New England Patriots vs Baltimore Ravens: The Perfect Storm

The good news for the New England Patriots is that they are one win away from making the Super Bowl. The bad news? In order to win it, they’ll have to go through two teams that are literally designed and blueprinted to beat the Patriots—the Ravens tomorrow and likely the Giants in the Super Bowl. Both of these teams are defense-first teams whose ability to put pressure on the opposing quarterbacks is what ultimately leads to their success.

We saw it with the Giants in 2008, and I expect we’ll see it again. I think the Giants will handle the 49ers and that the Patriots ultimately handle the Ravens.

Then the rematch everybody wants would be delivered.

But not so fast...tomorrow’s Ravens game should be a pretty epic clash. You’ve got the second-ranked team in total offense (the Patriots) taking on the third-ranked team in total defense (the Ravens). You’ve got one of the best home-field quarterbacks in NFL history in Tom Brady taking on one of the best at going on the road in the playoffs in Joe Flacco (he’s 4-1 all-time). And we’ve got Tom Brady, Ray Lewis, and Ed Reed all knowing that their legacies are on the line. This should be one savage game.

Ultimately, as I said, I’m taking the Pats. They’re at home, they’re clearly playing well. The sad part is when I look at a Super Bowl matchup with the Giants, I think the Patriots would lose, 28-14.

But I still want a crack at it.

Geoff Roberts is the Founder and Managing Editor of howiGit.com, a Boston sports blog.