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BwareDWare94
Where were you when the world stopped turning?
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Saturday, 4:35 ET, NBC
Baltimore Ravens (6) @ New England Patriots (1)
Why Baltimore Will Win:
1. Flacco's Transfiguration
You watch Joe Flacco in the regular season and you wonder why he's being paid like a top 5 quarterback when he's barely top 10. January and February roll around and he turns into a fire-breathing dragon who is simply unstoppable. For 3 straight postseasons, this transformation has occurred. While his game against Pittsburgh wasn't overwhelmingly good, division battles can always be ugly. Will he play well against New England?
2. Nasty Front 7
Baltimore's defensive strength might play into New England's offensive weakness. If the Baltimore front 7 can frustrate Tom's offensive line and take away New England's running game, it makes New England one dimensional and the Ravens can drop into coverage. Anything is possible.
Why Baltimore Will Lose:
1. Stagnant Offense
There's always the possibility that Flacco doesn't completely morph into his recent postseason self, and the Ravens early game offensive issues continue, in which case the Patriots could pile too many points on for the Ravens to recover.
2. Secondary Comes Back to Earth
The Ravens secondary has been their defensive weakness this season, and while they've been playing better of late, there's still the possibility that Tom Brady calls them back down to earth.
Why New England Will Win:
1. Offensive Outburst
There are so many reasons that the Patriots could drop 30+ on Baltimore, even if it is unlikely. All things considered, it wouldn't surprise me if this game resembles the Baltimore/New England game near the end of last season, the game that put to dust that Baltimore team's playoff hopes. Like last season, the Patriots are significantly better than the Ravens
2. Great Secondary
Obviously, Baltimore loves to run the ball, but if they can't throw effectively, this game is all but over. I don't know if Darrelle Revis will be trailing anybody in particular in this game, as the Ravens simply do not have a real #1 threat, but the combination of him and Brandon Browner, along with two safeties who may be playing over their heads, could put a damper on any hope Baltimore has of winning this game.
Why New England Will Lose:
1. Baltimore Has Their Number
Something doesn't bode well for the Ravens when the one thing analysts and fans keep pointing to as evidence that they can win is a completely incalculable phenomenon that is vaguely described and in no way quantifiable. We could point out scores from their recent playoff history, but those are completely different teams, teams that involved Ray Lewis, the good Ray Rice, et al.
2. Struggle With Baltimore's Front 7
This may be a cop out reason, considering I pretty much already said it as a reason that Baltimore will win, but if the Patriots are going to lose this weekend, it will be due to Suggs, Dumervil, Smith, Ngata, Canty, and company. It's all very very possible.
Prediction: Patriots 31 Ravens 20
I can't really envision this Ravens team playing with this Patriots team. They're a couple more pieces away from getting back into contention mode. It's going to be a long, long Saturday evening Baltimore and their fans.
Baltimore Ravens (6) @ New England Patriots (1)
Why Baltimore Will Win:
1. Flacco's Transfiguration
You watch Joe Flacco in the regular season and you wonder why he's being paid like a top 5 quarterback when he's barely top 10. January and February roll around and he turns into a fire-breathing dragon who is simply unstoppable. For 3 straight postseasons, this transformation has occurred. While his game against Pittsburgh wasn't overwhelmingly good, division battles can always be ugly. Will he play well against New England?
2. Nasty Front 7
Baltimore's defensive strength might play into New England's offensive weakness. If the Baltimore front 7 can frustrate Tom's offensive line and take away New England's running game, it makes New England one dimensional and the Ravens can drop into coverage. Anything is possible.
Why Baltimore Will Lose:
1. Stagnant Offense
There's always the possibility that Flacco doesn't completely morph into his recent postseason self, and the Ravens early game offensive issues continue, in which case the Patriots could pile too many points on for the Ravens to recover.
2. Secondary Comes Back to Earth
The Ravens secondary has been their defensive weakness this season, and while they've been playing better of late, there's still the possibility that Tom Brady calls them back down to earth.
Why New England Will Win:
1. Offensive Outburst
There are so many reasons that the Patriots could drop 30+ on Baltimore, even if it is unlikely. All things considered, it wouldn't surprise me if this game resembles the Baltimore/New England game near the end of last season, the game that put to dust that Baltimore team's playoff hopes. Like last season, the Patriots are significantly better than the Ravens
2. Great Secondary
Obviously, Baltimore loves to run the ball, but if they can't throw effectively, this game is all but over. I don't know if Darrelle Revis will be trailing anybody in particular in this game, as the Ravens simply do not have a real #1 threat, but the combination of him and Brandon Browner, along with two safeties who may be playing over their heads, could put a damper on any hope Baltimore has of winning this game.
Why New England Will Lose:
1. Baltimore Has Their Number
Something doesn't bode well for the Ravens when the one thing analysts and fans keep pointing to as evidence that they can win is a completely incalculable phenomenon that is vaguely described and in no way quantifiable. We could point out scores from their recent playoff history, but those are completely different teams, teams that involved Ray Lewis, the good Ray Rice, et al.
2. Struggle With Baltimore's Front 7
This may be a cop out reason, considering I pretty much already said it as a reason that Baltimore will win, but if the Patriots are going to lose this weekend, it will be due to Suggs, Dumervil, Smith, Ngata, Canty, and company. It's all very very possible.
Prediction: Patriots 31 Ravens 20
I can't really envision this Ravens team playing with this Patriots team. They're a couple more pieces away from getting back into contention mode. It's going to be a long, long Saturday evening Baltimore and their fans.
