If you have success the first time against New England, the second time might not be so lucky with the Patriots.
The Baltimore Ravens found early success against the Patriots in the AFC Divisional Round on Saturday afternoon. However, going to the well one too many times cost them as the Patriots quickly caught on to the play designs of the Ravens.
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Early in the game against the Patriots, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco found receiver Torrey Smith deep as he was able to beat coverage to the ball. Flacco went for the same play again later in the third quarter, but the end result didn’t end up the way Baltimore liked, as safety Devin McCourty picked off the pass intended for Smith.
Breaking down the play with the team’s website, head coach Bill Belichick broke down the changes and improvements New England made to not allow that play again.
“This is a play that the Ravens ran on the first drive,” Belichick said when breaking down the play the Ravens had success on, “Torrey Smith on this over route caught it over here across the field, and as you see this play unfold, we’re just a little bit late, the coverage can’t get there, it’s a good throw and a good catch and the Ravens pick up about 20 yards on this play.”
Belichick praised his safety for using great intangibles and smarts to read and recognize the play the second time around.
“One of the things you love about Devin McCourty is not making the same mistake twice or recognizing the play the second time around,” Belichick said in the breakdown. “Here the Ravens are just flipping the play over . . . it’s the exact same play, flipped over to the other side, and this time Devin goes around the tight end, [Owen] Daniels, gets into position to come in and cut off the over route and make the play. A great job of reconition, anticipation, seeing the play and making it.”
The Patriots made key plays at key times to defeat Baltimore, and now they advance to their fourth consecutive AFC Championship game where they will face the Indianapolis Colts for the right to go to Arizona and Super Bowl 49.
The Patriots are looking to secure their fourth Lombardi Trophy as well. A young Colts team led by the dynamic Andrew Luck will have to be mindful of the key mistakes Baltimore made and to take what is given. If you try to get greedy with New England, they will make you pay, just like they did to Joe Flacco and the Ravens this past Saturday.
h/t ProFootballTalk
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