Hours Before Kickoff: Wild Card

Don’t buy it when the Baltimore Ravens say they put the week 4 loss behind them. LB Ray Lewis avoided talking about it by saying it was in the past, but it’s on his mind.

Baltimore hasn’t forgotten the game that got away. DL Haloti Ngata has a picture of his contact with QB Tom Brady’s helmet. LB Terrell Suggs will have the time of his personal foul written on the tape on his wrist. WR Mark Clayton spent extra time catching passes so he won’t drop another fourth down pass.

Playing with emotion is encouraged, but to a point. You never want to let your emotions get the better of you. It could lead to costly penalties. But when harnessed right, a team plays with high energy and aggression, without crossing the line.

The Ravens is a team that plays with just enough emotion. Always a tough and physical team, B-more will stride into Gillette Stadium with an impetuous attitude, confident the only obstacle to success is themselves.

There is truth to that. Baltimore shot themselves in the foot on those two penalties. The Patriots capitalized on them and scored touchdowns thanks to those second chances. Take away 14 points and it’s a 21-13 win for the Ravens.

As for the Pats, they come into the game knowing they beat the Ravens once before and can do it again. But they understand it’s going to be tougher the second time around without WR Wes Welker.

Some people will point out that Welker only had six receptions for 48 yards in the game, but his presence on the field was valuable because the defense has to respect Welker. Without him, WR Randy Moss will star in the NFL version of “Three’s Company.”

Of course, Baltimore’s emotions can backfire. When playing so close to crossing the line, it’s not surprising that the Ravens were flagged often. B-more finished the regular season with 203 penalties, and if they are focused on revenge instead of winning the game, playing with emotion can backfire and work in the Patriots’ favor.

Revenge is a powerful motivator. But at the same time, when you play with fire, you can get burned.

A few things I’m looking for:

My Turn(over): RBs Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, and Fred Taylor will get carries, but it’s the drops (seven fumbles combined, six lost) that concern me. Ball security is paramount.

A Whole Ngata Rice: Controlling Baltimore’s Pro Bowl D-lineman will open up the ground game. On the other side of the ball, containing RBs Ray Rice and Willis McGahee diffuses the Ravens’ play-action passing.

Brand Name: The secondary was burned by Houston TE Joel Dreessen (6-81-1) after holding down some of the league’s best. A repeat performance on Todd Heap (4-46) would be good an inconsistent secondary.

It would be easier to put my faith behind the Patriots and their guile in pressure situations, but playing short-handed and a poor second half dooms New England.