If there is such a thing as Santa Claus, then the Ravens had better hope he delivers them the perfect late gift Sunday night. That present would be a first-round playoff game against anyone but the New England Patriots.
Of course, we're getting a little ahead of ourselves here, because the Ravens haven't beaten the Jacksonville Jaguars yet to earn a playoff berth. But that's a formality.
In those famous words of a song written by the late James Brown, "Please, Please, Please," don't bring on the Patriots.
The New York Jets would do just fine in the opening round, and so would the Miami Dolphins. But no one, absolutely no one, wants to go to Foxborough, Mass., for any playoff game, much less in the first round.
The Ravens will say they don't care, and they certainly won't back down. In fact, they might welcome the challenge. But upstairs at the Castle in Owings Mills where upper management resides, they all know better.
General manager Ozzie Newsome would rather have the flu than face his former boss, Patriots coach Bill Belichick. He is the last guy you want to pick a fight with in the postseason.
Ravens rookie head coach John Harbaugh knows Belichick well, too. In fact, Harbaugh used to hang out in the annual Belichick posse at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., along with New England vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli and Denver Broncos special teams coach Scott O'Brien.
A couple of scenarios have to be played out Sunday before the playoff schedule is determined, but if the Ravens make it, oh no, no, not the Patriots.
Belichick already has the personality of Scrooge nine months a year, but he becomes downright diabolical in December, January and February.
He's in his ninth season as Patriots head coach and has appeared in four of the past seven Super Bowls, winning three. Belichick owns the second-best postseason record in NFL history (15-4) and is the winningest head coach since 2001.
In New England this season, Belichick has done for quarterback Matt Cassel what the Ravens have done for rookie Joe Flacco. Imagine, though, what Belichick, one of the best defensive minds in the game, could do to Flacco.
It might not be pretty.
As good as Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and defensive coordinator Rex Ryan have been this season, Belichick can match them move for move. He certainly has a better track record.
