Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
So who's tougher?
We'll find out tomorrow when the undefeated Baltimore Ravens (3-0) travel to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots (2-1).
I'm willing to bet this game isn't going to be pretty, it's going to be a knock-down-drag-em-out fight with some blood thrown in there, too. Basically, expect a fist fight from the opening play to the final whistle.
Both the Ravens and Patriots predicate themselves on playing physical, and we all know that's what they do, too.
This Ravens team appears to be complete with a very good defense (Ray Lewis, Ed Reed) and many weapons on offense. Yes, I said weapons. I know in year's past Baltimore has relied heavily on its defense to protect the offense, but now the offense is pulling its own weight. It's strange to say, but these Ravens are scary on both sides of the ball.
For the Patriots defense, which has been surprisingly solid in the first three games, they must shut down the Ravens' bread-and-butter which is still the power running game. They can hit you with speed (Ray Rice) and power (red zone and TD vulture Willis McGahee with five rushing TDs, and fullback Le'Ron McClain). But what has made Baltimore so good this year is the quarterback play of Joe Flacco. In his second year, the Ravens have taken off the training wheels and are letting his develop his passing skills. Flacco has thrown for 839 yards -- slightly under Tom Brady's 871 yards -- with six touchdowns and two INTs. He's got a passer rating of 101.4. Yes, he's been better than Brady, hands down.
And while the receiving corps of Derrick Mason, Mark Clayton, Kelly Washington (remember him in New England?) and tight end Todd Heap don't exactly scare you, they run good routes and find ways to get open. They're solid, bottom line.
I know it's easier said than done, but if the Pats can't limit the ground game -- plus nose tackle Vince Wilfork must play on his bad ankle and be in the middle because he's a game-changer -- and get some pressure on Flacco when he's forced to throw, New England has got a great chance to win. If the run can't be stopped then the passing game will be equally explosive, and that just means the Pats will get blown out.
For New England, I talked about balance -- running and passing -- last week to beat Atlanta, but throw that right out the window this week. The Ravens don't let anyone run on them -- they're allowing on average only 51 yards per game rushing -- and they haven't allowed a back to run for 100 yards in three years. So why should the Pats think they can run? They can't. If you see 3-yard pickups -- Pats will spread the Ravens out and run draws to slow down the defensive ends -- then that's a win for the Pats.
But Brady is going to have to win this game through the air. The Ravens allowing 231.7 yards passing per game, so they can be thrown on. But they also can ball-hawk (6 INTs), so Brady must be smart with the football and take what the defense gives him. Plus, he's got to hit the open receiver with accuracy and timing, something that's been lacking in the first three weeks. Wide receivers Randy Moss, Wes Welker (his knee better be ready to go this week) and Joey Galloway, plus tight ends Benjamin Watson and Chris Baker, should be licking their chops, knowing this is going to be an air show.
I know Brady hasn't been close to the old Brady, but all eyes are on him this week. Do you think he feels the pressure? I doubt it, he's been in much bigger games -- Super Bowls -- than a Week 4 regular season contest. He'll be fine and this is when we see the real Brady emerge.
Prediction: Patriots, 23-20
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