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The Ravens are in first place in the AFC North and currently own a seed in the playoffs. After an impressive win at home against a hot Miami team, Baltimore is a watch team. Can they make a further impression against the Patriots on Monday night. The Ravens enter this game as a team winning two straight. With a 32-point victory over the Dolphins and the league’s top defense, expect Baltimore to give New England and Brady trouble moving the ball. The Ravens are still a little underrated but Monday night is usually a showcase for teams to reveal their true identity.

Baltimore is allowing an AFC-best 35 percent completion percentage, with only 9.2 yards per attempt and league-high 10 INTs, on throws 15-plus yards downfield. Those numbers are their best numbers in last 7 years with Ed Reed.

The Patriots are very good. New England has a three-game lead in the AFC East over the Dolphins. After getting Tom Brady back from a four-game suspension, the Patriots have gone 7-1, with their only loss coming in a tough defeat at home against Seattle.

The Ravens and Patriots have played 12 times. The Patriots have won the regular season series (7-1), but the two teams are even in the playoffs 2 wins and 2 losses each.

Another watch team that is surging to a playoff spot is the Tampa Bay Bucs.  An average team earlier in the season now on the rise during the last month to a playoff berth. How do you win three in a row against the top teams in the league. A win at KC (19-17) which killed a lot of teasers, a win at home against Seattle as a 6 point underdog (14-5) and then on the road against a good Sad Diego team (28-21). Probably the best 3 game winning streak this year.