Ravens vs. Patriots: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More

There are several marquee matchups on the 2015 NFL playoff schedule for this weekend, but the battle between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots could steal the show as the best game of the divisional round.

On one hand, New England is well rested after a first-round bye and will host Baltimore at Gillette Stadium Saturday. On the other hand, the Ravens are coming off a huge win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. The resulting on-field action should be some of the most intense all postseason.

Here is all the vital viewing information and game details fans will need to enjoy the AFC matchup between the Ravens and the Patriots.

Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

When: Saturday, Jan. 10

Start Time: 4:35 p.m. ET

Watch: NBC

Spread: New England (-7), via OddsShark.com as of Jan. 8 at 7 a.m. ET

Injury Report

Player	Position	Injury	Status
Timmy Jernigan	DT	Foot	Questionable
Eugene Monroe	T	Ankle	Questionable

Player	Position	Injury	Status
LeGarrette Blount	RB	Illness	Questionable
Julian Edelman	WR	Concussion	Questionable
Jonas Gray	RB	Ankle	Questionable
Tom Brady	QB	Ankle	Probable
Brandon LaFell	WR	Toe	Questionable

*Injury information via FoxSports.com as of Jan. 8 at 7 a.m. ET.

Key Matchup: New England’s Rushing Attack vs. Baltimore’s Front Seven

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

There are several battles that will take place on the field Saturday, but none are more pivotal than New England’s rushing attack squaring off against Baltimore’s front seven.

The Patriots are at their most dangerous when the offense is controlling the pace of the game with a balanced game plan. Quarterback Tom Brady has the ability to carry his weight against even the best defenses, but there must be an emphasis on getting the running game working early.

Whether LeGarrette Blount, Jonas Gray or Brandon Bolden gets the lion’s share of the workload, New England has to be consistent calling run plays and can’t afford to abandon the rushing attack if it struggles.

When asked about how opposing defenses will shut down the Patriots’ offensive unit, Blount told Doug Kyed of NESN.com, “Nobody can stop us but us. The focus is on us this week to correct all the stuff that hasn’t been going too well for us.”

With pass-catching running back Shane Vereen also in the backfield, Brady and head coach Bill Belichick have the tools needed to beat the Ravens, but Baltimore’s fourth-ranked run defense (allowing 88.3 yards per game) won’t go down without a fight.

The Ravens defense looks even tougher now after the return of defensive end Haloti Ngata from a four-game suspension. There is no doubt Ngata is a dominant pass-rusher when needed, but his size and ability to clog running lanes makes him invaluable to Baltimore.

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com spoke about the impact Ngata had on the team:

Last week against Pittsburgh, the Ravens only allowed 68 rushing yards on 19 carries, but they admittedly didn’t face the Steelers' best running back, Le'Veon Bell. On the other hand, the Patriots don’t have a back as talented as Bell anyway.

While Joe Flacco and the Baltimore offense, as well as the New England defense, will play a major role in the outcome of this game, the winner will be decided in the battle between the Patriots’ rushing attack and the Ravens’ run-stoppers.

Predicted Final Score: New England 30, Baltimore 27

*Stats via NFL.com.