Scouting report: Ravens present formidible challenge

New England’s offensive line showed last week it’s not just an exceptional pass-blocking unit. The big uglies, particularly guards Logan Mankins (a relentless and ruthless blocker) and Stephen Neal (an exceptionally quick and athletic bully), were firing off the ball and winning the trench battles all day against an overmatched Falcon front seven. The task gets monumentally tougher this afternoon with the beastly Ravens in town. The key to Baltimore’s run-stuffing efforts (it hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 38 games) is 6-foot-4-inch, 345-pound tackle Haloti Ngata. This woolly mammoth has awesome strength and surprising quickness. Ngata can occupy several blockers, clearing space for Baltimore’s scary trio of linebackers to hunt down and punish ball carriers. Patriots center Dan Koppen along with Mankins and Neal have to deliver body shots on Ngata with the hope of wearing him down. Mike linebacker Ray Lewis remains one of the game’s toughest and most aggressive players. Lewis has off-the-charts read-and-react skills. He sifts through blockers and is seemingly in on every play. Fred Taylor has the unenviable task of attacking this defense. The wily veteran has good speed and power, and exceptional start-and-stop moves. Laurence Maroney (tantalizing physical skills yet maddening inconsistent), Sammy Morris (willing, not always able), and Kevin Faulk (quick feet and good vision) will share the role of Taylor’s understudy.

EDGE: Ravens

What the Patriots pass

Randy Moss has taken a lot of heat in his career for running half-hearted routes and often taking plays off. However, the more you watch Moss, the more it appears he’s trying to lull defenders to sleep when he jogs or runs patterns at less than full speed. One of the smartest and most versatile receivers in the league, Moss needs to have a big game for the Patriots to have any chance. Moss has exceptional acceleration and high-end speed; that’s always been obvious. What hasn’t always been obvious is his ability to morph into a possession receiver and exploit soft spots against zone coverages. Corners Fabian Washington and Domonique Foxworth will need help from safeties Ed Reed and Dawan Landry to shut Moss down. Reed is a game-changing player who specializes in intimidating hits, and a ballhawk who must be accounted for on every play. Tom Brady hasn’t looked like Tom Brady circa 2007 but he has looked more comfortable every week. He needs to be near-perfect, because any overthrows will end up in Reed’s hands. Brady would love to have Wes Welker back. Welker works the slot to perfection by combining quick feet, exceptional instincts, and strong hands to keep the chains moving. Julian Edelman has shown he can get open, but his hands have been suspect. Joey Galloway has looked dazed, confused, and, worst - intimidated.

EDGE: Patriots

When the Ravens run

Baltimore has a trio of above-average running backs who can both pound defenses and hit home runs. Sophomore Ray Rice surprised many when he beat out veteran Willis McGahee for the No. 1 tailback spot. A compact bulldozer at 5 feet 8 inches, 205 pounds, Rice has good vision and instincts. He sets up his blockers well, identifies creases, and bursts through them with authority. Rice runs low, so it is difficult to get clean shots on him. He has tremendous stamina and is an underrated blocker. The 6-foot, 228-pound McGahee still has plenty in the tank. A powerful cutback runner, McGahee has great patience and will break tackles. He loves to run between the tackles, and if he squirms through the first line of defense, he has surprising acceleration and will shift into a second gear. Durability and stamina are his biggest problems. Fullback/tailback hybrid Le’Ron McClain (6-foot, 260 pounds) has exceptional size and strength. McClain is an outstanding lead blocker who delivers a nasty initial pop. McClain runs low and hard and will push the pile. He is the prototypical short-yardage back who shows surprising quickness to the hole along with a nifty package of balance and agility. Center Matt Birk (6-4, 309) is quick and intelligent. He takes good angles and makes all the calls for the offensive line. New England’s front seven will have its hands full today if tackles Vince Wilfork and Mike Wright can play. Ends Ty Warren (exceptional strength) and Jarvis Green (good quickness and smarts) need to shed blocks quickly and make contact on the running backs so linebackers Gary Guyton and Adalius Thomas can bring them down.

EDGE: Ravens

When the Ravens pass

Joe Flacco has transformed Baltimore’s offense from a one-dimensional unit to one of the league’s most balanced and effective squads. Flacco (6 feet 6 inches, 235 pounds) has tremendous physical skills, including exceptional size, vision, and arm strength. He also has tremendous intangibles. Flacco is a winner. He led Delaware to an FCS Championship appearance as a senior and last year he led the Ravens to the AFC Championship game as a rookie. Flacco reads defenses quickly and will go through his progressions before delivering quick, tight spirals. He lacks mobility, however, and if a play breaks down, he has trouble improvising. Receiver Derrick Mason is consistent and quick. He bursts off the snap and run precise routes. Mason isn’t afraid of going over the middle and excels at accumulating yards after the catch. Fellow starter Mark Clayton also runs excellent routes. He thrives in the intermediate game but isn’t much of a factor in the deep game because he isn’t able to gain separation. Patriot corners Leigh Bodden (he’s physical) and Shawn Springs (he’s fast) will get help from safeties Brandon Meriweather (he’s a pounder) and James Sanders (he’s everywhere). Tight end Todd Heap is no longer an elite player but he can still make plays. Heap has good hands and is fearless but that has led to a lot of hits and injuries.

EDGE: Patriots

Ravens’ keys to victory:

1. Maintain intensity: The Ravens always come out sky-high. They need to play that way for 60 minutes because Tom Brady will keep the Patriots in it until the end.

2. Middle management: Pound the ball between the tackles to wear down the interior of the defense. The will force the safeties to play closer to the box and open up soft spots for the receivers.

3. Pocket pressure: Dropping extra men into coverage won’t faze Brady. If you give him time to scan the field, he will find an open man and you will lose the game.

Patriots’ keys to victory:

1. Red alert: The offense has been brutal in the red zone (four TDs in 13 trips) and the Ravens excel in red zone defense (two TDs in eight trips). It’s time to find the next Mike Vrabel so Tom Brady has a reliable short-yardage target.

2. Confusion reigns: Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has proven he can play in this league. Time to see if he can decipher a Bill Belichick defense in his first opportunity.

3. Balance the books: Don’t put it all on Brady. Yes, the run game will struggle early (every team does against the Ravens) but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon it. Keep plugging away to keep the defense honest.

Prediction:

Patriots 16, Ravens 13