If Packers & Saints Can Lose, Why Can't Patriots?
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 19, 2012 12:01 PM EST
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PrintThe New England Patriots are at least a TD favorite in this weekend's AFC Championship Game against the visiting Baltimore Ravens and the so-called "experts" are already discussing a possible Patriots-49ers or Patriots-Giants Super Bowl match-up. They're thinking that there is no chance for a Ravens team with a questionable offense and only a solid defense to hang their hopes on, to beat the high-flying offense of the Patriots.
Perhaps I'm missing something, but didn't that same scenario just play out this weekend when the San Francisco 49ers knocked out the New Orleans Saints and the visiting New York Giants did the same thing to the Green Bay Packers? In both cases, defense limits those "unstoppable" offenses, creating turnovers and scoring at crucial times in the game to turn the tables on the favorites.
For whatever reason, the naysayers seem to think that recent history can't have a three-peat this weekend, but I'm not buying the possibility that the Ravens can do unto the Patriots that the Giants and Niners did unto others. While Baltimore is 0-6 against New England in the regular season, all of the games have been close and the Ravens had a chance to pull out the win late and should have won their most recent meeting, which they lost in overtime after taking a ten-point lead into the fourth quarter.
Furthermore, the Ravens are no strangers to going on the road in the post season, having knocked out the Pats in Foxboro the last time they met in the one-and-done part of the season. Tom Brady knows he is in for a street-fight and the last time he played against a similar team, the Pittsburgh Steelers slowed him down enough to show that a great defense can beat a great offense.
Knock the lack of offense the Ravens had in their 20-13 Divisional Round playoff win over the Houston Texans last week, but that was against the #2 defense in the NFL and while Baltimore won't under-estimate New England's low-rated defense, they know they can move the ball and put points on the board against them.
All it will take is a decent offensive effort and another great defensive effort combined with a few turnovers and lucky breaks, and the Ravens will add their name to the story of the 2012 NFL post season where despite the record-breaking offensive stories that made the headlines, defense ruled the road to Indianapolis and Super Bowl 46.
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I never thought I’d intentionally avoid ESPN & NFL Network when we had made it to the AFCCG, but its pretty f’n pathetic. Sure I’d say the Pats have the edge, but we’re being treated as if there’s no need to even play the game. We have the best defense out of the 4 remaining teams, and although our O hasn’t been top 5, they’re no slouches either. If Joe can lead a 92 yard 2 minute drill in Pittsburgh for the win, than I think he’s more than capable of putting up points against the Pats laughable D. And Pittsburgh was nice enough to show us earlier this year that it is possible to slow down Brady enough to win the game with a mediocre offensive performance, even in Foxboro. So let the media talk, because I’ve got a good feeling about this one…
by StuckInUtah on Jan 19, 2012 12:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions 5 recs
God I couldn’t agree more. Also not sure how many listen to mike and mike and the herd but god they are beating to death the ed reed comments. He talked the whole team could have played better. Its annoying how.they give the ravens no shot but honestly I think that’s bad for the pats where a great team and eexceptional
by lsg2131 on Jan 19, 2012 12:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Damn phone. Great team and exceptional defense. This is gonna fire them right the hell up
by lsg2131 on Jan 19, 2012 12:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not Just Mike & MIke
But pretty much all the sports talk radio down here in DC have honed in on Reed’s comments: 980, 106.7 -you name it. I just want to rip my car radio out and toss out on 495…
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
Well said.
I just watched Sports Center for about 25 minutes until I couldn’t take it anymore. One segment started like thins, “SO before we talk about that Patriot offense, lets talk about the Baltimore defense” and at this point I was a bit excited for a change, I was sure we were gonna get a little bit of praise. NOPE, next came, “they couldn’t even get a sack on TJ Yates, what makes them think they can stop Brady?” and so on. It was heartbreaking and it sucks because the majority of us go to work, run our errands and watch ESPN…they’re ruining my routine.
Scott Hines
“If they can’t get a sack on Yates, what makes them think they can stop Brady”.
Yea, I call shenanigans. If they can’t see why we didn’t sack him then I doubt very much that they watched the game or wen’t in depth enough to analyze that we didn’t rush more than 4 and dared Yates to beat Webb, Reed and out secondary, which he couldn’t. They were probably too busy getting their hair done and fawning over Sachez’s GQ spread. I’m sure they caught the box score though. Whatever, I gave up on ESPN back in the lockout when I watched their QB rankings and some “expert” had Freeman at like #8 but Joe wasn’t even on the board. I got pissed, then laughed and turned off the TV. Baltimore will always be crapped on, no matter how many games we win or how many people we shut up.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
You say tomato, I say tomahto. You say Six, I say Sweep.
by WestminsterRaven on Jan 19, 2012 1:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Even when we won the Super Bowl people treated it as a fluke. People couldn’t believe we of all teams had won it. Now they look back at it after all these years and say “holy shit that defense was unreal.”
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
Although I do like Berman. He’s been showing the Ravens some love this season. Plus, I actually think he’s pretty intelligent and goes against the grain, which I like. And, he’s entertaining. He’s the only guy I can stand anymore.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
You say tomato, I say tomahto. You say Six, I say Sweep.
by WestminsterRaven on Jan 19, 2012 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
He picked us to win the Super Bowl this season, and he has stuck by that pick even when we’ve looked horrible.
That’s called holding yourself accountable. I can respect that. I can also respect a guy who leans of that codeine!!!
I love it knowing that there are a handful of Ravens fans in this area who despise the fact that Joe will be our QB for the next 10 years. --Mr. MaLoR
That video if fucking awesome. Ha! Amazing. I think I like him even more now.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
You say tomato, I say tomahto. You say Six, I say Sweep.
by WestminsterRaven on Jan 20, 2012 11:23 AM EST up reply actions
In Regards to Stuck in Utah
I agree with you 100%. Our team and the Steelers are very much alike (though we are younger and better). The Steelers beat the Pats earlier this year. So many people talk about the Patriots offense, but I get the feeling like this game is going to be a grind. The Ravens are tougher then the Pats, and it is going to show.
by Ultrakinetic Brad on Jan 20, 2012 9:36 AM EST up reply actions
Quote from harbaugh. “we have seen EVERYTHING they do.” I think coaches will put together a winning game plan.
by lsg2131 on Jan 19, 2012 12:40 PM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Good luck Ravens.
By now I’m sure you guys are sick of the ed reed / flacco non-story. But I wanted to put just a wild idea out there.
What if Ed Reed, who knows Flacco better than you or me or anyone in the media, is playing a little bit of a psyche game? What if he’s trying to get the best game out of Flacco by challenging him?
Enjoy the game.
Oh and btw, Flacco is a fine young NFL QB. don’t be in a hurry to diss him or get rid of him.
If some of your members are going to troll us on our forum, don’t expect [us] to hold themselves to a higher standard. If you don’t like what we are saying, its not your forum to go ahead and correct us as a guest.
by Shoes31 on Jan 10, 2012
by Simms-McConkey on Jan 19, 2012 1:00 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Thanks for stopping by, Go Ravens!
by StuckInUtah on Jan 19, 2012 1:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I found it funny how that visa commercial has the Ravens fan and a patriots fan in there and it came out months ago. They got some expert picks over at visa. The Ravens fan was going to the Super Bowl though so it has to be right.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
Pretty sure
The Patriots fan was going to the Super Bowl, he just had to wear the Ravens helmet to get a ticket.
Can I Scream?
The guy who won the tickets
was a Ravens fan.
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 19, 2012 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
And he took his me-maw
who happened to be a Browns fan. A little passive agressive dig at Ravens fans from Visa? Say it ain’t so.
You like Thai? Tie good. You like shirt?
I Noticed That
Also.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
Getting sick of this patriot bulls*it
Ive been watching damn near every show from : mike and mike, 1st take, rome is burning, sportsnation, nfl live, no huddle, nfl total access, pardon my interruption, and basically they’re saying we should have the privilege of playing in the playoffs and gracing the presence of the sexy patriots. These sports analysts are killing this ed reed story, its not that serious; however, i have to admit that I love we are finally getting some TV time. Maybe my opinion is basis here, but I feel like the patriots should be feeling the pressure. Who have they beat worth talking about? The steelers <~~~~“god i hate even typing that team” lol anyway the steelers man handled them, so what makes you think we can’t do that ?
RAVENSSSSSSSSSSSSS two time super bowl champions…. I’m gonna ride with you no matter what!
for some reason they're forgetting that the last time the Ravens went into Gillette
in the playoffs, the beat the #$%^& out of the Pats.
The Ravens are a stronger, tougher team. I think the Pats have a better QB, coach, and receivers. That’s a dangerous combo.
For you guys, it’s gonna come down to Ray Rice, plain and simple, and not Joe Flacco proving anything.
If some of your members are going to troll us on our forum, don’t expect [us] to hold themselves to a higher standard. If you don’t like what we are saying, its not your forum to go ahead and correct us as a guest.
by Shoes31 on Jan 10, 2012
by Simms-McConkey on Jan 19, 2012 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
Good points
I think Joe’s strengths are not being utilized by Cam and his boring offense. You have the better QB, the best TEs ever, and a strong receiving corps. I’ll take Harbaugh over anybody any day, though. If the Ravens win the turnover battle and capitalize on those turnovers, its game over for the Pats, otherwise I’m not sure of our chances
by kryptonianjorel on Jan 19, 2012 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
oh no!
I’m not a Patriots fan! Giants here.
As far as Harbaugh, clearly he’s an extraordinary coach. I just happen to think Belichik is not just a first-ballot shoo-in hall of famer, but one of if not the greatest football minds / coaches who ever lived.
Not trying to rub you the wrong way with that, just explaining my view on the coaching edge. That does not mean Harbaugh can’t outfox him one time this Sunday, though!
If some of your members are going to troll us on our forum, don’t expect [us] to hold themselves to a higher standard. If you don’t like what we are saying, its not your forum to go ahead and correct us as a guest.
by Shoes31 on Jan 10, 2012
by Simms-McConkey on Jan 19, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
First ballot Hall of Famer
For his audio-visual skills and techniques
by RavensfaninTX on Jan 19, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions
cam ohhh cammm
It boils down to cam cameron callin the right plays against the mad genius bill. B. Run the damn ball and convert 3rd downs. Period .. we have the weapons to score everytime..jus sayin
by vazfynst1 on Jan 19, 2012 2:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Whether or not you believe in the Spygate thing, that comment is pretty damn funny. Good one TX.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
You say tomato, I say tomahto. You say Six, I say Sweep.
by WestminsterRaven on Jan 19, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
I believe
thats why they were fined, draft picks taken away, and they have not been back to SB since it was discovered.
He has sneaky little beady eyes, that Bill B, and like my wife likes to say – If you can’t trust their eyes, you can’t trust their souls….
by RavensfaninTX on Jan 19, 2012 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry for the mistake
You’re welcome to your opinion (as long as it isnt stupid)
Good luck Sunday. If the Ravens win, I am rooting for the 49ers though, as I want a repeat of the Har-bowl, but after picking up Cruz on waiver wire in fantasy, I’ve gotta say I don’t mind the Giants
by kryptonianjorel on Jan 19, 2012 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
oh, many of my opinions are stupid
but, I wouldn’t mind a Superbowl rematch vs. youse guys if the Giants can pull off yet another upset in San francisco!
If some of your members are going to troll us on our forum, don’t expect [us] to hold themselves to a higher standard. If you don’t like what we are saying, its not your forum to go ahead and correct us as a guest.
by Shoes31 on Jan 10, 2012
by Simms-McConkey on Jan 19, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
Guys it could've been worse, you could've been facing the media Lord that is Tebow!
Depth is great. Right up until you need it!!
Actually, with all of the Flacco Flak this week
that might have been a better option
by RavensfaninTX on Jan 19, 2012 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
dissenting opinion...
Hi — just wanted to pull a John Harlan on you guys with some dissenting opinions. I’m obviously a Pats fan as the handle will tell you. But point by point:
- Defense dominating these playoffs: Both the Giants and Niners D played well, but this is little played up. For one thing, the 49ers defense was hardly smothering (32 pts allowed despite a +5 turnover differential) and the Packers beat themselves with more than anything with drops and miscues. That’s not to say the Giants didn’t play excellent D; all the drops might have been due to pressure, but when the ball gets to the receivers and they just drop it something like 10 times in one game after leading the league in offensive production, that’s just a lack of execution.
- The lack of sacks on Yates: I brushed this stat off initially too; but the more I think about the weapons the Pats have on offense, the more I realize that it does matter. Some of you pointed out correctly that it was due to the Ravens only rushing four most of the game. However, the Ravens think they can get to Brady quick enough to risk letting Welker, Hernandez, Gronkowski, deal with single coverage, it’s going to be line for line. Ngata is a game changer, but the Pats o-line is pretty good too. I see the Ravens letting Suggs do what he does and rush the QB, but that of course leaves a mismatch somewhere on the field that an experienced guy like Brady will probably see before the ball is even snapped. Still not a terrible plan. You might get some hits and rattle him, but if it results in significant gains (which it can — Arian Foster made the middle of the Ravens D look pretty slow, and he’s not exactly a Johnson or Charles type burner), I see a 4-man rush becoming the norm and that didn’t look too good against the Texans.
- Ray Rice is an important factor, but I disagree that it’s going to come down to Ray Rice. The Pats have been pretty decent against the run minus the first meeting with the Broncos (first quarter mostly, but it stiffened up). They’ve got their best run-stoppers back in Spikes and Chung and the difference was pretty obvious in the Denver playoff match-up. If they have success against Ray Rice, it’s going to come down to Flacco finding a connection with Torrey Smith (since Pats style of D actually matches up relatively well with physical wideouts like Boldin). I say it’ll come down to Flacco because he’s at least flashed sometimes, but not always, so if Rice gets shut down, it’s not like it can’t come down to Flacco.
- Last, perspective is kind of funny. As a Pats fan, I seem to hone in on all the criticism on the defense, the fact that “only defensive teams” are left, “defense wins championships”, how the Ravens can stop the Pats, etc. So to me, even though I know Pats are the favored team, it seems like there’s an awful lot of doubt for what they’ve done this year.
by bostonTEparty on Jan 19, 2012 2:22 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Sorry, I left a few words out of that post and made some of the thoughts confusing. That’s what I get for typing a novel on my phone. :-p
by bostonTEparty on Jan 19, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions
There’s a game on Sunday at noon… No one with any kind of brain matter cares what anyone says on tv or writes on the net….
Sunday Baltimore gets after it ….. Be afraid… Type more
by Evan Skev on Jan 19, 2012 2:34 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
All your points are well thought out and strong.
Considering your last line however, perspective is kind of funny. “It seems like there’s an awful lot of doubt for what they’ve done this year.” If you think the Pats should get more credit for beating .500 teams all season then I’d say your perspective is skewed. And I mean that sincerely, not in an antagonizing way.
Best of luck this Sunday.
You like Thai? Tie good. You like shirt?
You have a point. Just like i feel the Ravens getting so much credit for beating a Patriot
team without Welker, Hernandez or Gronk 2 yrs ago, gets talked about much too often. Both teams are different and i expect a nice game. Flacco could come out with fire in his eyes, but we all know Brady will.
Depth is great. Right up until you need it!!
No doubt.
The Patriots D could hold the Ravens offense to under 400 total yds but we all know the Ravens D will. And that’s using perspective with this season and what’s happened in this season. Not what’s happened in the past, whether it was good or bad for either team.
You like Thai? Tie good. You like shirt?
Hmmmm, no, i'm sure Ravens faithful feel that way.
but we all know the Ravens D will.
Depth is great. Right up until you need it!!
I agree. All the points being made by bostonTEparty (clever name btw) are valid and sound. I would also like to add that the Pats D played fantastic against DEN, and if that same D line shows up, we’ll have our hands full.
But, there’s something I’ve got to get off my chest. While this entire week had been about Brady and how he’ll light up our D, or it’s all going to come down to Rice, and Flacco eats babies and is a terrible QB….no one is giving our receivers their due.
While our WRs and TEs haven’t lit the world on fire, they have been excellent against some of the best Ds this year. Pitt x2, SF, HOU, NYJ. Noone is accounting for them at all. Boldin, big tough, smooth runner who can at times stretch the field. Torrey who has played almost better than any rook WR this year who was shoved into WR2 because of injuries. He’s pretty damn quick and don’t always sleep on his short routed, his hands have massively improved. Lee Evans, also a burner who’s had some trouble but had a beeeeautiful catch last week. I think he’s ready to show his stuff….finally. Our TEs, while not of the caliber of NEs have produced well with Dickson’s deceptive ability to stretch the field and Pitta’s sure hands. And Rice, I swear Rice at 5 ft. 8. makes some WRs look like HS kids with the way he can run routes and catch.
I just think this has been a huge oversight in the media and everywhere else I’m between. I know the Pats have excellent weapons and our D will play accordingly. But how is NEs shaky secondary going to account for all of our guys who are capable of making big plays. All I keep hearing is our D against Brady and Gronkendez, but nothing about anything I just mentioned.
I wasn’t trying to be antagonistic and sorry for the long post and any errors in spelling/grammar.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
You say tomato, I say tomahto. You say Six, I say Sweep.
by WestminsterRaven on Jan 19, 2012 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
re: westminster
I think a lot of that has to do with the criticism of Flacco. You can’t sleep on a burner like Smith and definitely can’t sleep on a guy like Pitta. But again, if the criticism is on the guy making the throws, it reasonably follows that his wideouts aren’t going to look good if he’s inconsistent. In the Texans game, Evans and Boldin made Flacco look good with their ridiculously awesome one-handed or around the DB grabs. That’s great receiver play, but not something you expect to keep your pass game going as much as simple consistency and accuracy from your QB, which is the biggest knock against Flacco, and that’s why the focus is on that.
Those are just my thoughts on media coverage of those guys, but I don’t see the Pats sleeping on it. They showed Tebow/Thomas a good amount of respect and Tebow is a considerably worse passer than Flacco, so I doubt the Pats pull a Steelers and completely disrespect the long pass game.
by bostonTEparty on Jan 19, 2012 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
Yea, I get you. My “Flacco is a terrible QB eats babies” thing was sarcasm. I’m a big supporter of that guy. It’s just been nuts around here with the Joe hate.
I think he played great against HOUs #2 D and relentless pass rush. Two TDs, no turnovers. His run game was non existent, and his O Line let rushers through like they were crazed mothers at a toy store on Christmas eve. All in all, he got the W in spite of the offense underperforming.
Joe has the arm to get the ball anywhere on the field and our receivers are much, much better and more well rounded than DENs. I was just bringing up a point that no one has mentioned that NEs secondary could have its hands full as we have a load of capable ballers at WR and TE. Just a side of the matchups I haven’t seen brought up yet.
"Don't throw it, don't throw it, don't throw it. I know y'all going to throw it, they going to throw it anyway. I wouldn't throw it. Don't do it." - Ed Reed
You say tomato, I say tomahto. You say Six, I say Sweep.
by WestminsterRaven on Jan 19, 2012 3:11 PM EST up reply actions
Also, don't mistake the great Pat's defense against the Broncos
for the one that we will face this Sunday. Totally different team, us Ravens and those Broncos. Tebow is no match for Flacco and the Pats know it.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 19, 2012 3:29 PM EST up reply actions
No Doubt
No doubt — my point was that the Pats are generally smart enough to account for something besides Denver’s #1 run game, unlike the Steelers’ awful gameplan. So they’re not going to get caught up on the Rice hype and completely ignore weapons like Smith, Boldin, and Pitta.
by bostonTEparty on Jan 19, 2012 4:00 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t feel antagonized by it, mostly because it does go well with the perspective point I made. Personally, I don’t find much meaning to it. If the Pats hadn’t beaten a bunch of those .500 teams, a good amount of them would be above .500. Not to mention some of those were over .500 when they were playing the Patriots, or were on a pretty solid roll (6 game winning streak in the case of Denver). But on the same token, we could easily make a similar point about a Ravens defense that didn’t beat a single top ten offense this season. But the fact that the Ravens were convincingly beaten by the only top ten offense they played (Chargers, 34-14, on the road) probably matters as much as how the Pats’ schedule played out.
My comment about “what they’ve done” is mostly with regards to the defense and how we got to a point where had to start playing wide receivers as DBs due to injuries and still winning games, giving up big deficits and then stiffening up for entire quarters and causing enough turnovers to let the offense come back, etc. etc.
by bostonTEparty on Jan 19, 2012 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
this was in response to Dyanmo
And good luck to you on Sunday too — I live in DC, so it’s going to be interesting to be sporting the wrong colors. :P
by bostonTEparty on Jan 19, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
There's so many transplants in DC
you shouldn’t get too much grief. Besides, it’s not like Skins fans can say anything. And Ravens fans will be watching the game about 45 miles to the northeast so I think you’ll be safe. :-)
You like Thai? Tie good. You like shirt?
The Patriots beat 6 playoff teams last year
including the Ravens. One-and-done in the playoffs, however. There is no correlation.
Can I Scream?
And if I close my eyes, no one sees me typing it
by Evan Skev on Jan 19, 2012 4:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Of course the is a correlation
Just because it didn’t happen that way last year does not make it irrelevant.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 19, 2012 4:25 PM EST up reply actions
It's close to irrelevant
When talking about this Sunday’s game. Unless your trying to make the argument that Baltimore is much better than NE and the Patriots simply don’t have a chance. We can all agree that these two teams are pretty even so in what does strength of schedule matter for this weeks game?
Bruce may be saying that the pats have glaring weaknesses and those weaknesses show up against the better competition. Denver makes good teams look great. No dis
by Evan Skev on Jan 19, 2012 11:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
The worst of the Patriots
In every phase has been exposed at one point this season. Just because a team has a losing record doesn’t mean they suck at everything. We saw the worse of the Patriots pass defense against a great passing team in San Diego, we saw the Patriots passing offense at it’s worse in Pitt, and the rush defense cant possibly be worse than it was against Denver in that first meeting.
Yates decided to throw up ducks instead of taking sacks. I’ll take TOs over sacks all day.
This game comes down to getting to Brady. If we can get hits on him early and often, we’ve got a decent chance. If not, he’ll pick us apart and we won’t be able to keep up.
daytime commentator. night time ninja.
Sacks take away any chance
at turnovers. Unless of course, a fumble ensues. I’ll take pressure and a pick over a sack any day.
aka 'Rexx'
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 19, 2012 3:30 PM EST up reply actions
Sacks
Are the best indicator of how much pressure you were getting on the QB. No sacks= likely little pressure.
I actually think “pressures” are the best indicator of …..pressure.
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
by FrankWyt on Jan 19, 2012 7:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh, you meant that’s the best indicator that’s sort of related, but is also a stat that people have a race for every year. Sorry, I assumed that you meant “best indicator of how much pressure you were getting on the QB”
So, we’re just going for roundabout indicators then? No, no “official” stats. There are no “pressures/hurries” titles in the NFL. You can only find them while watching a broadcast, or by going to PFF. That site can actually tell you a lot about what players are actually doing. Much better than the “hey that nose tackle only had 2 sacks this season..he iz teh suxzz” mentality that seems to come out of certain areas.
Can I get some hot sauce for my doughnut?
by FrankWyt on Jan 19, 2012 9:34 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Lol
Your trying to say sacks are only “sort of” related to pressure? Your something else really. I guess the Patriots are a great pass rushing team even though they are only 14th in the league in sacks right? Because of course that is a useless statistic and really doesn’t tell you much about how well a team gets after the QB.
You never seem to actually post any reasonable opinion or give insight. You just go comment to comment giving short 1 line wise ass remarks. It’s like having a small dog snapping at your heels. Get back to me when you say something that is worth the effort.
So about missing the point?
Pretty sure that all sacks involve getting pressure, but it is possible to get pressure without sacking (or even hitting the QB). Frank was simply pointing out that sacks is an incomplete measure for what you wanted.
And now I’ve read the 2nd paragraph and realize you don’t actually want to listen to ‘any reasonable opinion,’ unless it’s your own. Was Frank a bit snarky? Yes. Is his point any less valid because of that?
You come at the king, you best not miss.
by organizedchaos52 on Jan 20, 2012 3:16 PM EST up reply actions
This game comes is about the Ravens ability to get to Tom Brady before he finds his
TEs. The Ravens can’t cover Gronk, though covering Hernandez is a possibility. QB pressure is the name of the game for the Ravens. Flacco should be able to get some points on the board against the Patriots defense.
I'm so freaking pumped for this game
Editor at Baltimore Beatdown - SB Nation Baltimore Ravens Blog
A.K.A "Baltimore Warrior"
Saints & Packers Out - Patriots In
That’s an easy one – all the teams making the playoffs from the NFC were better than most of us thought. Not only were the Packers & Saints real good – we learned that the Giants & the 49ers weren’t slouches either.
The AFC teams had an easier road – Pats slaughter the Broncos – the Ravens eek out a win against a very good Texan team that died of self-inflected wounds.
And now its the Pats vs the Ravens at Gillette. Pre-game chit-chat wants us to believe that the Patriots are an offense-only team and the Ravens are a defense-only team. We’ll soon learn which club is the more well-rounded.
Less talkie-talkie, more
football.
< with apologies to Feng >
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
by vlad755 on Jan 19, 2012 10:29 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
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