AFC Championship Game 2012: Unraveling the Game's 3 Biggest Mysteries

There are plenty of determining factors in the AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens, but answer the three following questions and you'll know which team advances to this year's Super Bowl.   

Let's take a look.

Can Joe Flacco Overcome a Hostile Road Environment?

Because of his team's stout defense and reliable running game, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not set up to receive a ton of credit following victories. 

His statistics haven't helped his cause, either. 

In 2011, he had an 80.9 QB rating, threw 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and completed 57.6 percent of his passes. 

He's played in eight postseason games and has mustered a 66.1 rating with six touchdowns and seven picks.

Flacco is 0-2 in front of the boisterous Pittsburgh crowd during the postseason, and he completed 29 of his 60 passes with one touchdown and four interceptions in those games combined. 

The former first-round pick emerged victorious in Foxboro during the 2009-2010 playoffs, but only connected on four of his 10 attempts and was picked off.

Can Flacco take the next step as a quarterback and win on the road against the "worst" defense in football?

He won't struggle, but I don't think he can out-duel Brady, especially in late-game situations. 

Can the Patriots Contain Ray Rice?

In the aforementioned Baltimore playoff win over New England, Rice ran wild, totaling 159 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. He set the tone for afternoon in the game when he broke free for an 83-yard TD scamper on the first play from scrimmage. 

He was held to 88 yards and 3.1 yards per carry in the Patriots' 2010 victory. 

The Texans did a good job limiting Rice to "only" 80 total yards last weekend, but he averaged nearly 130 total yards in his fine 2011 campaign.

New England's defense undoubtedly seems to be gelling at the perfect time, but the Ravens have a sound offensive line, and Rice is a terror in the screen game, hiding behind his mammoth blockers.

Rice won't explode for 160 yards on the ground against the Patriots, but if John Harbaugh stays dedicated to his team MVP, he'll deliver a combined 100 yards rushing and receiving.

Can the Patriots Win If Tom Brady Doesn't Turn in a Masterful Performance?

You can say it—Tom Brady carried the New England Patriots in 2011.

Their defense created a great deal of turnovers, (35 to date) but in terms of yardage allowed, they've been horrible.

In the team's three losses, their quarterback has averaged the following stat line: 

• 27-of-43, 309 yards, 2.7 touchdowns and two interceptions

Not exactly the typical, dominating effort we've grown accustomed to from Mr. Brady. 

The defense is coming off their most impressive performance of the season and should enter the game with more confidence than they've had all season.    

However, chances are Brady won't have a 375-yard, five-touchdown performance against this Ravens defense. 

Can New England win if they don't get a masterpiece from No. 12?

Momentum is everything, and they should be able to fluster Flacco in the game's critical moments, leading to another trip the Super Bowl.

Follow @ChrisTrapasso