Harbaugh said: "It will be nice to see how that chess match, as you put it, plays out. Tom takes a lot of time at the line of scrimmage trying to get an idea as to what you're in before the snap ever takes place.
"Then he's as good as anybody, once he gets the ball in his hands, [at] just figuring out what you're calling and getting the ball in the hands of his playmakers. So, there will be that game being played, and it will be fun to watch before the snap and after the snap."
Balanced Ravens
The best thing about the Ravens playing the Patriots this year is the balance of the Ravens. If the Patriots want to get into a shootout, the Ravens are capable. They can match New England in a power running game, too.
But here's where everybody in Baltimore gets nervous: The Ravens' secondary against New England's wide receivers. Slot receiver Wes Welker (knee) should be playing Sunday, and the Ravens have to find a way to contain Randy Moss.
Last week, Moss caught 10 passes for 116 yards. The Falcons, though, didn't press up on Moss. Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis shut Moss down by playing in his face off the line of scrimmage.
Unfortunately for the Ravens, they don't have a cornerback as physical as Revis, who is the best in the NFL.
Rolle update
A Samari Rolle update: The veteran cornerback, put on the physically-unable-to-perform list before the season started, had neck surgery last week, the second in less than a year.
The Ravens and Rolle will decide in about two weeks whether he will play again this season. Rolle was expected to be the nickel cornerback in 2009.
"I'm waiting to see how it goes," said Rolle, a 12-year veteran. Doctors have prohibited Rolle from doing any type of training, and he can't begin using the stationary cycle until next week.
Rolle's return would significantly improve the Ravens' secondary, but it appears likely he'll retire.
Ravens' reunion with Thomas
The last time Ravens fans saw current Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas, a former Raven, was Dec. 3, 2007, when the Patriots beat the Ravens here, 27-24.
Thomas had to play against Ravens Pro Bowl left offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, and Ogden abused Thomas. There were times Thomas got knocked so far off the ball that he looked like a cornerback instead of an outside linebacker.
On that night, Thomas had to wish he were back in a Ravens uniform just so he didn't have to play against Ogden.
