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We’re down to the final eight teams in the NFL season and the second week of the playoffs kicks off with a huge grudge match when AFC heavyweights the New England Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on Sunday morning.
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These two powerhouses have built up a rivalry in the last few years as this will be their fourth playoff meeting in the last six years with the Ravens holding a 2-1 advantage.
It all starts with the quarterbacks. For the Ravens, it all rests on the fortunes of their enigmatic quarterback Joe Flacco. Flacco this season threw for 27 touchdowns and just under 4,000 yards.
Not a bad set of stats but there were occasions where he has struggled with consistency, the last two games of the regular season in particular. But as he did in Baltimore’s Superbowl winning season in 2012, once the playoffs start, Flacco seems to find another level.
That season Flacco threw for just 22 touchdowns in 16 regular season games but then had a career defining breakout in the four playoff games throwing for 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions.
He is 10-4 win/loss record in playoff games and last week in the wildcard win over the Steelers he once again stepped up.
His record against the Patriots is similar. 1-3 in regular season games, 2-1 in playoff games. He’ll need to be on his game on Sunday when he fronts a strong Patriots secondary led by free agent signings Brandon Browner and one of the league’s best cornerbacks, Darelle Revis.
Of course the biggest task for the Ravens will be to stop the Patriots future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. 37 year old Brady has had another excellent season throwing for 33 touchdowns and over 4,000 yards with just eight interceptions.
He’s done it with a less than average running game.
The Patriots rank 18th in the league running the ball and against the Ravens fourth ranked rushing defence, the onus will once again be on Brady and his favourite target, tight end Rob Gronkowski. Gronkowski is a six foot six, 120 kilogram behemoth and the league’s best tight end and pivotal to his team’s chances.
Injury has robbed Gronkowski of any meaningful contribution around playoff time and it has cost the Patriots badly, lacking any alternatives. For the first time in three years he enters the playoffs fit and coming off another excellent season with twelve touchdowns.
Brady and Gronkowski will be facing a Ravens secondary that has been inconsistent and shaky most of the season, especially since they lost key defender Jimmy Smith to injury half way through the season.
The Ravens’ pass rush which was excellent last week against the Steelers. Led by Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil, they will have to be at the top of their game to pressure Brady. If they give Brady time, he will tear their secondary to shreds.
Prediction:
The Ravens will cause the Patriots headaches in the lead up to this game with recent playoff losses fresh in the Patriots’ minds. Flacco’s playoff record is also imposing and the Ravens vaunted coaching staff is coming off a brilliantly executed win over the Steelers last week.
However the Patriots at home are a formidable force. Since 2002 when Gillette Stadium first opened, they have a 99-19 win loss record.
They have had an excellent season and with Brady and Gronkowski in great form. If their strong secondary can negate Flacco’s influence and restrict the Ravens receiving threats Torrey Smith and Steven Smith, they should be able to notch their 100th victory at Gillette Stadium, but it will close.
Patriots to win 31-24.
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