NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: Patriots Should Be Praying for Texans to Upset Ravens

The New England Patriots cruised through the regular season and made quick work of the hapless Denver Broncos last night.

Their defense was never tested, however, as Denver posed little threat with Tim Tebow at the helm.

Although they looked impressive last night, the road to the Super Bowl has just begun.

What makes the AFC championship difficult is the fact that the Baltimore Ravens are the likely next opponent for New England.

The Ravens are stacked on defense, have a run-first mentality and have a plethora of playmakers on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

It's the offensive threats, above all, that make the difference in this one.

On the offensive end, there is no doubt that RB Ray Rice has had his best season of his NFL career. He recorded a career-high 1,364 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season in his fourth year out of Rutgers.

What makes Rice so unique is that he is strong, quick and elusive...traits that are sure to fluster Patriot defenders should Baltimore take care of Houston.

The other key offensive threat for the Ravens is WR Torrey Smith, who has made his presence felt on this football team as a long-ball threat. His ability to catch the deep ball and beat cornerbacks on post patterns makes him tough to cover.

The Patriots know that the Ravens have a dangerous offense and an always-scary defense.

Additionally, the Ravens shut down the Patriots in Foxboro, 33-14 the last time both teams met up. It was a game that featured too much Ray Rice and Joe Flacco for the Patriots to handle defensively. 

The offensive firepower that the Ravens boast, as well as their victory in Foxboro two seasons ago, has to be giving the Patriots more of a scare than the Texans in an potential AFC championship matchup.