NFL WildCard - Ravens Ready To Roll

The Baltimore Ravens were stung badly by the New England Patriots earlier this season but they are in a better place psychologically as the rematch approaches. Going into the NFL lines, the Ravens were 3-0 in the first game and had a few bad roughing the passer penalties that cost them a potential win.

That loss was a wakeup call for the Ravens and they should be more prepared heading into this game.

Why The Ravens Can Win

The Ravens can win because they can run the ball. They have two quality running backs in Ray Rice and the AFC Player of the Week in Willis McGahee. The Patriots give up 4.4 yards per carry, which is tied for the fourth-worst average in the NFL. If the Ravens can pound away and keep the Pats offense on the sidelines, they’ll have a great chance to win.

On defense, the Ravens still have the league’s third-best defense and the Pats will be without 123-reception man Wes Welker. He had six catches in the first meeting so it will be nice not having to worry about him.

Why The Patriots Can Win

The Patriots can win because they have the pedigree, they have Bill Belichick and they have Tom Brady. That’s why they are a favorite on the betting lines. The Pats are once again underrated heading into the playoffs and we all know that they love that role.

They still have Brady and Randy Moss, and the Ravens still don’t have a shutdown cornerback. If the Patriots can make some big plays to ease that aggressive Ravens defense, they can have their way with them like they did in the first matchup.

On defense, the Ravens don’t have much if they can’t run the ball. Oakland proved that last week and the Patriots main focus will be to stop the run.

What Will Happen

The Ravens will do the unthinkable. Without Welker on the field, the Ravens will double-up on Randy Moss and make sure he doesn’t get any big plays. Once he’s frustrated, the Ravens will go to work on offense by pounding away with Rice and McGahee.

The Patriots offense will spend more time on the sidelines than they would like and they’ll fall short when they need a last-second fourth quarter drive.

BetUs Odds (BetUs Sportsbook Review): Patriots -3.5

NFL Picks: Ravens +3.5