In the Red Zone

This Week

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
The AFC East Champion New England Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on Saturday January 10 at 4:30 p.m. in an AFC Divisional Playoff Game.

The Ravens The Patriots
Regular Season 10-6 Regular Season 12-4
Road Record 4-4 Home Record 7-1
Playoff Teams 2-4 Playoff teams 4-1
AFC Conf 6-6 AFC Conf 9-3

Bill Vinovich is the referee for the game.

The Line/Prediction

As of Thursday the line on the game from sportsbetting.ag via Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at MINUS 7. The over/under is 47.5.

My Prediction is Patriots 35, Ravens 24. Give the points (Patriots) and take the over. I am 10-6 against the spread and 7 of 16 on calling the over/under in 2014.

Tickets

The Patriots are reporting the game as a sell out. It is the 227th consecutive sell out dating back to the 1994 season opener. The record includes preseason, regular season and playoff games.

Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here.

After market tickets are available through the Official Patriots Ticket Exchange where season ticket holders can sell their unused seats to fans on the season ticket waiting list.

Getting to the Game

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Foxboro make sure you check out the links.

Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Foxboro MA.

Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking information and map and a Gillette Stadium seating chart.

Tailgating

Here’s a bunch of different tailgating recipes from Tailgating.com. There’s something there for everyone and every type of meal or snack. I’ve tried some of the recipes and they’re very good.

You can find other recipes from the team on their website. Includes Gronk’s Buffalo Chicken Dip, Carne Asada Fries, Cincinnati Chili and more.

And with tailgating many people enjoy some adult beverages. With that in mind check out Drink Nation for how to make all sorts of great drinks. You can look things up by name, ingredient(s) or theme.

Whether it’s at the game, a bar or a friend’s house moderation is always the key to a great time. Please don’t drink and drive and designate a sober driver. Remember drive sober or get pulled over.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Television

NBC is televising the game nationally Al Michaels will do play by play while Cris Collinsworth will provide the game analysis and Michele Tafoya will work the sidelines. You can look here for your local affiliate.

Here are all the rules on NFL TV broadcasts including explaining the blackout rules; flex scheduling and commercial breaks.

Radio

The Patriots Radio Network broadcasts the game from flagship station WBZ-FM, 98.5 the Sports Hub in Boston. Bob Socci handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do the game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 1:30 P.M. on the network. The post game starts after the final gun and continues for three hours along the network.

The Patriots Radio Network call is available on Sirius Channel 85, XM Channel 85 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 818.

The Ravens Radio Network has Gerry Sandusky calling the game while Stan White and Qadry Ismail provide the game analysis via their flagship station of 98 Rock, WIYY-FM and WBAL-AM 1090.

Their call is available on Sirius Channel 93; XM Channel 225 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 802.

Westwood One will carry the game to a national audience with Ian Eagle, Boomer Esiason and Tony Boselli calling the game.

Their call is available on Sirius Channel 88, XM Channel 88 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 88.

Patriots All Access

Patriots All-Access features behind the scenes looks, interviews and breakdowns with head coach Bill Belichick and in depth features on the team. It’s hosted by Steve Burton of WBZ-TV (Boston) and airs weekly in most New England television markets.

  • Boston MA on TV 38 Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
  • Providence RI on WNAC Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.
  • Manchester NH on WMUR Saturday at midnight
  • Portland ME on WMTW Saturday at 5 a.m.
  • Hartford CT on WCTX Saturday at 5 p.m.
  • Springfield MA on WFXQ Saturday at 7 p.m.
  • Bangor ME on WVII Sunday at 11 a.m.

You can also watch it anytime on the team website in the media section.

Last Week

The Patriots had a bye while the Ravens beat the Steelers, 30-17 in the AFC Wild Card Game at Pittsburgh to advance.

History

  • This is the 12th meeting between the Patriots and the Ravens since Baltimore became a franchise in 1996 when the Cleveland Browns relocated. The team was unable to keep the Browns past records, nicknames and colors and was considered an expansion franchise.
  • This is the 4th postseason meeting between the teams.
  • The Patriots lead the overall series 8-3 including playoffs.
  • The teams have faced each other in the postseason three times Baltimore holds a 2-1 edge.
  • The Patriots won the last meeting in Baltimore Week 16 – 2013, 41-7.

Patriots Team Notes

New England PatriotsHere is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2014 Patriots Schedule/Results

Franchise notes:

  • The Patriots overall franchise record is 450-377-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances. Overall they are 25-18 in the post season.
  • They last appeared in the playoffs in 2013 when they beat Indianapolis in the AFC Divisional Round 43-22 and lost at Denver 26-16 in the AFC Championship Game.

Patriots in the Post Season:

  • The Patriots are now the defending six-time AFC East Champions. They have won the division 12 times and the conference 5 times since 2000.
  • Overall the Patriots have had 22 playoff seasons, won their division 17 times and the conference 7 times.
  • They have been AFC Champions seven times (1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2011).
  • With a win on Sunday the Patriots will be the first team since the 2001-04 Philadelphia Eagles to advance to four consecutive conference championship games. Only the 2001-04 Philadelphia Eagles; 1990-93 Buffalo Bills (4); 1970-73 and 1992-95 Dallas Cowboys (4) and 1973-77 Oakland Raiders (5) are the only other teams with 4 or more consecutive conference championship game appearances.
  • New England has scored 40+ points in its last 3 AFC Divisional playoff games.
  • Only Green Bay and New England have made the NFL Playoffs every season since 2009.
  • Overall in the playoffs the Patriots are 15-4 at home.
  • Patriots are 11-6 in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. They are 8-2 at home and 6-1 at Gillette Stadium.

Date Opponent W/L Score

01/11/14 Indianapolis Colts W 43-22

01/13/13 Houston Texans W 41-28

01/14/12 Denver Broncos W 45-10

01/16/11 New York Jets L 21-28

01/12/08 Jacksonville W 31-20

01/14/07 at San Diego W 24-21

01/14/06 at Denver L 13-27

01/16/05 Indianapolis W 20-3

01/10/04 Tennessee W 17-14

01/19/02 Oakland W 16-13 (OT)

01/03/98 at Pittsburgh L 6-7

01/05/97 Pittsburgh W 28-3

01/04/87 at Denver L 17-22

01/05/86 at LA Raiders W 27-20

12/31/78 Houston L 14-31

12/18/76 at Oakland L 21-24

12/28/63 at Buffalo W 26-8

  • New England is first team to have earned 10 first round byes and first AFC team with five consecutive byes in the playoffs since this playoff format was established in 1990.
  • They are 11-3 in playoff games at Gillette Stadium they are 15-4 at home overall.
  • They have a home winning percentage in the postseason of .789 that is tied for third best with Denver behind Seattle’s .818 and Oakland’s .792 among teams with at least 10 home playoff games.
  • Since the 1970 merger the Patriots are tied for 3rd all time (Miami) with 29 winning seasons behind Dallas (30) and Pittsburgh (32).
  • New England is tied with the Oakland Raiders for the 5th most playoff wins in NFL history with 25. Only Green Bay (30), San Francisco (31), Pittsburgh (33) and Dallas (34) have more.
  • The Patriots have 14 players who have never played in the postseason.

The Kraft Family Era (1994-present):

This is the 21st season of Patriots ownership by the Kraft family. Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:

  • Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
  • Have the most regular season wins, 229.
  • Have the most wins including playoffs, 250.
  • Tied with Halas family for fastest owners to 250 wins (358 games).
  • Are tied for the most conference titles, 6.
  • Have the most division titles, 14.
  • Have the most playoff wins, 21
  • Have played the most playoff games, 33.
  • Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 16.
  • The fewest head coaches within the division, 3.
  • Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.

From 1960 to 1993 the New England/Boston Patriots won a total of 225 games.

In the Belichick Era (2000-present):

  • The Patriots are the top seed in the AFC for the fifth time since 2003. They were also the #1 seed in 2007, 2010 and 2011.
  • In Belichick’s 15 seasons Patriots are 95-25 in the second half of the season. They have gone 8-0 four times and 7-1 FOUR times.
  • Since 2000 New England is 54-10 in December games.
  • Since 2000 the Patriots are 19-6 vs. both the AFC North and AFC South
  • Since 2001 the Patriots are 83-22 in games played on or after Thanksgiving that’s the best record in the NFL.
  • Since 2003 the Patriots have the NFL’s best record at 150-42.
  • New England is the only NFL team to finish .500 or better in each of the last 14 seasons. Green Bay is 2nd with 6 seasons and then Cincinnati with 3 seasons in a row.
  • Have had 9 seasons under Belichick in which the defense has allowed 20 points per game or less (2001, 2003-04, 2006-10, 2014).
  • Have 14 consecutive seasons without a losing record.
  • Have had 9 first round byes under Belichick since 2001 including 5 in a row.

Against the Ravens:

Past playoff battles:

  • 2009 AFC Wild Card Game Jan 10 2010 at Gillette: Ravens won 33-14.
  • 2011 AFC Conference Championship Jan 22 2012 at Gillette: Patriots won 23-20.
  • 2012 AFC Conference Championship Jan 20 2013 at Gillette: Ravens won 28-13.
  • New England had a 4-1 record in 2014 against common opponents (Cincinnati – W, San Diego – W, Indianapolis –W, Miami – L/W).
  • Patriots are 5-2 at home vs. Ravens including playoffs.

Last Game vs. the Bills:

  • The Bills won their first ever game at Gillette Stadium and are now 1-12 at Gillette. It was their first win in Foxboro since 2000.
  • The loss snapped a win streak of 16 consecutive regular season home games. Their last loss at home was in Week 15 2012 vs. San Francisco.
  • The loss snapped a win streak of 17 consecutive home games vs. AFC East opponents. The last loss was to an AFC East team at home was in Week 11 2008 vs. NY Jets.
  • The loss snapped a win streak of 35 consecutive home games vs. AFC opponents. Last loss to an AFC team at home was Week 13 2008 vs. Pittsburgh.
  • New England had 260 total yards to Buffalo’s 268.
  • Patriots had 5 penalties vs. the Bills for 55 yards.
  • Nine of the Bills top 10 yardage plays allowed by the Patriots were passing plays the longest being 43 yards (Kyle Orton to Sammy Watkins). Their longest rush against the defense was 8 yards by Fred Jackson.

In the 2014 Season:

  • Patriots opponents for 2015 are: Home – Miami, NYJets, Buffalo, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Washington. Road – Miami, NYJets, Buffalo, Denver, Indianapolis, Houston, Dallas and NY Giants.
  • They were 7-2 against opponents with a .500 or better record.
  • Scored 52 TD’s fifth most in team history and 468 points also fifth most in team history.
  • Lead NFL with most red zone points (338) having converted on 61 of 67 red zone opportunities (39 TD’s; 22 FG).
  • Longest Patriots drive by play was 17 plays (twice Week 14 at San Diego; Week 8 vs. Chicago), longest by time was 7:56 (Week 14 at San Diego).
  • First downs by Patriots offense in a game, most (33) Week 11 at Indianapolis, fewest (13) Week 4 at Kansas City.
  • Third down efficiency 98/221 (44.3%); 4th down efficiency 7/13 (53.8%).
  • They had 5848 yards, ran 1073 plays of which 438 were rush attempts and averaged 5.5 yards per play.
  • The offensive line allowed 26 sacks for 170 lost yards and had 9 INT’s.
  • They had 34 passing TD’s and 13 rushing TD’s. They also had 2 fumble recovery TD’s, a punt returned for a TD and 2 blocked kicks returned for TD’s.
  • They did not allow a kick of any form to blocked this year.
  • They fumbled 13 times (Brady, 6) and only lost 4 (Brady, 3) this season.
  • Their average time of possession was 29:37.
  • First downs allowed by the Patriots defense in a game, most (28) Week 6 vs. NY Jets and the fewest, (13) Week 14 at San Diego.
  • 3rd down conversions allowed 84/209 (40.2%), 4th down conversions allowed 8/23 (34.8%).
  • They allowed 3,837 total yards, and had 1,033 plays run against them of which 419 were rushing attempts and allowed 5.3 yards per play.
  • They had 40 sacks on the season for 282 yards and had 16 INT’s.
  • They allowed 24 passing TD’s, 6 rushing TD’s, 1 INT return TD and 1 fumble return TD.
  • They forced 19 fumbles and recovered 9.
  • They had 5 blocked kicks four of them were FGA’s and 1 punt.
  • Have 14 consecutive winning seasons by far the most currently in the NFL.
  • In last five games the Patriots have outscored their opponent 67-12 in the second half.
  • The last second half TD allowed by the defense was Week 11 at Indianapolis.
  • They have scored 40 or more points five times this season tying the franchise record set in 2012.
  • New England had 120 penalties this season and was penalized 1,080 yards. This eclipses the Patriots totals for 2013 when they had 69 penalties and lost 625 yards.
  • New England is PLUS 12 in turnover differential they are 2nd in the NFL. They have 16 INT and have recovered 9 fumbles while they have thrown 9 INT’s and lost 4 fumbles.
  • They scored 112 points off of takeaways and gave up 51 points on giveaways for PLUS 61 points.
  • The Patriots were 4th in points scored averaging 29.3 points per game and 8th in points allowed with 19.6 points per game.
  • Revis and Gronkowski were also selected as First Team All-Pro’s. Gronk’s selection was unanimous as he had all 50 votes. Gostkowski was selected as a Second Team All-Pro.

Patriots Staff Notes

This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Tuesday press conference on the Ravens.

Bill Belichick notes:

  • He is 7-3 in his career vs. Ravens including playoffs.
  • Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 211-107 in his 20th NFL season as a head coach. He is 173-63 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 19-9 in the playoffs, 18-8 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 230-117.
  • Belichick’s 19 postseason wins tie him for 2nd all-time with Don Shula (19) and he is one away from career leader Tom Landry (20).
  • Belichick’s 230 wins are good for 4th all-time. Passed Curly Lambeau (229) for 4th all-time Week 16 at NYJets with a 17-16 win.
  • Is tied with Curly Lambeau for the second most consecutive winning seasons as a head coach with 14. Tom Landry is first with 20.
  • He has won 5 conference titles; he needs one more to tied Don Shula’s record of 6.
  • No coach either as the head coach or an assistant has appeared in more Super Bowls than Belichick who has been to 8 (five as a head coach).
  • He is the first head coach to have had 4 teams that scored at least 500 points in a season.
  • Belichick is one of five head coaches in NFL history whose father (Steve Belichick) played in the league. The others are former Kansas City head coach Todd Haley (Dick Haley), former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan (Dick Nolan), former Cincinnati head coach David Shula (Don Shula) and former NY Jets head coach Joe Walton (Frank Walton).
  • Belichick is one of just four coaches to win three Super Bowls, joining Chuck Noll (4), Joe Gibbs (3) and Bill Walsh (3). Those men are all in the Hall of Fame.
  • He is the only coach in NFL history to win three championship titles in four seasons.
  • No coach either as the head coach or an assistant has appeared in more Super Bowls than Belichick who has been to 8 (five as a head coach).
  • With 12 Division Titles has the most of any head coach since the merger.
  • He is the only coach in NFL history to have led his team to 10+ wins in 12 consecutive seasons.
  • Has twelve 11-win seasons (11 with New England) in his career, only Don Shula (13) has more.
  • Has nine 12-win seasons in his career.
  • He has been NFL Coach of the Year three times he and Chuck Knox are the only three time winners, while Don Shula won four times.

Other Staff/Personnel notes:

  • Special Teams Coach Scott O’Brien worked for the Baltimore Ravens as the Special Teams Assistant from 1996-98.

Patriots Possible Starters

Offense:

  • LT: Solder
  • LG: Connolly
  • C: Stork
  • RG: Wendell
  • RT: Vollmer
  • TE: Gronkowski
  • TE: Hoomanawanui
  • WR: LaFell
  • WR: Edelman
  • QB: Brady
  • RB: Blount

Defense:

  • DE: Ninkovich
  • DT: Wilfork
  • DT: Branch
  • DE: Cha. Jones
  • LB: Collins
  • LB: Hightower
  • DB: Arrington
  • LCB: Revis
  • RCB: Browner
  • S: Chung
  • S: McCourty

Patriots Players Notes

Tom Brady Notes:

  • This is his 15th NFL season he is 6-3 vs. the Ravens in his career including 1-2 in the playoffs.
  • In his last game against the Ravens Week 16-2013 at Baltimore he 14/26 for 172 yards, 1 TD, 2 sacks, 0 INT’s.
  • In 9 career games vs. Baltimore Brady is 197 of 343 for 2,199 yards with 9 TD’s and 10 INT’s.
  • Is making his 27th career playoff start most in NFL history for a quarterback.
  • Overall he is 160-47 as a starting QB and is 18-8 in the playoffs for an overall record of 178-56. He is a 10 time Pro Bowl QB; 3 time All-Pro selection; two time NFL MVP and has won 3 Super Bowls while twice being named the games MVP. He is also listed as the 21st Greatest Player in the History of the NFL according to the NFL Network.
  • Has won 12 Division Titles the most of any quarterback.
  • Has 7 comeback wins in the post season including three in Super Bowls. Two of those Super Bowl comebacks were completed with 1:21 or less left on the clock.
  • His 18 post season wins are the most by any quarterback.
  • His three Super Bowl wins ties him with Troy Aikman for second behind Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana who have four each.
  • Along with Bart Starr, Eli Manning and Bradshaw, his two Super Bowl MVP awards are second only to Joe Montana who has three.
  • Is tied for the second most 300-yard games in the postseason with Kurt Warner and Montana with 6. Peyton Manning has the most, 9.
  • All-time NFL leader in post season completions (590) and passing attempts (950) and is second in passing yards (6,424).
  • Third all-time in post season TD passes (43) behind Brett Favre (44) and Montana (45).
  • Shares the record for most TD passes in a playoff game (6) with Steve Young and Daryle Lamonica.

Rob Gronkowski notes:

  • Missed the 2013 post season with an injury, will play in his 6th career playoff game.
  • Leads team in TD’s with 12 and receiving yards with 1,124 on 82 catches (2nd on team).
  • Has caught a pass in 65 consecutive games it’s the 4th longest streak currently for a tight end.
  • He is the 9th tight end in NFL history to have at least two seasons with 1,000 or more receiving yards.
  • Led NFL tight ends in receiving yards (1,124), receiving yards per game (74.9), TD catches (12), 1st down receptions (60) and receptions of 25 or more yards (10).
  • Became 9th Patriots player with 300 or more career receptions.
  • First TE in NFL history to have four seasons with 10 or more TD catches when he grabbed a 14-yard Tom Brady pass at San Diego Week 14. He was equaled by San Diego TE Antonio Gates Week 15 vs. Denver.
  • Was held out for rest Week 17 vs. Buffalo.
  • Had 9 catches for 105 yards and 1 TD Week 9 vs. Denver.
  • Had 9 catches for 149-yards and 3 TD’s vs. Chicago Week 8.
  • Had 6 catches for 100-yards and 1 TD vs. Cincinnati Week 5.

Julian Edelman notes:

  • Will play in his 8th career playoff game.
  • Last year Week 16 at Baltimore had 7 catches for 77 yards.
  • Leads team in receiving with 92 catches and is 2nd with 972 receiving yards.
  • In franchise history he is 1st in punt return average (12.2), 3rd in punt return yardage (1,616) and 4th in total returns (132).
  • He is 5th all-time in the NFL in punt return average for players with at least 75 returns and is second among active players trailing only Devin Hester (12.3).
  • Is third in NFL in catches last two seasons with 197.
  • Inactive Week 16 at NYJets due to a concussion and Week 17 as a maintenance week.
  • Had 8 catches for 141 yards an 1 TD Week 14 at San Diego it was his 5th career 100-yard game.
  • Had career long 69-yard TD catch at San Diego in Week 14.
  • Now has 5 career games with 10 or more catches after an 11-catch game Week 12 vs. Detroit (11 catches, 89 yards).
  • Had 9 catches for 89 yards and 1 TD and an 84-yard punt return for a TD Week 9 vs. Denver for 173 total yards.
  • Punt return TD vs. Denver Week 9 was his 13th punt return of 30+ yards (2nd in franchise history) and his 4th for a TD (new team record).
  • Had 156 total yards Week 2 at Minnesota (81 receiving, 9 rushing and 66 on punt returns).

Jonas Gray notes:

  • This will be his 1st career playoff game.
  • Leads team in rushing TD’s (5) and rushing yards (412).
  • In Week 11 at Indianapolis had 37 carries for 201 yards and 4 TD’s.
  • Gray set a franchise record with 4 TD’s Week 11 at Indianapolis. Breaking the record shared by Corey Dillon (vs. Detroit 2006), Curtis Martin (vs. Miami 1996), Mosi Tatupu (at LA Rams, 1993), Tony Collins (vs. NY Jets 1983) and Sam “Bam” Cunningham (at Buffalo, 1974) who all had 3 rushing TD’s in a regular season game.
  • Gray’s 201 yards rushing (Week 11 at Indianapolis) are third most in team history behind Jim Nance (208, 1966 vs. Oakland) and Tony Collins (212, 1983 vs. NY Jets).

Tim Wright notes:

  • This will be his first career playoff game.
  • Had 6 TD catches this season a new career high.
  • Had 5 catches for 36 yards including 2 for TD’s vs. Detroit Week 12.
  • Had 7 catches for 61-yards and a TD vs. Chicago Week 8.
  • Has TD catches in 4 of the last 6 games Week 5 vs. Cincinnati, Week 6 at Buffalo, Week 8 vs. Chicago and Week 11 at Indianapolis.

Brandon LaFell notes:

  • This will be his 2nd career playoff game, first was in 2013 with Carolina.
  • Has career high’s in receptions (74), yards (953) and TD’s (7).
  • Had 5 catches for 38 yards and 2 TD’s Week 13 at Green Bay. It was his second 2 TD game of the year and third of his career.
  • Had 9 catches for a team high 98 yards Week 12 vs. Detroit.
  • Had 11 catches for 124 yards (both career highs) and 1 TD vs. Chicago Week 8.
  • Had 4 catches for 97 yards and 2 TD’s at Buffalo Week 6 it was his 2nd two TD game of his career.

Shane Vereen notes:

  • Will play in his 5th career playoff game.
  • Set new career high for catches (52) receiving yards with 447 receiving yards this season.
  • Has 391 rushing yards for the season, second on the team.
  • Caught his 48th pass of the season to set a new career high vs. Miami Week 15.
  • Had 43 rushing yards on 11 carries and 5 catches for 71 yards and 2 TD’s for 114 total yards from scrimmage Week 7 vs. New York.
  • Had 90 rushing yards on 9 carries and 3 catches for 18 receiving yards for 108 yards from scrimmage Week 5 vs. Cincinnati.

LeGarrette Blount notes:

  • Will play in his 3rd career NFL playoff game.
  • Had 76 yards on 16 carries with 2 TD’s last year Week 16 at Baltimore.
  • Since returning to Foxboro has 60 carries for 281 yards and 3 TD’s.
  • Inactive Week 16 at NYJets with a shoulder injury.
  • Ran for 78 yards and 2 TD’s on 12 carries in his Patriots return vs. Detroit Week 12. The 2 TD game was the 4th of his career and 2nd as a Patriot.
  • Set franchise record for most rushing TD’s in a game with 4 vs. Indianapolis in 2013 AFC Division game.
  • Tied franchise record with 166-yards rushing in a playoff game, 2013 AFC Division Game vs. Indianapolis.
  • Became first NFL running back to have over 125-yards rushing and 4 TD’s in a playoff game, 2013 AFC Division Game vs. Indianapolis.

Stephen Gostkowski notes:

  • Will play in his 15th career playoff game.
  • Holds franchise record for most points (1,179). He set the record previously held by Adam Vinatieri on a 35-yard 3rd quarter field goal Week 15 vs. Miami.
  • Set team record for field goal percentage (.946) by making 35 of 37 field goals.
  • Had a 15-point game vs. Chicago Week 8 with 3 field goals and 6 XPT’s.
  • Missed his first field goal attempt of 2014 in first quarter, Week 6 at Buffalo.
  • Had a 19-point game vs. Cincinnati Week 5 with 5 field goals and 4 XPT’s. The five field goals were a new career high.
  • Missed on a 4th quarter field goal for first time in 34 attempts Week 13 at Green Bay.
  • Has not missed an extra point since Week 17 2006 at Tennessee in his rookie season.
  • Has led the NFL in points the last three seasons (2012-14).
  • Led NFL in made field goals (35).

Vince Wilfork notes:

  • Missed the 2013 post season with an injury. This will be his 19th career playoff game.
  • Had 9 tackles (4 solo) and blocked a field goal attempt Week 16 at NYJets.
  • Was in on 6 tackles (2 solo) Week 6 at Buffalo.
  • Had his 3rd career INT vs. Oakland Week 3. He is the first Patriots lineman to have 3 career INT’s.
  • Has 7 fumbles recoveries since 2010 the second most in the NFL in that span behind teammate Rob Ninkovich.

Darrelle Revis notes:

  • Will play in his 7th career playoff game, first since 2010.
  • Leads team with 14 passes defensed.
  • Had 4 passes defensed Week 12 vs. Detroit.
  • Got his 2nd INT of the year at the end of half Week 8 vs. Chicago.
  • Had his first forced fumble of the year Week 5 vs. Cincinnati.
  • In Patriots debut Week 1 at Miami had 1 tackles, 2 passes defensed and recovered a fumble.
  • Had his first Patriots INT Week 2 at Minnesota against Matt Cassel. Also had 3 tackles and 1 pass defensed.

Rob Ninkovich notes:

  • Will play in his 9th playoff game.
  • Leads team with 8 sacks and has 56 tackles (45 solo) for 5th on the team.
  • Week 15 vs. Miami recorded his 8th sack of the season for the third year in a row. He’s first Patriots player do that since Hall of Famer Andre Tippett did it 1985-87.
  • Had 3 tackles (1 solo), 1 INT and 1 pass defensed vs. Denver Week 9.
  • Had his 13th career fumble recovery Week 8 vs. Chicago. The 13-fumble recoveries are the most in the NFL since 2010.
  • The TD return was the second of his career. He had an INT return for TD in 2011 Week 9 at NY Jets.
  • Week 6 at Buffalo had 6 tackles (4 solo) and 3 sacks. It was his first career 3-sack day.
  • Week 2 at Minnesota had 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 2 QB hits.

Dont’a Hightower notes:

  • Will play in his 5th career playoff game.
  • Second on team in tackles with 92 (69 solo) and tied for second with 6 sacks.
  • Had 9 tackles (3 solo), 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 1 QB hit Week 16 at NYJets.
  • Had 10 tackles (4 solo), 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss and 1 QB hit Week 13 at Green Bay.
  • Had 10 tackles (4 solo) vs. Chicago Week 8.
  • Returned after a 2 week absence and had 13 tackles (9 solo), 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 1 QB hit Week 7 vs. the Jets.
  • Missed 3 games this season due to injuries: Week 5 vs. Cincinnati, Week 6 at Buffalo and Week 14 at San Diego and a 4th for rest Week 17 vs. Buffalo.
  • His 5 sacks is a new career high.
  • Along with Chandler Jones he led team with 8 tackles and 2 sacks Week 2 at Minnesota. He also had 2 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits and 1 pass defensed.
  • Had his first career 2-sack game Week 2 at Minnesota.

Chandler Jones notes:

  • Will play in his 5th playoff game.
  • Recovered a fumble in the end zone for a TD Week 16 – 2013 at Baltimore.
  • Second on team with 6 sacks.
  • Returned Week 15 vs. Miami from a hip injury suffered Week 7 vs. NY Jets. He had 7 tackles (4 solo), 1.5 sacks, 2 QB hits and 1 forced fumble.
  • Scored his 2nd NFL TD Week 2 at Minnesota when he blocked a field goal attempt and returned it 58-yards. His first NFL TD was Week 16, 2013 at Baltimore on a fumble recovery. It was his second blocked field goal attempt (2013 Week 8 vs. Miami).
  • Had the 5th blocked field goal returned for a TD in Patriots history Week 2 at Minnesota, first since 2010 when Patrick Chung returned one at Miami.
  • Now has 5 career 2-sack games with a pair at Minnesota in Week 2.
  • Along with Dont’a Hightower he led team with 8 tackles and 2 sacks Week 2 at Minnesota. He also had 3 tackles for loss, 3 QB hits, the blocked field goal attempt and return for TD.

Jamie Collins notes:

  • Will play in his 3rd career playoff game.
  • Leads team with 109 tackles (74 solo), forced fumbles (4), fumble recoveries (2) and is tied in INT’s (2). Also had 4 passes defensed.
  • Had 5 tackles (1 solo),a sack, a QB hit, a forced fumble and fumble recovery Week 17 vs. Buffalo.
  • Had 11 tackles (6 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 1 INT and 1 pass defensed Week 16 at NYJets.
  • Had his first career 2-sack game Week 14 at San Diego and led team with 9 tackles (8 solo). Also had 3 tackles for loss and 2 QB hits.
  • Led team in tackles Week 8 vs. Chicago with 11 (6 solo), Week 9 vs. Denver with 11 (10 solo), Week 11 at Indianapolis with 8 (5 solo) and Week 13 at Green Bay with 13 (7 solo).
  • Had 13 tackles (7 solo), 1 sack and his 3rd forced fumble of the season at Green Bay Week 13.
  • Had two tackles for loss and forced his second fumble of the year Week 11 at Indianapolis.
  • Had 13 tackles (7 solo) Week 7 vs. NY Jets.
  • Had 4 tackles (2 solo) and an INT Week 6 at Buffalo. It was his first NFL INT.

Akeem Ayers notes:

  • Will play in his first career playoff game.
  • Had a big INT Week 14 at San Diego. It was the lone Chargers turnover.
  • Had 3 tackles (3 solo), 1 sack, 1 QB hit and 1 tackle for loss vs. Detroit Week 12.
  • Had 5 tackles (2 solo), 1 sack, 1 QB hit and 1 tackle for loss Week 8 vs. Chicago.
  • Had 3 tackles (3 solo), 1 sack, 1 QB hit and 1 tackle for loss Week 9 vs. Denver.

Kyle Arrington notes:

  • Will play in his 10th career playoff game.
  • Was inactive Week 16 at NYJets with a hamstring injury.
  • Had his second career blocked field goal return for a TD Week 15 vs. Miami.
  • Had his 4th career TD (2 on blocked FGA, 2 on INT’s) Week 15 vs. Miami.
  • Has a sack, 4 passes defensed and 2 forced fumbles this season.

General Team news:

Roster moves/transactions this week:

  • CB Alfonzo Dennard placed on injured reserve.
  • WR Josh Boyce signed to 53-man roster from practice squad.
  • Signed DB Dax Swanson to the practice squad.
  • Released OLB/DE Cam Henderson from the practice squad.
  • Signed LB Eric Martin to the practice squad.

Patriots team captains for 2014:

  • QB Tom Brady
  • G/C Dan Connolly
  • WR Matthew Slater (special teams)
  • DT Vince Wilfork
  • LB Jerod Mayo (IR)
  • S Devin McCourty (replaces Mayo)

Former Ravens on the Patriots:

  • RB Jonas Gray

Players with New England roots:

  • none

Players with Maryland roots:

  • CB Kyle Arrington – Accokeek MD

Players from New England based colleges and universities:

Players from Maryland based colleges and universities:

The Patriots have 6 retired numbers:

  • 20 – Gino Cappelletti
  • 40 – Mike Haynes
  • 73 – John Hannah
  • 78 – Bruce Armstrong
  • 79 – Jim Lee Hunt
  • 89 – Bob Dee

Ravens Team Notes

Here is the Ravens roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.

2014 Ravens Schedule/Results

Franchise notes:

  • Baltimore’s all-time record is 168-135-1 they are 14-7 in the post season with their last post season appearance coming in 2012 when they won Super Bowl XLVII. They got there by beating Indianapolis at home in the AFC Wild Card Game; Denver on the road in OT in the AFC Division Game; New England on the road in the AFC Championship Game and then San Francisco in Super Bowl XLVII, 34-31.
  • The Ravens have won two Super Bowls in two appearances beating the New York Giants (XXXV) and San Francisco (XLVII).

In the Playoffs:

  • This season in the playoffs they won their AFC Wild Card game at Pittsburgh, 30-17 to advance to play the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
  • As a wild card team they will not host a home playoff game and must win three games, all on the road, to make the Super Bowl.
  • One of four teams since 2008 to make the playoffs six times the others are New England, Green Bay and Indianapolis.
  • Baltimore has 10 post season wins since 2008 most in the NFL in that span.
  • Since the merger the Ravens have the best post season winning percentage (15-7, .682).
  • They are 10-5 on the road in the playoffs tied for the best road win percentage (.667) of teams who played 5 postseason games since 1970
  • Have 8 playoff road wins since 2008.
  • Ravens are 4-4 in the Divisional Round of the Playoffs. They are 3-3 on the road.

Date Opponent W/L Score
01/07/01 at Tennessee W 24-10

01/20/02 at Pittsburgh L 10-27

01/13/07 vs. Indianapolis L 6-15

01/10/09 at Tennessee W 13-10

01/16/10 at Indianapolis L 3-20

01/15/11 at Pittsburgh L 24-31

01/15/12 vs. Houston W 20-13

01/12/13 at Denver W 38-35 (OT)

  • Baltimore has 7 players without playoff experience.
  • First team in current playoff format (since 1990) to win three Wild Card games as a 6 seed.
  • Since 2000 have 4th most Super Bowl appearances (2), 2nd most Super Bowl wins (2), 4th Most conference title games (4), 4th most winning seasons (11), 4th most playoff berths (10), 2nd most playoff games (22) and 2nd most playoff wins (15).

In the John Harbaugh era (2008-present):

  • Have won 10 playoff games in 5 of his 7 seasons.
  • Have played in the most playoff games (14).
  • Have most playoff road wins (7).
  • Tied for most AFC Championship game appearances with New England (3).
  • Behind Patriots (88) Ravens have the most wins in the NFL in this period (82).
  • Has 3rd best playoff winning percentage by coaches with at least 10 games (10-4, .714).

Against the Patriots:

Past playoff battles:

  • 2009 AFC Wild Card Game Jan 10 2010 at Gillette: Ravens won 33-14.
  • 2011 AFC Conference Championship Jan 22 2012 at Gillette: Patriots won 23-20.
  • 2012 AFC Conference Championship Jan 20 2013 at Gillette: Ravens won 28-13.
  • Baltimore has struggled at Gillette with only 2 wins in 7 appearances but those wins have come in the post season.
  • All time the Ravens are 19-18 vs. the AFC East.
  • Baltimore had a 1-4 record in 2014 against common opponents (Cincinnati – L/L, San Diego – L, Indianapolis –L, Miami – W).
  • Ravens have won the turnover battle in the three previous playoff games going PLUS 7.
  • Since 2000 the two franchises have played in 7 Super Bowls winning five.

In 2014:

  • Finished 3rd in the AFC North (10-6) behind Pittsburgh (11-5) and Cincinnati (10-5-1).
  • Set franchise record for most points (409).
  • The Ravens were only 2-6 vs. teams with a record of .500 or better this season. The only teams they beat that was .500 or better were Pittsburgh and Miami.
  • Have 19 players on the season ending IR List.
  • Gave up 2nd fewest sack with 19.
  • The Ravens are tied for 8th in the NFL in points per game with 25.6. While they allow 18.9 points per game good for 6th in the NFL.
  • Baltimore is PLUS 2 in turnover differential tied for 14th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 20 INT and 8 fumbles, while the defense has 11 INT and 11 fumble recoveries.

Ravens Staff Notes

Read what Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh had to say to the New England media about the match up.

John Harbaugh notes:

  • Harbaugh is in his 7th season with the team, he is 72-40 since taking over and is 10-4 in the playoffs for an overall record of 82-44.
  • He is 3-4 vs. New England in his career including playoffs.
  • He is the third head coach in Ravens history behind Brian Billick and Ted Marchibroda.
  • Before coming to Baltimore he spent one season at the Philadelphia Eagles secondary/safeties coach (2007) and 9 seasons as their special teams coordinator (1998-2006) under Andy Reid.
  • Harbaugh’s brother Jim just finished his 4th season as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and has taken the head coaching job at the University of Michigan.
  • They are the only brothers to have faced each other as head coaches in a Super Bowl (XLVII).
  • He has won two AFC North Division titles as the head coach of the Ravens and his teams have made the playoffs 6 of the 7 years he has been in Baltimore.
  • He is the only NFL head coach to have won a playoff game in each of his first five seasons.

Other Staff/Personnel notes:

  • Baltimore Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta is a native of Taunton MA and graduated from Colby College in Waterville ME.
  • The offensive coordinator is Gary Kubiak is in his first season with Baltimore. He was head coach of the Houston Texans (2006-13) and previously was the offensive coordinator or the Denver Broncos (1995-2005). He was a NFL QB and was selected in the 8th round of the 1983 NFL Draft by Denver (1983-91).
  • Defensive Coordinator Dean Pees is in his third season (2012-present) in that position. He previously served as the linebackers coach and defensive coordinator for New England (2006-09) and secondary coach for Green Bay (2010-11).
  • Assistant head coach/secondary coach Steve Spagnuolo is a native of Grafton MA and attended Springfield College, where he played wide receiver on the football team. He has held assistant coaching positions at UMass, UConn, and the University of Maine. He was previously head coach of St. Louis (2009-11) and the defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints (2012), New York Giants (2007-08) and Philadelphia Eagles (2004-06).
  • Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Jerry Rosburg was the secondary coach at Boston College.
  • Defensive Line Coach Clarence Brooks went to high school in New Bedford, MA. before playing guard at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He was also a coach at UMass.
  • Assistant Offensive Line Coach Craig VerSteeg served as the Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach at Harvard University.
  • Baltimore Assistant Offensive Line Coach Todd Washington coached the offensive line for the Hartford Colonials (UFL) in 2010.
  • Ravens Defensive Quality Control Coach Matt Weiss is a native of Cheshire CT and attended the Hopkins Grammar School in New Haven CT.
  • Quarterbacks coach Rick Dennis was head coach at Suffield CT Academy from 1992-94.

Ravens Possible Starters

Offense:

  • LT: Hurst
  • LG: Osemele
  • C: Zuttah
  • RG: Urschel
  • RT: Yanda
  • TE: Daniels
  • WR: S. Smith
  • WR: T. Smith
  • QB: Flacco
  • RB: Forsett
  • RB: Juszczyk

Defense:

  • DT: Ngata
  • NT: Williams
  • DE: Canty
  • LB: Suggs
  • LB: Mosley
  • LB: D. Smith
  • LB: Upshaw
  • LCB: Webb
  • RCB: Melvin
  • S: Stewart
  • S: Hill

Ravens Players Notes

Joe Flacco notes:

  • He is 72-40 in his career in the regular season and 9-4 in the playoffs for an overall record of 81-44 in 7 seasons.
  • Flacco was a 1st round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Delaware.
  • He is 3-4 vs. New England in his career including playoffs.
  • In 7 career games vs. New England he is 151-of-241 (62.6%) for 1,771 yards with 12 TD’s and 6 INT’s.
  • First QB in NFL history to make playoffs each of his first five seasons.
  • Has 21 game winning drives in his career (19 in regular season and 2 in the playoffs).
  • Holds record for most TD’s in one postseason (11) with Joe Montana and Kurt Warner.
  • He has never had a 4,000 passing yard season, had 3,986 this year.

Justin Forsett notes:

  • Led team with 235 carries for 1,266 rushing yards and 8 rushing TD’s.
  • Also had 44 catches for 263 yards.
  • Baltimore is his 5th team after being drafted by Seattle in the 7th Round in 2008.
  • Also played for Indianapolis, Houston and Jacksonville.
  • 2014 by far his most productive season doubled his career TD total and was 426 yards short of matching his rushing total for his career.

Steve Smith notes:

  • Former 3rd round pick of Carolina in 2001 Draft, this is his first season in Baltimore.
  • Five time Pro Bowl pick and twice selected a First Team All-Pro.
  • In 14 seasons has only missed 26 games playing in 198 of 224 possible games.
  • One of the NFL’s elder statesman and a Belichick favorite.
  • Has played against New England 5 times his best game may have been Super Bowl XXXVIII he had 4 catches for 80 yards and 1 TD (39 yards) and had a 30 yard kick of return.
  • At age 35 he had 1,065 receiving yards on 79 catches with 6 TD’s.
  • It was his 8th season with 1,000 or more receiving yards.

Torrey Smith notes:

  • Has franchise record 36 games with 100-yards receiving.
  • Led team with 11 TD’s and was second in catches (49) and yards (767).
  • Saw role diminished slightly this season with acquisition of Steve Smith.
  • In 4 games against New England he has 16 catches for 347 yards and 3 TD’s.
  • His best game vs. the Patriots was Week 3 – 2012 at Baltimore he had 6 catches for 127 yards and 2 TD’s. That was the game the day his younger brother was killed in a motorcycle accident.

Owen Daniels notes:

  • Had 48 catches for 527 yards and 4 TD’s.
  • Third receiving option for offense behind the Smith’s.
  • Fist season in Baltimore, played for Houston for eight seasons and is a two time Pro Bowl pick.
  • In career vs. New England has 12 catches for 124 yards in 3 games (all with Houston).
  • Best game vs. the Patriots was 2012 AFC Wild Card Game with Texans at Foxboro he had 9 catches for 81 yards.

Terrell Suggs notes:

  • 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 6 time Pro Bowler and named First Team All-Pro once.
  • Suggs is the Ravens all-time franchise sack leader.
  • Has 106.5 sacks for his career.
  • Second on team in sacks this year with 12.
  • Has 25 career forced fumbles, 13 recovered fumbles and 2 INT’s.
  • Has played 8 career games vs. the Patriots has 4 sacks and 29 tackles (15 solo).
  • 3rd in NFL in post season sacks all-time with 12.

Elvis Dumervil notes:

  • Three time Pro Bowl pick and named First Team All-Pro once.
  • Led team with 17 sacks tied career high (2009 with Denver).
  • Has 1 pass defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery this season.
  • Has 90 career sacks and 20 career forced fumbles.
  • Has played 6 career games vs. New England and has 3.5 sacks and 17 tackles (4 solo).

C.J. Mosley notes:

  • Selected in 1st round of 2014 Draft out of Alabama.
  • Led team with 141 tackles (92 solo).
  • Had 3 sacks, 2 INT’s, 8 passes defensed and recovered 1 fumble.

Players who attended New England based universities or colleges:

Players with New England roots:

  • none

Former Patriots with the Ravens:

Baltimore has no permanent captains, they are announced on a weekly basis.

The Ravens have no retired numbers.

Next Week

AFC ChampionshipUp next: With a win either Denver or Indianapolis in AFC Championship Game

Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro MA

Date/Time: Sunday January 18 6:30 p.m.

TV Network: CBS