Ravens run offense vs. Patriots run defense: The loss of Jamal Lewis (ankle) is devastating, despite the All-Pro running back's season-long struggles. Although his replacement, Chester Taylor, is solid, he doesn't have the same breakaway ability and doesn't command the same attention from defenses. Taylor has averaged 83.5 yards in two starts this season, but he could get worn down without a reliable backup (Musa Smith is out for the season with a broken leg). The Ravens' offensive line has not dominated like last year - the team has averaged only 2.5 yards a carry the past two games - and could have trouble pushing around interior linemen Keith Traylor (340 pounds) and Vince Wilfork (325). The Patriots have held opponents to 3.1 yards a carry the past two games.
EDGE: PATRIOTS
Ravens pass offense vs. Patriots pass defense: Kyle Boller is on the best run of his short career, averaging 202.5 yards passing during his past four games. He has thrown for five touchdowns in that span and has not been picked off in his past 118 passes. New England coach Bill Belichick, though, has a way of confusing young quarterbacks, and, without Lewis in the backfield, he will apply a consistent pass rush with unorthodox looks out of the 3-4 defense. The Patriots have recorded 30 sacks and enough pressure other times to help a banged-up pass defense record an interception in 21 of its past 24 games. Because of injuries, New England is down to backups at both cornerback spots (Randall Gay and Earthwind Moreland). But it's unknown whether an inconsistent Ravens offensive line, most notably right tackle Orlando Brown, will give Boller enough time to exploit those defenders.
