The Ravens push for the playoffs continues in New England on Monday night.
“This is a real meaningful game. You have two of the top teams right now in the AFC and we need this,” said Ravens linebacker Zach Orr.
The Ravens enter the contest with a 7-5 record. They sit in eighth place in the AFC’s playoff race. They are only a half-game behind the Steelers for first place in the AFC North division. A win against the Patriots would put Baltimore back into a first-place tie with Pittsburgh and in third place in the AFC because the Ravens own the tiebreaker over the Steelers.
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When looking at the Pats (10-2, first place in the AFC) it begins and ends with Tom Brady who, at age 39, is still getting it done.
“His resume speaks for itself,” said Orr. “What he's done and to continue to play at a high level this far into his career, he looks better than ever.”
Brady and the Patriots' sixth-ranked offense will be missing their two top weapons when they face Baltimore. Tight end Rob Gronkowski is out for the season after back surgery. Receiver Danny Amendola has a high-ankle sprain.
As for the Ravens offensive attack, they're coming off their best game of the season, a 38-to-6 laugher against Miami. Just like last week they want to keep their foot on the gas on Monday.
“We just have to keep playing. Even if you go up 21 points on this type of football team, the game is never over,” said Ravens receiver Mike Wallace. “They always fight. So, you have to continue to execute and not get comfortable no matter what the score is, what kind of plays happen in the game. You just have to keep pushing.”
The Ravens and the Patriots alone on the NFL schedule in prime time. It doesn't get much better than this in mid-December.
“The whole world is watching,” added Orr. “There's only one game on and it's Monday Night Football. So many big games, so many big plays made on Monday Night Football.”
“Monday night is the most special. It's something we all go back, we grew up watching. It's an awesome tradition,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
