Daily Madden: Fearless Ravens Carry Confidence To New England
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - The Patriots are favored by a touchdown in Saturday's playoff game against Baltimore in New England. But John Madden told the KCBS Radio morning crew the Ravens don't act like underdogs.
"There's just something about them," Madden said. "I know what the Patriots are, I know what Tom Brady is, I know what they are at home. But that doesn't bother the Ravens. They have a certain personality that they (take) in there with confidence. They think that they're better. They're not afraid of (the Patriots), they're not afraid of the venue or situation. And sometimes you feel like they go in there and don't know any better. I'll just say this -- I know they go in there with no fear, and I think that's a dangerous team."
Madden said Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco doesn't get the attention he deserves.
"Flacco is a real good quarterback that gets lost up in the top quarterbacks," John said. "When you start naming Brady, Manning, Brees and you're going down that list, you don't get down to Flacco, who is in that same group. However you put the top quarterbacks, he's one of them. Maybe it's Baltimore -- they're not that flashy team, flashy organization. They're just real solid, and Flacco is a good quarterback in a solid organization."
In Saturday's other playoff game, the Carolina Panthers meet the Seahawks in Seattle. Can the Panthers, who took their division with a losing record, win two playoff games in a row?
"It's a longshot," Madden said. "They do have good defense, and if their defense gets them some turnovers that turn to scores, that's the way I would see it happen.... I think Seattle will win, but I don't think it's going to be easy." (5:35)
Listen to the John Madden segment live weekday mornings at 8:15 and Monday and Friday mornings at 9:15 on KCBS All News 740 AM/106.9 FM.