Ravens Vs. Patriots - The Foxborough Rematch

As the Ravens prepare for this Sunday's AFC Championship against the Patriots, the excitement continues to grow for Baltimore fans. After missing a chance to go to their second Super Bowl after a heartbreaking loss to New England last year, the script couldn't have been written any better for this year's rematch.

The Ravens, coming off perhaps the most exciting win in their history, go into Foxborough as the nine and half point underdog. Admittedly, I'm naturally biased as a Raven's fan, but nine and half points? Really? Baltimore just knocked off the number one seed in the AFC on their home turf. Plus, they've already beaten New England this year. So, in my opinion, nine and a half points just seems to be a bit disrespectful.

I think part of the reason for this is because Baltimore has had issue getting over that final hurdle. Although they've been in the playoffs the past five years and making it to the AFC Championship on three of those occasions, that trip to the Super Bowl seems to elude them. That's why it's so important that they upset the Patriots this weekend and prove that they are indeed a championship-caliber team.

I know there's a lot of trash talking about the Patriots. But it's a tough argument when New England has been to five Super Bowls (and winning three) since the Ravens were last champions in 2001. The Patriots walk the walk, what can you say. Although, I have a certain amount of respect for the Pats, it certainly doesn't mean that I like them. For one, I never cared for Bill Belicheck. Frankly, he always impresses me as being a total dick. I hate those cut-off sweatshirts that he wears. I know he does this as an act of defiance against the league, but come on, I think we've all gotten the point by now. And of course, there's the whole cheating thing.

And although Tom Brady puts up the numbers, it's hard to over look the protection that he gets from the officials. Standing in the pocket an extra second or two often gives him time to take a chance way down field. And should the pass be incomplete or intercepted, Brady will inevitably bitch and whine to the refs in hopes getting a roughing-the-passer call. Even without Brady's crying, I have seen flags thrown at defenders for merely brushing up against him. A play several years ago involving Baltimore's Tyrell Suggs immediately come to mind. (For what it's worth, I don't like Ben Rothlesberger either, but at least the guy's not a bitch.).

Now one the other side, Joe Flacco takes a tremendous beating during every game. But do you ever see Cool Joe whining to the refs? Hell, no! He just dusts himself off and gets ready for the next play. Being an tall, lanky guy, it's actually quite amazing that he's never been seriously hurt.

As for the quarterback comparisons, Brady's overall numbers are going to overshadow Joe's. But, on any given Sunday, Joe is very capable of matching or downright out-tossing the Patriots superstar. That's right, I said it. When, Flacco is on, there are few QBs in the the league that can pinpoint receivers the way he does. And Flacco might have the strongest arm in the NFL (Reminds me a little of Bert Jones back in the day). I honestly can't understand why the play callers don't let Joe air it out to Torrey Smith more often. Smith has the blazing speed to get behind most pass coverage. And Joe has the cannon to put the ball into a safe but catch-able orbit. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Flacco is averaging over 20 yards per completion in this year's playoffs. And for those of you keeping score, if the Ravens win on Sunday, Joe Flacco will have six road playoff wins, the most in NFL history!

With the great defensive teams that the Ravens have had over the years, it's hard to believe that they've only been to one Super Bowl. Ed Reed and Tyrell Suggs, two former Defensive Players of the Year, are still waiting to make their first trip to football's most coveted game. Will this finally be their year?

Is it possible that we'll see an opportunity for the Raven's rookie kicker, Justin Tucker, to go for another clutch 3-pointer? And more importantly, will he avoid the fate that Billy Cundiff experienced in that infamous game from a year ago? (On a side note about Cundiff, his uncanny resemblance to the kid that played in The Sixth Sense always "weirded" me out a little. He may have been able to see dead people, but he sure had an issue with those uprights!)

Ray Lewis being just two wins away, desperately wants to finish his career as a champion. He will no doubt be as fired up as ever. The entire team will rally behind his passion and I expect every Raven to play like it's their last game. The only active player to have more playoff appearances than Lewis is Tom Brady. Don't expect to see any love lost between the two Super Bowl MVP's on Sunday. But do expect to see a very physical and emotional battle between two very good football teams.

I went out on a limb for the Ravens last week and predicted the upset against the heavily favored Broncos. So, let's see if lightning can strike twice. I see a tight finish with the Ravens eventually winning in a 27-24 nail-biter  Will this be the year we see the Harbaugh brothers competing on opposing sidelines in the season finale? You never know.......

kw