Baltimore Beatdown Writer's Predictions
by Bruce Raffel on Jan 21, 2012 2:00 PM EST
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PrintI will post my picks on both conference championship games on Sunday morning, but for now, here are the picks from a couple other of the contributors on Baltimore Beatdown about the AFC Championship Game between our Baltimore Ravens and those smug, hated New England Patriots:
lastcallbmore:
This game will be a far cry from the one we witnessed last week in Baltimore. New England is going to score their points so the Ravens will have to work on controlling the tempo of the game with their rushing attack. Ray Rice should have an excellent day and be a major factor in the game.
The Ravens should make sure they keep with what they do best and play solid defense and run the ball. They don't want to get into a shootout with Tom Brady, as that would be a recipe for disaster. Mixing in some timely play-action and some deep shots to Torrey Smith and Lee Evans with their running game will be key for Baltimore.
In the end I think the Ravens will keep the pressure on Tom Brady and force a late turnover to take the game and the AFC Championship. Baltimore will move on to the Super Bowl for the second time in their short history, proving that the more complete team is better equipped to go all the way.
Ravens 34 Patriots 28
vlad755:
The Ravens will be facing their toughest challenge yet this season in the form of Tom Brady at Foxboro. I have no doubt that even a Cameron designed offense will be able to move the ball and score points against the Patriots D. The question is, will it be enough? Will the Ravens be able to slow down Brady & Co. enough? I think the biggest trait that separates Brady, even from other elite quarterbacks, is his knack for making a great throw *every* time when he is given time.
You never see Brady misfire, ever, when he has time to throw. When Brady is rushed, hurried, sacked, that is when you see the fumbles, the picks, the incompletions, etc. So while Brady may have a high rating when blitzed, blitzed is the only time he can be forced to make a mistake. If the Ravens can get pressure only bringing four, that would be awesome, but I do not believe anybody is counting on that. Gronkowski will get his –there is no denying that. But if we can limit the damage, kind of what we did last week with the Texans’ big guns, we should come out okay.
On offense, the Ravens may want to take a page out of Pittsburgh’s book and dink & dunk to keep moving the chains and keep Brady off the field. Even if it only results in a field goal, keep Brady from getting another chance. Tossing out the high and the low, the ravens are averaging 19 points on the road this season and the Patriots are giving up on average 19 points this season at Foxboro (tossing out the high and low). I think the Ravens can do a little better this Sunday in Foxboro. They have scored 23, 24, 24 and 37 on the road this season, and the Patriots have given up 21, 21, 21, 24, 24 and 24, so 26 is not out of the realm. The issue is, tossing out highs and lows, the Patriots are scoring almost 32 points at home, and the Ravens are allowing 17 and half points on the road.
Statistical analysis suggests the Patriots will score somewhere between 17 and 32 –the key is, to which side of the Ravens’ 26 will the Patriots fall? All the media hype is on how Brady is back, how great Brady is, how Brady is going to do in the upcoming SuperBowl, with nary an afterthought about the Ravens. The Ravens *relish* the underdog role. You know that Ray, Ed, Suggs, Rice, Boldin and probably Flacco given the media storm this week between skateboards and rattles, are all stewing in their own juices. They probably cannot wait until they can get out on the field at Foxboro and just knock the stuffing out of someone –anyone.
So I am quietly, very quietly optimistic that the Raven’s D can rise to the occasion and hold Brady and the Patriots to 21. However, if it comes down to a chess match between Belichick vs. Cam < shudder > … Even though I am predicting Ravens 26 – 21, let us face facts, the Ravens are going to have to play about as perfect a game as possible; they are going to have to execute like it is the French Revolution.
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I was going to write a really good comment here
but I’m about to go grab a bite to eat.
Simmons, obviously, made a retarded pick by saying Pats 37, Ravens 26 (yeah fucking right they’re gonna score 37), but this was an interesting tidbit from the article.
I visited Bristol on Tuesday, ran into Eric Mangini and listened to him break down — for five solid minutes — every hard-core football reason why New England was a better matchup for Baltimore than Houston was. The Mangenious put the fear of God in me.
Add to that the Phil Simms quote in my sig, and you have my two main reasons for why I feel pretty good about this game.
"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
If that were the Pats winning 3-2 the story would be about how their defense showed up big. If that were the Ravens winning 3-2 the story would be about how the Ravens offense struggled…
WWRLD (What Would Ray Lewis Do)
by tubamatt7688 on Jan 21, 2012 6:49 PM EST up reply actions
That was freaking awesome! laugh You are sooo…right. I swear! Has anyone really seen the Ravens get any respect at all from the media??? I can’t even stand to watch NFL Network anymore. It’s ALL about the Patriots! It almost seems like an accident if they even mention Baltimore. NFL Network of course is owned and operated by the league. Aren’t they supposed to be neutral? I HOPE THE RAVENS POUND THE PATRIOTS LIKE GROUND BEEF!…And if that happens, just like YOU said, they’ll be an excuse why it did happened. And then the Ravens will have to apologize for winning. Oops, got carried away there didn’t I?…LAUGH
Be modest! It is the kind of pride least likely to offend.
--Jules Renard (1864 - 1910)
by IndridCold on Jan 22, 2012 1:35 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
Here, Here!!! Go Ravens!
Be modest! It is the kind of pride least likely to offend.
--Jules Renard (1864 - 1910)
by IndridCold on Jan 22, 2012 1:37 AM EST via Android app up reply actions
YES
the Ravens will move the ball against the Pats defense and score points. The Ravens needed turnovers at home against the Texans to win the game last week. There is going to be one huge difference Sunday against the Pats. Yates, a rookie, had no clue what he was doing when the Texans played the Ravens. He was throwing the ball up for grabs. Yates is not Tom Brady and that will be the deciding factor in the game Sunday. Yates looked confused and unsure looking for a reciever. Brady has too many weapons on offense that can make the big play. The Ravens do not have enough quality defenders to cover all those weapons. Yes, the Ravens will score and Rice will run for much yardage, but it will probably come down to the play of Flacco against the play of Brady. Pats will win a close game, 30-27.
What are you smoking down there in B more? stick to crack and crime, the things you do best. You are not living in reality if you think you can beat brady. You might try having Lewis shank brady in a scrum I seem to rember that he’s good at that
file under: Shit nobody has ever said to me in person.
Only on the internet, shit-bird.
"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
You are not living in reality if you think you can beat brady.
I remember hearing a lot of the same in 2009.
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel
Not the same as 09
Brady had no real recievers in that game. Remember, Welker had a torn ACL. and Brady had no quality recievers in that game. this are real different this time around. Meet the double headed monsters at TE named Gronk and Hernandez, plus Welker will be playing in this game. Ravens had the advantage in 09. GOOD LUCK with trying to stop this group of weapons Brady will throw to.
And two years from now when we’re in this situation again, the excuse will be that the Patriots had no defense. It’s always something. And it doesn’t change the fact that the Ravens were told that they had no chance to beat the Patriots in New England in 2009, and we all know how that turned out.
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel
You will
be blaming Flacco when the Ravens lose this game. Ravens do not have the dominating defense they had in 09. Brady will spread the field if the Ravens defense is getting pressure on him. Brady will go to the NO HUDDLE when he sees the wrong personel the Ravens have on defense. This game will not have the same result as 09. Pats have a way better offense this time around. Prediction – one of theTEs on the Pats offense will score two TDs. Bank on it! MY guess is that it will be GRONK.
You will be blaming Flacco when the Ravens lose this game.
Hell they’ll be talking about how bad he is even if we win it.
Ravens do not have the dominating defense they had in 09.
Pretty fucking stupid, that 09 defense wasn’t nearly as good as this one is. 2011, 2006, and 2000 are our best defenses ever. Obviously 2000 is in a league by itself but this defense is the best yet in the Harbaugh era.
Prediction – one of theTEs on the Pats offense will score two TDs. Bank on it! MY guess is that it will be GRONK.
Prediction—that could happen and still the Ravens could win. We need turnovers and to limit the other aspects of your offense. Tight Ends alone won’t put you over 24 points.
"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
You guys keep forgetting that you’re going to have to stop our weapons. I really believe that you guys are so used to drooling over offensive ball, including Belichick, that you guys get up and leave the room when your D steps on the field waiting for Brady to come back. Good luck stopping Q, Torrey, Dickson, Pitta….and that kid Rice that had the most all purpose yards out of anyone this year. Hope that secondary is ready….
"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 22, 2012 11:52 AM EST up reply actions
We know
that our defense will give up yardage and scores. We have been seeing that all year. The difference is that our offense can make up for the lack of defense. Now, the real difference. Can the Ravens offense led by Flacco score enough points to out score Brady and Co? I don’t think so. Flacco will not lead the Ravens to a win. It will come down to the play of Flacco and the play of Brady. I’ll take my chances with Brady over Flacco. I say that Flacco will turn the ball over two times. Tomorrow the Ravens fans will be pointing fingers, my guess will be at Flacco.
You haven’t hardly faced a defense like this all year, and when you did, you lost. Flacco has played against the best defenses this year. Pitt x2 (#1 overall), HOU x2 (#2 overall), SF, CIN, NYJ. He won all of those games. Stop listening to, and then repeating, what ESPN tells you. Do your own research and come to your own conclusions.
"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 22, 2012 12:16 PM EST up reply actions
Your 4 loses
came against subpar teams. You have not faced an offense this loaded with weapons. What was the last team you played that had two dynamic TEs playing together in the same game. Which recievers will you double cover.? Double cover Gronk and Hernandez will move the ball. Double cover Welker and Branch will move the ball. You defense has not encountered such a task. No matter how you look at it,the game will come down to the play of Flacco against the play of Brady. I like my chances with Brady. I hope you feel the same about Flacco.
Against the Pats secondary? Yea, I’ll take my chances I suppose. Pats have little to no running game, we don’t have to respect it which allows for extra to drop into coverage. All ESPN talks about is Brady and Gronkendez, my key to the game will be Pagano’s scheme and his players’ execution of blanket coverage and enough pressure on Brady to rattle/force mistakes. If we can get pressure from Haloti and Suggs with McPhee and Redding playing solid ball while dropping extra back that could be enough. I expect we’ll see a lot of new formations from the D like putting in extra DBs/LBs at different times.
"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 22, 2012 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
Look for Brady
to change up the plays at the line when he sees too many DBs. If you think that the Pats will not run the ball then you are mistaken. Look for the Pats to run the ball and hit the RBs in the Flats to counter any rush by LBs. The Pats will show the Ravens defense some wrinkles in this game. Should be interesting.
I’m not saying they won’t run the ball, but that’s not how they could win the game. I expect they’ll run a bit to keep the D honest and to try and keep the LBs as close to the line as possible, but they know that you won’t win the game running. They just don’t have to respect it as much, that’s all. That will allow several to be in coverage. I’d also look for a good blitz disguise with Suggs lining up to blitz, but dropping into coverage, with Webb or Pollard coming off the edge out of coverage to blitz. Reed doesn’t blitz much but maybe he gets to once today on Brady’s blind side if we show any zero coverage looks, but I doubt we do.
"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 22, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
One wrinkle
I think we will see will be Hernandez lining up in the back field and either taking the hand off or going up the middle for a pass completion. He is too fast for a linebacker to cover. Coming out of the backfield would be a huge advantage for Hernandez. I think Hernandez will line up in the backfield in this game on certain plays.
Every Time
Brady audibles out of a pass play to a hand off, that is a victory for us.
"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
Not true if the wrong personel is on the field.
If the Ravens have the wrong personel on the field, Brady will exploit the Ravens defense with his RBs.
Playing a string of sub-par defenses can really convince you that your offense is unstoppable.
Nobody is unstoppable.
"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
Ravens defense
may be surprised in this game with the running game of the Pats. They can run the ball especially if the passing game starts to move the chains.
Great excuses. I think; you managed to misspell 75% of a four word sentence fragment.
Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.
State your case, back it up with facts and reasonable opinions ...
Bruce Raffel
by Ampallang on Jan 22, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Ed Reed will be limping around and Mankins and Waters will take care of your knife weilding can’t remember where I put my suit murder. Which brings me to another point, thats the problem with your city you embrace a guy who murdered two innocent people because he’s good at a game. If that’s what you hold in esteam you really are a thug based culture city
once again, it’s funny how I hear this shit all the time on the internet but I never get the opportunity to see someone actually man up and say this shit to my face. It’s amazing.
"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
I got to go now, it’s cold out side so saddle up with one of your high haired huns, open some natty bose and enjoy the game, and when you loose remember you always have ……. O wait you have nothing else. So to ease your depression head out to a nice dinner in Dundalk. Maybe I’ll see you sometime when I come down to Fenway South. How’s my spelling.
O one last thing, the reason you get no media coverage is because no one wants to go to Baltimore to cover it. It’s BALTIMORE.
See us buddy! Enjoy your finger painting!
"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 22, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions
“No class”. You’re the biggest dickhead that’s been on this site in a long time. Congrats! See you on the other side pal.
"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 22, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Had I Known
My audience was going to consist of such intellectual behemoths such as yourself, I would have dumb downed my post, used smaller words, and not used analogies involving contemporary European history…
"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
See me on the other side! now you’re quoteing a Boston guy from a Boston movie (The Town) you poor fucks really don’t have any originality
Welcome to the Beatdown. We hope you enjoy your stay! A gentleman named Evan will be with you shortly to show you to your room. He’s always thrilled to have guests of your caliber!
"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 22, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
I can’t believe this guy is dumb enough to think Affleck was the first person to use the term “see you on the other side.”
Bro you’re a fucking idiot.
"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
amazing.
"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
I actually hope you guys win...I love me some Suggs
Just like it was stated above…You guys have to play perfect…and Brady needs pressured up the middle from Ngata..I am calling the Pats to win this one……..but I did the same thing 2 years ago…and we saw how that worked out….good luck guys…you deserve to be here today
"In a battle between patience and power, patience always wins"
great sig
And I think we really match up well with them. I expect to win.
"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
The Turnover Factor
This game will most likely come down to which of these teams will turn the ball over at the wrong time. Both teams will not play a perfect game. The team that makes the biggest mistakes at the wrong time will lose. I would rather have Brady with the ball at the end of the game, with the game on the line, than trust in Flacco to win the game at the end. Still think that Pats win a close game, 30-27.
Steelers fans said the same thing about Flacco
so beware of #5 in a 2-minute drill.
"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
I got Ravens
24-21.
But I wish you the best. Well, the second best.
"And, don’t get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn’t miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
I got the Pats
30-27. We’ll see who is right. Good luck, you may need it in this game.
Raven fans
make sure you have enough alcohol in front of you before the game starts. You will probably be yelling at the TV screen when Brady moves the ball down the field for scores. I know I will be smiling, should be a great game to watch.
Great first half
Flacco looked good in the first half. Brady did not look sharp. We will see who makes the fatal mistake in the second half. Great game!
Wow
I can not believe he missed that FG. See you next year. Going tyo the SB.
Good Game
Drank a lot of beer and can not stop yelling.
Every Ravens fan
is still holding their head in their hands.
Never mind Flacco
Ravens should be looking for a kicker.
Hey Bullybully,Ampalling, WestminsterRaven, Vlad755 where are you? did they shut the internet off down there in Dundalk? Did the locals steal your antenas for scrap? where are you? I can only wonder. Are you all over at Evans house haveing a circle jerk? Come on you still have Basketball, Hockey ,and Baseball. Sorry you have none of those things. Hey I have a idea, shoot for murder capitol of the country, THAT you can win
Where are you Bullybully are you hideing? I guess you’re the pussy. Where are you my balls have dropped. Westminster come show me to my room. Last chance. I came on this blog to have some fun, and found nothing but mommas boys and kids that failed shop. Baltimore is just what every one thinks it is. O and don’t blame the kicker, all he would have done is tied it . You still would have lost in overtime.
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