NFL Playoff Schedule 2012: 3 Matchups to Watch in AFC Championship Game

In the 2012 AFC Championship Game, the following matchups are the ones to watch:

Anquan Boldin vs. Kyle Arrington

On Sunday, the Houston Texans chose to put Johnathan Joseph—their best cornerback—on Torrey Smith instead of Boldin. Smith was completely shut down and failed to make one of his big plays down the field, while Boldin got plenty of favorable chances against Kareem Jackson. 

Expect a similar defensive arrangement Sunday from the Patriots and Boldin needs to take advantage as often as he did against the Texans in the Divisional Round. But remember, Arrington was tied for the NFL lead in interceptions this season. 

Ed Reed vs. Rob Gronkowski

It'll be interesting to see what the Ravens come up with game-plan wise to stop the Patriots' All-World tight end. Few teams have mustered a scheme that was capable of keeping the 6'7" Gronkowski out of the end zone and I'm not sure the Ravens can afford to put Reed on him full time and sacrifice his free-roaming, play-making nature at the safety position.

Either Gronk is going to hurt you himself or he's going to open up things for others. We'll see if the Ravens have something up their sleeve that can keep both from happening Sunday.

Vonta Leach vs. Jerod Mayo

The Ravens would be crazy to ignore the 234 yards rushing they compiled against the Patriots two years ago in a Wild Card win in New England. Baltimore ran the ball 54 times in that game and while I wouldn't expect a number anywhere close to that Sunday, the Ravens will want to get the ground game started early to take some pressure off Joe Flacco.

The matchup of Leach, one of the game's top fullbacks, and Mayo, who had a fantastic season stopping the run, will be one to keep your eye on. You can't run through holes that aren't there and Leach is a big part of that hole-opening process for Baltimore.