But Can the Ravens Stop the Run?

[ziptop]

The Niners are said to have the best offensive line in the league and Frank Gore is one of the best runners and the Ravens are not the greatest at stopping the run. They did have some success against the Colts, Broncos, and Patriots (that's in some) but this looks like another level. Can they do it? And how do they do it? With a great game by Ray? In his play calling as well as his play?

[Peej7245]

The game could be influenced a lot by how the offense plays...against the Patriots, the Ravens had 3 TD drives of more than 80 yards. If they can do that tomorrow night, it will make it difficult for SF to stay with the running game.

Also, the Ravens gave up a lot of yards between the 20s. However, in the Red Zone, I believe they were somewhere in the top 7 in defense.

It's the same formula: field position is key because if you make the opponent face a long field, the chances are that the Ravens D will make one or two plays that stop a drive or limit the 49ers to a FG.

[West Chester Raven]

The Niners are said to have the best offensive line in the league and Frank Gore is one of the best runners and the Ravens are not the greatest at stopping the run. They did have some success against the Colts, Broncos, and Patriots (that's in some) but this looks like another level. Can they do it? And how do they do it? With a great game by Ray? In his play calling as well as his play?

I think that is the most important and least asked question in the media. So much about how we need to be concerned with Kap and the Pistol but one of the biggest concerns I have is our defense wearing down against the run.
If they start gashing us with the run, then Kap's job becomes a bit easier.
We really need to get an early jump on those guys - Joe's arm has got to be a difference for us early.

[markh]

If the Ravens can sustain long drives it bodes well for them. Keep the defense fresh. I just can't wait for the game to start and see how this all plays out.

[TDL]

When the Ravens have time to prepare for a team they usually do pretty well.Weren't the Ravens the first team to devise a scheme to shutdown the Wildcat a few years back?