NFL Playoff Bracket 2012: 3 Predictions for Ravens vs. Patriots AFC Championship

The New England Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship, and these three things should happen in their clash for the AFC title.

A showdown between a sizzling offense with one of game's best leaders calling the shots and a ferocious and battle-tested defense that has quite the leader in the middle, too.

Obviously, I'm describing Tom Brady and Ray Lewis, both guys who elevate the game of everyone around them and have been in the "prime" of their careers for what seems to be a decade. 

In this classic battle, this is what I'm expecting.   

More rushes, big game for Aaron Hernandez 

The Patriots showed the new wrinkle against the Denver Broncos, and it was extremely successful all evening. 

Hernandez rushed for 61 yards on 12 carries and was still effective in the passing game, catching four passes for 55 yards with a touchdown. 

Though it won't be easy, I expect the Ravens to be extremely physical with Rob Gronkowski at the line with chips and press coverage from their bigger linebackers. 

That should lead to an increase in targets for Hernandez, especially on a variety of those quick tight end bubble screens they love to run with him.

Because he's so shifty and hard to bring down with a full head of steam, expect Bill Belichick to implement more rushes out of shotgun formation for the former Florida Gators' standout. 

Ray Rice to bounce back

Rice was limited to a total of 80 yards against the Houston Texans on Sunday—not exactly a great game by his standards. 

Remember, the Ravens terrorizing runner's 2,068 yards from scrimmage lead the NFL during the regular season. 

New England's defense will head into the AFC Championship with a great deal of confidence after their beat down of Denver's offense. 

The Broncos were held to 3.6 yards per carry. 

Rice had 21 rushes against the fourth-ranked run defense, and he should have just as many, if not more this weekend, in an attempt to control the clock and keep Tom Brady off the field. 

The Patriots intercepted 23 passes in 2011, and head coach John Harbaugh will keep quarterback Joe Flacco out of third and long situations by featuring Rice on the ground and in the checkdown game. 

Rice exploded for 159 yards on 22 careers the last time he played a postseason game in Foxboro. 

Sacks 

I know, the Texans couldn't muster one sack against T.J. Yates and the Texans' stellar—yet underrated—offensive line. 

That will change against the Patriots this weekend. 

New England's offensive line provided Brady with ample time to distribute the ball to all of his pass-catchers against the Broncos, but because of the faith John Harbaugh has in his secondary, expect a variety of blitzes to be sent Brady's way. 

The Ravens' offensive front had troubles against the aggressive and bull-rushing specialists along the Texans' defensive line. 

Brooks' Reed and J.J. Watt combined for five sacks of Joe Flacco, who didn't display the greatest pocket presence when it collapsed around him. 

Both teams will look to employ a multitude of quick passes, but each defensive coordinator knows that. 

Because of that, there should be a handful of zone blitzes that will lead to quarterback takedowns.