Patriots-Ravens Week 14 Predictions
BOSTON (CBS) -- This is going to be a fun one.
The 10-2 Patriots host the 7-5 Ravens on Monday Night Football, as both teams look to help strengthen their hold on a playoff spot. These two teams don't like each other very much, as we've seen over the last 10 years, which often means viewers are treated to a close, entertaining football game.
Here's how the CBS Boston sports team sees Monday night's big game playing out:
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
Tom Brady's knee is not 100 percent, but it's getting better. Brady, by the way, is 14-6 on Monday Night Football. Meanwhile, Bill Belichick is 57-12 in the month of December with the Patriots. Those records speak for themselves.
But the Ravens bring in the top-rated defense, so the Pats know it will not be easy on Monday night.
Patriots 27, Ravens 21
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
Looking at the schedule coming down the stretch and this one is an intriguing matchup. The Patriots defense has looked better and Brady does what he needs to do with the offense. The Ravens scare you because they have zero fear coming into Gillette Stadium.
But Brady rises up on Monday nights and I expect him to do that again.
Patriots 24, Ravens 20
Levan Reid, WBZ-TV Sports
If this was the postseason, I would probably be more nervous. During the regular season though, the Pats are 7-1 against the Ravens.
This Ravens team is good but they don't possess the ground game that past Baltimore teams have brought to the table. I still expect this to be a tough matchup, but the Pats will prevail.
Patriots 20, Ravens 16
Mike "Sarge" Riley, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio 1030
Yes, Julian Edelman will throw a touchdown pass in this game like he did in January 2015 during the AFC Divisional Playoff game.
This is a tough test for the Patriots, but I like their chances at home.
Patriots 27, Ravens 22
Adam Kaufman, 98.5 The Sports Hub/WBZ NewsRadio 1030
The Patriots are favored by seven points, which feels high since Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, and Martellus Bennett, among others, are ailing, and Rob Gronkowski and Danny Amendola are out. Not to mention the Ravens possess arguably the best defense in the entire NFL and the last thing their coach, quarterback, and stud defender would be described as is "intimidated by the Pats."
Joe Flacco's 3-5 in his career against the Pats, including a 2-2 mark in the postseason. The Ravens' QB has 16 TD's and eight interceptions in those games.
New England's coming off three wins. Not all the cupcake victories they should've been, but wins. All told, the Pats outscored the Niners, Jets, and Rams by 44 points. The Ravens will be much tougher, particularly considering they've limited opponents to 73.8 rushing yards per game. Could be a long day for LeGarrette Blount and company.
Edelman and rookie Malcolm Mitchell have come on of late and Dion Lewis and James White have the potential to be explosive in the passing game, but Bennett's done little to impress in games Gronkowski's been out and, again, he's dealing with that tweaked ankle.
Patriots 20, Ravens 17
Tune in to Monday night's Patriots-Ravens game on 98.5 The Sports Hub! Pregame coverage begins at 5:30pm with kickoff set for 8:30pm. Following the game, tune in to three hours of postgame coverage. You can see Bill Belichick and Tom Brady's press conference live on Patriots 5th Quarter over on myTV38.
