NFL - AFC Championship Preview

Baltimore (+7.5) at New England

It's no secret that the Ravens like to talk. This week the talk has been amongst each other though. Ed Reed created a buzz when he said that his own QB, Joe Flacco, was rattled against the Houston Texans last week. If Flacco was rattled against a team making their 1st playoff appearance, how will he feel when facing a New England squad that has won 3 Super Bowls in the past decade? This will be another classic battle of offense vs. defense. The Ravens have struggled on the road this year, losing to Seattle, Jacksonville, Tennessee, and San Diego on the road (none of which mad the Playoffs). While New England has been dominant at home, as they proved last week against Denver.

There are several matchups that will be vital to this game. The Ravens have to generate a pass rush and be able to hit Tom Brady. If Brady is able to sit in the pocket he will pick Baltimore's D apart. The Ravens ranked 4th against the pass this year, but that had very little to do with their pass rush. Expect Terrell Suggs to be blitzing early and often as Baltimore tries to get a few licks on Brady. This means that the safeties must be ready to cover the two-headed monster the Pats have at TE in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. This duo completely ate up the Broncos in the Divisional round. It is essential that Baltimore lives up to their defensive prowess if they want to advance to the Super Bowl for the 1st time since the 2000 season. Offensively, the Ravens must establish a running game with Ray Rice. New England was dreadful against the pass this year, but I'm not sure Baltimore wants to leave the game in Flacco's hands. After all, he could get rattled. Especially since you can be sure that Bill Belechick will throw the kitchen sink at him.

Tom Brady has been his magnificent self all season. He is now just 2 wins away from joining Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as the only QBs to win 4 Super Bowls in NFL history. John Harbaugh and his Ravens team certainly have the swagger to put an end to that run. This isn't the 1st time Belechick and Brady have played in this game. They will find a way to get it done and head to Indy for Super Bowl XLVI.

Prediction - New England 31 Baltimore 20

Ringer's Playoff Record
ATS: 4-4
SU: 4-4