Welker and Patriots

What would be worse, losing Welker on the first series of the first play-off game or losing him in the last game of the regular season and having a full week to get the other receivers ready? If I had to choose between the two I would want what happened this Sunday afternoon in Houston. There will be some who question why he was playing at all since the Patriots were already in the playoffs, but the way he hurt himself it could have happened in any game. Edelman had 10 receptions for 103 yards after Welker got hurt so the Patriots have another option, and with that extra week of planning and practice he will do just fine filling in for Welker. What might be worse was Aiken getting hurt as well, he had only 2 receptions for 9 yards.

It looks like the Patriots will play the Ravens which will be a tough match-up because of the Ravens running game. Rice ran for 101 yards in the week 4 game and the Ravens lost due to a late turnover. The receiving stats are pretty even that game with Welker, Moss and Watson all around 50 yards receiving each with Moss having the only receiving Touchdown. The New England offense will not be the problem, the defense will make or break their play-off run. The good news is that the Ravens defense has not been much better. The Ravens are 4-2 in their last 6 games, but the Ravens beat 3 teams that all have losing records and are a combined 20 games under .500. The only team they beat with a winning record was Pittsburgh and then they lost to them 4 weeks later.

The Ravens defense has a reputation for being stout and tough, but they are getting a little old and are beatable. Unfortunately the Patriots are a little young and also beatable, as witnessed this week against Houston. The edge should go to the Patriots since they are at home and have an 8-0 record at home. This is a game the Patriots can definitely win and losing Welker is not as important as the stability of the New England defense, lets hope that the players that were inactive on defense for the Patriots will make a difference. Oh, and I hope that Taylor gets more carries then Maroney, actually lets hope Green-Ellis gets more carries then Maroney.