Baltimore Ravens (+3.5) at New England Patriots
Sunday, October 17, 2010
by Aengus Moorehead
Last week’s result:
Baltimore (-7.5) beats visiting Denver 31-17.
New England was idled.
Last week against the Spread:
Baltimore covers.
Analysis:
Regardless of what was said in the locker room of the New England Patriots preceding the dismissal of their star wide receiver from town, the team entered the bye week without Randy Moss for the first time in three years, with memories of their near-perfect season still fresh in the minds of the Foxborough-faithful. The Patriots begin life without the Pro Bowl performer this weekend; against a defense they likely could use him against, hosting the Baltimore Ravens.
While the Ravens’ defense has consistently ranked in the top-five in the league over the years, it seems as though the offense is finally rounding in to form. Quarterback Joe Flacco has had his share of struggles this season, even with new star wide receiver Anquan Boldin helping to open things up in the passing game. The run game remains a constant in Baltimore however, with the attack ranking 14th in the NFL, while the rush defense ranks tenth.
The New England Patriots are a pass-happy team, but will have trouble moving the ball against a Ravens’ defense that ranks second against the pass. Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady will see pressure from all angles, and there is still bitterness between these teams stemming back to New England’s close win over the Ravens during their perfect regular season, a victory that many Baltimore players felt the referees assisted them in with some favorable calls.
Even despite having Super Bowl aspirations, the Patriots seem content to allow star players to exit town. Last year it was Pro Bowl defensive end Richard Seymour, and this year it’s Pro Bowl receiver Moss. The only positive the team can take from it is that they keep winning, but how long will it be before the ignorance catches up to them? Even though Moss didn’t have a catch in the 41-14 blowout win over the division-rival Miami Dolphins, his presence still demanded extra attention, and it will be interesting to see how the offense adapts without him. Deion Branch was brought over to help soothe the transition, and is familiar in the offense from his Super Bowl-MVP with the team. New England embarks on a tough six-game schedule that includes four playoff-teams from last year, and a road trip to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The world overlooked the Patriots after they stumbled against the Jets and looked shaky in a victory over the Buffalo Bills. Just so no one assumed they had ascended to top-of-the-heap status after a thumping of the Miami Dolphins.
That said, Baltimore is a tough matchup. Its running back group is versatile, and Boldin makes it impossible to sell out and stop the run. The Patriots will need the Ravens to make a slew of big mistakes in the secondary, and don't count on it. Sure, safety Ed Reed isn't back, but the Ravens defensive backfield has held its own.
Quarterback Joe Flacco will do just enough to win, and the Patriots will struggle to stop Boldin. Take Ravens.
Be a player and bet on Baltimore (+3.5) at New England at Bodog Sportsbook
Related Articles
- NFL Pick: No Place Like Home For New England Against Shaky Baltimore
- Week 11 NFL Picks: Division Clash Awaits Cincinnati Bengals In Baltimore
- New England Patriots (+2.5) at San Diego Chargers
- Super Bowl Pick: New England To Seek Revenge Against New York
- 2012 NFL Pro Bowl Odds and Prediction: AFC visit NFC
Category
Tags
anquan boldin - baltimore ravens - deion branch - ed reed - joe flacco - new england patriots - richard seymour - super bowl - tom brady
