The OFFICIAL Ravens - Patriots AFC Title Game Prediction Thread

[Ravenboy2003]

Alrighty then..

It's time for the next-to-last prediction thread of the season.

Was waiting for the injury report, and just read that Bernard Pierce says he feels great and plans to play on Sunday. That is a huge plus, assuming he's close to 100%.

A week ago, I thought we had no chance to beat either Denver or New England on the road. But after the Denver game, I honestly think this team can do just about anything they want to do.

It won't be easy, but we will overcome last year's deficiencies and win this one late. A Tucker FG and a defensive stand is how the game will end.

Ravens 30
Patriots 27

[Ngata Da Vida]

Ravens 31
Pats 24

Pats score late touchdown to make it seem closer than it was. On to New Orleans for the HarBowl!

[alienrace]

Ravens 31
Pats 27

[Paintballguy]

Ravens 27
Brady Bunch 20

[Big Bird]

Ravens have picked a great time of the season to "peak". All teams seem to do it. After the Denver win the Ravens know they can beat solid teams on the road.

Besides, there will be a continuation of the "Lets win this one for Ray" concept. I think this team is playing the best that it has all year. The deep defense is

clicking and the O-Line is doing a decent job. Having two (ALMOST 3) solid linebackers don't hurt either.

Ravens 35
Pats 20

[BohBalmer]

prolly the first time since the AFCCG in Oakland ive felt this confident. wont be as close as people think

[PittRaven]

42-14 Ravens

[Shambla]

Last year we trailed 23-20 and a TD pass got dropped. Not this time.

Ravens 27
Patriots 23

[esmd]

We do it. I don't know how, but we get it done. Team of Destiny, Ray's Last Ride, Flacco tossing bombs all over the place, or the avenging of last year, whatever. Could be one or all of them.

Ravens 27
Patriots 24

[NCRAVEN]

We win big or lose a close one.

[esmd]

We win big or lose a close one.

If that happens, I might just spontaneously combust. If the latter happens, fit me for a straight jacket....

[festivus]

Ravens 30-20.

Like BigBird said, we're peaking. Everybody outta the way.

[Dade]

Ravens 27
Pats 17

[NCRAVEN]

If that happens, I might just spontaneously combust. If the latter happens, fit me for a straight jacket....

The problem with picking a game is you can't predict special teams or turnovers (the deciding factor last week). So I just got a feeling we win 38 -10 or 28 -24 loss.

[Tyrian]

We win big or lose a close one.

Have a similar feeling for whichever reason.

[Hammerhead]

There are a couple of things about this game which worry me.

First, we, as the commentator as Slate put it, played the "high-variance strategy" against the Broncos and won last week. That is, we went for the big, chunk plays and hoped they panned out in order to score touchdowns. The interesting fact about last week is that we only had one red zone touchdown - and that was after a Denver turnover on their half of the field. We had no sustained drives that started on our side of the field and resulted in scores. Our touchdowns were as follows:

59 yard pass to Torrey Smith
39 yard INT return for TD by Corey Graham
32 yard pass to Torrey Smith
1 yard run by Ray Rice (after Kruger fumble recovery in Denver territory)
70 yard pass to Jacoby Jones

And the game winning field goal was set up by Corey Graham's INT at the Denver 45.

Do you think the NE safeties will play in this week? I don't think so. They are going to force us to manufacture sustained drives in order to score. If scoring drives will have to take 10-12 plays, that creates a lot more chances to drop the ball, sack the QB, create turnovers, etc. Everyone will have to be on top of their game on offense. No drops. No blown protection. No fumbles. No overthrows, underthrows or just bad throws. To win, we are going to have to score more than 30 points after long drives -- which means at least five scores and at least four touchdowns. That is because...

The Patriots will get their points. Ridley, Welker, Hernandez, Lloyd, Vereen, etc. all play well in space on short routes and get YAC. The D Line is going to have to pressure with four and play out of their minds -- especially Kruger and Suggs. And we will have to recapture that red zone success we had at the end of the season. I don't see the Patriots scoring less than the high twenties.

It is going to take a perfect performance from the offense and a damage-limiting performance by the defense. If the ST screws up like last week, forget it.

That's why I am nervous about this matchup. This really comes down to Joe, Ray Rice, Q, Pitta and Torrey playing flawlessly executed football and the O Line giving Joe enough time to make decisions. We can't count on the long bomb this week.

And, hopefully, BA learns to shut his mouth and maintain his lane assignment.

I hope we win, but I definitely understand why we are the underdogs in this one and would be even on a neutral field.

[timmyonfleet]

I hope they employ that strategy and leave the middle open for RR Pitta/Dickson and Q to go bonkers. Pulling the safeties deep will allow is to control the clock and keep Brady on the bench.

[Hammerhead]

I hope they employ that strategy and leave the middle open for RR Pitta/Dickson and Q to go bonkers. Pulling the safeties deep will allow is to control the clock and keep Brady on the bench.

Hope you are right. How is their LB corps?

[saintmatthew]

I don't see sustained drives being as hard against NE's D but who knows. I like our chances though.

[timmyonfleet]

I know they got mayo Hightower and spikes back there. Those guys are solid but how many lb's are sticking with any of our middle of the field weapons 1 on 1