Just forced myself to watch the end of last year's AFCCG on NFL Replay, and you know what???

[Maelstrom]

I am more confident now than ever before that the Ravens are going to win this game and go to the Super Bowl.

Watching Replay reminded me that the Ravens kept playing and coming back last year, after interceptions, missed 4th down conversions, missed passes... That game was in many ways like the Denver game last week. But I believe the outcome this year will be different. I actually think the Ravens have a good chance to completely dominate this game. I think the Patriots shot their wad a week too soon.

If I were a Patriot and watched that Replay episode, I'd be scared. Very scared.

[EdReed4HOF]

If the Ravens have a chance to win the game at the end they'll seize the moment this time....

[bacchys]

It's going to be a tough game. I think the o-line will do better against the interior of that Pats oline than they did. Flacco doesn't get enough credit for his performance that game, imo. He had to overcome a lot to even get them to the point of Evans dropping that pass.

If they play like they did against Denver, which is a much better pass-rushing defense and much better in the secondary, the Ravens have a very good chance of winning.

The Ravens are peaking at just the right moment. Their best two games of the season have been in the playoffs, with one of them on the road.

[PatsFan in MD]

I am more confident now than ever before that the Ravens are going to win this game and go to the Super Bowl.

Watching Replay reminded me that the Ravens kept playing and coming back last year, after interceptions, missed 4th down conversions, missed passes... That game was in many ways like the Denver game last week. But I believe the outcome this year will be different. I actually think the Ravens have a good chance to completely dominate this game. I think the Patriots shot their wad a week too soon.

If I were a Patriot and watched that Replay episode, I'd be scared. Very scared.

Why? Our team is much improved. We played that game for the most part without Gronk and they were adjusting on the fly. They've played numerous games without Gronk now and are more prepared as an offense without him. We now have a running game to go along with our passing offense. Our defense last year was the worst in the league. At least this year they're top 10 in pts allowed and we're the best at creating TOs.

Brady played like ass in that game yet we still won.

[NCRAVEN]

Why? Our team is much improved. We played that game for the most part without Gronk and they were adjusting on the fly. They've played numerous games without Gronk now and are more prepared as an offense without him. We now have a running game to go along with our passing offense. Our defense last year was the worst in the league. At least this year they're top 10 in pts allowed and we're the best at creating TOs.

Brady played like ass in that game yet we still won.

Same here.

Flacco is playing much better, our o-line is healthier than last year. D is playing better lately and the offense and Joe are better since Caldwell took over. All that said, it's still a tough game for either team.

I watched the replay last night too. Maybe stupid, but I felt I had to put it behind me.

[PatsFan in MD]

Same here.

Flacco is playing much better, our o-line is healthier than last year. D is playing better lately and the offense and Joe are better since Caldwell took over. All that said, it's still a tough game for either team.

I watched the replay last night too. Maybe stupid, but I felt I had to put it behind me.

I'll give you Flacco and your offense. But I don't see how your defense is better compared to last year's playoff game. Lardarius is a stud and completely took Welker out all by himself. You guys don't have that luxury anymore and if you have to commit two defenders his way, your defense will be playing shorthanded. Not to mention Sizzle is still nursing an injury, as is Ray, and Ngata as well.

You guys will win this because your offense is going to perform our offense.

[Ravenboy2003]

I watched it as well.. and the big thing I noticed is that we had the game won with little or no pass rush all day.

I think getting after Brady even enhances our chances that much more.

[NCRAVEN]

I'll give you Flacco and your offense. But I don't see how your defense is better compared to last year's playoff game. Lardarius is a stud and completely took Welker out all by himself. You guys don't have that luxury anymore and if you have to commit two defenders his way, your defense will be playing shorthanded. Not to mention Sizzle is still nursing an injury, as is Ray, and Ngata as well.

You guys will win this because your offense is going to perform our offense.

I said they're playing better lately, not we're better than last year. AL though I think that is the case for a few guys/positions Kruger is an upgrade from Jarrett Johnson, Pollard is playing better in coverage same with Ellerbe. Graham is not an upgrade of Webb, but he and Brown are pretty good.

[pslholder96]

I watched last night's replay for about 5 minutes while it was in the 1st quarter and turned it off. I'm not going to go through all that "what if" stuff.

The biggest difference is our offense. Caldwell is putting Flacco in a position to take over and succeed. I'm confident we can win a shootout.
Defensively that's where I have concerns. Can we make enough stops? Key to this game is to neutralize their run game which is much more effective this year than it was last year. Do this and I think we've got them right where we want them.

[NCRAVEN]

I watched last night's replay for about 5 minutes while it was in the 1st quarter and turned it off. I'm not going to go through all that "what if" stuff.

The biggest difference is our offense. Caldwell is putting Flacco in a position to take over and succeed. I'm confident we can win a shootout.
Defensively that's where I have concerns. Can we make enough stops? Key to this game is to neutralize their run game which is much more effective this year than it was last year. Do this and I think we've got them right where we want them.

I am confident our O can play better too. But their D is no slouch. Their big (but not fast) up front and fast in the back. I still think we can score on them, but I agree, stop their run is where it all starts. And that's no easy task either, their o-line is big and athletic and those RB's are fast.

It should be a good close game, assuming turnovers are equal and special teams are too.

[bt12483]

Brady played like ass in that game yet we still won.

That seems to be a pattern when he plays the Ravens...

[PatsFan in MD]

That seems to be a pattern when he plays the Ravens...

Yeah, he still hasn't solved the Ed Reed riddle. He plays too cautious with Ed in your backfield.

[pickles]

Yeah, he still hasn't solved the Ed Reed riddle. He plays too cautious with Ed in your backfield.

For good reason. See 2010 playoffs.

I expect Brady to play well this weekend. But I don't see him scorching us either.

[rpcfball]

Why? Our team is much improved. We played that game for the most part without Gronk and they were adjusting on the fly. They've played numerous games without Gronk now and are more prepared as an offense without him. We now have a running game to go along with our passing offense. Our defense last year was the worst in the league. At least this year they're top 10 in pts allowed and we're the best at creating TOs.

Brady played like ass in that game yet we still won.

http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=8852730
Here's an interesting article about how your running game isn't actually that impressive. Only slightly better than last year and significantly worse than 2010. Difference is this year you've run the ball over 100 times more than last year

[Double TE]

Ridley is better than BJGE...but Vereen and Woodhead kill the stats as runners...but not as pass catchers...they are very good in that dept.

[rpcfball]

I'll give you Flacco and your offense. But I don't see how your defense is better compared to last year's playoff game. Lardarius is a stud and completely took Welker out all by himself. You guys don't have that luxury anymore and if you have to commit two defenders his way, your defense will be playing shorthanded. Not to mention Sizzle is still nursing an injury, as is Ray, and Ngata as well.

You guys will win this because your offense is going to perform our offense.

Lardarius actually didn't have a great game against welker earlier this year. This defense is peaking compared to the rest of the season and hopefully if all goes right you'll be talking about guys like Corey Graham and Chykie Brown. Oh and sizzle is coming on at the right time. 2 sacks last week and he LOVES getting after brady

[SC_Raven_Fan]

I am more confident now than ever before that the Ravens are going to win this game and go to the Super Bowl.

Watching Replay reminded me that the Ravens kept playing and coming back last year, after interceptions, missed 4th down conversions, missed passes... That game was in many ways like the Denver game last week. But I believe the outcome this year will be different. I actually think the Ravens have a good chance to completely dominate this game. I think the Patriots shot their wad a week too soon.

If I were a Patriot and watched that Replay episode, I'd be scared. Very scared.

Totally Agree!

[PatsFan in MD]

http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=8852730
Here's an interesting article about how your running game isn't actually that impressive. Only slightly better than last year and significantly worse than 2010. Difference is this year you've run the ball over 100 times more than last year

I can't read the article since I'm not an INsider at ESPN. Before this year, most of our successful runs have come from draws or passing formations. This year we run out of conventional running formations, and run it effectively even when defenses know it is coming. That to me is the key. Plus it helps our play-action tremendously.

[HKusp]

Ladarius is a stud for sure, but Graham is as well. Welker could still be in trouble. You are right Vareen and Woodhead are a matchup problem in the passing game. If too many of their passes are being covered by Ellerbe and Ray, that could be the difference in a win or loss.

[rpcfball]

I can't read the article since I'm not an INsider at ESPN. Before this year, most of our successful runs have come from draws or passing formations. This year we run out of conventional running formations, and run it effectively even when defenses know it is coming. That to me is the key. Plus it helps our play-action tremendously.

My apologies. Well the gist of it is that although you have way more rushing yards, it is a product of running the ball 485 times this year compared to 377 last year. The ypc is only up .15 so it's not that much of an improvement. However, yes, if you run the ball like you did last week you will kill us with play-action (which the article acknowledges you are superb at.)