FOXSports.com senior NFL writer Alex Marvez weighs in with NFL news and notes every Monday. Here are his thoughts on the weekend’s games.
GREENBELT, Md. -- Will New England's hopes for a perfect season soon be blowing in the wind?
We’ll find out after tonight’s game between the visiting Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.
The weather forecast calls for steady winds of 26 miles per hour throughout the game with gusts potentially reaching 50 mph. That could make what would be a mismatch under better conditions a much more competitive contest.
The throw-first Patriots may have to become more conservative with their offensive game plan, which would be fine with Baltimore. The Ravens have the NFL’s third-ranked run defense (77.9-yard average) and New England’s ground game isn’t nearly as dynamic as their passing attack.
Baltimore ranks No. 21 in both rushing and passing offense, but quarterback play is clearly the team's biggest problem. Such a weakness would be diminished if the Ravens can get New England mired in a game where both teams have to play close to the vest.
At this point, weather or sloppy field conditions might be the only thing that can stop the Patriots from going undefeated. Even the NFL’s worst team – Miami – had a chance to upset Pittsburgh last Monday night when Heinz Field turned into a soggy mosh pit.
The Patriots greatly improved their own playing surface by installing FieldTurf in November 2006 when it became clear grass wouldn’t cut it. But if a blizzard hits Gillette Stadium at the wrong time this January, the Patriots may be wishing they didn’t have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Here’s my two-cents on two topics: I’m predicting New England defeats Baltimore in a low-scoring contest – something like 17-13 -- and Miami (0-11) will end its winless ways with a Dec. 16 victory over the Ravens in South Florida. By then, Dolphins running back Jesse Chatman (ankle) should be healthy and rookie quarterback John Beck will have thrown his first touchdown pass (the scoreless streak now stands at 12 quarters). The Ravens (4-7) also could be in complete freefall and getting ready for a coaching change. Brian Billick’s squad already has lost five consecutive games and now plays New England and Indianapolis back-to-back.
Late free safety Sean Taylor is so beloved by the Washington Redskins that both of his lockers are now encased in glass. The Redskins have given such treatment to his lockers at both Fed-Ex Field and the team’s practice headquarters.
The Redskins-Buffalo game on Sunday was clearly all about Taylor – and deservedly so. But overshadowed by the tributes was Buffalo’s continuing resiliency. The Bills started a beat-up defense, a rookie quarterback (Trent Edwards) and a running back (Fred Jackson) from a Division III college (Coe). No matter. They still staged a comeback victory on the road. If Buffalo (6-6) can win its next two games against visiting Miami and Dec. 16 in Cleveland (7-5), a wild-card berth isn’t out of the question. But even if they fall short, Bills coach #### Jauron has done a fantastic job getting maximum effort from a roster that – on paper – shouldn’t be winning games.
I’ll end with this final thought from Redskins tackle Chris Samuels on Taylor’s death.
“We’ve got to get a hold of our youth and our best to lead these kids in the right direction, ” said Samuels, referring to the four defendants between the ages of 17 and 20 charged with Taylor’s killing. “Parents, role models have to do a better job. I’ve got to get out this summer and do some things in the community. I’ve already started my (charity) foundation, getting out in the Southeast and talking to the kids. We just need a lot of people to stand up because this is such a tragedy. Sean didn’t have to die, you know?”
I truly don't think anything besides a hurricane could slow down the Pats right now. They are a cold weather team and their short passing game is pretty efficient. We may also get a surprise at how good their running game is when Maroney is called on for 25+ runs. The Pat's O line is pretty strong. Also any weather will affect the other team as well and the best team should win.
Who cares about the weather. If the long stuff to Moss isn't there, we'll just have to settle for quick strikes to Welker, Stallworth, Gaffney, K Brady....
Who's Your Daddy: there is such a thing as just being hateful, and there is you. Someone is just plain ignorant to the point of stupid would be a compliment. First Brady is No Where Near a Dead Beat Dad. She left him, he went to the birth, he set up not just monthly payments but lifetime and trust funds. Get your facts before you show your true self. As to Mr. Belicheck - again get your facts. He did nothing new to ALL coaches from High School on up through the NFL. He just did it TO GET CAUGHT - make a cause - not for his team but for the NFL to reign in ALL ciaches from here on out.
Keep your hateful and ignorant comments to yourself - no one else really cares. Oh yeah - notice no nasty language!
I'm sitting in my office on Washington Boulevard which is two miles away from M & T Bank Stadium. The winds right now are a cool 35 MPH. They are calling for gust of to 50-55 MPH during the game and the winds will be blowing at 26 MPH all game. Good luck with the down field pass.
17-13 brilliant. Ravens can not put up 13 if it were 70 and sunny.
Dolphins could not beat a 2-9 team ruling out any possibility of a win. It is destiny. The year a team goes undefeated they go defeated. The 1972 team must have pissed the football gods off.
Last edited by fattire on December 3rd at 11:17 AM.
Yeah, the Pats offense may slow up a little bit, but let's not forget that the ravens have no offense at all.
This is New England's field, and New England's weather. If anything the Ravens will be hurt more than the Pats, not that Balimore's weather is all that great either. Brady has thrown the ball in bad weather before and does not show as much of a decline as other QBs like Rothisburger who has enough of a hard time throwing the ball, never mind in bad weather.
Did any one else catch the post by "Who'z Your Daddy?" - I guess if he doesn't know who his father is that should be our first clue but shouldnt there be some kind of IQ test in order to make a post. The mental midget has little or nothing to offer to any conversation.
Mean time. Take the Ravens and the under - No way the Pats cover in that stadium, with that defense and under the predicted weather conditions.
First, not a Pats fan - but hats off to them, they've looked incredible and you have to respect a great "team", and that's what they are...Do they go undefeated? Probably, but their own weather and stadium may derail them come playoff team. If they do have a weakness (which they may not), then it is the running game. I don't care who you are, bad weather, cold, wind, rain, snow ALWAYS hinders the passing game. If it comes down to a game like that in the playoffs for the Pats where the other team can stack the box and play tight co####e against the short or quick pass (and the other team has an formidable running game), then the Pats could be vulnerable. Of course with how good they are a lot would have to come together to create a scenario where they lose. I don't think tonight's game will be an indicator at all - wait for the playoffs, the weather, and a quality playoff team with a running game looking to knock them off.
Since when does bad weather in NE cause even the slighest problem for Brady? If I remember correctly, most NFL teams complained, yet again, about having to play NE on their sloppy field before turf was put in. Try to pay attention Alex.
Let's face it: Can't beat them on turf, can't beat them on a sloppy field, can't beat them in snow, can't beat them on a nice fall afternoon......can't beat them period.
Enough with the rubbish Marvez. Change your ugly #### picture immediately. I'm am beyond sick of telling you at this point. You ugly bas-tard. Double chin and constipated looking. What a great picture to put up. Change it now azzhole.
I guess some of these writters dont studdy any football history at all. We have been a very productive cold weather team for what the last 10yrs. Brady and company will be fine. Am i the only one who has noticed that Coach has been keeping Marohney fresh for games like this. I love the fact that it is going to be cold, windy, and snowing. Thsi gives Moss, Welker and Stallworh some practice for what is to come this January. Ravens havent shown any offense in weeks. Yeah we all know there defense is good but any good defense that has to play to much can be scored on. Pats 28
Ravens 10
Last edited by moonboy69 on December 3rd at 11:39 AM.
Alex simply does not understand that the PATRIOT's play in the snow every year.
The RAVEN's can't score 13 points in GOOD weather. The PATRIOT's will win tonight's game by 14 points or more. Ray LEWIS is NOT what he was 3-4 years ago.
PATRIOT's may very well go 16-0. Steelers simply are not playing that well this year their offense is way off. BIG Ben has become a running back things are so bad. GIANT's have become a joke. ELI is a TURNOVER KING. Forget the JET's and FINS. FINS may very well be the first team to go 0-16.
I will admit I read but don't write posts. I get caught reading about everything from Sean Taylor deserved what he got to Tom Brady is a deadbeat dad. This is a sports blog and the one time I write its about something other than sports. Damn.
This article implies the Pats can't handle cold weather. I could see if it were San Diego going to Baltimore, but the Pats? Today, the weather in NE is 24 degrees, windy, icy and miserable. Please stop acting like the Pats arent used to inclimate weather. Makes you sound real dumb.
Really. Does Alex really believe what he writes?
Hasn't Brady marched the team down the field in windy blizzard conditions enough times for him to know that Brady excells under ALL conditions.
Just another reason why Brady is the best.
Also: NE 16-0 & Miami 0-16. Perfect. Take that Don Shula.
"As to Mr. Belicheck - again get your facts. He did nothing new to ALL coaches from High School on up through the NFL. He just did it TO GET CAUGHT - make a cause - not for his team but for the NFL to reign in ALL ciaches from here on out."
Man jamtob do you really believe what you are spewing? BB made sure he got caught to make a cause? The rest of your comment I have no issue with but regarding this part has to be one of the d-u-m-b-e-s-t things I have ever heard anyone say on these blogs! Trust me there are a TON of stupid comments on these posts (probably threw in a few myself) so....
Hey jamtop last time i checked Belicheat was trying to get tape not to stop the leagues cheating but to help his team demolish the Jets later in the season, of course i dont know why since you already are going to but it shows a lack of character especially in today's game
Let's see. New England is cold this time of year. The Patriots have to play in #### weather every year. They play well in the #### weather every year. Marvez not only are you ugly as hell but your dumb too. Change that damn picture already you butt pirate.
Hey Who'z Your Daddy.. The Pats are going to B*TCH slap the Ravens like your daddy should have done to you!!!! You just keep on beating that dead horse and NE will just keep on winning. Tonights game will show that they can adapt to any conditions. I'm not saying its going to be easy, but this whole "blueprint" deal Maddans talking about couldn't help the Ravens even if Brady showed them how to read it. 12-0, GO PATRIOTS!!!!!
Last edited by NEBOSFAN on December 3rd at 12:06 PM.
The Field is a non factor it will be the same weather for both teams. The Ravens look JV lately against worse teams. Ray Lewis is a Court Jester That does a better pre-game and radio show than he plays football.
Ray Needs to concentrate on football and Lose teh rest of his distractions.
Forget the blueprint. Every team has a bad game once in a while. I'm not a Patriots fan but they are a powerful team. I've never seen anything like it offensively.
PATRIOT's are at the TOP of the NFL. Then the COWBOYS, COLTS, PACKERS. After that, no one really looks that consistent with their play.
PATRIOT's should go 16-0. Plus, the way the 49'rs are playing, look for a TOP 5 DRAFT PICK this year that BILL AND SCOTT will turn into GREAT OTHER PICKS. Winning will continue for a few more years.
The Ravens are a better team then their record indicates, but the weather isnt the factor here-I think we all know Brady has played in some pretty awful conditions as has most of the team.
I think it will be a competitive game, but I dont see the Ravens in a position to win.
AND THE BIGGEST LOSER AWARD GOES TO: "WHO'Z YOUR DADDY"!!!!
A FAN OF:
GIANTS 8-4
KNICKS 5-11
PANTHERS 5-7
RANGERS 15-9, BIG DEAL
YANKEES: OH MY GOD!!! WE ALL KNOW WHAT KIND OF SEASON THEY HAD.
LIKE I SAID, BIGGEST LOSER= WHO'Z YOUR DADDY
HERE'Z YOUR COOKIE!!!
The Patriots have been slowing the last few games. Tonight we will see the old Patriots and Brady & company will run up the score. It will be something like 56-13!!
The weather???? The PATS are one of the best teams in harsh weather. They might not score 40 tonight but they will win. probably 28-7. Remember if the weather SLOWS the PATS it will kill the ravens.
Remember when the Pats changed the playing field surface? That's because the league was all over them to change it....Why isn't the league busting the steelers nuts? steelers should be fined 750,000 for the condition of that mud hole.
Haha Buddha, I see you post on all of Marvez' blogs, I thin he is refusing to change his picture just to spite you now.
This article is silly. Last I checked they were the NEW ENGLAND Patriots. Alex, you usually have some good blogs but this is just crazy talk now. Two things 1.) Come up here to Boston and you'll notice how crappy the weather is, hell, it is snowing as I type. Its not like the Pats play in Miami 2.) When the hell have you seen the Pats lose in a game with bad weather. They always play well in bad weather, perhaps better than any other team in the NFL, just ask the Raiders and Colts, because, again, they are the NEW ENGLAND Patriots.
Lest we forget, when Dun Schula of the famous undefeated 72 Dolphins had to play a fast team, the first thing he did was make sure the field was nice and watered down by the grounds keepers.
THAT isnt cheating though. Just filming activity going on in plain site during a game. THATS cheating....LOL
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com . He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
