[TommyGold]

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots

Baltimore has never won against New England, but I think this time it will be different. The Ravens are playing very well in all the important sectors in the field. QB Joe Flacco has improved a lot, much more confident on his decisions during this year, thanks to the time his OL provides him to take the best calls and also because he has good offensive players to which he can deliver his passes.

This improvement on the Baltimore's Offense, playing very well both on the passing game and on the rushing game as well, offsets the lower performance of the Ravens D, by far their strongest spot. We could say that the Baltimore's Defence is weaker because they suffer a lot more points than on the previous season, but for me that is not the real reason: in fact, the Ravens D is attacking a lot more, taking more risks. And when they are called to win a game, like it happened on week 2, Ravens D was outstanding, earning a winner. Baltimore has one of the best defenses of the NFL, if not even the best of the league.

Curiously the Patriots have been very good on the Defense, but they are playing very poor on the Offense, which is the opposite of the Ravens performances. When in the early season everything pointed to some struggle on the defense and a show of force on the offense, we are getting the opposite. The reason why the Pats O is not doing well is due to lack of form of their QB Tom Brady, which hasn't returned to his good old self. Only when that happens, New England will become again a great offensive powerhouse, something that I believe will happen someday this season, but not on this match.

Wes Welker is missing due to injury, he is a very important player for Brady, we still don't know for sure if he will play in this game, the reports I've got say that he hasn't practiced, which is never a good sign. The Pats have played poorly on the passing game, but on the rushing game they are doing very well, but for this match, they will face the best ground defense team in the NFL and the Ravens will make things very hard for the Pats' rushers.

This is a game where Baltimore shows up at a superior level than New England, the Ravens have a great Defense and their Offense has delivered the goods with a lot of points scored, but for this game, life won't be easy for the Ravens, because the Patriots are defending very well, but the New England's offense is having a lot of troubles on the air and their winners were due to their rushing game, which will have a very difficult time against the best ground defense team in the league, and that is why I see a win on the road for the Baltimore Ravens.


Pick: Baltimore Ravens +1,5 -110 (1,91) Bookmaker