Can The Ravens Upset New England?

As the Baltimore Ravens prepare for their battle with the New England Patriots in Foxborough on Sunday, I can't help but notice how most of the sports guru's have already written the Ravens off. It's like the second seeded, 13-4 Ravens don't even have a chance. I don't understand this.....

The Ravens have a 7-0 record against playoffs teams this season. That sounds like a team that might have a chance against anyone. And watching the Ravens this season, they are a scrappy team that can find ways to win. And I know yesterday's win against Houston wasn't pretty. But the goal is to advance to the next round, and that's exactly what the Ravens accomplished yesterday.

No doubt, Baltimore will have their hands full with Tom Brady and the Patriots offense. But I believe that the Raven's defense can hang with anyone, including Tom Brady. What really worries me though, is how quick the referees will be to throw the flag on any Raven who gets within three feet of Brady. If we start seeing "roughing the QB" penalties early on, it's going to be a long day for the Raven's defense.

I'm amazed at the way some sports writers dismiss Joe Flacco as a below-average quarterback who only wins as a result of having a great running back and a top notch defense. Flacco racked up 40 wins in his first 60 starts as the Raven's QB (an NFL record). Flacco is also the only NFL QB to start and win a playoff game in each of his first four seasons. Sounds pretty impressive to me.

But to be fair, I have my own criticisms of Flacco. (Not the least of which is that stupid looking mustache.) At times, he seems to be flat-footed and appears to lack peripheral vision as the pocket collapses around him. But he often makes up for it with his pin-point accurate passing and his ability to avoid costly mistakes. He knows when to throw the ball away instead of trying to force a play that isn't there. Flacco is not flashy, but he is consistent. And most importantly, he's a winner....

I can remember people criticizing Trent Dilfer too. And all he ever did with the Ravens was win a Super Bowl. 

Keep in mind that Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees put up huge passing numbers this year, but they'll both be watching the Super Bowl from home this year. Hmmm......

There's no telling what will happen in New England this Sunday. If Ray Rice gets hot against the average Patriot's rush defense, the Ravens have a shot. If Joe Flacco can pick apart the weak pass defense of the Patriots, they definitely have a chance. And if the Ravens D can pressure Tom Brady, who knows?? The bottom line, the Ravens are a more balanced team than New England. That's gotta count for something.

The Patriots are 6-1 against the Ravens lifetime. However, the Ravens lone win did come in the playoffs in 2009. Could they do it again?

I don't have any skin in the game, but I wouldn't count the Ravens out just yet......

kw