The New England Patriots (12-4) won the AFC East again this season and they’ll host the Baltimore Ravens (10-6) who just beat Pittsburgh in the divisional round. Visit Cappers Picks for free NFL picks all season.
AFC Divisional Round: Baltimore vs New England Predictions
NFL playoff betting action sees the Baltimore Ravens taking on the New England Patriots on Saturday January 10 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. Cappers Picks provides free NFL handicapping tips all season long.
NFL football betting action sees the Baltimore Ravens taking on the New England Patriots Saturday January 10th at Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA. Cappers Picks provides free NFL football handicapping tips all season long.
Headline: The Rematch – Ravens Travel to Patriots for Second Straight AFC Championship Game
The Baltimore Ravens head to Gillette Stadium for the second year in a row looking for a berth in the Super Bowl. Hopes are for the Ravens that they are able to avenge a loss last year in the Championship game and that they can maintain their role as the “team of destiny” in this year’s playoffs.
We are down to the conference title games and it is no surprise, especially with the defending champion Packers out of the picture, that the Patriots have the best odds out of the 4 teams to win the Super Bowl. The Ravens, who the Pats face in the early game Sunday, have the worst odds and they have a tall order trying to beat New England in their house.
It was another insane weekend on NFL Football last week – only four teams remain standing. That means that there are only two games on Sunday! My family will be happy, but truth be told, I am not all that thrilled!
The winner of this game will play in the Super Bowl two weeks from now. Both of these teams have fallen short despite high expectations over the last few years, and you can bet that they are extremely hungry to get back to the Super Bowl.
New England is the big favorite thanks to a high-powered offense, but the Ravens can’t be discounted with their top-notch defense. Let’s take a closer look at this AFC Championship game.
Baltimore Ravens (13-4) vs. New England Patriots (14-3) Time/Date: 3:00 PM EST, January 22, 2012 Venue: Gillette Stadium Broadcast: CBS Ravens vs. Patriots NFL Gambling Odds from JustBet Spread: Patriots -7.5 Moneyline: New England (-330) Baltimore (+275) Over/Under: 50.5
Baltimore’s offense has had an up and down season. Ray Rice is an absolute beast in the backfield, but there have been times throughout the year when this team simply hasn’t used him enough. Rice averaged 4.7 yards per carry, and he also led the team with 76 receptions this season. Rice is one of the most versatile running backs in the NFL, and the Ravens need to use him a lot this weekend. Joe Flacco has been highly criticized in the media this year. He has had his worst season as a pro statistically. Flacco is only completing 57.6% of his passes. He did play pretty well last week against the Texans. Anquan Boldin is the team’s top receiver. The Ravens average 23.6 points per game.
The main reason Baltimore is in the AFC Championship is their tremendous defense. The Ravens rank third in the NFL in total defense. Terrell Suggs has had a great career, but this has been his best season yet. Suggs has racked up 14 sacks and seven forced fumbles already this year. Haloti Ngata and Terrence Cody are a force in the middle of the defensive line. Ray Lewis is once again the team’s leading tackler. Ed Reed is older, but he is still one of the top safeties in the league. It’s tough to find a weak spot on this unit.[soliloquy id=”82219″]
New England’s offense has been a well-oiled machine this year. The Patriots average 32.1 points per contest. Tom Brady threw for 39 touchdowns and just 12 interceptions this year. He has a quarterback rating of 105.9. Brady has an endless amount of weapons to work with in this offense. Rob Gronkowski has 17 touchdowns in 17 games this year. Gronkowski has quickly become the best tight end in football. He is too quick for a linebacker, but too big for a safety or corner. Aaron Hernandez is listed as questionable for this game, but he is also a great tight end who creates mismatches. Wes Welker leads the team in catches with 122, and it would be tough to find a more reliable receiver in the NFL. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Steven Ridley, and Danny Woodhead carry the ball just enough to keep the defense honest.
The Patriots defense has given up a lot of yards this year, but they have done a nice job limiting the opposition’s touchdowns. New England ranks second to last in the NFL in total yards allowed per game, but they are giving up only 21.4 points per game. Kyle Arrington leads the team with seven interceptions. One source of concern for this group is the fact that their top two tacklers are both cornerbacks.
These teams have met three times in the past three years. All three games have been close, and they have all stayed under the posted total. Look for another game that is lower scoring than expected.
This season’s NFL playoff field of 12 teams has been pared down to the final four for this Sunday’s conference championships. The winner from the AFC and the NFC will advance on to Indianapolis, the site of Super Bowl XLVI.
Week 6 – Baltimore Ravens vs New England Patriots Preview
The 2010 NFL Season is finally here. Welcome to the CappersPicks.com NFL football weekly predictions pages! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly NFL football picks, tips, betting advice, strategies, NFL gambling articles and more to help you become the best NFL football bettor on your block!!
Ravens vs Patriots Week 6 NFL Betting Predictions + Odds
Week 6 of the NFL Season is here. Welcome to the CappersPicks.com NFL football weekly predictions pages! We KNOW you will find our FREE weekly NFL football picks, tips, betting advice, strategies, NFL gambling articles and more to help you become the best NFL football bettor on your block!!
The Baltimore Ravens started the season 3-0 but then had a tough, last-second loss in New England that derailed their season. Now people making their NFL picks will get another shot to get this game right as the Ravens head back to Gillette Stadium to settle the score.
The Baltimore Ravens played a sloppy, undisciplined game against the New England Patriots back in Week 4 and they still had a shot at the end of the game to win it. If they have learned anything from that contest, they have an excellent chance to win.
Throw in the fact that the Patriots will be play without 123-reception man Wes Welker and you realize that the Ravens could be in very good shape to spring an upset.
This matchup is not really a surprise. The fact that it takes place in the first weekend of the playoffs is. The Patriots went into this season odds on favorites to extend their dynasty and dominate the league with a top tier Offense, while the Ravens were supposed to ride the wave of an improving Offense and a rock solid defense.
2009 ended strangely for sports dynasties. Whereas the Yankees returned to glory and may have started a new dynasty, it seems we’re witnessing the end of the Red Wings’ reign in the NHL and, of course, the Patriots’ dominance in the NFL.
The best receiver just tore up every ligament in his left knee. The starting running back has a tendency to fumble the ball every time he touches it inside the opposing 5 yard line. The deep-threat receiver pouts when things don’t go exactly the way he wants them.