FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Baltimore Ravens have left linebacker Paul Kruger inactive for their playoff game against the New England Patriots.

Kruger, a second-round draft pick, has joined with Michael Oher and Lardarius Webb to make significant contributions as rookies this season. He played in the last eight games of the regular season and had an interception in overtime against Pittsburgh in the penultimate week.

Also inactive for the Ravens on Sunday were receiver Justin Harper, defensive backs Marcus Paschal and Keith Fitzhugh, offensive linemen David Hale and Tony Moll and defensive lineman Kelly Talavou. John Beck was the third quarterback.

The Patriots left inactive wide receiver Isaiah Stanback, cornerback Terrence Wheatley, running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, linebacker Thomas Williams, defensive lineman Ron Brace and offensive linemen Rich Ohrnberger, Dan Connolly and Mark LeVoir.

At the half: Ravens 24, Patriots 7
Maybe in the past, this was the spot where you expect the Patriots to come back.

It’s hard to see — outside of blind faith — where you’d conjure that confidence now. Unless you’re hoping for a banged-up Joe Flacco to hand New England the game.

This one ain’t complicated. The Patriots got blocked up on the 83-yard touchdown run by Ray Rice. And then, they threw up all over their shoes. Two picks and a strip sack add up to 17 Baltimore points, and here we are.

Perhaps the greatest indication on what’s happening here came on the final six plays of the first half. There was no pretense about what Baltimore was doing there. Running the ball, running the clock, and trying to get in the locker room with a 17-point lead intact. And the Ravens run it six times, churn two first downs out, and take a knee.

That’s a physical football team right there, folks, that’s punched the home team in the mouth, and has that opponent reeling.

Here’s why coming back is going to be very, very difficult … The Patriots offense has 61 yards of total offense. Kevin Faulk has 61 yards from scrimmage. That means, outside of Faulk, the Patriots have netted a grand total of zero yards. And that offense had to fight like hell to get in the end zone, even when gifted a turnover (Why in the world didn’t John Harbaugh challenge there?) to set them up on the Raven 16.

The Ravens, to be fair, aren’t exactly going up and down the field. But they’re excellent when playing with a lead, and they have a big one now. Chances are, the air comes out of the ball, and on both sides, Baltimore turns this one into a street fight.

With the way Flacco’s playing (2-of-6 for 9 yards, INT), I’m not totally counting New England out. But it’s close.