At first blush, the injury to Wes Welker seems to be a huge loss for the Patriots. However, anybody that watched Julian Edelman replace Welker last Sunday against the Texans may think differently.

Edelman had 10 catches for 103 yards, in a very Welker-like performance. In addition, he had eight catches for 98 yards against the Jets earlier in the year, subbing in for a then-injured Welker. The guy looks like Wes Welker, runs like Wes Welker and catches like Wes Welker.

However, keep in mind that Edelman is still a rookie. This is the biggest difference between the two players. Look out for a crucial interception made by the Ravens defense, that will be a result of either a tipped ball off Edelman's hands or an incorrectly run route by Edelman. Both of these mistakes would be very unlikely to occur with Welker on the field. This will be the game-changing play to boost the Ravens into a showdown with Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts!
--- RALPH TOTOONCHIE.