Ravens vs. Patriots: Why Rob Gronkowski Will Be Key to Patriots Victory

Rob Gronkowski made headlines this season on and off the field, but one thing is for sure, the second-year tight end has established himself as one of the NFL's most dangerous playmakers. 

If the Baltimore Ravens hope to travel to New England and beat the Patriots, they will need to find a way to stop the 22-year-old touchdown machine. 

Gronkowski emerged this season as a top tight end and one of New England quarterback Tom Brady's favorite targets. The Arizona product had 90 receptions for 1,327 yards (the most for a tight end in the league this season) and 17 touchdowns, which set the record for an NFL tight end. 

While receiver Wes Welker led the NFL with 122 catches and was second in the league with 1,569 receiving yards, Gronkowski actually was New England's biggest receiving threat. As the season went on, the 265-pound tight end seemed to get better and better, and Brady's faith in him grew each week.

In New England's 45-10 win over the Denver Broncos in the divisional round, Gronkowski only added to his phenomenal year by catching 10 passes for 145 yards and three more touchdowns. The guy is simply playing on another level right now.

This weekend the Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game and Gronkowski will face his biggest challenge of the season.

The Ravens only used cornerbacks to cover tight ends 17 percent of the time this season, so that means they will likely use strong safety Bernard Pollard or inside linebacker Jameel McClain on Gronkowski and fellow tight end Aaron Hernandez. 

Baltimore's free safety Ed Reed is usually left deep to play center field and prevent big plays. So it will be his job to step up and stop Gronkowski if he gets loose in the secondary.

If anyone can stop the record-setting tight end, it will be the Ravens, but if he is able to explode for another big game, the Patriots will be headed back to the Super Bowl.