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Five incredibly early thoughts on the Patriots, the Ravens, Tom Brady, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed and the AFC’s most underrated rivalry 01.15.12 at 4:56 pm ET
By

Terrell Suggs has always enjoyed tossing a few barbs at Tom Brady and the Patriots. (AP)

Five very early thoughts on the AFC Championship Game between the Patriots and the Ravens, set for next Sunday (3 p.m. on WEEI 93.7 FM) at Gillette Stadium:

1. This will be the first time these two teams have met this year. The last time the Patriots faced the Ravens was back on Week Six of the 2010 season, and in that one, New England came away with a 23-20 win over Baltimore in a really good ballgame that featured, among other things, the final Tom Brady interception of the 2010 regular season and Stephen Gostkowski’s first career overtime game-winner (a 35-yarder to win it in extra time). There are several differences between the two teams since then, including the fact that the Patriots now lean much heavier on their two young tight ends than they did early last season. Overall, the Patriots are 6-1 lifetime against the Ravens, with the one loss coming in the 2009 wild card matchup at Gillette, a game Baltimore won relatively easily, 33-14. More on that game later.

2. The Patriots were able to slay some of their recent postseason demons on Saturday night when they halted a three-game playoff losing streak with the decisive win over the Broncos. They’ll get a chance to take that a step further with a victory over the Ravens, a team that contributed to that three-game losing skid with a painful playoff beatdown back in 2009. That 33-14 loss (which started with an 83-yard touchdown run from Ray Rice on the first play from scrimmage and got worse from there) was a particularly ugly loss for New England — it marked the first home playoff loss for the Patriots since 1978, the first time the Patriots were one-and-done in the postseason in the Bill Belichick era. In addition, Brady suffered the first postseason home defeat of his career, and the Patriots suffered the first loss in franchise history to Baltimore.

In many ways, that contest, as well as memorable regular-season games in 2007, 2009 and 2010 between the two teams have fueled what could be one of the NFL’s most underrated rivalries. Terrell Suggs has never been at a loss for words when it comes to talking about Tom Brady and the Patriots (particularly the Brady rule), and he should be at his voluble best in the days leading up to the game.

3. Despite the fact that the Ravens have now advanced to the AFC Championship Game, they remain the ultimate trick-or-treat franchise: they have beaten several good teams — they’ve swept Pittsburgh, and posted solid wins over San Francisco, Houston, the New York Jets and Cincinnati. Meanwhile, they’ve submitted some of the worst performances in the league this season, having lost to Tennessee, Jacksonville, Seattle and San Diego, four teams who missed out on the playoffs. One of the biggest differences comes down to their home/road splits: Baltimore was just 4-4 on the road over the course of the regular season, playing ragged, uninspired football at some bad times.

4. The Baltimore offensive line was handled relatively easily on Sunday by a young an aggressive group of defenders in J.J. Watt, Brooks Reed and Cosmo Kramer lookalike/Official WEEI.com 2009 draft binky Connor Barwin. On the surface, the Patriots cannot match the level of pressure that the Texans can bring, but based on what we’ve seen over the last month or so, New England will be able to replicate a reasonable facsimile of what Houston showed when it comes to pressure on Flacco.

5. Expect lots of Ed Reed talk this week. Belichick has been known to swoon over Reed, so much so that his players take great delight in needling him about his well-known man crush. “There’s no way that I could overstate (Reed’s) playmaking and just playing ability,” Belichick said last year. (For more on Belichick’s feelings about Reed, check out the video here.) For what it’s worth, his players agree with Belichick’s assessment: “He just makes some spectacular plays,” Brady said in 2009. “He’s fun to watch from a quarterback’s standpoint because you really appreciate what he’s able to do. It’s a great defense and he’s one of the leaders. … Ed is as good as anybody.” It remains to be seen what sort of impact he’ll be able to have on Sunday’s game — it looked like he was banged up on Baltimore’s last defensive stand against the Texans — but if he’s healthy, expect him to be top priority for the New England offense every time it breaks the huddle.

Read More: Bill Belichick, Brooks Reed, Connor Barwin, Cosmo Kramer Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Anonymous

    Ravens not impressive today at all.  No sustained offensive drive and zero pressure on Yates.  If not for a bonehead play by Jacoby Jones and some poor pass decisions from Yates, the Ravens shouldn’t even have been in that game

  • Dharpell

    will be listen intently on the status of Ed Reed.  He is a monster in that secondary and the loss of him would be huge!

  • Casco-jay

    Reed has a high ankle sprain, and will be out for the remainder of the post-season.

  • otis

    Ravens offense is a joke and their QB is trying to look like wyatt earp with his dumb mustache. Ravens = win or blame the refs. 

  • TheDefenseRests

    There is not a better cure for complacency then having the Ravens as the next opponents.  Suggs has made this personal with Brady.   And, a Brady with something to prove is the Brady who destroys defenses.

    Hopefully, the Pats meen the Giants In Indy.  Revenge Part II.

  • JustSayn’

    In the words of Jim Rome the Pats are Un- Stopppp-aaaa-ble, EEEE-Norrr-Mmm-us, Reee-dic-U-Lous. And to think the Ravens can beat them is Hill-Arrr-EEE-Us

  • Bill Belichick

    Ed Reed poops gold nuggets.

  • NYPatsFan

    Don’t judge how next week’s game will go based on this week’s slate of games. Whole new week, completely different teams and game plans. One thing is for certain though–both teams will have to once again play at a very high level in order to come out with the W

  • Uncle Buck

    Man can EEI just get the Giants Green Bay story in so we can see if Tito shows up.  He has been smoking Aaron Rogers dick all year long….and with his mouth full of that, he has been mumbling about the Patriots will be one and done again.  Good call Tito.  Find another sausage to smoke, that one just gave out on you.  Too freakin funny.

  • JimDaytona

    Agree with Rolo – after watching Houston today I’ll take Ravens as the opponent.

  • Brown6868

    whos tito?   francona?great post anyway

  • Uncle Buck

    He is a NY troll/Packers fan.  He trolls these boards constantly.  He has been smoking Aaron Rogers dick all season long and with his mouth full of that has been sayin our “Patsies will be one and done again this year”.  So, obviously, I can hardly wait to see him show up.  Most likely he won’t, just like most trolls disappear when the lights come on. Basically, he is a classless douche bag.  Did that answer your question ? lol

  • Uncle Buck

    Well said.  I believe that the Ravens will show up and give the Patriots fits for 3 quarters and then, we will bust it loose and beat them.  I will say 28-17.  Ray Rice will get his, Flacco throws for one, throw in a field goal and that is it for Balt.  Defense scores 7 for NE and TB12 and Gronk take care of the rest.  Too much to stop.  This team has a great memory.  They will not lose again to these Ravens in Foxboro.  Not gonna happen.  Pack for Indy.

  • NYPatsFan

    Although I don’t think everything will happen as you laid it out, I definitely hope you’re right with that end result. I actually predicted the exact score of that Baltimore-Houston game (20-13) in a pick ‘em league I’m in, but as much as I’d like to think I’m an expert at judging Baltimore and predicting how the game will go, the NFL is so tough to predict. There’s really too many variables, but I do think that if the Patriots score north of 27 points or so, they have a great chance. That is definitely easier said than done against the Ravens, but I know they’re capable of it. Getting off to a fast start is key in this one again, but I’m most interested in seeing how this team matches up with Baltimore’s physicality. That, I think, is the true test of this game. Baltimore will come into this thinking they can out-muscle us and be more physical, but one thing I like about the Patriots is their mental toughness. They’ve hung in there against physical teams like the Giants and Steelers, I think they can match up against the Ravens and stand up to them. I know it’s early, and I’ll have to think about it some more, but for now I see a close game, 7 points or less. If the Patriots play as well as I think they’re capable of, I like their chances. All I ask of them is that they BRING IT on Sunday. They do that, they’ll be in it. Go Patriots!

  • Tntgraham

    Why even play the game to hear u Patriots fans….one of the worst defenses in the NFL and because you beat Tebow and co. You think you are just going to roll…your team has played nobody this year and lost to the only two teams over 500 you played…Ravens are undefeated against playoff teams, beating 49ers, steelers twice, Texans, bengals twice, you guys are in for rude awakening…

  • Tntgraham

    Why even play the game to hear u Patriots fans….one of the worst defenses in the NFL and because you beat Tebow and co. You think you are just going to roll…your team has played nobody this year and lost to the only two teams over 500 you played…Ravens are undefeated against playoff teams, beating 49ers, steelers twice, Texans, bengals twice, you guys are in for rude awakening…

  • Shadowofbodom

    Go away troll. Sure, we have confidence in our team, we demolished a pretty bad one in the divisional playoffs, but they had a TON of momentum and they did defeat a pretty good team in the Steelers with the best pass defense in the whole league. I think we all know the Ravens are a different sort of beast than the Broncos, but speaking strictly intangibles, the Ravens kicked the Pats out of the playoffs 2 years ago and we all know that’s on TB12′s mind. I’m not saying its enough to beat the Ravens, but if I were a Baltimore fan I would be worried about a fired-up Tom Brady looking for revenge.

  • Hesher

    But but but but bu bu…The Patwiots haven’t pwayed anybody, No i guess they just got to 13-3 in the regular season and are going to the AFC champ game when they didn’t have to play anyone ALL year…..Every team in the NFL is tough, it IS the pro’s after all, Hence why there are ALWAYS upsets, Because every team is capable of winning any given sunday.

  • Anonymous

    The Ravens also lost to the Jaguars on national television.

  • Tito

    Tito is here…. I said that the Pack would lose if they continue to dropped passes. Awful game. They deserved to lose. End of half was a real back breaker. No intensity on the team. Felt bad for Joe Philbin who buried his son 2 days before and had to watch this crap. What a year. Best QB’s are out of the mix except Brady. We’ll see if Defense wins championships.

  • RJ

    Ravens have played ONE top ten offense this year. Result – Chargers win 34-14

  • Gjwhite66

    And the Seahawks.  And the Titans…

  • Jimmy Freeze

    If the O-line blocks like it did the other night, the Ravens have no chance…They completely eliminated 2 of the top pass rushers in football…no tackles…no sacks…

    The Ravens have been having pass-rush issues this year as well…

    I laugh at the “time of posession people”…Ray Rice needs to do this and that…The Broncos won the TOP stat by 2-3 minutes, lost by 35 pts…could have lost by 65 if BB wanted to press the issue…If the Ravens Defense can’t pressure Brady, and he’s accurate…it will be another whitewash.  May take more the 30 minutes to do it…

  • shack

    except brady? really !  no  trash talk about  one and done . no talk about how the gaints are going to beat newengland?  wow look everyone  looks like we got a humble bumble! hermey pull all your teeth.?  first inteligent post you have made all year.

  • Wallst01

    Out of the 16 games the Patriots played this season, they only played 3 teams that made the play offs. The Steelers, the Giants, and the Broncos. Two of the Pats three loses this year came back to back against the Steelers and the Giants who are teams known for their defenses. The Pats session has been filled with beating scrubby teams.

    Mon 9/12
    Miami Dolphins at Miami (0-0) W 38 – 24 Sun 9/18
    San Diego Chargers San Diego (1-0) W 35 – 21 Sun 9/25
    Buffalo Bills at Buffalo (2-0) L 31 – 34 Sun 10/2
    Oakland Raiders at Oakland (2-1) W 31 – 19 Sun 10/9
    New York Jets NY Jets (2-2) W 30 – 21 Sun 10/16
    Dallas Cowboys Dallas (2-2) W 20 – 16Bye Sun 10/30
    Pittsburgh Steelers at Pittsburgh (5-2) L 17 – 25 Sun 11/6
    New York Giants NY Giants (5-2) L 20 – 24 Sun 11/13
    New York Jets at NY Jets (5-3) W 37 – 16 Mon 11/21
    Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City (4-5) W 34 – 3 Sun 11/27
    Philadelphia Eagles at Philadelphia (4-6) W 38 – 20 Sun 12/4
    Indianapolis Colts Indianapolis (0-11) W 31 – 24 Sun 12/11
    Washington Redskins at Washington (4-8) W 34 – 27 Sun 12/18
    Denver Broncos at Denver (8-5) W 41 – 23 Sat 12/24
    Miami Dolphins Miami (5-9) W 27 – 24 Sun 1/1
    Buffalo Bills Buffalo (6-9) W 49 – 21

  • Wallst01

    Out of the 16 games the Patriots played this season, they only played 3 teams that made the play offs. The Steelers, the Giants, and the Broncos. Two of the Pats three loses this year came back to back against the Steelers and the Giants who are teams known for their defenses. The Pats session has been filled with beating scrubby teams.

  • Purplereign55

    Whats the Pats record against teams with winning records this year?? How did they do against Pittsburgh or the Giants? Are you really gonna compare the ravens game against houston to what they plan to do to the 2nd rate New England Defense??

  • shack

    sooooooooo whats your point ?

  • purplereign55

    Whats the Pats record against top defenses??

  • Wallst01

    my point is obvious. The pats have done well against sorry teams this year. The Ravens however aren’t a sorry team.

  • Wallst01

    The Chargers aren’t the Patriots, and the Chargers actually have a running game unlike the Pats. The ravens played their rookie Cary Williams who was picked apart because Web was out with a toe injury. The Ravens played an all around bad game, Many believed that they underestimate the Chargers. They know better not to underestimate the Patriots. Fact of the matter is that Pats defense can’t stop the run and the Ravens know the formula to beat Brady,

  • Anonymous

    Ah yes, the patented “have Wes Welker tear an ACL a week before we play them” formula.

  • Anonymous

    Ah yes, the patented “have Wes Welker tear an ACL a week before we play them” formula.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ZVFM2HRNC5CTO2OUXD4XTX65O4 Dennis

     Some nasty looking dudes.

  • 1209surf

    Hey Pats fans, let’s play the game before making reservations to Indy. Your team is 1-2 against teams with a winning record. The Ravens are 7-1. Your defense is ranked 31st in yards allowed. Your pass defense blows. And as one who believes in karma, remember who beat your crappy baseball team in the last game of the year to knock them out of the playoffs. Believe they were from Baltimore too. One obviously has nothing to do with the other but don’t count your chickens just yet.

  • Anonymous

    No one’s counting chickens.  Your team is the 2 seed for a reason.   However, by the same token, if you think this Pats team is remotely similar to the woeful 09 group that the Ravens demolished…. well… think again.

  • Hesher

    Patriots will win this game 23-20. Billy Cundiff will miss the game tying FG in the final seconds….lol

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