Here are the keys of the game for the Baltimore Ravens:
- Ray Rice could face some challenges running the ball against a New England defense that ranked 9th in the NFL (101.9 Rush yards allowed per game). If Baltimores O-line can handle Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, and his crew, Rice will have a nice day. RT Michael Oher will need to improve and take care of OLB Rob Nickovich and Deadrick to help Ray find running room on strech plays to the right. Ray finding running room will help with Flacco's playaction and passing game.
- CB Corey Graham and Cary Williams did do a good job against Broncos great WR duo of Eric Decker and Demariuys Thomas in there win last week. However, how they do against Deion Branch, Brandon Llyod, and most imprtantly, Wes Welker. Jimmy Smith will need to win the battle off of the line of scrimmage against Wes Welker. If Smith holds Welker in check, Brady's favorite target, then the safties will be helping Williams and Graham against Branch and Llyod. If the Baltimore corners and safties don't get ansy in the secondary and don't allow big plays, than Baltimore will give Tom Brady nightmares.
- WR Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin both have had a fantastic preformance in either the wild card or divisional game. Smith showed he could outplay Pro Bowl Champ Bailey last week, but can he outplay Aquib Talib. Following the acquisition of Talib, the Patriots pass defense improved. If Smith can put the damage he did on Bailey, then Smith will have a big day, which this could force double or triple coverages against Smith. This makes Boldin one-on-one with Dennard, a favorable matchup. Look for Flacco to have a great day against the Pats secondary. Don't forgot about Dennis Pitta, he's solid in the slot and is a valuable target. If Pitta plays big, the Ravens defense are going to kill this Patriots defense
- The Ravens D-Line could be stiffled by this fantastic Patriots O-Line. If Kruger, Suggs or any of the Ravens can't put pressure on Brady, the Ravens defense will be torched. If Kruger and Suggs can ouplay Solder and Vollmer, then it could force double protection on either one of them, making it easier for Ngata to stuff the run and Ray to get in to blow up Ridley or Vereen
- The Ravens run defense has been playing poorly, which is one reason why they weren't ranked in the top 10 in rush defense of the first time since 2002. Look for Ridley to have at least a 80-100 yard game and a TD against a Baltimore D that gave up over 120 to Denver last week.
- Slot WR Wes Welker is Brady's favorite target with over 110 catches in the regular season. In the first meeting this season, between the two, Welker caught 8 passes for 142 yards. If Welker again can dominate the Ravens corners and secondary in the slot, Brady will be comfortable looking for not just Welker, but his other recievers.
- RT Michael Oher has had a tough season this year and has been pounded by rushers almost every game. He was ranked 37 out of 43 tackles who participated in 75% of their team's snaps this season. OLB Rob Nickovich, DE Chandler Jones, look to attack the right side because of the poor play by Oher. If New Engaland's front 7 can bring the heat on Flacco, the Patriots will have an easier job stopping the run, where they've been better at. This will also force Flacco out of his rythem, which will hurt this Ravens offense.
- Saftey Devin McCourtey is one of those sneaky safties in the secondary who looks to make a big play, at any point of the game. McCourtey is always underestimated because of his size, but he's speed helps this Patriots secodary. McCourtey should be a huge factor in this game and is always looking for the football at all times. If McCourtey hauls in a interception or forces a big turnover, then this could be the difference of this game.
- CB Aquib Talib will have his hands full against sppedy WR Torrey Smith. We already saw Smith last game beat up Pro Bowl CB Champ Bailey for 2 long touchdowns. Talib will need to win the battle at the line of scrimmage and play at top speed to catch up with Torrey. Is Talib can handle Smith and shuts him out, Flacco will then keep throwing to Boldin, where McCourtey can help Dennard and snag a easy pick.
- In last years championship, the Patriots held Ray Rice to 3.2 yards per carry, on 21 carries. If the Pats D-line can handle this Ravens o-line, who are very good at blocking the run, then Rice won't be a factor, maybe in the passing game, but not the running game.
- Patriots RB Stevan Ridley will run for 107 yards on 23 carries, due to the fact that Patriots offensive line can handle the Ravens D-Line. Ngata and Lewis could have a few cracks at him, but that's it.
- WR Wes Welker should have a good day against struggling nickel CB Jimmy Smith. Welker will catch 9 passes for 119 yards.
- QB Tom Brady should take advantage of this matchup, despite the fact he doesn't have TE Rob Gronkowski. Brady has lots of targets like Llyod, Branch, and Hernandez, and Welker. Brady's o-line should be able to hold Baltimores D-line, but the pressure of the LB's, especially Paul Kruger is going to be a huge factor in this game. Brady will throw for 332 yards, 2 TD, O INT
- QB Joe Flacco will throw for 282 yards and a TD, but will throw a costly interception to Saftey Devin McCourtey. Flacco will be harrassed by Rob Nicovich and Spikes and somewhat of Chandler Jones.
- Ravens WR Torrey Smith will have only 4 catches for 47 yards, while Boldin will have 5 catches for 95 yards. TE Dennis Pitta will be a target Flacco will be starting to like in the is game, at the middle of the second quarter. Pitta will have 7 catches for 69 yards.
- Special Teams will be a factor in this game.
- Sadly in Ray Lewis's final game of his career, he will have 10 tackles, 1 FF and 2 passes defended
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