Patriots out for revenge against Ravens

The Patriots remember. Vividly.

Last January, in the wild-card round of the playoffs, the Baltimore Ravens thumped New England at Foxborough in the most thorough beatdown Bill Belichick's team has experienced in the postseason. On Sunday, the Ravens, with the league's best record, are back in town.

Are the Patriots ready?

"We got manhandled by a damn good team," says Tom Brady, who with a win over Baltimore would surpass John Elway for second-most consecutive regular-season wins at home with 23 (Brett Favre set the mark with 25 for Green Bay). "And everything we said we wanted to do, we didn't do. Penalties, turnovers, we couldn't convert on third down, couldn't control the tempo of the game.

"I have a lot of respect for these guys. They play really hard. They're very well coached. They have a very physical front, a very emotional team. They play with energy and enthusiasm for what they're doing. I think you have to be able to match that. Once they get fired up, it's tough to calm them down."

Baltimore (4-1) certainly won't be intimidated about playing in Gillette Stadium after that 33-14 playoff romp. Its defense is just as fierce and formidable as ever.

"They create a lot of issues with their different packages and their blitz packages and where they line up," Brady says. "They do try to cause some confusion. Sometimes you're snapping the ball not quite sure if you have everything picked up, but you have to do the best you can do against a defense like this. I think that's why they're one of the best defenses in the league."

New England (3-1) plays its first game without Randy Moss, who was traded to Minnesota just before the Patriots had their bye. They brought back Deion Branch, the 2005 Super Bowl MVP, in a deal with Seattle.

The Patriots' offense will need to keep up with the Ravens' balanced unit that has become particularly dangerous through the air with the addition of standout receiver Anquan Boldin.

Monday's game has Tennessee at Jacksonville.

Off this week are Buffalo (0-5), Cincinnati (2-3), Arizona (3-2) and Carolina (0-5).

Cleveland (1-4)

at Pittsburgh (3-1)

We can now stop the how-will-the-Steelers-do-without-Ben watch. They went a very impressive 3-1, buoyed by a defense reminiscent of the vintage Steel Curtain and a strong running game. The big question is how much, if at all, they open up the offense with Roethlisberger back from his four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy?

Cleveland isn't likely to open up anything with the ball if rookie Colt McCoy has to go at quarterback.

Dallas (1-3) at Minnesota (1-3)

What a juicy matchup this could have been. Instead, one of these presumed contenders will be looking at a long climb back.

As if Minnesota needed any more woes, the ongoing investigation of Favre's off-field conduct can be a distraction. And Favre is bothered by tendinitis in his right elbow. But he does have Moss to throw to - finally - and the Vikings outplayed the Jets late in their Monday night loss at the Meadowlands.

Imagine the angst in Big D if the Cowboys drop this one with the Giants (twice) and Packers coming up soon on the schedule.

Atlanta (4-1) at Philadelphia (3-2)

Best team in the NFC so far? Try the Falcons, who have discovered a defense to go with a balanced attack centered on RB Michael Turner and WR Roddy White, who leads the conference with 37 receptions and is second in yards (463). Atlanta also is tied atop the conference in turnover differential at plus-7.

The other leader in that category is Philadelphia, which has thrown only one interception. Whether Kevin Kolb or Michael Vick is doing the throwing, the Eagles need a spark at home, where they are 0-2.

Kansas City (3-1)

at Houston (3-2)

There's a chance fans will find out which team is for real in this one.

The Chiefs went 0-5 to start 2009 on their way to 4-12. They were the last unbeaten in the league this year and acquitted themselves well, especially on D, in their loss last week at Indianapolis. Kansas City was the first team this season to slow Peyton Manning, and its defensive schemes under coordinator Romeo Crennel could do the same to Matt Schaub.

Houston's Arian Foster leads the league with 562 yards rushing and a hefty 5.9-yard average per carry. KC is sixth in defense against the run, though.

Indianapolis (3-2)

at Washington (3-2)

Two surprising 3-2 teams, for very different reasons. The Colts lost two games all of last season, at the end when they chose to rest regulars for a Super Bowl run. Now, although Manning's numbers are as good as ever, they are struggling in an AFC South where everybody is 3-2. Indy's defense has been a no-show too often this year.

Washington has made a myriad of changes everywhere, from coach to quarterback to running back to the lines to special teams. It's working well enough to be tied for the NFC North lead even though the Redskins rank last in defense.

Miami (2-2)

at Green Bay (3-2)

Injuries are the story line for this game, and almost all of them are on the Green Bay side.

The Packers have lost TE Jermichael Finley (right knee) and LB Nick Barnett (left wrist). QB Aaron Rodgers is recovering from a concussion. LB Clay Matthews (left hamstring), who leads the NFL with 8 1/2 sacks, also is hobbled.

Miami comes off a bye and has lost two in a row. But both Dolphins victories came on the road.

New York Jets (4-1)

at Denver (2-3)

If there is a more banged-up team than the Packers, it has to be the Broncos. Particularly decimated is the defense, with safeties Brian Dawkins and Darcel McBath, cornerback Andre' Goodman and linebackers Robert Ayers and Wesley Woodyard all out.

"Nobody wishes for them (injuries), but we play a violent game," says David Bruton, a likely starter at safety. "Injuries happen: ankle, shoulder, knee, foot, tooth."

New York might be without star cornerback Darrelle Revis, who has a sore hamstring, possibly the fallout from his preseason holdout. The Jets can become the first team to commit one or fewer turnovers in the first six games of a season. New York hasn't turned over the ball since Week 1 and has won all four games since.

New Orleans (3-2)

at Tampa Bay (3-1)

Such a nice story thus far, those Bucs. Such a disappointing story so far, those Saints.

Is New Orleans in the midst of a Super Bowl hangover? The defense is somewhat improved, but the once-potent offense isn't making big plays like it did in 2009. And the Saints can't run the ball with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush injured.

The Buccaneers closed well last season and can make a real statement about their continuing development with a win.

Seattle (2-2)

at Chicago (4-1)

The schizophrenic Seahawks are good enough at home, where both wins came, and awful on the road. Pete Carroll keeps shuffling personnel, seeking the right mix that could steal the weak NFC West. But his team must find some away victories.

With Jay Cutler back, the Bears should be more efficient on offense, especially if coordinator Mike Martz swallows hard and hands the ball often to Matt Forte. If not and Seattle can muster a pass rush, it could be a sackfest.

Tennessee (3-2) at Jacksonville (3-2), Monday night

This could be that rare Monday night game that ends before David Letterman hits the air. In their last meeting, Chris Johnson had a career-high 225 yards rushing on his way to his 2,000-yard season, and Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew had a career-high 177. The team with more yards rushing has won the last six meetings.

The winner gets to stay in first place in the NFC South for at least another week.

Detroit (1-4)

at New York Giants (3-2)

Since humbling losses to the Colts and Titans, the Giants have resurrected their defense, especially the pass rush, for two wins. Detroit hasn't won on the road since Bobby Layne was its quarterback - well, in 23 games - and will tie an NFL record with a 24th straight setback. Guess who owns it? The Lions from 2001-03.

This is a dangerous game for New York, which has Dallas twice in its next three outings.

San Diego (2-3)

at St. Louis (2-3)

Sure, the Chargers usually start slowly. But when have they been so unproductive on the road, particularly at the end of close games? They've lost by seven, seven and eight points.

After an uplifting two-game winning streak at home, the Rams were pasted at Detroit 44-6. Facing the angry Chargers might not be the tonic to get back on track, and San Diego's Antonio Gates has an NFL record for tight ends of nine straight games with a TD catch. He's the only player with at least eight TD catches in each of the last six seasons.