Tom Curran, a respected reporter who has covered the Patriots for a long time, believes the Patriots view the Ravens as the main rival: "There's no franchise the Pats hate more thoroughly than the Jets. The Steelers, just because of franchise tradition, are in the mix, but the Patriots have had their way in most of the big games with Pittsburgh. The Colts? It's kind of a big brother-little brother thing. The Broncos? Definitely. But no opponent has provided the gripping games and the mix of animosity and respect that the Ravens have over the past decade."

I like what ESPN.com's Ian O'Connor added this week: "But in the post-Gronk AFC, everybody is vulnerable, and nobody with a defense, a coach, a kicker (Justin Tucker has made 35-consecutive field goal attempts) and a quarterback can be counted out. … Dean Pees also gives the Ravens a competitive edge that can't be dismissed. Pees spent two years coaching New England linebackers and four years running its defense. In other words, he has a pretty good idea of how to defend Brady."

There's a lot to get excited about for Monday's game and this December run.

Want more?

Here's what ProFootballTalk.com posted earlier this week: "If the Ravens win the division, they'll be the most dangerous team in the AFC playoffs."

Even more, Boomer Esiason on Showtime's "Inside The NFL" added: "I'm just telling you, watch out (for Baltimore). The Ravens are a team that brings experience, brings size, brings a quarterback who throws it downfield. They've got speed. They've got Steve Smith running around angry at everybody else."

And another, this one from TheMMQB.com's Andy Benoit: "Tremendous AFC defenses (Broncos and Chiefs) this year. Indeed. But come January, the best could reside in Baltimore. And, it would primarily be for an old school reason: no one can run on these guys."

Clearly, we're receiving a lot of attention because of the way we beat the Dolphins on Sunday. And, as many reporters have noted this week, we've played well at New England, even when we've lost up there. But, we're also getting credit for the way we handle big games and big moments, respect that comes to the franchise for four main reasons: 1) the type of players we invite to be Ravens; 2) the way our players are taught and prepared by Coach Harbaugh and the assistant coaches; 3) the diligent work done by Ozzie Newsome and his staff assembling the Ravens; and 4) our winning tradition.

We are a hard-nosed, intelligent group that expects to win. We prepare, practice and condition thoroughly. We play a tough, physical style of football that is aggressive and sound. We don't back down. We keep the focus on the task at hand. In this case, it is going to New England and finding a way to win. Let's beat the Patriots.

Talk with you next week,

Kevin

P.S. When a team comes together and starts believing in each other, they have more fun with each other. It's all guys. It's raucous. There's ribbing, and there is always competition – even for post-game interviews. While the locker room is open to reporters after games, we take Coach Harbaugh and three or four players to an interview room, located adjacent to the locker room. Harbs usually goes first. Our plan after the Dolphins' victory was to also take Flacco, Dennis Pitta and Eric Weddle to that room. When I was grabbing the head coach to take him over there, a flash went by – Weddle. The feisty safety, who has become a favorite inside and outside the team, raced to get the podium first. After whooping into the microphone, he announced: "I just had to get in here before Harbs." When John walked in shortly after, Eric blurted, "Yes, yes, I got you. You can just hold your horses." A smiling Harbs responded: "You are unbelievable."