We all know that Tom Brady is banged up. At least, we know vaguely and reportedly that he is, this being the Patriots and all (Bill Belichick should run the CIA after his coaching career is over). Brady won’t have Wes Welker to utilize for the quick passes. If Baltimore can get to Brady and knock him around on a cold day, they could limit his effectiveness.
How to combat that scenario? Besides getting good pass protection, a potent running game allows you to keep Brady out of danger and it controls the clock. If you can get a lead and run the ball effectively, you can force the other team to get pass happy, and that’s definitely not something the Ravens would like to do.
But does New England have such a ground game? Pats Pulpit says they better and has it as one of the keys to victory.
Discover a running game. We have [Sammy] Morris and Freddy [Taylor] back. [Laurence] Maroney has gone AWOL, but he has been jotted down with a bum knee for the past week or two. [Kevin] Faulk has remained healthy, but he is not a workhorse back that we need to keep the Ravens’ defense honest and keep them from stacking the secondary. Maroney usually heats up in the playoffs so hopefully he will make a big return for us. Freddy’s been doing well and ran well in his real comeback against the Texans with limited reps (which is all he SHOULD get in the playoffs). Sammy Morris did well against the Jaguars, but has been very inconsistent. However, he remains an extra veteran body if needed. Faulk will be a threat in the short passing game, but he might be needed to run. Running will give Brady time. That’s what’s needed. Control the clock and we can make the Ravens resort to the passing game more than necessary.