Mankins: It felt good to beat Baltimore because they think "they're better"

AP Photo/Lynne Sladky

Let the jabs begin. Patriots offensive lineman Logan Mankins said post-game that it felt good to beat the Ravens because "they think they're better than us," per Mike Giardi (tweet below). I'm sure the Baltimore Ravens feel deflated right now, and I'm sure if they had any thoughts of that,  they aren't thinking about it now.

The Patriots went into Baltimore and humiliated the Ravens, 41-7, so they're entitled to poke fun at them after an impressive victory. And Baltimore is always extra fun to beat because of the playoff rivalry these two teams have (meeting in the AFC championship game the last two years).

The Pats didn't have to win today to get into the playoffs, but the win ensures they stay in the hunt for the #1 seed and home field advantage if they take care of business against Buffalo and Denver loses (not likely, as they play Oakland).

A win against Buffalo would guarantee that the Patriots finish as the #2 seed, regardless of what the Cincinnati Bengals do next week, as a Patriots win would ensure that they finish a game ahead of Cinci.

Mankins with a nice jab at the Ravens, saying it was sweet to neat them because they "think they're better than us." #patriotstalk
— Michael Giardi (@MikeGiardi) December 23, 2013

I would love to be in the Ravens locker room to see the looks on all of their faces after the game. I'm sure they are pretty down right now, and their playoff hopes hang on winning in Cincinnati, which is easier said than done, as the Bengals beat up on Minnesota today.

Either way, the Patriots have every right to take a couple of shots at the Ravens after this victory. As long as it doesn't distract them from Buffalo next week.

Twitter - @ConorJF1016
@PatriotsLife