The Ravens are traveling to the home of the New England Patriots for a rematch of sorts.
In week 4, the Ravens were a different team. The defense was allowing alot of points and Willis Mcgahee was a touchdown machine. He led the league with 6 touchdowns up to that week.
Today we look at the team a little differently. They are not the offensive powerhouse that they were in the beginning of the season but they have reverted back to what they have been able to do almost all year long, run the ball. Last week versus the Oakland Raiders the Ravens ran for 240 yards. Many of these yards are accredited to Willis Mcgahee who has reemerged after having a picnic on the bench during most of the second half of the season.
Ray Rice and Willis Mcgahee may be able to run the ball against this front seven even with an ailing Vince Wilfork in the lineup.
Edelman, Edelman Edelman. This is all I have been hearing about this week. "The Patriots do not have Welker but they have a Welker clone in Edelman". I do not believe that for one minute. The Ravens will not have to focus on this guy the way they would have had to focus on Welker. The defense better keep their eyes on Moss, Watson and Faulk in the passing game. The first two are first and second respectively on their team in receiving touchdowns. It will be a high scoring game if these three cannot be contained.
Just keep this mind: The Patriots just do NOT lose to the Ravens. They are 5-0 versus the purple and black. This means that for the Ravens to win they will have to dominate. The Patriots will be coming into this match-up with the mindset that they are the better team and will be prepared to play as such. It will be up to the Ravens not to give the game away. If they do not turn the ball over and play defense like they have been playing over the last several weeks, they will have a very good chance of winning.
Plus the Ravens ended the year ranked 3rd in total defense after falling to 14th in the league at one point so this defense has tightened up toward the end of this year. I will look to see how well the Ravens contain the passing attack of the Patriots and pass the ball on the Patriots defense.
Player to Watch- Todd Heap
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