The Baltimore Ravens were impressive Saturday night, and to borrow a line from a familiar face … they’re on to New England.
The Ravens pulled away late for a 30-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card round, and the Ravens will now take on the New England Patriots next weekend in the divisional round.
The matchup is a familiar one for both clubs, and the Ravens know what they’ll be facing when they make the trip to Foxboro. After all, these two teams have met in the playoffs four times since 2010.
“Everybody knows the history,” Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs said after Saturday’s game, according to the Boston Herald. “We’re going to play a football game, and it’s the Ravens versus the Patriots. Everybody knows the storylines with this.”
That’s pretty tame for Suggs, a player who over the years has declared his hatred for Tom Brady and the Patriots, while also calling the Patriots “arrogant.”
The early message out of the Baltimore locker room, however, sounds like one of respect.
“I may go study tonight,” linebacker Elvis Dumervil said, according to The Baltimore Sun’s Aaron Wilson. “We got to enjoy the win and get ready for a good New England team.”
One of the biggest areas of focus for the Ravens will have to be slowing the New England offense, something they have been able to do in the past. That starts with finding a way to contain Brady.
“It’s always tough,” Dumervil added. “He’s done it before, time after time. It’s not going to be easy going into their house.”
That makes this week that much more important.
“We have to prepare like champions,” cornerback Ladarius Webb said, according to the Herald. “Tom Brady is a master at what he does, so we have to be on point in the back end.”
The Ravens’ defense will have its work cut out for itself after allowing the 10th-most passing yards per game during the regular season.
Thumbnail photo via Geoff Burke/USA TODAY Sports
