Ravens vs. Patriots Predictions: 5 Stars Who Will Shine in AFC Championship Game

The last time the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots hooked up in the playoffs, it was the Ravens coming out on top in rather convincing fashion, beating the Patriots 33-14 in the Wild Card Round of the 2009 playoffs.

The Ravens will be looking to dominate the Patriots in a similar fashion in the AFC Championship Game. The Pats, on the other hand, will be looking for revenge.

In the end, it will come down to which team's stars will seize the day.

I have a few predictions I'd like to make in that regard. While I have no doubt that some unheralded players will make names for themselves, I'm looking for the five stars listed below to shine rather brightly in the AFC title game.

5. Torrey Smith

It's been a while since Torrey Smith made an impact in a given game, as you have to go all the way back to Dec. 18 to find the last game Smith managed as many as 75 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Smith was basically nonexistent in the divisional round against the Houston Texans, catching one pass for a measly nine yards.

So why is he on this list?

For lack of a better reason, because I think he's due.

It's not as absurd as it sounds. As dangerous as Smith is, he was awfully inconsistent during the regular season. Like most other home-run-hitting wide receivers, it was all or nothing with Smith.

Since it's been nothing for a couple weeks, I'm banking on it being all against the Patriots.

Besides, we know the Patriots have a very weak pass defense. We also know that it's not unheard of for speedy receivers like Smith to simply run behind their secondary. All it will take is one mighty throw from Joe Flacco, and Smith will have himself a big gain.

4. Ed Reed

Ed Reed was a menace back in that 2009 Wild Card Game. He picked off one Tom Brady pass and deflected two others, adding four tackles in the process.

Reed was a menace against the Texans too. His interception late in the game all but sealed the Ravens' 20-13 win, and I recall another interception sliding right through his hands.

Reed hurt his ankle at the end of the game, but the word from the Carroll County Times is that he is going to be okay for the AFC Championship Game.

That means he's going to be able to make life tough for Brady, which is nothing he hasn't done before. Reed will be tasked with cutting off Brady's passing options, which could result in good things for the Ravens if Brady decides to force a pass.

If Reed picks off a pass or two, you'll know he has a good game. If Brady has to hold the ball a long time and settle for secondary options, that will also be an indication that Reed is having a good game.

Either way, you just know Reed's presence will be felt.

3. Ray Rice

Yup, another Ravens player. This one is arguably their best.

Ray Rice absolutely killed the Patriots back in 2009, rushing for 159 yards on 22 carries. One of those carries went for 83 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter.

Rice could easily enjoy that kind of success against the Patriots if the Ravens remember to give him the ball. That's something you have to cross your fingers with, as the Ravens have a tendency to be forgetful when it comes to getting the ball to Rice.

But they will in this game, make no mistake about that, and Rice should find it to be much easier to make his way through New England's defense than it was to make his way through Houston's defense.

I'm looking for him to put up similar numbers to those he put up in 2009. Don't think he can't do it.

2. Rob Gronkowski

Rob Gronkowski demonstrated time after time during the regular season that he's virtually uncoverable, and he demonstrated that again against the Denver Broncos, catching 10 passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns.

In all likelihood, Gronk isn't going to be that productive against the Ravens. You just can't expect two once-in-a-lifetime performances in a row.

Nevertheless, the fact that Gronk is uncoverable will be just as big a problem for the Ravens as it has been for everyone else. If the Ravens don't find the solution to the Gronk problem, his presence is going to be felt in this game over and over again.

I would expect at least one touchdown catch. 

I repeat, at least.

1. Tom Brady

Brady made one bad throw against the Denver Broncos, airmailing one that was picked off in the first quarter.

All the others were right on the money, and by the end of the game Brady had one of the best individual performances in NFL playoff history.

Beating the Ravens defense won't be nearly as easy as beating the Broncos defense, but Brady can do it. He has an array of dangerous pass-catchers at his disposal, and he's playing as well as he ever has right now.

Yes, Brady's day will be hindered by the presence of Ed Reed, and he will be pressured by Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata.

But that won't matter. Brady is playing too well right now.