By clamping down on the run and forcing Flacco to beat them with the arm, the Patriots have unearthed another threat - Flacco beating them with his feet. This might led the Pats to take a man out of coverage to go to a spy position.
Potentially a big injury to Gronkowski, but the Pats were able to move the ball down the field regardless of his injury, although Gronkowski later came in on a goal line situation for the touchdown. Interesting to see if he’ll still run pass patterns on a questionable ankle.
Some patterns run by the Patriots receivers seem to end up with multiple receivers in the same area. This could be a factor of the Pats trying to be overcomplicated with route combinations to try and unlock this Ravens defense. (submission from reader Steve)
Great timely interception by Brandon Spikes, doing a terrific job of making a one-handed catch, and then getting a nice return. It seemed like a big momentum shift for the Pats, but then got too greedy with the attempted deep ball to Slater.
The phrase ‘great players make big plays in big games’ has to apply in this game to Vince Wilfork, who’s been a huge playmaker in this game, showing up in critical moments with QB pressures and run stops.
See you all in SUPERBOWL 46!
With the Ravens selling out on the run to stop the pass, the Pats scored the first td of the game behind Benjarvus Green-Ellis, who is looking strong and tough.
Good comeback from the Ravens offense, hitting a couple big pass plays. The Patriots look to be trying to make Joe Flacco beat them with his arm, which he might do if they aren’t careful.
On the Patriots quick no-huddle drive, sure looked to me like Gronkowski got two feet down for a first down, but Belichick decided not to challenge and took the three points.
As we approach the AFC Championship game, it seems like most years the teams often in the game know each other pretty well, and are often division or conference rivals (Colts, Ravens, Jets, Steelers and Patriots).
But leading up to this week, it sure doesn’t feel like a typical AFC rivalry game. Both teams are being incredibly respectful to one another, without even any feud between T-Sizzle and TB12 to put up on bulletin boards. The most newsworthy comment from a player on either team this week came from Ed Reed, and he was talking down his on quarterback and offensive line, not the opponents.
Perhaps both teams want to avoid giving the other any extra motivation. Perhaps there really is a mutual admiration or respect for the other team (despite three close-fought games in the past three years). Or maybe, for two teams with aging players, this week is all about business, and all the talk is going to be done on the field on Sunday.
On PFT Live today, Tom Curran from CSNNE talked about how the Patriots offense could be slowed: “Hit Gronkowski, hit Welker, hit Hernandez.” Curran stressed that keying on these Pats offensive weapons, together with getting quick pressure on Brady is the key. To break it down further, the game will become a series of line matchups, to see if “can Suggs beat Nate Solder, can Ngata beat Dan Connolly before Wes Welker comes out of his break.”
PFT Live host Mike Florio also commented on how if the Pats win this new-school offense vs old-school defense game, another similar challenge will be waiting in the Superbowl against a strong defensive team in the Giants or 49ers. Therefore, one of the most important storylines for the Pats playoff hopes is the health of the offensive line, which has used 9 different players over the course of the season.
