AFC championship matchups in the game Sunday between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium:
When the Ravens the ball:
Run, Ray, Run.
Catch, Ray caught.
These are the two top priorities of the Ravens (13-4) to the ball in the hands of RB Ray Rice (27), leader of the league in total length in 2068 (1,364 rushing). Rice is dynamic in recent years faced Patriots’ playoff game in Foxborough, breaking 83-yard run on the first play from scrimmage Baltimore. Should set the tone again with All-Pro defender Vontu Leach (44).
Baltimore wants Rice to get to an open space as a receiver, the pressure on the LBS Jerod Mayo (51) and Rob Ninkovich (50), and all the defensive backs. Ravens, and they want their offensive line, which contradicts the pace with rice and back Ricky Williams (34). This is crucial because the only guard Marshal Yanda (73) pointed out this season, was played in Houston last week line.
We expect that Patriots coach Bill Belichick something planned for the rice to neutralize, so Joe Flacco QB (5) to have his team defeat. Flacco was not spectacular, but the Ravens are rarely asked him to concentrate at work. Belichick could force it to happen, especially in cases of NT Vince Wilfork top (75) made his way to the trenches. Journeyman DE Mark Anderson (95) has 10 sacks on the defensive, and Wilfork Belichick Ninkovich each had 1 1 / 2 against Denver last weekend.
WR Anquan Boldin veteran (81) joined Rice as the main target for Flacco. New England secondary has been mediocre for most of the year, but made no big plays, led by CB Kyle Arrington (24), who leads the league seven stops. Ravens rookie to Torrey Smith (82) and veteran Lee Evans (83) to contribute in particular matchups down field with CB Devin Mccourty (32) and fuses Ihedigbo James (44) and Patrick Chung (25).
Ravens, where they were New England (14-3), with fixed end Dennis Pitta surprise (88) and Ed Dickson (84). Anyone can be dangerous in the red zone and on third downs.
If the Patriots the ball
As seen in the last week digging in Denver, the Patriots feast on defense, you have no problem starting. Baltimore has physical and aggressive from the start of the game, which is the core of Ravens’ defense, which has 48 sacks during the season.
Led by All-Pro NT Haloti Ngata (92) Terrell Suggs and LB (55) – and the eternal LB Ray Lewis (52) and S Ed Reed (20) – and never use back-down philosophy, Ravens after Tom Brady (12) the best he can. But they knew zero sacks, and not tons of pressure against Houston, whose work is similar to New England as the time between the two cities match
With regard to time, appeared in more than ten years, Brady and destroy the best defense. But he was not exposed to a high quality in the coming months and the Patriots played the best defense in 2011, Pittsburgh, took place in the low 17 points.
Brady will run without any increase as often as possible, hoping to force the gas Ravens and their supporters to remain on the field more often than usual. Belichick and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who left Penn State was Patriots’ coach, when you’re done playing, come up with some good lines in this season. Its use TE Aaron Hernandez (81) as running backs to be effective, and find a way to the All-Pro TE Rob Gronkowski (87) of non-compliance to isolate.
Baltimore has a blanket Gronkowski best with Reed and other S Bernard Pollard (31), or even try to get CB Lardarius Webb (21) are involved in coverage. Of course, it makes the All-Pro wideout Wes Welker (83) into a single coverage.
Even interfere Ravens, Houston led the ball to them one week ago. Patriots to rely on the run, but BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42) and Danny Woodhead (39) a success, just ask Brady several great performances.
Ngata will try to Wednesday Patriots’ solid O-line, where C Dan Connolly (63) and Logan Mankins coverage (70) and Brian Waters (54) will be tested interfere. If so, Baltimore has a much better chance of brake Brady, the Air show.
Special teams
Coach John Harbaugh has special teams PK Billy Cundiff and background (7) and P Sam Koch (4), is to feel comfortable. Cundiff missed a game with a calf injury, but recovered.
Baltimore and return coverage team is nothing spectacular, with Webb as the most reliable boat.
New England has no remorse Stephen Gostkowski (3) attempts at critical stages. Although he had not forgotten Adam Vinatieri, Gostkowski was stable enough to worry Patriots fans. P Zoltan delayed (14) Lefty is a kicker and the ball can work with the funky feet.
Belichick is also a special teams background and confidence to the coverage group.
Coaching
Harbaugh led the Ravens to the postseason in all four years as a coach, on the other side, but Belichick once be carried out during the first four of the five seasons as coach license when he was a Cleveland Browns. For the first time in Harbaugh, Baltimore won the AFC North and received a home playoff game.
Harbaugh knows his team needs to Belichick, the game’s most successful coach Bill Walsh and Joe Gibbs pressure on the sidelines of the primes. Ravens have learned to do what they do best, and I dare anyone to stop them. Belichick and the Patriots can be fickle – and versatile.
While Harbaugh is now only one, Pittsburgh lost in the AFC crown in 2008, Belichick habit of reaching the conference title game.
