2012 NFL Playoffs: Why Tom Brady Is the Player to Watch in the AFC Championship

This is probably the most intriguing matchup of the NFL playoffs.

The Baltimore Ravens boast one of the league's best defenses. Ray Lewis is still a dominant force at middle linebacker. Ed Reed is still an all-world safety. Haloti Ngata is still a force in the middle.

While the Ravens sport the defense, the New England Patriots have the offense.

The Patriots don't just have one receiver to throw to. They have a receiver and two tight ends. If Wes Welker struggles, which is rare, Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski will pick up the slack.

It's pick your poison with the Patriots offense. The Aaron Hernandez/Rob Gronkowski show will make another tour of Foxboro this weekend.

The one reason the Patriots will win, however, is because of the man who leads this vaunted three-pronged attack: Tom Brady.

Brady is playing better than he's ever played before. He's taking his game to whole new heights.

There's no question that Brady is no stranger to the big stage. After all, Brady didn't get to three Super Bowls and an MVP by accident.

This season, all the accolades at quarterback are likely going to go to Matt Stafford or Drew Brees, if not based just on numbers alone. Brady definitely deserves to be in the mix though.

This season, Brady finished 401-of-611, with 5,235 yards, 39 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. If those aren't MVP numbers, I don't know what are.

Also, Brady got the Patriots off the schneid by finally winning a home playoff game when they dismantled the Denver Broncos in the division championship. He has one more to go. He also has the postseason record for touchdowns in a game.

Now, he has the Patriots primed to make another run at the big dance.