Ravens vs. Patriots: Pressure Up the Middle Will Be Key for Both Defenses

Attacking the middle should be the priority for both the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

It is the most effective way for both defenses to disrupt the the timing and rhythm of quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Tom Brady. Both defensive schemes should feature plenty of pressure designed to get straight in the face of each signal-caller.

The Ravens and Patriots defenses are set up well for this kind of game plan. The Ravens can rely on defensive tackles Haloti Ngata and Cory Redding to provide a consistent push up the middle and create plenty of havoc inside.

The Patriots, meanwhile, can call on the outstanding Vince Wilfork to hold the middle and routinely collapse the pocket. These mammoth linemen can occupy the middle of the opposing blocking schemes and create plenty room for additional rushers and blitzers.

Baltimore likes to bring the blitz this season under the stewardship of coordinator Chuck Pagano. The Ravens can have linebackers and safeties shoot the gaps to the sides of Redding and Ngata.

Pagano can also give Terrell Suggs free license to runs as many stunts and twists inside as he pleases. Suggs has the speed and technique to overwhelm the interior of the Patriots offensive line.

Getting pressure in Brady's face will be vital for the Ravens. It is about the only weakness in Brady's game that he has struggled mightily with pressure up the middle at times during his illustrious career.

Brady is decent on the move, but much prefers to take a short drop and be able step into a quick throw. Giving Brady the opportunity to set himself is the key to a Patriots offense built on timing and precision.

If they can prevent him from stepping up, the Ravens defense can slow Brady and the Patriots attack down.

The Patriots defense has to adopt similar tactics against Joe Flacco. The 6'6" gunslinger is a classic pocket passer and is often a stationary target behind the line of scrimmage.

The Patriots can use games by their multiple combinations of tall defensive linemen to obscure Flacco's vision and make him pull the ball down and move around to try and find a target. He lacks accuracy and touch on the move.

Flacco's big strength is the long ball, so preventing him from stepping into a deep throw will be crucial for New England's defense.

Bill Belichick is not a big blitz coach. But crowding the line of scrimmage and threatening the B and A gaps with potential rushers will create better opportunities for the likes of Wilfork, Shaun Ellis and Gerard Warren to push the pocket back into the face of Flacco.

Whichever defense does the best job of rushing the middle and keeping constant pressure on the pocket can elevate its team to the Super Bowl.