Vince Wilfork: Patriots need 'perfect game' vs. Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens already have the New England Patriots' attention.

Defensive lineman Vince Wilfork is part of a Patriots team that snuck past the Ravens in January's AFC Championship Game. That playoff loss seemed to galvanize Baltimore, and Wilfork is expecting a battle on "Sunday Night Football."

"We're going to have to play almost a perfect game to walk away on the road Sunday night with a victory," Wilfork told The Boston Globe. "This is a good Baltimore football team, we've seen over the years, but I think this team now is stacked, probably one of the best teams that Baltimore's had."

The Globe pointed out that Wilfork is one of just four Patriots still on the roster from the last time New England traveled to Baltimore in 2007, a game the Patriots won 27-24.

It's annoying to hear pundits pounce on a Week 3 affair as potential "playoff preview" material. Let it breath. Besides, nobody will be caught off-guard if these two are playing in January.

This one is intriguing because -- along with the Pittsburgh Steelers -- the Ravens and Patriots are among the conference's most consistent teams. Sunday night is a glimpse at two unshakeable philosophies, with future Hall of Famers embedded on both sides and a building hatred for one another.

Sign us up.


(nfl.com)