This Week
The New England Patriots visit the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday at 8:20 p.m.
| The Patriots |
=—- | The Ravens | ||
| Overall | 1-1 | Overall | 1-1 | |
| Road record | 1-0 | Home record | 1-0 | |
| AFC North | 0-0 | AFC East | 0-0 | |
| AFC | 1-0 | AFC | 1-0 | |
The Line/Prediction
As of Thursday the line on the game from Bovada.net on Yahoo Sports has the Patriots at PLUS 3. The OVER/UNDER is 49.
My Prediction is Ravens 28, Patriots, 24. Give the points (RAVENS) and take the over. I am 1-1 against the spread and 1 of 2 on calling the over/under in 2012.
Tickets
The Ravens are reporting the game as a sell out.
Tickets to the game, if available, can be purchased through Ticketmaster. You can check the availability here.
Getting to the Game
If you’re lucky enough to be going to the game in Baltimore make sure you check out the links.
Here is the up to date weather forecast from the Weather Channel for Baltimore MD.
Click for all the game day information including stadium directions, parking information and map and an M&T Bank 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.
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 You Drink, You Drive, You Lose.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Television
NBC in televising the game nationally and Al Michaels will do play by play while Cris Collinsworth will provide the game analysis and Michele Tafoya will cover 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. Gil Santos handles the play-by-play and former Patriots QB Scott Zolak will do game analysis. It all starts with Gary Tanguay and Andy Gresh with the pregame show at 5 p.m. along 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 92; XM Channel 225 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 WIYY-FM and WBAL.
Their call is available on Sirius Channel 93; XM Channel 226 and SiriusXM Internet Channel 802.
Dial Global Radio Sports will be broadcasting the game to their national affiliates. Kevin Kugler and James Lofton will call the game.
The national feed is available on Sirius Channel 94, XM Channel 227 and Sirius XM Internet Channel 800.
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 Sunday 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 teams website in the media section.
To continue reading the New England Patriots @ Baltimore Ravens week 3 preview, please click on the read more button below if you’re on the home page.
Last Week
The Patriots lost their home opener to Arizona, 20-18. The Ravens lost to Philadelphia on the road, 24-23.
History
- This is the 9th 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.
- The teams have faced each other in the post season twice with each team winning once.
- The Patriots lead the series 7-1 with the lone loss coming in the 2009 AFC Wild Card Game, 33-14 in Foxboro.
- The Patriots won the last meeting between the teams the 2011 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium, 23-20.
Patriots Team Notes
Here is the Patriots roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
2012 Patriots Schedule/Results
The Patriots overall franchise record is 415-366-9. They have won three Super Bowls (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX) in seven appearances. Overall they are 23-16 in the post season.
They last appeared in the playoffs in 2011 when they beat Denver home in the AFC Divisional Playoff, 45-10 and defeated Baltimore 23-20 in Foxboro in the AFC Championship Game. They lost Super Bowl XLVI to the New York Giants 21-17.
The Patriots were 13-3 (2-1 in playoffs) in 2011 and are the defending two-time AFC East Champions as well as the defending AFC Conference Champions. They have won the division 8 times and the conference 5 times since 2000.
The Patriots have gone 145 games without having a losing record. The last time the Patriots had a losing record was after Week 1 in 2003. That’s NINE YEARS.
New England is 2-0 vs. Ravens on the road.
The Patriots are 15-4 all-time against the AFC North in the regular season and 2-1 in the playoffs.
The Patriots are 18-14 all-time on Sunday Night Football, 6-5 in games on NBC. They have won their last 3 SNF games.
Since 2003, New England is 27-3 following a loss.
Since 2000 the Patriots have an NFL best 64-33 road record.
The Patriots are 12th in the NFL in points per game with 26. While they allow 16.5 points per game good for 4th in the NFL.
The New England defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 3 times this season, while their quarterbacks have been sacked 5 times.
New England is PLUS 3 in turnover differential tied for 5th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 1 INT and 0 fumble, while the defense has 1 INT and 3 fumble recoveries.
The Patriots are 11 for 27 (40.7%) in 3rd down efficiency and 0 for 0 on fourth down attempts. Opponents are 9 for 28 (32.1%) in 3rd down efficiency and 1 for 2 (50%) on 4th down attempts.
New England is 3 of 7 (42.8%) in the red zone while opponents are 2 for 4 (50%) in the red zone in 2012.
In goal to go situations New England is 3 for 4 (75%) and opponents are 2 for 3 (66.6%).
Since Robert Kraft bought the team in 1994 they:
- Have the most Super Bowl wins, 3.
- Have the most regular season wins, 194.
- Have the most wins including playoffs, 213.
- Have the best wining percentage including playoffs, .668.
- Have the most conference titles, 6.
- Have the most division titles, 11.
- Have the most playoff wins, 19
- Have played the most playoff games, 29.
- Are tied for the most playoff seasons, 13.
- Have the best playoff win percentage, .671.
- Have drafted the most Pro Bowl players, 20.
New England set the following team records in 2011:
- Total yards, 6,848.
- First downs, 399.
- Net passing yards, 5,084.
- 100+ yard receiving games, 18.
- Games with 30+ points, 12 (tied for most in NFL history).
Patriots Staff Notes
This is the link to head coach Bill Belichick’s Wednesday press conference on the Ravens.
Bill Belichick coached teams are 6-1 vs. Baltimore (including playoffs) all with New England.
Overall in his NFL career Belichick is 176-98 in his 18th NFL season. He is 140-54 with New England and 36-44 with Cleveland. He is 17-7 in the playoffs, 16-6 as head coach of the Patriots in the post season. When you combine his regular season and post season records he is 193-105.
Belichick’s 193 wins are good for a tie for 8th all-time with Chuck Knox, who coached the Rams, Bills and Seahawks.
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.
He is the only coach in NFL history to have led his team to 10+ wins in 9 consecutive seasons.
Special Teams Coach Scott O’Brien worked for the Baltimore Ravens as the Special Teams Assistant.
Patriots Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Solder
- LG: Mankins
- C: Wendell
- RG: Thomas
- RT: Vollmer
- TE: Gronkowski
- WR: Lloyd
- WR: Welker
- WR: Branch
- QB: Brady
- RB: Ridley
Defense:
- DE: Ninkovich
- DT: Wilfork
- DT: Love
- DE: C. Jones
- LB: Mayo
- LB: Spikes
- LB: Hightower
- LCB: McCourty
- RCB: Arrington
- S: Chung
- S: Gregory
Patriots Players Notes
This is Tom Brady’s 13th NFL season he is 5-1 vs. Baltimore in his career including playoffs.
Overall Brady is 125-36 as a starting QB and is 16-6 in the playoffs for an overall record of 141-42. Brady is a 7 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.
He was ranked in the preseason by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski as the 3rd best quarterback in the NFL.
Brady has 303 TD passes in his career he is now 5th all-time. Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton is 4th with 342.
Brady has 125 career wins he is 5th all-time. Peyton Manning is 4th with 141.
Brady finished the 2011 season with 5,235 passing yards and joined Drew Brees (5,476 in 2011 and 5,069 in 2008), Dan Marino (5,084 in 1984) and Matthew Stafford (5,038 in 2011) as the only players in NFL history to reach 5,000 passing yards in a single season.
Brady (40,531) needs 21 passing yards to move past Joe Montana (40,551) into 12th place all-time on the NFL’s passing list.
Brady (3,448) needs 40 completions to move past Kerry Collins (3,487) into 10th place all-time on the NFL’s all-time completion list.
Brady has thrown at least 1 TD pass in 33 consecutive games.
The Patriots are 82-15 when Brady throws at least 2 TD passes in a game.
WR Wes Welker now has catches in 103 consecutive games including playoffs, 86 as a Patriot. The last time Welker did not have a catch in a game was 12/24/05 as a Dolphin.
Welker is now the team’s all-time leader in receptions with 562.
Welker (6,214) needs 153 receiving yards to move past Troy Brown (6,366) into second place on the New England all-time receiving list.
Welker joined Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison as the only players in NFL history with four 100+ catch seasons.
Welker has two of the Top 4 seasons for most catches in a season with 123 in 2009 and 122 in 2011.
He has led the team in receptions for 5 consecutive seasons.
TE Rob Gronkowski has back-to-back 10+ TD reception seasons. With another in 2012 he will be the first TE in NFL history to have done it three seasons in a row.
Patriots LB Jerod Mayo leads the team with 22 tackles (14 solo).
New England recovered two more fumbles on Sunday one by rookie safety Tavon Wilson and one by DT Vince Wilfork. They are tied for the team lead with LB Dont’a Hightower with one each.
Rookies are making an impact on defense, DE Chandler Jones leads the team with two forced fumbles and Wilson leads the team in INT’s with 1.
DE Rob Ninkovich had a sack on Sunday and he leads the team in sacks with one each with LB Jermaine Cunningham and Jones.
There are only three players on the team who played on at least one of the Super Bowl championship teams, Brady (3); Branch (2) and Vince Wilfork (1).
Roster moves this week:
- Signed free agent TE Kellen Winslow Jr.
- Signed free agent WR Deion Branch
- Released WR Greg Salas
- Released LB Mike Rivera
- Released RB Lex Hilliard
- Signed free agent LB Niko Koutouvides
- Signed WR Greg Salas to practice squad
- Released WR Kerry Taylor from practice squad
On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list. TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) did not practice. G Dan Connolly (concussion); CB Alfonzo Dennard (hamstring); TE Daniel Fells (shin); DT Justin Francis (ankle); WR Brandon Lloyd (thigh); C/G Nick McDonald (shoulder); CB Sterling Moore (knee); RB Shane Vereen (foot) and T Sebastian Vollmer (back) were limited in practice. S Patrick Chung (shoulder) had full participation.
On Thursday the following players were on the injury list. TE Aaron Hernandez (ankle) and DT Justin Francis (ankle) did not practice. G Dan Connolly (concussion); DE Brandon Deaderick (ankle); CB Alfonzo Dennard (hamstring); TE Daniel Fells (shin); WR Brandon Lloyd (thigh); C/G Nick McDonald (shoulder); CB Sterling Moore (knee); RB Shane Vereen (foot) and T Sebastian Vollmer (back) were limited in practice. S Patrick Chung (shoulder) had full participation.
CB Kyle Arrington is a native of Accokeek MD and attended Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine MD
TE Visanthe Shiancoe is a native of Laurel MD and attended Morgan State University in Baltimore.
DE Chandler Jones is the younger brother of Ravens DE Arthur Jones. Their other brother, Jon “Bones” Jones is a Champion UFC fighter.
The Patriots captains for 2012 are QB Tom Brady, DT Vince Wilfork, G Logan Mankins, LB Jerod Mayo, CB Devin McCourty and WR Matthew Slater (special teams). They are the same 6 players that were selected last season as well.
The Patriots have 5 New England natives on the roster they are: TE Aaron Hernandez (Bristol CT); OL Donald Thomas (New Haven CT); DE Ron Brace (Worcester MA); LB Niko Koutouvides (Plainville CT) and OL Jamey Richard (Weston CT – IR). They have 12 players who played for a New England school or a Big East Conference member. They are CB Will Allen (Syracuse – IR); DE Ron Brace (Boston College); WR Deion Branch (Louisville); RB James Develin (Brown – Practice Squad); RB Tony Fiametta (Syracuse – Exempt List); DE Justin Francis (Rutgers); S Stephen Gregory (Syracuse); DE Chandler Jones (Syracuse); CB Devin McCourty (Rutgers); OL Donald Thomas (UConn); OL Jeremiah Warren (South Florida – Practice Squad) and NT Vince Wilfork (Miami).
The Patriots have 7 retired numbers: 20 – Gino Cappelletti, 40 – Mike Haynes, 73 – John Hannah, 78 – Bruce Armstrong, 79 – Jim Lee Hunt and 89 – Bob Dee.
Ravens Team Notes
Here is the Ravens roster, depth chart and injury report for the game.
Baltimore’s all-time record is 141-116-1 they are 10-7 in the post season with their last post season appearance coming in 2011 when they beat Houston in the AFC Division Game and then lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
The Ravens have won one Super Bowl in their only appearance beating the New York Giants (XXXV).
The Ravens along with the Patriots are two of three teams to make the playoffs in five of the last six seasons. The third team is Indianapolis.
Since 20002 Baltimore has the 2nd best home record in the NFL they are 62-19.
Since 2002 the Ravens have allowed the fewest points per game at home with 15.6
Since 2002 Baltimore has the second largest home point differential in the NFL with 727.
The Ravens have to bounce back to play the Cleveland Browns at home on Thursday night after playing on Sunday night.
Baltimore has won 11 consecutive home games.
Overall at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore is 82-31 since 1998.
Since 2008 the Ravens are 16-4 after a loss, including 13 consecutive wins after a loss.
Since 2008 Baltimore is 5-2 vs. the AFC East with both losses being to New England.
Since 2000 the Ravens have the most shutouts in the NFL with 9.
Baltimore is 11-12 all-time on Sunday Night Football, they are 8-5 at home.
Since the 2002 realignment, the Ravens are 8-1 at home against the AFC East. Their lone loss is to the Patriots.
The Ravens are tied for 2nd in the NFL in points per game with 33.5. While they allow 18.5 points per game good for 6th in the NFL.
The Baltimore defense has sacked the opponents quarterback 6 times this season, while their quarterbacks have been sacked 5 times.
Baltimore is PLUS 4 in turnover differential 4th best in the NFL. The offense has given up 1 INT and 1 fumble, while the defense has 3 INT and 3 fumble recoveries.
The Ravens are 7 for 23 (30.4%) in 3rd down efficiency and 1 for 3 (33.3%) on fourth down attempts. Opponents are 11 for 30 (36.7%) in 3rd down efficiency and 3 for 4 (75%) on 4th down attempts.
Baltimore is 4 of 5 (80%) in the red zone while opponents are 3 for 8 (37.5%) in the red zone in 2012.
Ravens Staff Notes
Read what Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh had to say to the New England media about the match up.
Harbaugh is in his 5th season with the team, he is 45-21 since taking over and is 5-4 in the playoffs for an overall record of 50-25.
He is 1-3 vs. New England in his career, with his lone victory coming in the playoffs.
Harbaugh’s brother Jim is in his second season as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
The brothers each ended up one win away from facing each other in the Super Bowl last year.
He has won one AFC North Division title as the head coach of the Ravens and his teams have made the playoffs all four years he has been in Baltimore.
He is the only NFL head coach to have won a playoff game in each of his first four seasons.
Assistant 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.
Offensive Quality Control Coach Jason Brooks, son of Clarence Brooks, was born in Amherst, MA. Brooks, like his father, served as a coach at UMass.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach John Dunn was born in Great Barrington MA
Assistant Offensive Line Coach Craig VerSteeg served as the Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach at Harvard University.
Ravens Linebackers Coach Dean Pees served as the Linebackers coach and Defensive Coordinator for New England.
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.
Baltimore Assistant General Manager Eric DeCosta is a native of Taunton MA and graduated from Colby College in Waterville ME.
Ravens Possible Starters
Offense:
- LT: Oher
- LG: Harewood
- C: Birk
- RG: Yanda
- RT: Osamele
- TE: Pitta
- WR: Smith
- WR: Bolden
- WR: J. Jones
- QB: Flacco
- RB: Rice
Defense:
- DT: Ngata
- NT: Kemoeatu
- DE: McPhee
- DE: McClellan
- LB: McClain
- LB: Lewis
- LB: Kruger
- LCB: Webb
- RCB: Williams
- S: Pollard
- S: Reed
Ravens Players Notes
Baltimore Ravens QB Joe Flacco is 45-21 in his career in the regular season and 5-4 in the playoffs for an overall record of 50-25 in 5 seasons.
Flacco was a 1st round draft pick in the 2008 NFL Draft out of the University of Delaware.
He was ranked in the preseason by ESPN’s Ron Jaworski as the 9th best quarterback in the NFL.
He is 1-3 vs. New England in his career including playoffs.
Flacco has the third current longest consecutive starts by a QB with 66.
Baltimore has no permanent team captains; the staff appoints them on a weekly basis.
Future Hall of Fame LB Ray Lewis is in his 17th season. In his career he has 2,605 tackles, 31 INT’s and 20 recovered fumbles.
He is the only 40-sack/30 INT player in NFL history and along with another future Hall of Famer former Patriots S Rodney Harrison they are the only 30/30 players in the NFL history.
Future Hall of Fame S Ed Reed has 59 career INT’s and has returned 7 of them for TD’s.
He is the only NFL player to have scored return TD’s off of an INT, punt return, blocked punt and fumble recovery.
Overall Reed has 14 career TD’s.
He is the NFL’s all-time leader in INT return yards with 1,506.
Since 1966 Reed has the most 2+ INT games in NFL history with 12.
Reed has the two longest INT returns for TD’s in NFL history 107 yards and 106 yards.
2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs is on the PUP list with an achilles injury.
Suggs is the Ravens all-time franchise sack leader with 82.5.
Since 2008, RB Ray Rice has the most receptions by a running back (259) and receiving yards by a running back (2,313) in the NFL.
Baltimore S James Ihedigbo, an Amherst MA native, played for the Patriots in 2011.
Baltimore LB Ricky Brown (Injured Reserve) was in training camp with the Patriots in 2011.
Baltimore WR and Return Specialist David Reed (Injured Reserve) is a native of New London CT and played for New Britain High School until he transferred to New London High School for his senior season.
Ravens LB Ray Lewis leads the team with 19 tackles (16 solo).
Lewis, CB Ladarius Webb and LB Albert McClellan lead Baltimore in recovered fumbles with one each.
Lewis and Webb lead the Ravens with one forced fumble apiece.
Reed leads the team in INT’s with 2.
DT Haloti Ngata leads Baltimore in sacks with 2.
Baltimore has no permanent captains, they are announced on a weekly basis.
On Wednesday the following players were on the injury list. LB Jameel McClain (knee); DE Pernell McPhee (knee); S Bernard Pollard (chest); T Jah Reid (calf) and CB Ladarius Webb (knee) did not practice. LB Paul Kruger (back) and T Michael Oher (ankle) were limited in practice.
On Thursday the following players were on the injury list. T Jah Reid (calf) did not practice. LB Jameel McClain (knee); DE Pernell McPhee (knee); S Bernard Pollard (chest) and CB Ladarius Webb (knee) were limited in practice. LB Paul Kruger (back) and T Michael Oher (ankle) had full participation in practice.
There are 9 players on the Baltimore roster from Big East Universities and New England based colleges. They are C Matt Birk (Harvard); LB Ricky Brown (Boston College – IR); CB Corey Graham (New Hampshire); S James Ihedigbo (UMass); DT Arthur Jones (Syracuse); LB Jameel McClain (Syracuse); RB Bernard Pierce (Temple); RB Ray Rice (Rutgers) and TE Kris Wilson (Pittsburgh)
The Ravens have no retired numbers.
Next Game
The Patriots visit the Buffalo Bills next Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park NY. Kick off is at 1 p.m. on CBS.
Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveMichaelsII
