Key to the Game

What is your biggest key to the game on Saturday?

Rick: The biggest key for Saturday’s game is going to be the Patriots’ offensive line against the pass rush of the Ravens. The Ravens were second in the NFL during the regular season in sacks. Also, they sacked Ben Roethlisbeger five times in their win over the Steelers last night. New England should attempt to run the football more, but they will likely look to pass often against a banged up Ravens’ secondary. Can the Patriots’ offensive line give Brady enough time to get rid of the football and have the edge against a strong Baltimore defensive front? Hopefully, Dan Connolly likely returning to the lineup could be what the Patriots need to have that O-Line chemistry that they had for a good chunk of the regular season after the Chiefs’ debacle.

Raj:  The biggest key to the game on Saturday I feel is to stop taking excessive amounts of penalties (mostly looking at you, Browner). Look, given this match up, even though the Ravens aren’t intimidated at Foxboro, they still don’t have enough firepower this season to compete with the Patriots’ offense if things go the way they are on paper. However, any penalties that benefit the Ravens to move the ball down field or force the Pats’ offense back will hurt this New England team. That’s just helping Baltimore get extra easy points and the ideal situation is that you hold the opposition to as few points (I wouldn’t mind 0) as possible. That makes it easier for Brady’s offense to put up numbers without pressure. If they can avoid painting the field yellow, I think they should be pretty set for this match.

Derek: I am in agreement with Rick.  This game for the Patriots starts and ends with the play of their offensive line.  If the running game is shut down and Tom Brady is getting hurried and hit all day, then we could be in for a major disappointment.   If Solder, Connolly, Stork, Wendell, and Vollmer can establish themselves against a stout Baltimore defensive front, then New England should have every opportunity in the world to come out of this game victorious.  This will allow LeGarrette Blount and Jonas Gray to rack up yards and set up the Patriots’ offense for manageable down and distances.  The play action game will open up, allowing Tom Brady to carve the weak Baltimore secondary with throws to Gronk, LaFell, and Edelman.  It all starts up front.

Hopefully its ends with the Patriots in front.