Coffee Companion (1/18): your daily Ravens fix

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he'll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too.

RUNNING IT BACK

Three low-cost signings have paid off for the Ravens this season. ... The Ravens will try to make New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady look like just another quarterback. ... The Ravens are upset after their special teams breakdowns in the win over the Denver Broncos. ... Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork will be a load for the Ravens to handle. ... The Chicago Bears had interest in special teams coordinator Jerry Rosburg for their head coaching job.

RAVENS STUFF, BUT NOT FROM US

Lee Evans and Billy Cundiff aren't getting a second chance against the Patriots. ... Cornerback Cary Williams is looking for redemption against Brady and the Patriots. ... Linebacker Ray Lewis is contributing as a player, too. ... The Patriots are quite familiar with safety Bernard Pollard. ... We have at least one prediction for a Harbaugh Bowl in the Super Bowl.

BEHIND ENEMY LINES

Ravens-Patriots has become a prime NFL rivalry. ... The Patriots follow Bill Belichick's lead. ... Small players fill vital roles for the Patriots. ... Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker takes a licking and keeps on ticking. ... The Boston mayor was getting the names of players wrong again.

SHAMELESS PLUG OF THE DAY

Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco picks apart passive defenses.

OUTSIDE OF BALTIMORE

How will the Atlanta Falcons slow down San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick? ... The Arizona Cardinals hired Bruce Arians as their new head coach. ... Cardinals defensive coordinator Ray Horton, a candidate for that job, is now reportedly out in Arizona. ... Chip Kelly did not tip his hand when asked who would start at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. ... In the end, there were no winners in the Bountygate scandal.