DD on the Ravens: The last several times that Baltimore has been in the playoffs they’ve been eliminated by either Pittsburgh or Indianapolis. They are gone. Baltimore has a confidence that with who remains really sets up well for them. They are the team that can win this game and go into New England and beat the Patriots, if that is what has to be done.
DD on the Texans: Congratulations to the Texans for making the playoffs for the first time ever and winning a playoff game, but they are in for a rude awakening. It is one thing to beat Cincinnati at home, and quite another to go to Baltimore and play a rested, extremely balanced football team.
DD on the Ravens getting a home game: M&T Stadium in Baltimore is becoming like Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City – an unbelievably loud outdoor stadium. Arrowhead was the only outdoor stadium that I thought could really rival a dome in terms of the sheer ferocity of the crowd with the noise almost becoming a physical thing. But M&T is really joining Arrowhead in that regard.
DD on the QB’s: The quarterbacks are always the starting point in a playoff game like this. Joe Flacco has more playoff starts than T.J. Yates has total starts. That is a big deal and is a huge, huge advantage for Baltimore. T.J. Yates has been impressive. He’s done well. But this is going to be unlike anything he’s ever seen before. He didn’t experience anything at North Carolina that is quite going to prepare him for what he’s about to see Sunday afternoon in Baltimore. Houston has a puncher’s chance because of their ability to run the football and play defense. But running the ball against Cincinnati is different than running the ball against Baltimore in Baltimore. If they’re able to run the ball against Baltimore, they will have a chance.
