems to have better weapons around him than last year. Ray Rice is still nasty, and I don't believe the "fumble-itis" will continue. 10th in the league in scoring pretty damn good for a team not known for offense.

2. Defense: Not as good as in the past, but still formidable. As long as Lewis and Suggs are on the field, they cannot be taken lightly. Still, 12th in the league in scoring is probably not what Ravens fans are used to.

That sums up what little I know about the Ravens (or think I know). The main reason I come here is to get some real info from fans who watch them every week. Here's what I can tell you about the Patriots if anyone wants to know.

1. Offense: The Pats are very different than in years past. They can still air it out and have plenty of weapons. Losing Gronk again is huge, but they've been playing without him for half the year and don't seem to have missed a beat. He didn't look healthy in week 16 (blocking with one arm), and was a nonfactor today. I'm more anxious to find out what's up with Danny Woodhead, who went out early with a thumb injury today. While he isn't crucial, he is often used as a pace-changer for the offense. While they still get some big plays, I don't think Brady is as good at the deep ball as he used to be. They play more of an intermediate game with Welker, Hernandez, and Lloyd. Pay attention to the no-huddle, it's been rearing its head more of late, and caught Houston flat-footed at least 5 times today, including on a TD run by Vereen.

The big thing that has changed is the running game. Ridley has become a nice solid back, and the Pats have been better at running inside the tackles than they have been in 7 or 8 years. They have the ability to pick up first downs at the end of the game (something lacking in previous years). Our line is getting healthy after a really unlucky season of injuries.

2. Defense: Talib has helped stabilize the secondary, and has allowed McCourty to play safety, where he thrives. Dennard has been decent. Arrington has been playing the slot receiver, where he is much more effective. Still, this secondary can be had for big plays at times. Our defensive coordinator has helped things by opening up the playbook and calling more linebacker blitzes than in the beginning of the season. Young guys like Scott, Francis, Hightower, and Jones have provided energy and depth to the front seven. The defense has improved against the rush but still gives up just over 100 YPG. Because the front 7 is so aggressive, swing and screen passes are very effective if used at the right times.

3. Special teams. Zoltan Mesko might be the best in the league at pinning the other team down. Our coverage team is questionable at best. Gostowski has had an off year, and I hope the game doesn't come down to his leg. Welker and McCourty carry most of the return duty, as Edelman has been hurt and is sorely missed in this category.

A long post, hope it is helpful for some people. Mods feel free to merge it somewhere if you don't want "my kind" starting threads on your board.

Looking forward to next week.

[H8R]

[quote name='bmore187' timestamp='1358126675' post='1310682']


Unfortunately we dont have that type of D anymore
[/quote]

Honestly.. we're playing better on defense collectively right now then back then. Not that it matters. Just stating a fact.

[Malkavian Raven]

Oh gawd... it's a Denver fan in disguise...

[Tank 92]

We may have some holes on D, but they are again playing with passion and fire. Watch out tommie!

[H8R]

Talib is a good corner, he was good in TB too. Just has personal problems.
He's physical and can pick the ball too.

Lets talk about Ninkovich ... that guy is Johnny On the spot for them. Heck of a player

[JohnnyBoy8102]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1358128735' post='1310783']
Talib is a good corner, he was good in TB too. Just has personal problems.
He's physical and can pick the ball too.

Lets talk about Ninkovich ... that guy is Johnny On the spot for them. Heck of a player
[/quote]

Ninkovich is like their new Vrabel.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='CosmicRedPanda' timestamp='1358128563' post='1310773']
Oh gawd... it's a Denver fan in disguise...


[/quote]
Pg 35 (for dizzle)

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='Neil' timestamp='1358128144' post='1310753']
The O-line stiffled the Broncos pass rush, which is much more powerful than that of the Patriots. I predict a Ravens win.

2009 all over again.
[/quote]

Patriots front 7 are incredibly disruptive. They are no cake walk...i assure you that.

[PolishRifle]

Great, now we have to endure a whole week of Patriots hype. Anyone want to guess how often analysts will say "Tom Terrific"? Geez.

[Brady's Stunt Double]

[quote name='JohnnyBoy8102' timestamp='1358128874' post='1310787']
Ninkovich is like their new Vrabel.
[/quote]

Agreed. He isn't the most talented guy, but seems to come up big in big moments. 8 sacks, 5 FF, and 4 FR this year. It was crucial his injury in Miami wasn't serious for the pats to have a shot.

[dacoats]

you guys can x and o this thing to death

and as a Coats fan I can understand the excitement of the rematch against the biggest [profanity deleted] in football (the Pay tree Otts)

but this game comes down to one thing for you guys:

"no weapons formed against us shall prosper" "no weapons"

and believe you/me, you will have one additional fan for taking out that punkass ELway/Manning papa johns little [profanity deleted] and hopefully finishing the job in the AFC Ms. Brady

Get it Done!

Dacoats - King of Indy

[Latch]

Awesome. They'll be underdogs again. Couldn't love it more, man.

[codizzle]

[quote name='bmore187' timestamp='1358126675' post='1310682']


Unfortunately we dont have that type of D anymore
[/quote]
We held Peyton Manning to 21 points in 77 minutes of football..

Can u ever be positive?

[FerrariFan87]

Birk v. Wilfork is going to be the matchup to watch this Sunday. Birk got destroyed last year, and really needs to improve if we're gonna have success offensively.

I like our chances even more with the Gronk injury, and it's going to be another shootout.

[Latch]

This game is on Ray and Joe's shoulders. If the D does what it's been doing for the past two weeks and the ST gets out of their funk, it's up to them to generate some points. Ray can't be doing none of that 2 yards per carry business and Joe can't be throwing 6 feet over everyone's heads.

[codizzle]

I'd say Birk is a lot healthier this year

[Ravensfan23]

This is gonna be a great game, no doubt about it. Both teams are playing great football but both teams will need to play mistake free. Both offenses can light up the scoreboard, which always makes for entertaining games. However both defense play better then their respective rankings.

Not sure how NE fans view this, but I'm starting to sense a outter Division Rivalry bewing. This teams seem to play every season since 08', this will be their 3rd playoff matchup in 4 years, back to back AFC Championship Games and believe it or not, both organizations are ran almost identical.

All the games played with the exception of one(09' playoff) have been decided by 4 points or less.

The Ravens feel they are going to NE to take back something that should have been theirs last season. As always the Pats are looking to prove their dominance over the AFC.

Flacco is looking to plant his flag among the Elites of this game and start to build his legacy. While on the other side, Brady is looking to surpass his idol Joe Montana.

Ray and the Ravens are looking to have a story book ending that Hollywood would be envious about. While the Pats could care less, they wanna finish writing their own story. There will be so much to write aand talk about this week. It felt the Ravens @NE Broncos game was a instant classic, but this game might be that much better.

The NFL desperately wanted Manning vs Brady, but I think Flacco vs Brady is shaping up to be a darn good consolation prize. Could we be looking at a rivalry, where the younger Flacco who is banging on the door of the elite, is nipping at the heels of "The Guy" at the QB position in the AFC? Well the Ravens have to start winning these games and not only keep the Pats from making the Super Bowl but actually winning one for themselves.

I can't wait for this game.

[SecretAgentMan]

Delusional Raider fan is also a Pats bandwagoner come playoff time.....

Dizzle, If I'm twelve, can this guy be three? By age he is older than me, but his immaturity level skyrockets through the roof.

Anyway, he predicts 35-3 pats

[PuRock]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1358129245' post='1310805']
Patriots front 7 are incredibly disruptive. They are no cake walk...i assure you that.
[/quote]

They are, but so were Von Miller, Dumervil and Co. Our new offensive line setup is up to the task. Not too worried about that matchup.

[BMORElegacy]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1358124388' post='1310549']
Who does Belicheck try to eliminate?
[/quote]Rice or Torrey.

[codizzle]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1358131030' post='1310881']
Delusional Raider fan is also a Pats bandwagoner come playoff time.....

Dizzle, If I'm twelve, can this guy be three? By age he is older than me, but his immaturity level skyrockets through the roof.

Anyway, he predicts 35-3 pats
[/quote]
He sounds like one u just don't talk to..

I refuse to talk sports with those who nothing

Well unless I'm on here ..
Zing

[Grendelwulf21]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1358127128' post='1310705']
no offense but all i hear is....blah, blah, blah, blah blah! it's the same ole' speech that we've heard all week long from the denver fans, and a few giants fans and always from the steelers fans. and now you...a patriots fan! typical! Shhhhhhh!

~Mili
[/quote]
And that colts fan I remember coming in here and telling us he'll come back to tell us what's up after his colts "win" ... I never saw that guy anymore

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1358131205' post='1310895']
He sounds like one u just don't talk to..

I refuse to talk sports with those who nothing

Well unless I'm on here ..
Zing
[/quote]

That is not directed tword me....

But literally, I wish he would just shut up...
He is the one who thinks Flacco, the guy who outdueled the invincible Brady, the god Peyton, and the rookie sensation is not a capable starter

[BMORElegacy]

People seem to be forgetting that the terror known as T Sizzle was sitting on the sideline last game. Suggs made a statement with his performance against Denver: 7 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Suggs might be hurting but he's starting to find his stride. The better Suggs gets the more attention he'll demand which must give Kruger fits of joy at the thought of getting a clean shot on Brady.

[ravensfan2424]

This game is coming down to the defenses. Can we cover Welker, Lloyd, Hernandez, Ridley, and Vereen? Can they stop Boldin, Torrey, Jones, Pitta, and Rice? Can our D-Line and OLB's get to Brady before he shreds us to pieces? Can their D-Line (Hopefully without Chandler Jones) get to flacco before he launches 50+ yd bombs? Only time will tell