Postgame
I mean, it’s gotta be all downhill from here right? How can any other game this weekend match what we’ve seen in New England tonight.
And, as if Tom Brady needed anything else to elevate his status among quarterback immortals, well, there was some serious gravy poured on against Baltimore. Facing serious adversity, not once but twice, the Pats kept their poise and took their first lead of the game when it counted. Now they’ll rest up and get a home game next week, and whoever they get will have to seem easier than a match-up against their bogey team, the Baltimore Ravens.
We’ll have more coverage tomorrow as we provide minute-by-minute coverage of the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field starting at 1PM ET & 6PM UK. For now, wherever you are, good morning, good afternoon and good night.
Ravens 31-35 Patriots, Final
Jones is up to to the Ravens 48. Now Flacco throws a hail mary into the endzone and it’s incomplete!
The ball game is over!
The Patriots have rallied twice from 14 point deficits to earn a spot in the AFC Championship game, at home, next week against the Colts or the Broncos!
Ravens 31-35 Patriots, 0:14 4th quarter
It’s 4th & 14, and New England have to punt. Jones is waiting at the 35 with a chance at making some kind of insane history.
INTERCEPTION! Ravens 31-35 Patriots, 1:39 4th quarter
Flacco goes deep down the far sideline looking for Torry Smith - Harmon leaps to break it up but does more - he makes the pick to secure the game for the New England Patriots!
Baltimore can stop the clock just once, this one is all but over!
Ravens 31-35 Patriots, 1:55 4th quarter
The ball is at the Pats 41 - Flacco finds Daniels on the far side for six, but Jones is flagged for offsides. They accept the penalty making it 1st & 5, which is sensible.
Then Flacco is incomplete looking for Aiken...
Ravens 31-35 Patriots, 2:00 4th quarter
I guess we can call this 4th & season.
Flacco, off balance, fidgety, somehow finds Daniels over the middle! What a play! Oh my! We’ve still got a ballgame as we head into the warning!
Updated
Ravens 31-35 Patriots, 2:14 4th quarter
Now New England call for time. Eesh, I don’t think I can take this.
Ravens 31-35 Patriots, 2:14 4th quarter
Baltimore call time - that’s their second. So they have a timeout and the two-minute warning left. It means that they really need to get this first down because if they turn the ball over they are limited in stopping the clock.
Updated
Ravens 31-35 Patriots, 2:14 4th quarter
It’s 3rd & 3. Flacco drops back and stumbles, and then kind of just pushes it away - they call it incomplete after a pump fake. Odd play, but forget it, it’s now 4th & 3....
Ravens 31-35 Patriots, 3:05 4th quarter
Now, let’s see what Flacco can do with his team down tonight. Is there more magic in that man? The Ravens start at the 11 after an illegal block pushes then back.
He’s got Juszczyk for 11 on the first play, then Brown for nine on the next. Forsett runs for a first down on the next play, up to the 35.
Then he hits Campanero on a little crossing route for seven yards. Flacco looks crisp, and unbothered by the moment, which comes as no surprise to anyone.
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 31-35 Patriots, 5:13 4th quarter
Brady throws a floater down the near sideline and it’s right into the safe hands of LaFell in the endzone! New England are on top for the first time tonight!!!!!
As a bonus, it’s the 46th postseason TD for Brady, meaning he passes Joe Montana for the all-time lead. A historic play in a huge spot for Brady.
Ravens 31-28 Patriots, 6:02 4th quarter
Brady is still under pressure from that rested Ravens D and throws it away. Then on 2nd & 10 he finds Gronk four four yards across the middle of the field.
That brings up a key 3rd & 6 right here.
Brady in the shotgun - throws immediately to his left, and finds Amendola, who breaks a tackle to get first down yardage on the second effort.
With a fresh set of downs he hits Hoomanawanui down at the Baltimore 30. Pats on the move here.
CALL OVERTURNED! Ravens 31-28 Patriots, 8:05 4th quarter
Well that makes perfect sense, the zebras reverse their call, and thank goodness. Boston might have burned otherwise.
So it’s 2nd & 1 and Brady sneaks for a first down.
UNDER REVIEW! Ravens 31-28 Patriots, 8:56 4th quarter
New England start from their 26. This half, the Pats have thrown 18 times and run zero times. Well, they’re all in with the passing game...I guess.
Hang on - what happened here? Brady finds Vereen who goes down and the ball is loose! Dary Smith has it on the Pats 49, but he was down surely - but the refs say it’s Ravens ball!
Whoa! This is gonna be overturned right? I mean, his knee was totally down.
Updated
FIELD GOAL! Ravens 31-28 Patriots, 10:17 4th quarter
Tucker is good from 25 yards out and the Ravens are back on top. Yes, they did not get seven, but they did give their defense a long blow - 16 plays over 7:53. That’s an important break in a physical game like this.
Ravens 28-28 Patriots, 10:28 4th quarter
Two stops later it’s an enormous third down right at the seven.
Here we go - Flacco, in the shotgun with five wideouts. He throws at Daniels at the back of the endzone and it’s off his fingers! Craig just got his hands in there to break it up, right at the last second. That’s a tremendous football play.
Here comes the field goal unit.
Ravens 28-28 Patriots, 10:35 4th quarter
Forsett again! He runs straight ahead, through another big hole, down to the Pats nine. It’s 1st & goal to go for Baltimore.
A long, run heavy drive that is wearing down the Pats line right here.
Ravens 28-28 Patriots, 11:56 4th quarter
Forsett passes the century mark, running outside to his left for a first down and a gain of eight.
He follows it with four yard run, and on 2nd & 6, Flacco finds the fullback Juszczyk for three.
So now it’s 3rd & 1. Flacco hits Daniels, who can’t hold on.
Baltmore are going for it! It’s Juszczyk who has a catch out of the backfield - enough for a first down. He fumbles the ball out of bounds but that’s irrelevant. Another big fourth down conversion for Baltimore who maintain possession and are driving at the Pats 18.
@LengelDavid cant watch the game right now, but following it intently. COME ON #Ravens! Edge of my seat.
— Lucy Moore (@ProbablyLucy) January 11, 2015
Stick with us!
Ravens 28-28 Patriots, end of third quarter
Forsett has 98 yards and a first down picking up five, running it up to the Ravens 44.
The quarter ends on a three yard run in traffic by Toussaint. And what a quarter it was.
How will it end?
Ravens 28-28 Patriots, 1:31 3rd quarter
Forsett pushes the pack right for five yards. Then the running back plows forward for three more - that brings up an important 3rd & 2.
Flacco from the shotgun - lots of time...but now the pocket collapses and Flacco is hit! The ball is loose and the Pats have it on the Ravens one!
But there’s a flag! Revis is flagged for defensive holding and that means it’s a first down for the Ravens!
What a wild play in a wild game!
When the dust settles, it’s Ravens ball on their 32!
Ravens 28-28 Patriots, 3:09 3rd quarter
Enormous moment for the Baltimore D -here they force New England to punt after three plays - Brady, was looking for Gronk on 3rd & 10 but it was short. Now the Ravens start it up on their own 20.
INTERCEPTION! Ravens 28-28 Patriots, 3:31 3rd quarter
Flacco throws compete to McCourty - Interception! Finally - a Flacco mistake, a rare breed, and now New England and the home crowd are smelling blood!
And to think, just minutes ago, Flacco was throwing his fourth TD pass!
Don't forget Edelman was a QB in college
— Kevin Millar (@KMillar15) January 11, 2015
He sure looked like it! Instant classic in progress here!
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 28-28 Patriots, 4:20 3rd quarter
Oh Nelly!!!! Brady throws a backwards pass to Edelman who then chucks it way down field to a wide open Amendola!
It’s razzle dazzle time for a game-tying TD!
New England have rallied from two touchdowns down for the second time this game!
@GuardianUS @LengelDavid watching and gritting our collective teeth! Hoping for another @Ravens WIN!!
— Meg Fairfax Fielding (@PigtownDesign) January 11, 2015
Hold on to your crab cakes (probably frozen this time of year).
Ravens 28-21 Patriots, 5:33 3rd quarter
OK, now her is that 3rd & 11. Flacco drops back. Has time, runs to his right towards the sideline and then chucks it away! The Pats hold, the Ravens punt - that was an important sequence for the home team.
The kick is out of bounds at the 30, where NE will look to tie this thing back up.
Ravens 28-21 Patriots, 5:48 3rd quarter
So this i a crucial drive coming up, and it starts from the Baltimore 23. First play - Flacco looks for Daniels over the middle. The throw is low and he can’t hang on. He’s also a bit banged up.
Then Forsett isshut down for a loss of one.
Big 3rd & 11 now. Flacco in the shotgun - wait, there’s a whistle. No play - the Pats called their first timeout.
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 28-21 Patriots, 6:48 3rd quarter
Brady hits Gronk on a slant pattern in the endzone, and just like that (nine plays, 80 yards, 3:34), the Pats are back within a TD. See, I told you not to panic (didn’t I?).
Not a bad start to this NFL weekend now is it?
Ravens 28-14 Patriots, 6:52 3rd quarter
C.J Mosley just threw down Justin Edelman like he was a rag doll. That is power.
Still, it’s a short completion, and now Brady comes back with something longer - another pass to Hoomanawanui for eight yards that makes it 1st & goal at the 10.
Now the Baltimore bench is burned for unsportsmanlike conduct penalty - Harbaugh came out and was burned by the refs. It’s half the distance to the goal line - 1st & goal from the five.
Updated
Ravens 28-14 Patriots, 8:48 3rd quarter
If you’re a Pats fan, you’re counting the holes in your trainers/sneakers right now. But fear not - there’s still time, lot’s of it.
Can the Pats comeback from a 14-point deficit as they did in the first half? That would be quite the trick, but Brady is certainly capable.
They’re up to their 46 after Brady hits Hoomanawanui, the tight end, over the middle for a 16-yard gain.
Now he hits another long name, but it’s abbreviated - Gronk has a nine yard pickup that lands New England in B’more territory.
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 28-14 Patriots, 10:22 3rd quarter
Flacco throws to his right and hits Forsett, who is running and has room, lot’s and lot’s of room - he’s gonna go, untouched into the endzone!
The Ravens are back up 14 on the road! Whoa!!!!
Ravens 21-14 Patriots, 10:34 3rd quarter
On 3rd & 10, Flacco finds Brown short of the first down. He also gets destroyed by Wilson on the play, which is no fun at all.
On 4th & 6, it’s a 54-yard FG or a punt. Harbaugh does neither - he’s going for it.
No, he’s calling a timeout.
Post-timeout, they are still going for it. Flacco unloads deep and hits Torry Smith! He makes an over the shoulder catch at the one-yard line. And flags fly!
It’s pass interference on Browner, but then Smith gets called for taunting and pushes them back to the 16. A bizarre a sequence, but in the end, Baltimore move upfield and convert on fourth down. You follow?
Updated
Ravens 21-14 Patriots, 11:28 3rd quarter
There’s that Campanaro again, this time streaking down the far sideline and out of bounds after a gain of 16. Now they’re up to their 44.
Now he’s going deep to the....and get this....to the fullback! It’s Kyle Juszczyk who is the target, but it’s broken up by Jamie Collings. Interesting call there...
Ravens 21-14 Patriots, 12:32 3rd quarter
Forsett is stuffed on the Ravens first play! Haven’t seen that today. Nice start there by Chung who made the tackle.
But Flacco comes right back and hits Campanaro on the far side for 14 yards and a first down! He really is a tremendous player....obviously.
Ravens 21-14 Patriots, 14:02 3rd quarter
On 3rd & 6, Brady can’t hit Gronk who is smothered by C.J. Mosley. The fans want a flag and that’s a legitimate gripe.
Pats have to punt after going three-and-out. Here come the Ravens, who start up on their 30 after a Jones runs it up for nine yards following the 49-yard kick.
...and we're back!
New England have the ball and start on their 26.
Brady is under pressure immediately and throws it away on the first play of the half.
Stats
Flacco was his usual January self - 17/22 with three TD passes, hitting 10 different receivers, which is kind of insane. Forsett kept his wheels turning against a soft-serve New England line to the tune of 78 yards.
Brady was valient in bringing the Pats back from 14-0 but his pick late inthe half was a crucial turnover. Overall he is 15/24 with a TD pass and that pick. There’s virtually no running game going on for the Pats, but despite that stat, overall yardage is close - NE have 209 to 226 for the Ravens.
Are these Giant Ravens?
Would you say there’s something of the San Francisco Giants in these Ravens?
Both teams struggled during the regular season. Both teams snuck into the playoffs. Both teams have a knack for turning it on in the postseason. Both teams seem to always take advantage of any openings provided by their opponents. Both teams have a franchise player that has helped them win previous titles but never really got as much respect as they deserved.
Just something to chew on as we wait for these teams to come back on the field in Foxborough.
Quin Deans writes:
Have the Pats mortgaged too many hits on Brady to close the gap quickly? No run game and a lot more out of shotgun to come as a consequence.
Well, you could argue that maybe some of the pressure had an impact on Brady as he made that errant throw. But then again, you could just say it was a good old-fashioned mistake. Either way, the pick helped give the Ravens a lead heading into halftime, just when it looked like New England may be able to take their first lead of the game.
Ravens 21-14 Patriots, halftime
So that will do it for the first half - one with several twists and turns, which is just what we like this time of year.
TOCHDOWN! Ravens 21-14 Patriots, 0:10 2nd quarter
Flacco goes over the middle to the back of the endzone and Daniels is heavy traffic but is able to make the catch! That’s a touchdown and an amazing play considering the way Flacco threaded the needle through three Patriot players!
Also a great catch by Daniels, who was able to hang on under pressure from half the Pats secondary
So Baltimore capitalize on the Brady interception to, in all likelihood, take the lead into the locker room.
Updated
Ravens 14-14 Patriots, 0:16 2nd quarter
Flacco finally finds Daniels for eight yards. He liked it so much he did it again for five more yards over the middle.
Now it’s 2nd & 10 after an incompletion and Flacco is going deep....he can’t find Steve Smith but there’s a FLAG! Pass interference as Darelle Revis cut him off! It’s his first pass interference call of the season, which is an amazing stat.
Now the Ravens have a first down on the Pats 11, still with one timeout.
INTERCEPTION! Ravens 14-14 Patriots, 0:53 2nd quarter
Everybody is jumping on the line of scrimmage - it’s a false start on Gronk, making it 1st & 15.
Now Brady is in the shotgun. Throws, and it’s intercepted! He threw it right to Daryl Smith! Wow, what happened there?
Now the Ravens have it at their 43 with a chance to make some noise before the half with three timeouts.
Ravens 14-14 Patriots, 1:11 2nd quarter
It’s 3rd & 1- Bolden has it and runs left for first down yardage. New England get a fresh set of downs at their 40 and call their first timeout.
Updated
Ravens 14-14 Patriots, 1:21 2nd quarter
Sam Koch kicks it away to this Edelman, who is quite the nifty player - annoying to opponents. He returns it 14 yards up to the Pats 28.
New England have all three of their timeouts.
Updated
Ravens 14-14 Patriots, 2:00 2nd quarter
Play action pass to Torry Smith for five, and a Forsett run up the middle for four. That means it’s 3rd & 1 at the Ravens 37.
An end around from Campanaro that goes nowhere? What? Seriously? Bizarre call right there - why the razzle dazzle when Forsett has been tearing it up? Man-o-man.
Ravens to punt. We’re at the two-minute-warning.
Updated
@LengelDavid @HunterFelt feeling better hunter?
— Aram Mushegian (@arammush) January 10, 2015
He should - that’s a great recovery by resilient New England after tough opening minutes.
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 14-14 Patriots, 3:37 2nd quarter
Brady hits Amendola - an arm tackle by Matt Elam is not enough to bring him down and he streaks down the near sidline for a touchdown! We are tied!
Ravens 14-7 Patriots, 4:23 2nd quarter
A rare rush for Bolden - it’s just the sixth rush of the day for New England. He is wrapped up and now it’s 3rd & 6.
Brady dumps it over the middle, finding LaFell for a first down. There’s an illegal contact flag on the play anyway - it’s declined. First down Pats on the Ravens 15.
Updated
Ravens 14-7 Patriots, 5:41 2nd quarter
It’s 3rd & 8. Brady has time, stays in the pocket, is hit as he throws a bullet to Gronk over the middle for a 23-yard gain! What a play! He certainly couldn’t of waited any longer...the Ravens are putting an immense of of pressure on Brady.
Now Brady goes downfield and Mosley is flagged for illegal contact on Vereen.
New England are at the Ravens 28.
Ravens 14-7 Patriots, 6:08 2nd quarter
Who has it? Edelman made the first down reception but then the ball came loose after C.J. Mosley got a hand on the ball!
Pats escape again as New England keep possession - looks like Edelman made the recovery....
Ravens 14-7 Patriots, 7:13 2nd quarter
Now it’s a big 3rd & 12. Flacco is in the shotgun. He has time, more time, more time, then steps up and throws a floater to Daniels who can’t hang on and is still without a catch today. The Ravens want a pass interference on McCourty who broke up the play but it’s not forthcoming.
Punt - nice little return from Edelman out to the 33.
So we’ve settled down here in the second quarter with the defenses settling in a touch.
Ravens 14-7 Patriots, 8:36 2nd quarter
Forsett is a complete animal - more chunks of yardage are being gobbled up by the Ravens RB. This one is right up the gut for 12 more - he has 75 first-half yards.
Updated
Ravens 14-7 Patriots, 9:26 2nd quarter
Brady goes deep looking for Edelman, streaking across the back of the endzone...but then he’s SACKED! It’s Timmy Jernigan who is able to get to the quarterback.
It sets up a 3rd & 16 and Brady is SACKED AGAIN!!! It’s of the coverage variety. Pernell McPhee issues a little kick to Brady on his way up, which upsets No12 and his friends to no end.
Pats have to punt. It’s a good one. Baltimore start from their nine.
Now there is more extra curricular activity after the return - the zebras call taunting on No53, who is Eric Martin...except Martin is on the taxi squad, not the first team. So we don’t know who it’s really on. Regardless, That’s a boost to B’more who now get to start at their 24 now.
Ravens 14-7 Patriots, 12:01 2nd quarter
No huddle offense now for Brady and the Pats. He hits LaFell on a short pass....then Edelman near side - 26 yards total.
Still with the no huddle - Brady finds Vereen on the near sideline for 14 more.
Pats on the move now at the Ravens 29.
Updated
Ravens 14-7 Patriots, 14:01 2nd quarter
Torry Smith gets hit with a personal foul for a bit of post-play pushing, and on 3rd & 21 Flacco just gets the ball off in time to find Campanaro for a yard. Then there’s a flag for an illegal man down field, which is declined.
The Ravens are held for the first time today. Momentum shift?
New England start on their own 24.
Steve Smith
The Ravens star wideout was hit in the leg by the Pats’ Hightower after he made a block. He walked to the sideline on his own and is now back in the game.
Ravens 14-7 Patriots, end of 1st quarter
Seven Ravens have a catch, but not the tight end Owen Daniels, who still doesn’t after he can’t reel in a pass towards the far sideline.
Now Forsett is in overdrive again! This time it’s 19 yards to the Baltimore 44, but more importantly, Steve Smith is down and being looked at. We’ll let you know what’s happening there asap of course. Obviously that would be a killer loss - Smith has three catches for 44 yards and a TD already.
Quarter over, and what a quarter it was...
TOUCHDOWN Ravens 14-7 Patriots, 00:48, 1st quarter
Brady hates what he sees on third down and says, screw this, I’m going in myself...
And he does!
That’s a big moment in this football game, New England, going 78 yards on eight plays and getting seven, keeping their chin up after the one-two punch from Baltimore.
Incidentally, in case you’re wondering - yes, that is the fifth career postseason rushing touchdown, tying Curtis Martin for the franchise record.
Ravens 14-0 Patriots, 2:05, 1st quarter
Now it’s Julian Edelman with a catch over the middle for a gain of 13 down to the one!
First and goal for the home team!
Ravens 14-0 Patriots, 2:15, 1st quarter
Somethign to cheer about if you’re a Pats fan...Brady is able to find Gronkowski on back-to-back plays. They’re inspired ones that get the locals on their feet. It’s a big chunk of real estate - 62 yards, and New England are on the move.
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 14-0 Patriots, 4:44, 1st quarter
Oh my! On 3rd & 7, Steve Smith is juggling the ball in the endzone and he has it! It’s another first quarter TD for the Ravens, who have walked into Gillette Stadium and punched the Pats right in the face.
And that’s gonna leave a mark.
Flacco has his second touchdown pass of the game, capping another flawless drive that undresses New England.
Baltimore have had the ball 8:42, NE 1:34, which is telling.
Ravens 7-0 Patriots, 5:29, 1st quarter
This just in - Flacco is 8/8 for 100 yards after hitting his seventh different receiver, this time it’s Marlon Brown down to the Pats 13...mercy, mercy me.
Ravens 7-0 Patriots, 6:50, 1st quarter
Oh my, look at that hole - you or I could run through that gaping chasm...through the tackles for goes Justin Forsett, not once but twice, near side for a combined 22 yards.
Three plays later, there he goes again for seven more! This is going to open things up for Smith downfield sooner or later....
RIght on cue, there he is - Smith, down to the Pats 26, a gain of 16. He spins the ball like a top, hits himself in the helmet, and heck, the Ravens look mortifying right now.
CALL REVERSED! Ravens 7-0 Patriots, 10:37, 1st quarter
It’s not a catch because the ground helped Amendola control the ball and that’s correct. So that’s it for the Pats on this drive. Ryan Allen punts to Jacoby Jones and the Ravens begin on their 21.
UNDER REVIEW! Ravens 7-0 Patriots, 10:37, 1st quarter
Tom Brady has a 3rd & 4 on his 38 and he throws near sideline to Amendola who makes a great diving catch...if it’s a catch at all. Actually, now that I look at it, it does seem like the pill hit the turf, and if the replay officials agree, that would mean New England are going to punt.
Please stand by.
Ravens 7-0 Patriots, 12:10, 1st quarter
True story - the ball came out of the hands of Danny Amedola on the kickoff! There’s a big gulp by over 70,000 in Foxborough but Chris Smith comes up with it for the home team.
Talk about an ominous start. What in the world?
TOUCHDOWN! Ravens 7-0 Patriots, 12:20, 1st quarter
Oh yes, that happend. It really happened. Baltimore came out and sliced right into the Pats defense, and it was way, way too easy, taking only took five plays to go 71 yards in 2:41.
Flacco spread it around - to Crockett Gilmore, to Smith - both Torry and Steve.
Then Kamar Aiken - a 19-yard catch and run to the far sideline and into the endzone. Suddenly, there’s reason to shiver a little bit more in NE. Brrrrr.
They reviewed the play, but it stands.
Ravens up early.
Kickoff!
NE won the toss and Pats coach Bill Belichick will defer.
That means the Ravens have it and start from their own 29.
Flacco takes to the air right away - Steve Smith is right there in the middle of the field for a catch on the very first play from scrimmage.
He looks angry. He’s an angry man. It’s a 19-yard gain and a good start for B’more.
@GuardianUS @LengelDavid Brrr, 19 degrees? Patriot Weather, I trust the Brady Bunch, the Brady Bunch?
— LPD6 (@DuluthLPD6) January 10, 2015
I’m always nervous to post tweets from those with the egg as a profile photo. Don’t hold it against me if a Russian bride shows up at your door...ok?
The big quote...
...and it’s a good one.
That’s Joe Flacco the best quarterback in football. We will take him every day of the week and twice on Sunday or Saturday night, if that be the case.
-Baltimore Ravens head coach, John Harbaugh last week after the win v Pittsburgh
Flacco is perhaps the only reason the Pats fans are quaking in their boots. When you win seven times on the road in the playoffs and have a knack for turning it on in January, well, I suppose that healthy fear is valid.
Kickoff is right around the corner...
Updated
What else is going on this weekend?
Well, if you can suffer through the Rob Lowe, Direct TV commercials we’ve been watching over and over and over and over, all damn season long, you actually get the best weekend the NFL can offer. Four games, all intriguing. Yes, even the Carolina Seattle game raises an eyebrow. Here’s a schedule.
Saturday
Ravens @ Patriots (very very soon)
Panthers @ Seahawks, 815AM ET - 115AM UK
Sunday
Cowboys @ Green Bay, 105PM ET - 605PM UK
Colts @ Broncos, 440PM ET - 940PM UK
Dig in folks, it’s as good as it gets...
@GuardianUS @LengelDavid My prediction before I hunker down until this all over: Ravens 27 Patriots 23. Hope I'm wrong though.
— Hunter Felt (@HunterFelt) January 10, 2015
See! Hunter is scared! These Ravens have Pats fans running ragged. Just relax, and take deep breaths of that cool and crisp northeastern air.
Brady, Gronk & Co. will be just fine...right?
Weather talk
I wanted to be with you alone and talk about the weather.
In January, in the playoffs, we certainly talk about weather. Quite a bit in fact. The weather allows me to post weather graphics, and that’s a good thing because that gets me really, really excited.
I’ve been waiting for days to pull the trigger on this one:
Cold, but not that cold.
Joe Flacco told NBC Sports in the US that he likes to his fingertips warm so they can react at full speed.
Tom Brady says everything is harder in the cold, the tackling, throwing, etc.. That everything slows down including the reaction times of the defense. He likes that bit, but I don’t really buy any of it.
As much as I like to talk weather, fact is, NFL cold just doesn’t matter. Snow? Yes. Rain? Yes. Wind? Sometimes. Cold? No.
The temps will drop into the teens and it will only matter to the fans. Players are kept warm on the sidelines and on the field their running around keeping that blood a flowing.
It’s not an issue. Not in New England, not in Green Bay or Greenland.
But how about that fancy graphic....
Here I am - and thanks for that Paolo.
Our NFL man is backing the Ravens based on their resume, and why not? It’s certainly impressive enough. Beating the Pats twice in the playoffs leaves a lasting memory, so it’s no surprise that New England is a region living in fear right now. From Portland, Maine to Danbury, Connecticut, their fans are increasingly nervous that these Ravens will rise once more and fly out of town with a victory.
Possible?
Yes. Any franchise that has won 10 playoff games on the road is automatically capable of turning the tables on the home team.
Likely?
Probably not.
Baltimore are just not that good, and either were the Steelers team they beat last week. Actually, this Baltimore team is a lot closer in structure to the club that got hammered 41-7 last season by the Pats than the teams that wreaked havoc in Foxborough in previous January match-ups.
For that reason, I like the Brady Bunch, 31-21. How about you? Tweet me your predictions @lengeldavid and I’ll make you famous.
Email works also:
David will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s why Paolo Bandini reckons there could be an upset on the cards today.
The Ravens barely scraped into the playoffs. Third-place finishers in the AFC North, they needed a fourth-quarter comeback to overcome a Cleveland team that was giving an undrafted rookie quarterback, Connor Shaw, his first professional start in week 17. Seven days previously, Baltimore had suffered a comprehensive defeat in Houston.
And yet now they are being touted as serious candidates to defeat the Patriots and reach the AFC title game. Why? Because they have already shown they know how to win postseason games in New England. This will be the fourth playoff meeting between these teams at Gillette Stadium since 2010. Baltimore have prevailed in two out of three so far. Their one loss, in January 2012, came by a margin of three points, after Billy Cundiff missed a game-tying 32-yard field goal with seconds left to play.
In fact, Baltimore have an extraordinary record of punching above their weight at this time of year regardless of the opposition. Their 10 playoff road wins are tied with Green Bay for most in NFL history, a statistic rendered all the more remarkable by the fact that the Ravens were only founded in 1996. Given that seven of those victories were achieved with the team’s present quarterback, Joe Flacco, under center, such success cannot be considered an incidental detail.
With Dean Pees, who previously coached in New England, serving as their defensive co-ordinator, Baltimore also have a clearer insight than most into the tendencies of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. On the other hand, the fact remains that they are the weaker team. New England were 6-3 during the regular season against opponents who finished with winning records. Baltimore were 2-6. So you can call this pick a hunch, and nothing more. Ravens to win
