Next up : Patriots

[Raving_Heathen]

The Ray Lewis lead Ravens defense of old had always stiffled Brady's passing attack in ways other teams just never have. I don't think Tom's diminished stats recently in the playoffs have anything to do with it being the post-season, and have everything to do with the fact that he's been playing the Ravens.

 

I don't know that Ray Lewis or Ed Reed was as much an impact in those games as Terrell Suggs. Suggs is a one man wrecking crew every time he faces Brady, and our pass rush (at least off the edges) is far better than it's ever been. This also isn't the same physically hobbled Flacco that the Pats faced last year when they trounced us, and under Kubiak, he's playing better than ever. Our rushing attack is also Top 10 now, unlike last year when it was probably the worst in the NFL. So I think there are a lot of new elements going into this game for both teams.

[ravensnick]

With the combination of Big Bens being able to shed would be sackers and move in the pocket with the weapons he has....yes..... I feel Big Ben presents a much tougher matchup for us than Brady. Now, if Brady had the weapons Big Ben has I would say Brady presents a tougher challenge. Makes any sense? Only thing I fear about the Pats is y'all defense which will be the main reason y'all possibly can go far in the playoffs even winning it all.

I'll say one thing: I'm worried about who we are gonna put on Gronk.

[ravensnick]

I don't know that Ray Lewis or Ed Reed was as much an impact in those games as Terrell Suggs. Suggs is a one man wrecking crew every time he faces Brady, and our pass rush (at least off the edges) is far better than it's ever been. This also isn't the same physically hobbled Flacco that the Pats faced last year when they trounced us, and under Kubiak, he's playing better than ever. Our rushing attack is also Top 10 now, unlike last year when it was probably the worst in the NFL. So I think there are a lot of new elements going into this game for both teams.

Suggs turns on something else when ever he plays the Steelers or Pats. And now we got Doom going off and a decent secondary, I wouldn't be call us push overs. This is the match up NE didn't want. They match up well against the Colts (no way the Bungals don't Bungal the game), but it will be a pure grudge match against us. 

[stealerhater]

we need a great corner

[ravensnick]

One word: Gronk

 

How do you think we slow him down, let alone stop him? I think we match up very well against Darth Hoodie's crew, except for the Beast know as Gronk.

[wayne]

I'll say one thing: I'm worried about who we are gonna put on Gronk.

That too,lol. Gronk and their defense which doesnt look to have any glaring weaknesses with the exception of their pass rush not being that great which can work to our favor.

[Raving_Heathen]

That's why I am personally kind of glad he had that horrid Houston game. Means he isn't due to throw one.

 

Also as well as he played last night, there were a few plays where he was just really careless with throws. Also, that one play where KO came in at the last second to dumptruck James Harrison probably saved a strip sack. So I think the Steelers game was probably his "bad" game.

[StingerNLG]

Brady will light up our secondary and gronk will also have a huge day

You mean like Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown was supposed to do?

[The Mom Gene]

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[stealerhater]

i think canty can cover him

[stealerhater]

you have to beat gronk with size

[A Fish Called Yanda]

you have to beat gronk with size

 

So we put Suggs out in coverage...problem solved.  

[rmcjacket23]

One word: Gronk

 

How do you think we slow him down, let alone stop him? I think we match up very well against Darth Hoodie's crew, except for the Beast know as Gronk.

Possible we use Hill as a "shadow" if you will sort of like what we did against Graham in NO.

 

Generally speaking, we tend to do pretty well against TEs league-wide.

 

In theory, we do match up skill set wise well with them, but execution as usual is what ultimately matters. We should be able to pass protect well (they don't have much of a pass rush typically), but they have an elite secondary. Running the ball more this game will likely be method of choice on offense.

 

As for what the Pats will try to do, I'm not entirely sure. I suspect we will see a lot of Blount in the backfield, but ultimately I think they try to throw often in this game, depending on how good or poor our pass rush is.

[stealerhater]

the ravens might be better off playing a hybrid dime and blitz corners and man under with zone over the top.but to do this the d line would need to get their hands up and also get penetration

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Man, if I had a dollar for everytime all the doubters gave us no chance vs. the Patriots - I'd buy them all a lifetime supply of tissues to cry into while flooding the Mystic River.

 

This game is extremely winnable and I just think...it feels like destiny, again.

[The Mom Gene]

why not convert gilmore and teach him to stay with gronk in one on one with help from elam its options if they want to stop him

Because Gilmore is TE, and a good one.  Why would we want to convert a great TE to a defensive player?  Otherwise he'd be a OLB... like Suggs or Doom.  That would be like asking you guys to put Gronk on Daniels....

[harfordravenfan]

As long as they abide by our rules and stay away from smack, that's fine. If they cross the line, just report the post. We have a magic button to deal with it.

Funny enough, we've probably banned more Patriots fans than any other group over the years (though the 49ers run a close second).

But some of their post are so long ;-)

[rmcjacket23]

Man, if I had a dollar for everytime all the doubters gave us no chance vs. the Patriots - I'd buy them all a lifetime supply of tissues to cry into while flooding the Mystic River.

 

This game is extremely winnable and I just think...it feels like destiny, again.

Not sure what you are seeing so far, but every analyst I've heard so far very much thinks the Ravens can win this game.

[stealerhater]

gronk is a problem but he is not unstopable

[stealerhater]

i think we win but only if we get to brady and pound him every play and stuff the run and stop that stupid wide receiver screen pass that always burns us on third downs

[arnie_uk]

i think we win but only if we get to brady and pound him every play and stuff the run and stop that stupid wide receiver screen pass that always burns us on third downs

so basically play good defense?

[Gordo52]

That's why I am personally kind of glad he had that horrid Houston game. Means he isn't due to throw one.

Agreed... I like how he got a stinker out of the way, but what I'm saying is in the playoffs...13-0 TD:INT ratio in the last 5 games, all with a 100+ rating... Will be extremely rare to continue at this pace and Raven fans are probably getting spoiled because of it at this point. This 5 game stretch without an INT has been unbelievable. His performance since 2011 overall has been nothing short of remarkable.

I hope he keeps the streak alive but like others have pointed out, the Patriots defense is legit.

[The Raven]

I think a combination of Mosley/Upshaw/Hill/Elam will eliminate Gronk.

[arnie_uk]

I think a combination of Mosley/Upshaw/Hill/Elam will eliminate Gronk.

eliminate is a strong word

[The Raven]

eliminate is a strong word

 

We practically eliminated Jimmy Graham with a similar strategy, and he's much more athletic than Gronk. We might not eliminate him, but we will severely limit his impact on the game. I like our chances with Upshaw, Mosley, and Hill taking him.

[rmcjacket23]

eliminate is a strong word

Yeah there is clearly not going to be any "elimination" of any sort.

 

Fans think we did a good job on Brown last night, and he had what like 8 for 120ish?

 

Gronk could probably have similar numbers and we could still easily win the game. Red zone and third down defense, like most weeks, is where we make or break.

 

Last night, we were about 70% successful on third down, and we held them to one TD in three redzone trips.

 

We keep those percentages, and we don't turn the ball over, we can beat anybody.

[arnie_uk]

Talk of turnovers I'm a thread. I also think Joe will throw and interception this game

[stealerhater]

i think upshaw could really help on gronk

[FlocksGottaFeed]

How do you stop Gronk?

 

You turn them into a 1 dimensional team by stopping the run consistantly, Forcing 3rd in longs and pressuring Brady into quick dink patterns (if he's still upright) to Gronk in tackling him short.

 

But the real keys to this game is how we play as a team. The team that wins this one will have less turnovers, less penalties and win more phases (special teams, time of possession, etc.).

 

Individauls don't win playoff games - Teams do. Gronk is a challenge, but he can't shine when his QB is on the ground or he's watching most of the game from the sidelines.

[stealerhater]

i believe if everyone does their job and i do mean do their job we win