Titus Young would be a Great Fit Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Titus Young has been in the NFL for two years now. He was drafted in the second round by the Detroit Lions after receiving for over 1,000 yards both his Junior and Senior Season at Boise State. He also is 5”11 while weighing 178 pounds and his average 40 yard-dash time is at 4.43. He had solid rookie season where he had 607 receiving yards. This past season was filled with drama as he was sent home three times and accused of running wrong routes because he was angry that he was not getting enough playing time. At the end he was placed on the IR because of a knee injury, but it seemed to be more of a punishment than a season ending injury.

The reason why Young would be perfect for the Patriots is that he is an extremely quick and skilled receiver and Bill Belichick seems to be the expert in dealing with and turning around undisciplined players.  Young is the deep threat the Patriots need. The lack of the ability to go deep was clearly portrayed in the AFC Championship loss. Without Rob Gronkowski the Pats don´t have the speed or size to pass deep. Instead they need to rely on Wes Welker to double or Triple juke somebody so that he gets open down field once in a while. Also Belichick has a reputation of reviving players who have struggled with off-field issues. One just has to look back at Randy Moss or Corey Dillon. Two other players who were both dropped to lower rounds in the Draft because of disciplinary issues were Ryan Mallett and Alfonzo Dennard. Now rumors have been going around the Browns might be willing to offer high picks for Ryan Mallett and Dennard is now a starting cornerback and an important player for the Patriots. So Belichick´s success rate is quite high with these type of players. Belichick even got Chad Johnson (Ochocinco) to adapt to the Patriot way even though it did not boost his performance. Bill Belichick is to me the best coach in the NFL and he would have no problems taking on another project like Titus Young. Another factor one should not forget is Jim Schwartz´s inability to manage his players. Last off season the headlines were full of Lions players committing crimes or doing something against the rules, so I am not surprised a young motivated player like young rebelled against his coach.

Overall, if Young hits free agency, I really hope the Patriots would try to sign him, especially since I believe that they will not and should not re-sign Wes Welker. Young would be a cheap free-agent since the other teams back away from players with off-field issues and would perfectly fit the Patriots needs. It would also stop them from using a 1^st round draft pick on a deep threat receiver, which could then be used on the defensive side. I hope the Lions do release Young, especially if they don´t play him because it would be a waste of a very talented wide receiver.

Otherwise, I hope everybody enjoys the super bowl( Harbaugh Bowl) even if the Patriots are not in it.

Stephen Gostkowski. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

In these last few years the NFL has laid a lot more emphasis on player safety, which is a good thing, no matter how much criticism these efforts draw . In some circumstances they may be taking it a bit too far. This week the NFL fined two New England Patriots players. Those players were safety Steve Gregory and place kicker Stephan Gostkowski. Both were fined $ 15,750 for unnecessary roughness calls for illegal tackles in the game against the Houston Texans last Sunday. Steve Gregory´s fine is understandable as he did launch himself into defenseless receivers head, but to fine a kicker for a horse collar is definitely an unnecessary fine. Gostkowski just got a hold Daniel Manning jersey and pulled him backwards which is illegal and the Texans were given a 15 yard penalty for it, but a fine is too excessive of a punishment for a kicker who seemed to almost have gotten hurt on that play. The only other time I have heard of a kicker being fined for unnecessary roughness was when Jay Feely got fined back in 2010 for a late hit.  I think protecting the players is definitely a good idea but the NFL should not go too far.

During a press conference that Bill Belichick held on Friday, he spoke extremely highly of special teams specialist and captain Matthew Slater. He even compared him to Larry Izzo, one of the best non-kicking special teams players of all time. An example of what Belichick said was “He’s tremendous. His attitude, his work ethic, the example that he sets, the way he interacts with his teammates in a really good way. I don’t know that a player could do anymore than what he’s done for us.” It is quite rare to hear Belichick say that such applauding words about one of his own players. Otherwise he usually speaks very highly about opposing teams players like he did again this week about the entire Ravens team and especially Ray Lewis. These words will hopefully give Slater and the rest of the Patriots special teams squad a boost after last week terrible performance.

Patriots Run Offense vs. Ravens Run Defense

Underrated: Dannell Ellerbe. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Patriots ability to run the football is going to be a major key for them in winning this game. In their first meeting in week three the Patriots running backs combined for a total of 75 yards on 30 touches, averaging only 2.5 yards per carry. This healthy Ravens run defense is a very good run defense. The two middle linebackers Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe are extremely skilled run defenders. Ellerbe began the year as one of the most underrated linebackers in the game and now is finally getting some recognition. Every Ravens game I watch, Ellerbe´s speed stands out to me. If you add those two middle-linebackers to Haloti Ngata, Arthur Jones, Terrence Cody and the rest of the defensive linemen that gets substituted in and out of the game, the Ravens have a very talented run defense. The Patriots do have very strong run-blockers to answer that run defense. Logan Mankins is known to be an exceptional run blocker and Ryan Wendell has stepped up ever since Dan Koppen was released. Dan Connelly also played a very solid season this year and really completed an offensive line that raised a lot of questions before the season. I also expect the Patriots to extensively use Michael Hoomanawanuii as a run blocker since that is the part of the tight end position he really masters.

Overall, this is a key matchup for the game and is very difficult to give either team an edge. The Patriots ability to run opens up the field and especially play action. I think Belichick and McDaniels will give Ridley the most touches like every week but might change their approach mid game by going with whoever has the hot hand. Shane Vereen was the only running back who did not play in the week three game and after his break out game last week, he will probably be built into the offense more this week.

Patriots Pass Offense vs. Ravens Pass Defense

Aaron Hernandez: He missed the week three game against the ravens due to injury Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports

I do not think any pass defense really matches up well against the New England Patriots. The most impressive part about the Ravens pass defense in the week three game was their ability to shut down Rob Gronkowski and the other tight ends. This week the Ravens pass defense will have to shut down Aaron Hernandez. Michael Hoomanawanuii is expected to continue to play most of the game as well, but I do Daniel Fells to come into the mix as well, especially since he is the better receiving tight end. I expect Dannell Ellerbe to be the main linebacker to line up with Aaron Hernandez because he somewhat has the speed to keep up with him. Otherwise the Patriots have a big advantage on the outside. Week three both Brandon Lloyd and Wes Welker had huge games and that was against a Ravens secondary that still had Lardarius Webb. Now they are without their best corner and again are going up again two very talented wide receivers. I am very much looking forward to seeing if the Patriots will frequently line up Shane Vereen on the outside. That would create tough matchups and give Tom Brady another option to throw to and put up points.

One doesn´t really have to talk about Tom Brady too much, especially when he is playing in the postseason and at home. One pretty much knows that he will make the plays if they are there and often even when they are not there. The one thing that can bring him out of his rhythm is getting hit. Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder will be under enormous pressure facing Terrell Suggs and Paul Kruger. Paul Kruger has been playing exceptionally well these last two games. The entire offensive line has been very good protecting Tom Brady this entire season, as they have given up the 5^th least sacks this year. I don´t think that will change on Sunday and the Patriots high paced offense will run very smoothly and put up 30 to 40 points.

Ravens Run Offense vs. Patriots Run Defense

Vince Wilfork: Key part of the Patriots Defense. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

The Ravens running game had very large success against the Patriots in their first meeting in week three. Ray Rice is the only running back to run for over 100 yards against the Patriots this year. The Run defense is the part of the defense that has seen a huge improvement in comparison to last year. Both first round draft picks, Dont´a Hightower and Chandler Jones, have had large impacts this season. The front seven is built perfectly to play against the run. Vince Wilfork is one of the best defensive tackles in the game and both Kyle Love and Brandon Deaderick have complimented him very well. Both defensive ends Chandler Jones and Rob Ninkovich also play the run very well. Chandler Jones seems to be the only Patriot who is questionable for Sunday´s game. If he does not play the Patriots will have Justin Francis and Trevor Scott jump in whom both have been playing well. Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes and Dont´a Hightower complete one of the most solid run defenses in the league. On the other side of the football the Ravens also have a very talented offensive line led by Six-time Pro Bowler Matt Birk and this year Pro Bowler Marshal Yanda. This offensive line has been very solid throughout the year and will be called upon to open some lanes for Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce. Bernard Pierce´s health is still in question for Sunday as he did not Practice Thursday. A key factor often overlooked for this ravens running game is Vonta Leach. The big fullback was limited in participation on Thursday but is expected to play on Sunday. The Patriots must keep Ray Rice in check this Sunday and cannot allow him to run all over them, like he did in their previous meeting this season.

Ravens Pass Offense vs. Patriots Pass Defense

Joe Flacco dissected this Patriots secondary early in the season. The secondary has come a long way from there. The acquisition of Aqib Talib has made a large impact because it allowed Belichick to move Devin McCourty to Safety where he has done a terrific job. Plus Alfonzo Dennard has become a starter and has really lived up to the potential that was seen in him. This defense will be put under a lot of pressure since Joe Flacco does throw the deep ball frequently and has a very talented deep threat in Torrey Smith to make the big catches. The Patriots have been susceptible to the deep ball throughout the season, but that problem has faded towards the end. Torrey Smith, who had a huge game in their first meeting, will have to have another one Sunday. A problem for the patriots has been their linebackers’ ability to cover. As mentioned earlier, all three of these linebackers are extremely good against the run, but they also lack a bit of skill in pass coverage. Ray Rice will create a lot of problems coming out of the backfield as he is one of the best receiving backs in the league. Also two players one should not overlook are the skilled tight end´s, Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson. If the Ravens can get their running game going play-action could become deadly. An important factor for the Patriots will be to get pressure to Joe Flacco and force him to make some mistakes. A healthy Chandler Jones would definitely increase the Patriots ability to rush Joe Flacco. Michael Oher will have his hands full against Rob Ninkovich who has been forcing significant turnovers for the Patriots this entire season. If the Patriots are able to stop the big gains through the air they will be a huge step closer to winning this game.

The winner gets the Lamar Hunt Trophy. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction:

I predict that the Patriots will win this game. It will be a closely contested game and could come down right to wire but at the end I think the Patriots will throw Ray Lewis his retirement party two weeks earlier than he hoped.

Keys:

1.       Running Game: Whichever team can rush the ball well, will be able to set up play action and will have a big advantage.

2.      Special Teams: After both teams just had atrocious Special teams games last week, I bet both Harbaugh and Belichick put some emphasis on them in practice. Kickers will also have a big role as I believe this will be an extremely tight game.

3.Turnovers: Turnovers are always a key factor in game against the Patriots. This team does not turn the football over too often and does force a lot of them. Joe Flacco will have to play smart and take care of the football.