MUST HAVES FOR THE PATRIOTS TO BEAT THE RAVENS

In tonight's game against the Ravens, there are some must haves and some nice to haves for the struggling Patriots.

MUST HAVE #1- Win the turnover battle.  If it feels like I write about this every week, I do and there's a reason why.  You can pretty much bet the house on what the results of the game are going to be based on the turnover battle.  Whether we look at the team for the past 20 seasons or just this year, the data doesn't lie.  Combine that with the fact that the Ravens are in the same boat, and it's the biggest must have.
 
PATRIOTS- Since 2000 (this season)

• Winning Turnover Battle- 163-18 (3-0)
• Even- 37-23 (0-2)
• Losing Turnover Battle- 40-47 (0-3)

RAVENS- Since 2000

• Winning Turnover Battle- 123-17
• Even- 38-26
• Losing Turnover Battle- 33-87

MUST HAVE #2- Heads up plays on defense.  Although there isn't a way to just look up this stat, there are two types of negative defensive plays that seem to be occurring on a regular basis this season.  Both are allowing opponents to extend drives, put points on the board, and make my blood boil.

The Toe Tap-  Every game the Patriots give up a huge reception along the sideline.  It's almost as if they are so certain that the receiver is going to be out of bounds that they concede the catch.  If we could not worry about flags and lay down some hard hits on those sideline receptions, it would be nice.

The Push- Another un-Patriot defensive anomaly that is cropping up way too frequently is the old last guy in to make the tackle pushes the opponent over the first down marker.  I'm not talking chasing a guy down and inadvertently pushing over the line, I'm talking 3rd or 4th down and the guys knee is and inch from the grass and out of nowhere some "hero" comes in from the back and pushes the pile forward.   

NICE TO HAVES-

• better special teams than the Ravens
• first score of the game
• dumb penalties by the Ravens (they do have 17 pre-snap penalties to our 7)
• a Harbaugh meltdown