Next up : Patriots

[Tank 92]

Is Pollard's achilles healed?  He could "take care" of gronk.  lol

[stealerhater]

flacco is solid and great at finding open receivers

[redrum52]

Good point, but the operative word was "...more of a chance". We have just as much or more of a chance, but I was really responding to the immediate bandwagon of Patriot Analyst who have already written us off and sing-out 'Dynasty' every chance they get.

I love the Seahawks (my 2nd favorite team), but like the Patriots - they don't ever seem to be called Under Dogs.

It's cool...We love being the underdogs from the Best Division in the league..

I personally feel they have a better chance especially this year. They got healthy at the right time and our guys dropping like flies. It wouldn't surprise me though if we met up once in the next few years in February.

[stealerhater]

if you knew me you would realize i know more then you think about sports.i am smart enough to know that if what you are doing is not working change it..........

[beanfigger]

I personally feel they have a better chance especially this year. They got healthy at the right time and our guys dropping like flies. It wouldn't surprise me though if we met up once in the next few years in February.

It'll be interesting to see how they handle it when more of their rookie deals finish up. Harder to reload via the draft when you're always drafting at the backend of each round.

[Gordo52]

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.

Gronks a different animal..... Graham's not even in the same ballpark compared to a heathy Gronk IMO.

I like our chances of containing him too though. I think we're one of the only teams in the league who have the linebackers that can matchup with him and when it comes the time for Hill to cover him, I'm confident he'll do a good job. Watching him perform vs Graham definitely helps validate my confidence.

[ludy51]

Reading the pats forum and some of the fans predict a 14 point win, yet call US overconfident

[The Raven]

Gronks a different animal..... Graham's not even in the same ballpark compared to a heathy Gronk IMO.

I like our chances of containing him too though. I think we're one of the only teams in the league who have the linebackers that can matchup with him and when it comes the time for Hill to cover him, I'm confident he'll do a good job. Watching him perform vs Graham definitely helps validate my confidence.

 

That's fair to say. Mosley is a huge reason I think we can handle Gronk.

 

I just think that, if we can stop an uber-athletic TE like Graham, there's no reason we can't stop a TE like Gronk who isn't really known for his speed.

[Inqui]

Gronks a different animal..... Graham's not even in the same ballpark compared to a heathy Gronk IMO.

I like our chances of containing him too though. I think we're one of the only teams in the league who have the linebackers that can matchup with him and when it comes the time for Hill to cover him, I'm confident he'll do a good job. Watching him perform vs Graham definitely helps validate my confidence.

Yeah, I'm confident we can find a way to at least dramatically slow him down. Between Hill and the LBs. Hitting him early and often is the blueprint for getting it done, if memory serves.

[Inqui]

That's fair to say. Mosley is a huge reason I think we can handle Gronk.

I just think that, if we can stop an uber-athletic TE like Graham, there's no reason we can't stop a TE like Gronk who isn't really known for his speed.

I can't be the only one who kinda wishes we had Pollard for this.

[BmoreBird22]

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.

As far as eliminating a player goes, I'd almost just say eliminate them having an impact.

For example, last night, outside of the long reception that was almost a touchdown, Brown wasn't a game changer at all. He got his catches and moved the chains some, but nothing extreme and certainly nothing game changing.

I'd be happy if the same happened to Gronk. A few catches here and there, but no big plays or scores

[FlocksGottaFeed]

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.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/04/ravens-open-as-7-5-point-underdogs-at-new-england/

 

Just one of many, but just follow the narrative as we get closer to the game. You won't hear "...The Ravens are favored to win this one." - ever. And that's cool with me. I love it when we are the underdogs. Yes, you'll find a few that say we have "..a chance.", but doesn't any team that takes the field "..have a chance." to win or lose?

[FlocksGottaFeed]

I personally feel they have a better chance especially this year. They got healthy at the right time and our guys dropping like flies. It wouldn't surprise me though if we met up once in the next few years in February.

Who Patriots or Seahawks?

[rmcjacket23]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/04/ravens-open-as-7-5-point-underdogs-at-new-england/

 

Just one of many, but just follow the narrative as we get closer to the game. You won't hear "...The Ravens are favored to win this one." - ever. And that's cool with me. I love it when we are the underdogs. Yes, you'll find a few that say we have "..a chance.", but doesn't any team that takes the field "..have a chance." to win or lose?

But we shouldn't be favored to win... there's no rational explanation for that to be true. The game is in NE, and the Patriots have unquestionably been the better team this season. That's not even debatable. They consistently have played better football, and in many personnel phases simply have better players.

 

That doesn't mean we can't win, but if you're expecting a team that basically played mediocre football down the stretch to be favored in a road game against the #1 seed and unquestionably one of the better teams in the league, you're high on something.

 

We are an underdog in the game because we haven't earned the right to be called the favorite based on what we've done this season. New England has.

[baltimorefan328]

The good news is the patriots dont have an antonio brown or martavius bryant. If the ravens can effectively stop the patriots running and can get an effective pass rush it could be a long day. Brady is elusive in the pocket but not nearly as effective as big ben and much easier to bring down. If they can't run and we can bracket gronk I have a lot of confidence in our pass rush to once again make things happen. I think the biggest thing is confidence and the Ravens seem to be reaming with that right now. Harbuagh isnt going to let the Ravens get into the feeling that they deserve to win like the Steelers do, He's going to keep the Ravens grounded and theyre going to bring it. I think it's obvious of Kubiak's affect with the offense on the field, but I also think having Harbaugh and a former head coach in Kubiak is huge. Kubiak knows what it takes to get it done from a head coaching perspective as well as a coordinator perspective and he lets the team know when theyre not playing well. That confidence and perspective from our coaches could be the difference 

[FlocksGottaFeed]

But we shouldn't be favored to win... there's no rational explanation for that to be true. The game is in NE, and the Patriots have unquestionably been the better team this season. That's not even debatable. They consistently have played better football, and in many personnel phases simply have better players.

 

That doesn't mean we can't win, but if you're expecting a team that basically played mediocre football down the stretch to be favored in a road game against the #1 seed and unquestionably one of the better teams in the league, you're high on something.

 

We are an underdog in the game because we haven't earned the right to be called the favorite based on what we've done this season. New England has.

Agreed. If you read my earlier post you'd see that I never said we wouldn't be underdogs and I dig that. I love the underdog role for us. You said you didn't see anyone saying that the Ravens are a long-shot to win and I simply gave you the latest link for reference. If you couldn't see that 'you must be on drugs or something' or maybe you just honestly mis-spoke and we are really in complete agreement on this.

 

I never cared about being favored or the spreads on any game even if we are 'favored'. It's just interesting how you can be in the 'Best Division' in the NFL and play a team from an extremely weaker division and still be 7+ underdog (even if you have historically owned this team). I can't wait to see what really happens. Gotta' love it.

[ravensnick]

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.

Gronk has been something else this year man. I'm still worried.

[ravensnick]

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.

Their d is as good as it gets. Great pass rush, great secondary, LB can do everything. I'd argue their only defense weakness is the injury bug that hit them. And Gronk is gronk.

[Gordo52]

I'm expecting Joe to leave another big tip somewhere in NE on Friday.... Would honestly be disappointed if he didn't lol

[Moderator 3]

Gonna have to go desktop for that luxury.... I wouldn't even bother though. Only a matter of time

:-)

[The Mom Gene]

Just report them...  Do not feed the trolls... 

Mod 3 and I are "On It"... 

[Moderator 3]

Help us out, please. Just report the trolls; don't feed them. That just creates more work cleaning up the mess.

Thanks.

[FlocksGottaFeed]

I'm expecting Joe to leave another big tip somewhere in NE on Friday.... Would honestly be disappointed if he didn't lol

Only if he can find as nice a waitress that will give him good service in New England. I'm sure he will and the tip will be just as cool. Class act.

[rmcjacket23]

Agreed. If you read my earlier post you'd see that I never said we wouldn't be underdogs and I dig that. I love the underdog role for us. You said you didn't see anyone saying that the Ravens are a long-shot to win and I simply gave you the latest link for reference. If you couldn't see that 'you must be on drugs or something' or maybe you just honestly mis-spoke and we are really in complete agreement on this.

 

I never cared about being favored or the spreads on any game even if we are 'favored'. It's just interesting how you can be in the 'Best Division' in the NFL and play a team from an extremely weaker division and still be 7+ underdog (even if you have historically owned this team). I can't wait to see what really happens. Gotta' love it.

Well, for starters, probably because Vegas doesn't think the AFCN is the best division in football. Vegas actually likes the Ravens more this year than in years past, but I also think you're starting to see that the "strength" of the AFCN had a lot more to do with the schedule they played.

 

Vegas also couldn't care less about how historically good or bad one team has been against another. Because they, like most people, realize that the personnel and the teams can be dramatically different on an annual basis, as is the case here.

 

The Ravens are underdogs because they've earned the right to be an underdog. There will be plenty of analysts everywhere that will pick them to win this game, but the majority will pick the Patriots because they should pick the Patriots. If I were an objective person, and I looked at the rosters/strengths/weaknesses, I'd pick the Patriots too.

[redrum52]

Only if he can find as nice a waitress that will give him good service in New England. I'm sure he will and the tip will be just as cool. Class act.

"No clam chowder, thank you."

[The Mom Gene]

Only if he can find as nice a waitress that will give him good service in New England. I'm sure he will and the tip will be just as cool. Class act.

Worked better than the pool pic...

[ListyPosty.com]

Hear ye! Hear ye!

Let it be known throughout all the land that the mightiest team in all of football; the Baltimore Ravens, 47-Strong vanquished the lowly Pitsburgh Steelers at a place called Heinz Field on this third day of January in the year of our lord 2014. 

Go tell the patriots that the RAVENS are coming. so you may spread FEAR throughout their kingdom!

[FlocksGottaFeed]

Well, for starters, probably because Vegas doesn't think the AFCN is the best division in football. Vegas actually likes the Ravens more this year than in years past, but I also think you're starting to see that the "strength" of the AFCN had a lot more to do with the schedule they played.

 

Vegas also couldn't care less about how historically good or bad one team has been against another. Because they, like most people, realize that the personnel and the teams can be dramatically different on an annual basis, as is the case here.

 

The Ravens are underdogs because they've earned the right to be an underdog. There will be plenty of analysts everywhere that will pick them to win this game, but the majority will pick the Patriots because they should pick the Patriots. If I were an objective person, and I looked at the rosters/strengths/weaknesses, I'd pick the Patriots too.

I don't gamble. We own the Patriots. Ravens win. Nuffsaid.

 

GO Ravens!

[Hjulmann]

I have no idea what to except in the matchup of Brady and Gronk vs our secondary...

 

Side note; Who would've thought that we would be the only AFC North playoff contenders left after the wild card round? Cinci is getting smashed by Indianapolis

[Pats]

I should mention that a few guys that don't get much credit but are great are akeem ayers and johnaton casillas who we traded for this year for late round picks. Both have nice push rushing abilities and are hard workers and decent tacklers. Jamie collins at times also fits the bill.