[News] How Much Does Rob Gronkowski's Absence Affect Patriots? Not Much, Says Ravens

[BR News]

The Ravens aren’t sad to see such a talented player on the sideline, but they know Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will find other targets, including No. 2 tight end Martellus Bennett.

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[KidNme]

No doubt they'll miss him but it all starts with Bilichick and that man knows football. They are a top notch team and it's going to be fun matching wits with them.
It's always a chess match and I'm sure this one will be no different. They're expecting and planning for our best and I'm sure they'll get it.
Go RAVENS!!

[FloridalovesRavens]

Just watch out for the plays from 40 years ago. Take a copy of the rule book with you lol. If the Pats are anything they're sneaky!

[b93333]

The loss of the Gronk is big... now if they can just keep Eddleman under control...

[Halshayeji]

I love the approach but let's be honest here. Gronk makes everyone better because he demands double teams and Brady will go to him at least once every goal line situation. That said, the pats are still gonna come at us in a few different ways trying to expose our weakness.

theyll try edleman, Blount, and Bennett in different situations early on to see how we respond and adjust their gameplan. It's vital that our offense sustain drives and keep the game to under 10 drives because if you give the pats 12 or 13 chances then they will make the adjustments and hurt us in the fourth quarter.

[BigUgly]

I believe we can shut down their running game, but they will stay committed enough to set up play action and 1-3 step drops from Brady. I doubt we'll be given much time for Suggs and Doom to lay hands on Brady before he has passes out to receivers running slants and comebacks before they hit their breaks. Really have to disrupt his throwing lanes with long arms and some mixed coverages. I really think we have a good shot here.

Go Ravens!

[metalraven]

The Patsies are the best team in the NFL at overcoming injuries. That is because no matter who is out there, they know the system inside and out. Heck, they went 3-1 without Brady. (Remember the year Brady was out all season and they went 11-5?) This team is a well oiled (cheating) machine. Gronk being out will not overly affect them adversely. But, being a Ravens defender, you have to like NOT having to guard Gronk.

[metalraven]

Obviously I want to see Marsha Brady get jacked up. But man, I want to see that little trashing talking weasel, Edelman, get smashed!! I want to see him carted off in that giant football helmet cart. lol. (Kidding. I don't want him injured, but I do want him seeing stars)

Edited December 9, 2016 by metalraven

[Ravenous_Ravens]

The Patsies are the best team in the NFL at overcoming injuries. That is because no matter who is out there, they know the system inside and out. Heck, they went 3-1 without Brady. (Remember the year Brady was out all season and they went 11-5?) This team is a well oiled (cheating) machine. Gronk being out will not overly affect them adversely. But, being a Ravens defender, you have to like NOT having to guard Gronk.

Your point is somewhat accurate. Yes they are doing well and did well without Brady. However they also haven't played the strongest of teams either. Monday night will reveal just how strong both clubs are at this point in the season.

Bold prediction: Ravens take it to the Pats and come out with a win and is the last time they meet this season. Pats get knocked out before they can play Ravens in post season.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

I believe we can shut down their running game, but they will stay committed enough to set up play action and 1-3 step drops from Brady. I doubt we'll be given much time for Suggs and Doom to lay hands on Brady before he has passes out to receivers running slants and comebacks before they hit their breaks. Really have to disrupt his throwing lanes with long arms and some mixed coverages. I really think we have a good shot here.

Go Ravens!

Almost sounds like some Brent Urban plays are gonna be needed. He has those long ball swatting deflecting type hands.

[sizzlingdoom]

The loss of the Gronk is big... now if they can just keep Eddleman under control...

I'd be surprised if Tavon doesn't shadow him the entire game. Kinda like Webb used to hold it down against Welker. Tavon is a way better match up on Julian than Jimmy. Then Jimmy can shut down Hogan or Mitchell. I'm so ready for this game. And hey Ravens staff, why don't we bring multiple extra sets of head phones that have nothing to do with a system the pats can touch eh? Be ready for all their cheap garbage

[Rav'n Maniac]

I'm not sweating NE. They have had a gravy schedule so far and should have won the games they did. The only true competitors they've faced while Brady has been back is a Roethlisberger-less Steelers and the Seahawks, who they lost to in NE.

They are down two of their best playmakers in Gronk & Amendola along with a hobbled TE in Bennett who has 6 catches for 40 yards over the last 3 games. The only way I see us losing this game is if we beat ourselves with blown coverages and stupid penalties.

[20306cab]

I think Gronk being out is huge. If I remember correctly, the two games they won in NE were with him not playing, and the four heartbreakers they lost, were with the help of some great plays by him.

[Derrel]

I'm not sweating NE. They have had a gravy schedule so far and should have won the games they did. The only true competitors they've faced while Brady has been back is a Roethlisberger-less Steelers and the Seahawks, who they lost to in NE.

They are down two of their best playmakers in Gronk & Amendola along with a hobbled TE in Bennett who has 6 catches for 40 yards over the last 3 games. The only way I see us losing this game is if we beat ourselves with blown coverages and stupid penalties.

I afraid it won't matter who is on the field for NE on offense. If the Ravens don't pressure Brady, he will toast our DB's, again.

[Derrel]

  17 hours ago, b93333 said:

The loss of the Gronk is big... now if they can just keep Eddleman under control...

I'd be surprised if Tavon doesn't shadow him the entire game. Kinda like Webb used to hold it down against Welker. Tavon is a way better match up on Julian than Jimmy. Then Jimmy can shut down Hogan or Mitchell. I'm so ready for this game. And hey Ravens staff, why don't we bring multiple extra sets of head phones that have nothing to do with a system the pats can touch eh? Be ready for all their cheap garbage

Brady's 2 step drop and delivery is tough to cover. The Ravens offense needs to keep the ball out of Brady's hands and maintain field advantage. The defense needs to resist taking any cheap hits.....and SS no more cheap penalties, this is not about you.

[Molson Man]

The Pats are 4-0 this season without Gronk and Brady is 6-0 at home against #1 defenses. That said they are more susceptible to being beaten right now than any other point in this season since Brady was out. Go Ravens.

[stampedehero]

Weddle will have fun. This will be his first visit to NE in a Ravens uni.I think he will make a spectacular play that contributes to the outcome.

[sp3ctor]

Webb should have said, "So long as they have Belichick, they keep doing the same thing" I swear it's all him. You can give him a group of freshmen and he'll still game plan to stay competitive. Belichick = Patriots success. The rest are just pieces in his puzzle, as was evident when two other QBs came in this year and played well in the same system.

[purpledown]

they wont miss him. Belichick is always ready. The Ravens just have to match up with them. Play smart, mistake free ball.

[EdTheMythicalOne]

I said the same thing a few days ago. The Patriots won't lose a beat because they have Bennett who is about as good as they come athletically speaking at TE. He's just had some questionable hands at times.

The Patriots are so successful because they don't need star players at every position. They have a system they run to almost perfection and they simply get the guys that can plug in and play. Of course it helps to have a smart QB like Brady. I despise Brady, but if he were a Raven I would love him. I think most people would love to have Brady as their QB. That being said, I am glad we have Joe Flacco. I think he represents Baltimore more, blue collar kinda guy that just simply goes about his business. Johnny Unitas wasn't a flashy guy either.

The Patriots play smart and they are a good team. You can't deny them that. It will be a tough match up for the Ravens, but I think we have a great chance to win especially if the weather turns cold and snowy. That's Flacco's kind of weather.

[Ravens8383]

This is the type of game that a good player becomes a star. I look for Young and Orr to make people outside of Baltimore start talking about them.

[Crusader]

Who wants it more and does not do stupid things.