Originally Published: January 19, 2012, 02:19 AM

Ravens Defense Needs to Come Up Big

Posted By Diego | NFL News | January 19, 2012, 02:19 AM |

The Baltimore Ravens have what appears to be the equivalent of a long shot online bingo draw against the Patriots at New England on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots have been dominant down the stretch and completely choked off the Denver Broncos in a dominating 45-10 win in last week’s divisional playoffs.

The first concern about New England is their defense that ranked 31st in the NFL overall, although their points allowed was a much better 15th overall in the league. The Patriots boast the best coach of the current era in Bill Belichick, a cinch Hall of Famer and perhaps the greatest coach of all time. In an era designed for parity and to prevent dynasties, Belichick has beaten the system with the most consistent dominant team in the NFL for over a decade.

New England’s offense lights up the opposition like an online bingo board as they ranked 2nd overall for total offense and 3rd for points scored. Another certain Hall of Famer, quarterback Tom Brady, heads the attack and had yet another stellar season with a 105.6 QB rating, 5239 yards passing, and a 39/12 TD/INT ratio. Brady has redefined the position and is a virtual machine. One concern the Patriots have is the lack of a speedy breakaway threat at receiver as tight end Rob Gronkowski had a team high 14.7 yards per catch among the regulars and Wes Welker had just 12.9 yards per catch to go with his team best 122 receptions to rank as the greatest possession receiver perhaps of all time.

The Baltimore Ravens are a much more balanced team than the Patriots as they ranked 15th for total offense, 10th in rushing, and a tough 3rd for total defense. Defense has long been the hallmark of the Ravens going back to their Super Bowl title of 2000 and they are among the most physical teams in football. Quarterback Joe Flacco is inconsistent and nowhere near Brady’s area code as far as explosiveness but he can also be efficient when he plays within himself. Flacco finished with an 80.9 QB rating and 3610 yards passing with a 20/12 TD/INT ratio.

Ray Rice powers the Ravens attack with 1364 yards rushing and a 4.7 yards per carry average. It will be imperative for the Ravens that Rice has a great game as the better he does on the ground the more New England’s offense will be kept off the field.

Embed The Baltimore Ravens have what appears to be the equivalent of a long shot online bingo draw against the Patriots at New England on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots have been dominant down the stretch and completely choked off the Denver Broncos in a dominating 45-10 win in last week’s divisional playoffs. <br><br> The first concern about New England is their defense that ranked 31st in the NFL overall, although their points allowed was a much better 15th overall in the league. The Patriots boast the best coach of the current era in Bill Belichick, a cinch Hall of Famer and perhaps the greatest coach of all time. In an era designed for parity and to prevent dynasties, Belichick has beaten the system with the most consistent dominant team in the NFL for over a decade. <br><br> New England’s offense lights up the opposition like an online bingo board as they ranked 2nd overall for total offense and 3rd for points scored. Another certain Hall of Famer, quarterback Tom Brady, heads the attack and had yet another stellar season with a 105.6 QB rating, 5239 yards passing, and a 39/12 TD/INT ratio. Brady has redefined the position and is a virtual machine. One concern the Patriots have is the lack of a speedy breakaway threat at receiver as tight end Rob Gronkowski had a team high 14.7 yards per catch among the regulars and Wes Welker had just 12.9 yards per catch to go with his team best 122 receptions to rank as the greatest possession receiver perhaps of all time. <br><br> The Baltimore Ravens are a much more balanced team than the Patriots as they ranked 15th for total offense, 10th in rushing, and a tough 3rd for total defense. Defense has long been the hallmark of the Ravens going back to their Super Bowl title of 2000 and they are among the most physical teams in football. Quarterback Joe Flacco is inconsistent and nowhere near Brady’s area code as far as explosiveness but he can also be efficient when he plays within himself. Flacco finished with an 80.9 QB rating and 3610 yards passing with a 20/12 TD/INT ratio. <br><br> Ray Rice powers the Ravens attack with 1364 yards rushing and a 4.7 yards per carry average. It will be imperative for the Ravens that Rice has a great game as the better he does on the ground the more New England’s offense will be kept off the field.<br /><a href='http://www.slicendice.org'>Slice N Dice</a> | <a href='http://www.slicendice.org/NFL/Ravens-Defense-Needs-to-Come-Up-Big'>Ravens Defense Needs to Come Up Big</a>