It’s the matchup that seems to pop up in the playoffs time and time again. Tom Brady versus the dreaded Baltimore Ravens defense that has gotten the best of him two out of the last three times (could have been three had it not been for a Billy Cundiff missed field goal).
The New England Patriots do not like the Ravens and vice versa, but Foxborough is not a place that the Ravens fear. And being seven-point underdogs may only help to fuel that fire.
However, these are two different teams from the ones that met in the AFC Chmapionship in 2013. Brady and his offense are clicking and the Ravens stumbled into the playoffs. Let’s get to the keys for each team headed into this game.
1. Who will cover Rob Gronkowski?
Gronkowski is the best tight end in the league right now and has been a pest for opponents throughout the year. He has eight touchdowns in his past eight games and 715 yards to go with it.
He creates matchup nightmares for all teams, but the Ravens have done a good job containing him in the past. They’ll likely look to Will Hill to channel his inner Bernard Pollard or Ed Reed and shut him down, but will it be enough?
Hill will have to put pressure of Gronkowski every time he touches the ball in order for the Ravens defense to have a chance at slowing Brady down.
2. How much production will the Patriots get from LeGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray?
Gray and Blount have traded spots over the past few weeks, creating a strong rushing attack to complement Brady and his passing. However, they are up against a strong Ravens rush defense that ranks fourth in the league.
Haloti Ngata leads a pack that held the Le’Veon Bell-less Pittsburgh Steelers to just 68 yards rushing. If Gray and Blount can’t find the holes in this defense, the Ravens will be able to rush more men and put more pressure on Brady.
3. Justin Forsett and the Ravens rushing attack
Somehow, the Ravens got out of Pittsburgh with a win while rushing for just 49 yards. Forsett had a career year, rushing for over 1,000 yards and giving the Ravens a capable runner going into the playoffs.
However, the running back is averaging just 59.4 yards per game over the past five weeks and had a 119-yard game that skewed those numbers. He needs to be productive against a surprisingly strong Patriots rush defense.
If Forsett can beat this defense, the Ravens can control the clock and keep the ball out of Brady’s hands. If not, the Patriots offense could easily have their way.
4. Darrelle Revis vs. Steve Smith
What a matchup we have in store for this game, with one of the best corners in the league going up against one of the toughest receivers. Smith won’t be scared to challenge Revis, and the same goes for Revis on coverage. Smith is a receiver a lot like Anquan Boldin, who torched the Patriots two years ago. However, Revis is in a class of his own. Revis ranked fourth in Pro Football Focus’ cornerback rankings and will amp it up for the playoffs. If Smith can gain a physical advantage over Revis, Joe Flacco will find him early and often and move the ball. If Revis wins the battle, Flacco loses his No. 1 target.
5. Can the Ravens secondary stop Brady?
This secondary has been through injury after injury, which would explain why the Ravens rank 23rd in the league in pass defense. It simply has been a patchwork job this season, trying to find guys like Rashaan Melvin and Anthony Levine.
However, the challenge gets much tougher with Tom Brady and another Top-10 passing offense. The Ravens secondary did their best to contain Ben Roethlisberger last week, and did so by not allowing a receiving touchdown.
Brady will be more efficient than Roethlisberger was, so they’ll need to find another gear.