McGahee vs New England Defense (1 Viewer)

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Curious what others thoughts are surrounding one of the more interesting matchups this weekend: Willis McGahee vs New England Patriots Defense.

New England has a Top 5 rushing defense overall and has only managed to give up a single 100 yard rushing performance this season.. and that was Addai in their toughest matchup (IND) where they were forced to respect the arm of Manning. In addition, NE has only given up 6 Rushing TDs this season.

McGahee is coming off a strong of 6 straight games where he scored a TD, and has posted a 4.0 YPC in that time. That said, BAL doesnt' exactly have the passing attack that Indy did (21st in NFL) and I've got to think that NE will gameplan around containing Willis.

THAT said.. this game could end up being a low-scoring battle of attrition with ball control being an important element for the Ravens... meaning they might rush the ball excessively to keep the NE offense off the field and to slow the game down. IF it doesn't get out of hand early, wil continue to shove Willis down their throats to try to stay in it?

Curious what others thoughts are on this game and most specifically the McGahee matchup.

 

[Banger]

Tough sledding for Willis in this one. Willis is the only offensive player worth shutting down with Heap out so NE will focus solely on shutting him down. I don't think it will be low scoring at all, at least from the NE side. These are not your old Ravens on defense...in their last 5 games they've given up 19 to Buff, 38 to Pitt, 21 to Cincy, 33 to Clev and 32 to SD. NE >>> than any of those offenses so I'd say mid-30's is a given and the Balt offense can't score against anyone.

 

[TxBuckeye]

Tough sledding for Willis in this one. Willis is the only offensive player worth shutting down with Heap out so NE will focus solely on shutting him down. I don't think it will be low scoring at all, at least from the NE side. These are not your old Ravens on defense...in their last 5 games they've given up 19 to Buff, 38 to Pitt, 21 to Cincy, 33 to Clev and 32 to SD. NE >>> than any of those offenses so I'd say mid-30's is a given and the Balt offense can't score against anyone.

Beat me to it. NE will put 8 in the box and make him a non-factor. There just isn't anything in the Raven's passing game to scare them in to doing otherwise.

 

[matuski]

Tough sledding for Willis in this one. Willis is the only offensive player worth shutting down with Heap out so NE will focus solely on shutting him down. I don't think it will be low scoring at all, at least from the NE side. These are not your old Ravens on defense...in their last 5 games they've given up 19 to Buff, 38 to Pitt, 21 to Cincy, 33 to Clev and 32 to SD. NE >>> than any of those offenses so I'd say mid-30's is a given and the Balt offense can't score against anyone.

Beat me to it. NE will put 8 in the box and make him a non-factor. There just isn't anything in the Raven's passing game to scare them in to doing otherwise.

Is this any different from the last 6 games played?

 

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Fair enough.

What about down at the goal-line (assuming BAL can get there)

Who's seeing most of the red zone touches for Baltimore this year? I've got to assume McGahee will get the rock... particularly with Heap out?

 

[Banger]

Tough sledding for Willis in this one. Willis is the only offensive player worth shutting down with Heap out so NE will focus solely on shutting him down. I don't think it will be low scoring at all, at least from the NE side. These are not your old Ravens on defense...in their last 5 games they've given up 19 to Buff, 38 to Pitt, 21 to Cincy, 33 to Clev and 32 to SD. NE >>> than any of those offenses so I'd say mid-30's is a given and the Balt offense can't score against anyone.

Beat me to it. NE will put 8 in the box and make him a non-factor. There just isn't anything in the Raven's passing game to scare them in to doing otherwise.

Is this any different from the last 6 games played?

Huge difference in all their other opponents have been cream puffs against the run with the exception of Pitt (12-50-1). NE is ranked 5th while Clev (28), Cincy (25), SD (21) and Buff (23) were all sub-par. So it's apples/oranges. I'd expect wore #'s than against Pitt.

 

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Bump

 

[MDSkinner]

Definitely a good call here.