NFL Wildcard Preview: Ravens-Patriots

Wildcard Preview:

Baltimore Ravens- New England Patriots

I guess the two most pertinent things when looking at the New England Patriots against the Baltimore Ravens Wildcard match-up would be the injury to Patriots record setting receiver Wes Welker and the fact that the Ravens have never beaten the Patriots.

Ever.

Now, if history does indeed repeat itself, then this game doesn’t even need to be played. But that’s exactly the kind of fire and locker room fodder that teams like the hard nosed Ravens use to motivate themselves. Patriots receiver Randy Moss is going to see a lot of double coverage with Ed Reed shadowing him over the top. That’s a recipe for disaster for Tom Brady and company, because face it – no quarterback wants Reed targeting his number one wideout.

At least with Welker in the game, Reed’s efforts would be divided, but the Ravens have only ONE proven receiver to cover and that’s Moss himself.

Maybe it’s my love for the AFC North, maybe it’s because the Ravens are looking extremely tough to me after having to fight and scrape to simply get into the playoffs, but I’m liking the crew from Baltimore to pull this one out in the end.

Call me crazy, I’ve heard it before, but Joe Flacco is in nothing short of elite company. He is the fifth most productive quarterback within their first two years in the league.

The other guys on that list?

Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Drew Bledsoe, and Jeff Garcia.

Not bad company to be in at all I don’t think.

Add to that the fact that he is one of only four quarterbacks since the 1970 merger to lead his team into the playoffs in his first two years in the NFL. The others on that short list are Ben Roethlisberger, Marino, and Bernie Kosar.

Not to mention the Ravens have both Willis McGahee and Ray Rice in the backfield. Rice has been nothing short of unstoppable, leading the team in receptions along with amassing 1,339 yards on the ground.

The Patriots on the other hand are going to have to look at Julian Edelman with Welker out. The best news for the Patriots is that Reed may or may not appear in a limited role after nursing injuries throughout the month of December.

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