Predictions for the NFL Divisional Playoff games

AFC Divisional Playoff

No. 6 Baltimore Ravens (10-6) at No. 1 New England Patriots (12-4)
Saturday January 10, 2015 4:30 pm on NBC

Here come the Ravens at it again making postseason noise and creating havoc for the rest of the competition. After taking down their AFC North rivals in the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend on the road, the Ravens will travel to New England to face a familiar opponent in the Patriots. This will be the fourth time in the last six years that the Ravens and Patriots will do battle in the playoffs – with the Ravens winning two out of the three games. If anyone is equipped enough to go into Foxboro and steal a game then it’s the Ravens, given their history against them.

One thing Baltimore has going for them is the steady performance of their quarterback Joe Flacco. For someone who plays at such a subpar to solid level on a consistent basis in the regular season, it boggles my mind how well he steps his play up come playoff time. In Flacco’s last five playoff games, he’s thrown 13 TD passes to zero INTs and beaten quarterbacks like Peyton, Luck, Brady, and Roethlisberger. Baltimore should have plenty of confidence going into this game especially the way they slowed down the Steelers second-ranked pass offense. Plus, with big playmakers in Torrey Smith and Steve Smith to throw to on the outside, Flacco will surely test New England deep down field about three to five times to open up the game.

Whether they will connect down field is another thing, considering that New England most likely has the best cornerback tandem (Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner) in the league right now. This version of the Patriots defense is probably their best defensive team since the 2007 squad that went 19-1 and if the Pats secondary can limit the Ravens big passing plays then they will be in good shape. The X-factor here is of course having Rob Gronkowski (the best tight end in football) healthy for the playoffs, unlike last postseason. The Ravens defense is nowhere near as intimidating or physical as in years past and with this balanced Patriot attack playing up to the competition all season long (thrashed playoff teams Broncos, Bengals, Colts, Lions in regular season) and their ability to get everyone involved and spread the wealth running and passing the football (Gronk, Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola, Jonas Gray, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, LeGarrette Blount) makes them a difficult team to pick against.

And I haven’t even mentioned the player I would select as the 2014 NFL MVP in Tom Brady. He’s proven doubters wrong again this season when they thought he was finished and he’s got another chance at sniffing another Lombardi trophy and he’s in a great position to do it with home-field advantage in the AFC. I know the Ravens are dangerous and I wouldn’t be surprised the least if they steal this win, but this is a more complete and healthy Patriot team than the one they faced two years ago in the AFC Championship Game. The Patriots clock is ticking on grabbing a fourth title.

The Pick: Patriots 34-21

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