Fantasy and Reality

This game was just as hard to figure out for me as the NFC Championship game. At this point in the season, I normally have a strong grasp on the final four teams and know what to expect going into the title games. The Ravens are a team that will come out against team with less talent and shouldn’t be able to stay on the field with them, yet the Ravens look disinterested and allow them other team to hang around. However in games where the Ravens need to show up, like Pittsburg, they play like a championship contender and win, twice.

Flacco is the wild card against the Patriots. The Patriots, a team that has a struggeling secondary, and is at or near the bottom of all defensive statistical categories can and should be attacked through the air. If Torrey Smith can get open deep and Anquan Boldin can make plays across the middle of field, the Ravens will be able to attack the Patriots and keep them honest. Forcing the Patriots to not load the box to shut down Ray Rice is imperative. He will be the reason the Ravens win or lose. He must be productive and keep Tom Brady and the Patriot offense on the sidelines. If he can catch screens out of the backfield and help open the passing game it only increases the Ravens odds of winning.

The other factor for a Raven victory will be their defenses ability to put pressure on Tom Brady. Allowing Brady time to find his receivers will only result in points being scored against you and a long day for your defense.

The Patriots must get their tight ends involved early and often to win this game. Rob Gronkowsi and Aaron Hernandez have been huge for the Patriots all season. They give the offense a dynamic that is hard for defenses to match up with. They are too big for corners and safeties but too fast for linebackers to keep up with.  Their ability to stretch the field and allow Wes Welker to operate underneath has kept the Patriot defense explosive all season. The one team that can cover all their weapons is the Ravens. They have fast linebackers that not only have the ability to stay with the patriot tight ends but also have the ability to put pressure on Tom Brady combined with Haloti Ngata and the front four. This pressure will allow Ed Reed and the Ravens secondary to make plays on the back end. The secondary must come up big with plays against Tom Brady.

Ed Reed will be a question mark; he injured his ankle late in their first round matchup versus the Houston Texans and will not be at full strength. Its very important he not only plays but he plays well.

This game will come down to which offense can stay on the field. The Ravens ability to keep their offense on the field and keep Brady on the sidelines will be a key to success. With Tom Brady on the field and their offense rolling, the Ravens wont be able to keep pace and the final score will be lopsided. That said I think the Ravens will be effective running the ball and be able to make enough plays on defense to win this game. In a tight game that will come down to the fourth quarter, the Ravens will score a late touchdown and win.

Ravens 34 Patriots 24