Some halftime thoughts.
Tough to even attempt to focus on the game when you see a possible neck/spine injury like the one that happened to Ravens tackle Jared Gaither late in the first half.
But here goes.
Pats offense looks sharp, the Ravens a little shell-shocked, especially after the Gaither injury.
Realizing that the temptation to throw down the field is so prevalent, because the Pats’ secondary remains so porous, the Ravens should get back to what they do best, which is pound the football at the middle of the Pats defense and exploit Gary Guyton and Co. up front.
Baltimore’s last drive of the half was a huge one.
Get points and it’s a one possession game. Get stopped and you’re down two scores to Tom Brady on the road, with NE getting the football out of the break and your left tackle on a back board being rushed to the hospital.
Again, great catch on the interception by Leigh Bodden, but what was Joe Flacco doing on the pick when Clayton was clearly open in the end zone. Just an awful throw.
Hey, all the power to the Pats, who now stand poised for the kill as we head to the break, 17-7.
Haftime grades
Offense
Line (B-) … Brady’s been at least brushed a little bit, and there isn’t much room in the running game.
Qb (A) … the real Brady is here to stay
Running backs (F) … Maroney is atrocious.
Receivers (A-) … Welker is the best non-Brady player on the field, yet again.
Defense
Line (B-) … getting chopped up a bit, with a little pressure
Linebackers (C-) … are they even on the field
Secondary © … the luckiest group in the NFL.
Again, Brady and the Pats are large and in charge.
