Faced with a short week after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday night 27-19, the New England Patriots had to enjoy spending time with the loved ones this week while keeping this Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens in the backs of their minds.

The Baltimore Ravens have seven wins and three losses overall, and as they head into Gillette stadium on Sunday they will be without their star RB Jamal Lewis who is nursing an injured ankle. The Ravens are hoping backup RB Chester Taylor can get the job done, but picked up RB Jamel White as CYA insurance to assist a struggling offense. QB Kyle Boller will be at the helm and without the strength of RB Lewis' running threat, a weakened wide receiving corps, and the injured tight end Todd Heap the Ravens will be looking to LB Ray Lewis and his defensive corps for some type of salvation.

Lewis and his Ravens' defensive corps are ranked second in the NFL below the Pittsburgh Steelers, and they are tied with the Patriots in the takeaway department. This is pretty impressive since they are missing nine players from their unit including veteran CB Deion Sanders.

In my opinion, in order for the Ravens to win this game they are going to have to rely on the Patriots offense to make mistakes and convert with strong defensive play and pressure on QB Tom Brady. Lewis needs to make sure they don't let RB Corey Dillon get hot or it will be a long afternoon for the Ravens in front of a 60,000 plus crowd that hasn't had a loss since 2002.

As for the Patriots, expect them to set this game up as a ground battle and keep the plays away from Lewis, meaning we may see the return of OC Charlie Weis' screen plays using double TE's and FB options. If the Ravens can shut the run down then I expect the passing game to attack the Raven's corners since the Raven's SS Ed Reed has had six picks and two TD's this season. If they attack, Reed might have a work out since WR Deion Branch has come back and looking like he hasn't skipped a beat the Pats can setup routes and plays to draw or fake out the SS.

The Pats are also going to have to pick up their play on special teams this weekend with punt/kick returner BJ Sams who is tied for first in the NFL on punt return TD's.

Overall, the Pats need to set the tone early defensively and get the crowd into the game. Once they do that, have the offense control the clock with Dillon and screens to the outside so the WR's can turn short yardage into big yardage.

Comments? Hit me up: sinista1@msn.com