2012 NFL Playoffs: Are The Patriots Really That Much Better Than The Ravens?
by David Fucillo on Jan 21, 2012 4:30 PM PST
in 2012 NFL Playoffs
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PrintWe have spent the whole week talking about the 49ers and Giants for very obvious reasons. However, as we get ready for tomorrow's NFC Championship Game, there is still one more game of slight importance. The New England Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game with the Patriots sitting as seven point favorites.
I was checking out some odds in the sports books here in Las Vegas and the Patriots odds to win the Super Bowl are currently going off at 5/6 at the Mandalay Bay and even money at Caesars. The Ravens are the long shot at 11/2 with the 49ers at 2/1 and the Giants right behind them at around 3/1.
I can understand the Patriots having better odds than Baltimore to win the Super Bowl if they are favored to beat the Ravens. What I don't understand is why people think it is such a drastic difference. The Patriots do have a fantastic offense, but in spite of what they did to Denver, their defense is normally not particularly good. They face a Ravens squad that has a great defense and an offense that probably is best described as inconsistent.
While Joe Flacco and company have some question marks, I find myself thinking the Patriots defense could provide the Ravens offense with an opportunity to look impressive. Maybe I am mis-reading something here, but I actually think the Ravens win this one. 49ers and Giants fans have thought the opposing team is thinking it's a walk in the park, but in the AFC, I don't see anybody giving the Ravens much of a chance. Am I missing something?
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I don't think the Patriots will be stopping Ray Rice
"I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that."
--Jerry Rice
Ray may run for over 200 this game.
Who's got it better than Honey Badger? Honey Badger don't give a ....
Everyone's still infatuated with Brady
After all, it’s the “year of the QB”. I mean, Brees and Rodgers are still playing, right?
Seriously, what high-quality team has the Patriots played and won?
Who's got it better than Honey Badger? Honey Badger don't give a ....
any team they were given
losses are Giants, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. All losses were at the beginning of the year.
Ravens losses are San Diego, Titans, Jaguars, and Seahawks. Most losses were also at the beginning of the year but are against teams without winning records outside of Tennessee. The last big win the Ravens had was against us.
They still didn't play anyone
I don’t know how they can win their division every single year and get a cupcake schedule every single year.
After the Giants and Pittsburgh losses the Patriots played nobody.
Jets? Chiefs? Philly? Indianapolis? Washington? Denver? Miami? Buffalo?
That’s a laundry list of perennial losers, one year disasters, and dysfunctional teams who can’t get out of their own way.
Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.
The Patriots AREN'T better than the Ravens
If Ed Reed is healthy and plays well, the Ravens should win.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
Follow the Chicken on Twitter
Ravens will win.
Hell, last week, when elite offenses went up against elite defenses, the defenses won.
Sure, Flacco is incosistent and bad in the playoffs. But the patriots d is REALLY BAD. Tebow was just worse.
by runningblack on Jan 21, 2012 4:39 PM PST via mobile reply actions
The Patriots are overated.
They had a very easy schedule this year and did not beat a single team with a winning record.
Really?
I hadn’t heard that.
Link?
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
Follow the Chicken on Twitter
by SportsChicken on Jan 21, 2012 6:23 PM PST up reply actions
You don’t hear about it because no one on TV knows what they’re talking about.
These teams were all 8-8:
Chargers
Raiders
Jets
Cowboys
Eagles
Broncos
They lost to the Steelers, Giants, and the Bills.
Attack this day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. ~ Jack Harbaugh
BTW
SOS was middle of the pack though.
Attack this day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. ~ Jack Harbaugh
I want a NE vs SF superbowl though
My brother is a huge NE fan, could probably make some easy money off him.
Call me old fashioned but I need to sleep with a girl at least three times before I even consider taking her out to dinner. @BangingHebrew
I want NE vs. SF in the Superbowl
because it means we’ve got a 90% chance at winning if we play them.
If the Niners beat Brees and Eli
i definitely feel good about their chances of completing the trifecta
by sanfranfanmdk on Jan 21, 2012 7:06 PM PST up reply actions
And then Alex will have the triforce?
Call me old fashioned but I need to sleep with a girl at least three times before I even consider taking her out to dinner. @BangingHebrew
by BangingHebrew on Jan 21, 2012 10:08 PM PST up reply actions
Nah, he's wise enough not to bet on the Ravens game, he's worried about it
Call me old fashioned but I need to sleep with a girl at least three times before I even consider taking her out to dinner. @BangingHebrew
by BangingHebrew on Jan 21, 2012 10:07 PM PST up reply actions
When the Patriots actually played a top notch defense (The Steelers)
they were shut down for the most part
still doesn’t change the fact that they haven’t beaten one good team
Rule #1) If you hate Joe Buck, watch this www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkCSZKbyL94
Rule #2) Follow rule #1
More of their players on Defense have gotten hurt
New England was actually WAY better when the season started.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
Follow the Chicken on Twitter
by SportsChicken on Jan 21, 2012 6:24 PM PST up reply actions
The Ravens Defense...
Is no longer “elite” in my opinion. They’re very good – but they let Foster run for over 130 yards against them last week. Plus, Ed Reed’s got a bad ankle, and while Ray Lewis is still the “emotional leader” of that team, he is getting older, and isn’t the same player he once was.
Terrell Suggs is more concerned with going on TV and arguing with Skip Bayless – where was T-Sizzle in the Texans game? I didn’t hear his name called once.
I don’t think the Patriots are all that great either – but I think they win this game fairly easily.
"We're not into answering questions"
Follow @LooseCannon79
not to mention...
Yates was basically handing them the ball with those interceptions he threw. Brady won’t make those same mistakes – and that, to me, really was the difference in that game.
"We're not into answering questions"
Follow @LooseCannon79
by LooseCannon79 on Jan 21, 2012 5:28 PM PST up reply actions
Baltimore barely won the game against Houston
because Houston has a GREAT defense. In fact, they very well may make the AFC Championship game (at least) next year with a healthy Matt Schaub.
As far as Arian Foster running on the Ravens, who hasn’t he run on? He’s a very good back and most teams can’t stop him. New England has no such running game and will be completely one dimensional. Ravens D should be able to force enough Brady mistakes in order to take this one down.
Houston D>Ravens D
Wade Phillips may be a bumbling buffoon of a HC, but he’s the best DC in the business.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
Follow the Chicken on Twitter
by SportsChicken on Jan 21, 2012 6:27 PM PST up reply actions
He is the best one year turnaround DC in league
His teams seem to fade back towards the pack with more years.
Ehhh
Foster was going to get his yards, it was the most important game of his life…(so far).
I’ll give you that Ed Reed’s health makes a big difference, but the Ravens have an otherwise great secondary. Webb is a stud.
I’m not exactly sure how they’ll deal with Gronkowski, though…
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
Follow the Chicken on Twitter
by SportsChicken on Jan 21, 2012 6:27 PM PST up reply actions
I will disagree
I think the Texans would have rushed for 130 against the 49ers defense last weekend. It was only a preseason game but they pushed the 49ers defense around like no one I have seen in years.
Whoever Wins
Is gonna lose.
"I pity the fool, and I will destroy any man who tries to take what I got!. You ready? Here come the PAIN."
Patriots are better than the Ravens
Their only home loss was a close one against the Giants. A team that has reached the NFC Championship game and just plain has their number beat them in the final seconds. Patriots have not lost since that game November 6th. They have the longest winning streak since starting rusty in a year without an offseason. They have the most proven QB and coach. The Ravens definately deserve respect and are a tough team. But the Patriots are at home and have shown to be the better team this year. I put my money on them against any team in the NFL.
Patriots haven’t beaten a team with a winning record all season. It won’t start tomorrow.
Attack this day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. ~ Jack Harbaugh
They beat the Broncos
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
Follow the Chicken on Twitter
by SportsChicken on Jan 21, 2012 6:28 PM PST up reply actions
Who were 8-8 in the regular season
And I mean come on…
Attack this day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. ~ Jack Harbaugh
hey now
there are Broncos fans here :(, I see what you’re saying, but 2012 is hopefully where we take our quantum leap as you guys did in 2011
Brad James
Follow me on Twitter
With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Jan 21, 2012 10:57 PM PST up reply actions
2012 could be our year
if Tebow continues to develop
Brad James
Follow me on Twitter
With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Jan 21, 2012 11:18 PM PST up reply actions
Sorry but there is no way I see that happening.
Tebow is… even if he does develop, he’s still a below average QB.
"It might be time to give Alex some credit, huh?" - Harbaugh
no offense taken
but I believe him to be another version of Steve Young, he has so many similarities to #8 in 88
Brad James
Follow me on Twitter
With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Jan 21, 2012 11:23 PM PST up reply actions
how many teams did they play that finished with a winning record
they had two opportunities in 16 games. Not their fault, they beat who they beat
No I understand that. Never said it was their fault either, you play who is on the schedule and they still went 13-3.
But I just don’t understand why they are being anointed already, especially after two of the three best offenses in football lost last week to good defenses.
Attack this day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. ~ Jack Harbaugh
I put my money on them against any team in the NFL.
Someone’s getting BANNED in 2 weeks
go rowand
by lincypoo i wuv u on Jan 21, 2012 8:09 PM PST up reply actions
money has no fandom
I want them to be crushed but I wouldn’t put my paycheck to back it up.
by mcwagner on Jan 21, 2012 9:10 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Maybe it's just because we beat them . . .
. . . but I think the Pats are a bit overrated. I would take the Ravens +7 points; but whether they can actually win the game, not as certain.
FINISH!
you also beat them by the skin of your teeth
I agree the Ravens will compete and it should be close. Depends if Flacco wants to be the hero and throw the game away.
I picked the Ravens
Much better running game, much better defense… New England’s too one-dimensional. One-dimensional teams lose in the playoffs.
Ravens 33-24
..on a completely unrelated note:
Scareface is on Spike right now.
Tony Montana Tony Montana Tony Montana!
That is actually on a related note
I mean, we ARE having a discussion about things being overrated. LoL
"Bears are crazy, Willie. They'll bite your head off if you're wearing steak on it."
by Blank x2 on Jan 21, 2012 7:54 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Scareface was wayyy ahead of it's time!
for a movie in the 70s to have that much cursing and violence is ahead of the curve.
don't know how I'm going to sleep tonight
too excited
Rule #1) If you hate Joe Buck, watch this www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkCSZKbyL94
Rule #2) Follow rule #1
I just realized we are the late game too.. damn
"You have to reinvent yourself each year, ... What helped us was that there was some turnover each year." Bill Walsh...
even worse for me
I’m on the east coast so I’ve got to wait until 7 pm
Rule #1) If you hate Joe Buck, watch this www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkCSZKbyL94
Rule #2) Follow rule #1
Pulling for a Ravens/Niners SB
because that will create the cheapest ticket prices, and then I will most likely be going to it.
Reminds me I have to get my picks in
Yes, not sure why the Pats are so favored. Well, I know why. They are riding a reputation but you start breaking down the roster and its not that impressive of team. Its Brady, Gronk and who is that? I expect the Ravens to wrestle them to the mat tomorrow and am picking them to win.
I think New England will win...
…but wouldn’t be shocked by a Ravens victory. Some have mentioned NE didn’t beat a winning team, but even adjusting for strength of opponent, their offense has been one of the top two or three in football.
Not sure why NE is such a big favorite as well
The last time the Ravens went into the Pats stadium they DEMOLISHED the Pats and Flacco only had to throw the ball 10 times
Affectionately,
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer
by afrikabamboodle on Jan 21, 2012 8:01 PM PST reply actions
off topic
but it says under yahoo 49ers transactions: Signed QB Troy Smith on January 20… UM WTF
49ers 2012 Offseason: HELP WANTED at WR, DBs, & O-Line
lol
that was the steelers who signed him
Rule #1) If you hate Joe Buck, watch this www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkCSZKbyL94
Rule #2) Follow rule #1
oh you're right
i dont understand why it has to say by “San Francisco 49ers”
49ers 2012 Offseason: HELP WANTED at WR, DBs, & O-Line
Pretty simple actually if you break down what the spread means...
It is a 7 point line:
3 points for home field advantage
2 1/2 points for cheating
1 1/2 points for made up rules that we have never heard of, that they will change the next year.
Seems pretty simple to me
by Tyler50 on Jan 21, 2012 8:30 PM PST reply actions 4 recs
Patriots are the AFC version of the Saints. Ravens (at their best) are the closest thing to the Niners in the AFC. This game is another that present a contrast in styles like we saw here last week: Great offense vs. Great Defense. Experts and bettors will overrate the offense, but Ravens definitely have a chance.
Also, One thing I noticed about the Ravens is that they often seem to play to the level of their opponents, meaning bad against bad teams but against good teams, they play well. They have 7 wins against playoff teams. As such, I expect them to play well tomorrow. I didn’t pick them, but I can totally see them winning this game.
"There was no torture in the end. Only rapture." - Mike Krukow
Flags Fly Forever
"Orlando before Zod" doesn't have the same nice ring to it.
by nostocksjustbonds on Jan 21, 2012 8:48 PM PST reply actions
don't hate on the Texans
Houston was incredible with a 3rd string QB and a litany of injuries, that could be the AFC’s elite team next year
Brad James
Follow me on Twitter
With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Jan 21, 2012 10:36 PM PST up reply actions
Agree
With Schaub, Johnson, and Super Mario back, I think they could be the best team in the league.
I'm just a simple Niners fan trying to make my way in the universe.
by Tim Lincecum's Bong on Jan 22, 2012 1:32 AM PST up reply actions
You mean second best, right? *wink wink*
Sufficiently advanced sarcasm is indistinguishable from being an @$$hole.
by So. Cal. Niner. Fan. on Jan 22, 2012 1:43 AM PST up reply actions
No.
I mean best.
I'm just a simple Niners fan trying to make my way in the universe.
by Tim Lincecum's Bong on Jan 22, 2012 11:12 AM PST up reply actions
Wow I just learned that there is a way to block the posts of users you don't like
Too bad Drew never knew until it was too late…
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
how do do you do this?
Rule #1) If you hate Joe Buck, watch this www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkCSZKbyL94
Rule #2) Follow rule #1
You need to have Google Chrome
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/pkciogemjhedepnfpnhohfceohddbonj/details
You can also blacklist comments using Safari, but nobody uses Safari.
If you're watching a blowout, you can pass the time by counting the double teapots.
Samurai Champloo > Macross
by doubleteapot on Jan 21, 2012 10:00 PM PST up reply actions
my brother-in-law uses Safari
but he’s the only person in the world I bet
Brad James
Follow me on Twitter
With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Jan 21, 2012 10:20 PM PST up reply actions
Problem is ravens dont commit to the run enuff and there is a book on flaco take away his 1st read and hes gets lost
by Moflush on Jan 21, 2012 9:35 PM PST via mobile reply actions
The Patriots are the Packers of the AFC
if the Ravens win the turnover battle, it’s curtains for NE, I’m grateful to see a rational post like this, Baltimore deserves credit, for the most part, they were the AFC’s best team. Of course, the Ravens lost home field advantage because they lost to a pretty good team in the Seahawks. The NFC West was actually a pretty good division. The Cards beat your Niners once and gave the Ravens all they wanted.
Brad James
Follow me on Twitter
With Coach Zorro on our side, we will slice opponents to ribbons. Tim Tebow gives me hope and I already have faith and charity in my heart! I see a propitious future rife with Lombardis for our Broncos!
by the new Bradfather on Jan 21, 2012 10:20 PM PST reply actions
Yes.
They are that much better. I’d prefer to have the 49ers face the Ravens.
A. Smith + tiger blood + Harbaugh = #winning
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