[News] 5 Things To Watch vs. New England Patriots

[BR News]

Can the offense stay hot? Steve Smith Sr. making the most of another Monday Night Football game. The impact of cold, winter weather.

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[fusuymada]

Dolphins played to a 31-24 loss to the Patriots earlier in the year. That was when the Dolphins were playing poorly. We got them at the end of a 6 game win streak and blew them away. Football isn't algebra, just because team 1 is greater than team 2 and team 2 is greater than team 3, doesn't mean that team 1 is greater than team 3, it is all about matchups. The matchups heavily favor the Ravens. I will be the one on here tomorrow after the Ravens smack them around saying I told you we would smack them around.

[Bat-mite]

Dolphins played to a 31-24 loss to the Patriots earlier in the year. That was when the Dolphins were playing poorly. We got them at the end of a 6 game win streak and blew them away. Football isn't algebra, just because team 1 is greater than team 2 and team 2 is greater than team 3, doesn't mean that team 1 is greater than team 3, it is all about matchups. The matchups heavily favor the Ravens. I will be the one on here tomorrow after the Ravens smack them around saying I told you we would smack them around.

I'm not willing to go out on that limb, but I very much hope you are right!

[KidNme]

Dolphins played to a 31-24 loss to the Patriots earlier in the year. That was when the Dolphins were playing poorly. We got them at the end of a 6 game win streak and blew them away. Football isn't algebra, just because team 1 is greater than team 2 and team 2 is greater than team 3, doesn't mean that team 1 is greater than team 3, it is all about matchups. The matchups heavily favor the Ravens. I will be the one on here tomorrow after the Ravens smack them around saying I told you we would smack them around.

I hope you're right! I feel good about our chances but things always get "Weird" when we play NE. Refs seem to favor the golden boy, Player alignments and Flea flickers are always interesting too.
Looking forward to what Suggs is going to do and how our coaches adjust during the game.
LET's GO RAVENS!!!

[bioLarzen]

There's only one way to beat the pats at home: to play as bravely and aggressively as possible. There's no "cautious" way about it. You have to putt all your chips on the zero: extreme risk, extreme reward. You won't beat them unless you're willing to take the risk of getting badly beaten.
We won't have to "play to win the game" - we'll have to play to annihilate them, to inflict as much damage as possible. We'll have to jump on the brake pedal and never step off it until the game's over - totally regerdless of how the game is standing.

[CQ1]

Joe needs to continue to step it up......If we somehow can pressure Brady (no kidding- as usual) at times = we have a great chance.
Go, Grow, pray and PLAY like a Raven !

[CQ1]

There's only one way to beat the pats at home: to play as bravely and aggressively as possible. There's no "cautious" way about it. You have to putt all your chips on the zero: extreme risk, extreme reward. You won't beat them unless you're willing to take the risk of getting badly beaten.
We won't have to "play to win the game" - we'll have to play to annihilate them, to inflict as much damage as possible. We'll have to jump on the brake pedal and never step off it until the game's over - totally regerdless of how the game is standing.

Yes- play to win, and NOT to not lose !

[objective view]

The issues to be concerned about are 1) Our secondary, I do not share Garrett's point of view as much improved and that J. Smith is much of a positive influence. I am afraid that Brady can pick us apart if we do not get pressure on him. 2) Joe keep the pedal to the metal and be smart and Patient with the ball ...

[Derrel]

SS Jr......no stupid penalties, this isn't about you. Shut your mouth and play.

[nj_ravens]

The issues to be concerned about are 1) Our secondary, I do not share Garrett's point of view as much improved and that J. Smith is much of a positive influence. I am afraid that Brady can pick us apart if we do not get pressure on him. 2) Joe keep the pedal to the metal and be smart and Patient with the ball ...

" I do not share Garrett's point of view as much improved and that J. Smith is much of a positive influence."

Well, you would be wrong. Our secondary is better than that year. And they play better when Smith is in the game. These are facts. We could still lose the game, and we could still get torched in the secondary by Brady and they would still be a better unit than 2014.

Your objective view is not very objective.

[Bat-mite]

All I know is that I have been waiting eight days for this game, and if we lose by a field goal, or due to stupid penalties--or even worse, invalid ref calls--I am going to be one unhappy camper.

[griffrb]

This game will be won in the trenches. Whoever controls the LOS and puts pressure on the QB will win. We match up very well.

[757RavensFan]

16 minutes ago, Derrel said:

SS Jr......no stupid penalties, this isn't about you. Shut your mouth and play.

I think Jernigan has more bone-head penalties at the worst possible time than SSS.

[757RavensFan]

Pretty impressive that Flacco is 10-5 when the temp is 40* or below.  Growing up and playing in Delaware has its perks.

[objective view]

  36 minutes ago, objective view said:

The issues to be concerned about are 1) Our secondary, I do not share Garrett's point of view as much improved and that J. Smith is much of a positive influence. I am afraid that Brady can pick us apart if we do not get pressure on him. 2) Joe keep the pedal to the metal and be smart and Patient with the ball ...

" I do not share Garrett's point of view as much improved and that J. Smith is much of a positive influence."

Well, you would be wrong. Our secondary is better than that year. And they play better when Smith is in the game. These are facts. We could still lose the game, and we could still get torched in the secondary by Brady and they would still be a better unit than 2014.

Your objective view is not very objective.

You said facts, where are they. Someone is wearing the home colors in their perspective and someone is being objective. You might want to check out PFF's ratings for J. Smith ...

[RavenLunatic]

There's only one way to beat the pats at home: to play as bravely and aggressively as possible. There's no "cautious" way about it. You have to putt all your chips on the zero: extreme risk, extreme reward. You won't beat them unless you're willing to take the risk of getting badly beaten.
We won't have to "play to win the game" - we'll have to play to annihilate them, to inflict as much damage as possible. We'll have to jump on the brake pedal and never step off it until the game's over - totally regerdless of how the game is standing.

I think you meant gas pedal, but I totally agree 110%.

[ravens4life86]

5 things to watch..

Stop the run
Create pressure on Tommy boy
Vastly improved 2ndry, shut down Edelman,Hogan,Mitchell, and Rbs White&Lewis in pass game
Offense score like its going out of style on a average Pats defense

[rossihunter2]

1 hour ago, objective view said:

You said facts, where are they. Someone is wearing the home colors in their perspective and someone is being objective. You might want to check out PFF's ratings for J. Smith ...

literally just look at the differences in production by opposing teams this season when jimmy's out

look at the contract he's been given

look at the way opposing teams avoid throwing in his direction so much

and finally, it doesnt take a pff grade or statistics to see that jimmy smith is a much better corner than rashaan melvin (his replacement in that game in 2014)

[FloridalovesRavens]

SS Jr......no stupid penalties, this isn't about you. Shut your mouth and play.

I thought that was called "swagger". Isn't that what some fans want? I don't think you need worry about SSS doing something "stupid". He knows how important this game is I'm sure. Just wish them luck and stop the criticism.

[ibleedpurpleandblack]

My 5 things to watch...

1. NE ball boy
2. NE ball boy
3. Blount
4. Trick plays if Edelman is behind the LOS and the ball in his hand
5. For players talking to ref about eligibility

[nj_ravens]

  1 hour ago, nj_ravens said:

  1 hour ago, objective view said:

The issues to be concerned about are 1) Our secondary, I do not share Garrett's point of view as much improved and that J. Smith is much of a positive influence. I am afraid that Brady can pick us apart if we do not get pressure on him. 2) Joe keep the pedal to the metal and be smart and Patient with the ball ...

" I do not share Garrett's point of view as much improved and that J. Smith is much of a positive influence."

Well, you would be wrong. Our secondary is better than that year. And they play better when Smith is in the game. These are facts. We could still lose the game, and we could still get torched in the secondary by Brady and they would still be a better unit than 2014.

Your objective view is not very objective.

You said facts, where are they. Someone is wearing the home colors in their perspective and someone is being objective. You might want to check out PFF's ratings for J. Smith ...

First of all, PFF is not gospel. I don't care for their grading. It is based on opinion, and I do not always share the opinions of the graders, especially when it comes to players they don't like, such as Flacco. Those graders don't always know what that player's assignment was. Their analysis, while sometimes insightful, isn't always accurate.

All that being said, here's some numbers for you:
Current Defensive rank: 1st overall
Current Ranking, Points given up: T-1st with NE
Current Pass Defensive rank: 7 overall with 222 ypg, 21 TDs, 14 picks
Current 3rd down efficiency: 33% allowed, ranked 1st

2014
2014 Defensive rank: 25th
2014 scoring rank: 25th
2014 Pass Defense Rank: 10th overall, 248 ypg, 22 TD, 11 picks.
2014 3rd down efficiency: 40% allowed, ranked 17th

If you recall, our secondary was depleted by injury, especially towards the end of the year. Here's an article grading them. http://thebaltimorewire.com/2014/12/10/baltimore-ravens-secondary-grading-player/ with some praise for Mr Smith. Chykie Brown was on this team. how easily we forget.

Do you remember who started vs NE?

Rashaan Melvin, and a deteriorating Webb. With Elam in the Slot, I believe. With basically no backup corners.

So are you really trying to make a point that our secondary is not better than 2014?

I could keep going and get the stats for how the 2016 defense has played with Jimmy in, vs how they played without, but that should be obvious to anyone with eyes who watched this team this year.

So where are your stats Mr. Objective? I've presented mine.

[Bat-mite]

23 minutes ago, ibleedpurpleandblack said:

My 5 things to watch...

1. NE ball boy
2. NE ball boy
3. Blount
4. Trick plays if Edelman is behind the LOS and the ball in his hand
5. For players talking to ref about eligibility

Heh heh heh.... 

[nj_ravens]

Pretty impressive that Flacco is 10-5 when the temp is 40* or below.  Growing up and playing in Delaware has its perks.

Joe grew up in south Jersey (Audubon). He only went to U Del for college, and that was after transferring from Pitt.

[Bat-mite]

3 minutes ago, nj_ravens said:

Joe grew up in south Jersey (Audubon). He only went to U Del for college, and that was after transferring from Pitt.

Regardless, it's not like south Jersey or Delaware are upstate New York.  I think Joe is good in the cold because that's just his genetic make-up.

[mizeatwizad52]

Let's make that under 40° degree record 11-5 tonight Joe!

[stampedehero]

Tonight I'm sitting in one of my best friend's living room surrounded by Patriots stuff all over. He is as much a die hard fan as I. His Cowboys fan brother will be there too. Someday i will go to football heaven. I hope Gillette stadium has a blackout if they have a lead.

[Purple Dawg 96]

My Five Things To Watch
1. Joe
2. Flacco
3. Slinging
4. That
5. Rock
WE THE BEST! LETS GO!

[MaineRavenFan]

Tonight I'm sitting in one of my best friend's living room surrounded by Patriots stuff all over. He is as much a die hard fan as I. His Cowboys fan brother will be there too. Someday i will go to football heaven. I hope Gillette stadium has a blackout if they have a lead.

I'm with ya stampede, although too icy up here to go out - I'll be glued to my Sirius listening to Gerry, Stan and Q! Let's go RAVENS!

[sami]

My 5 things to watch...

1. NE ball boy
2. NE ball boy
3. Blount
4. Trick plays if Edelman is behind the LOS and the ball in his hand
5. For players talking to ref about eligibility

don't forget Cry baby Brady's tissue count.

[The Greek]

good luck tonight ravens and i hope you guys pull this one out. go ravens!!