Ravens vs. Patriots: Info, 3 Matchups to Watch and a Final Score Prediction

To preview the 2012 AFC championship game between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots, we run down the basics, three matchups to watch and a final score prediction: 

THE BASICS

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, at 3 p.m. EST

WHERE: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.

HOW: Patriots defeated Denver Broncos, 45-10; Ravens defeated Houston Texans, 20-13.

SERIES: Patriots lead 6-1.  

COACHES: Bill Belichick (175-97, 15-6 in postseason), Patriots; John Harbaugh (44-20, 4-3 in postseason), Baltimore.

LINE: New England -7.5

THREE MATCHUPS TO WATCH

1. Ed Reed vs. Boston TE Party

Bill Belichick has devised countless ways of getting the football to both Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, and few teams have countered with a successful way of slowing the two down. The Ravens may ask Reed to take one of them away. 

2. Tom Brady vs. pressure

You better believe that the Ravens will be coming after Brady on Sunday. There's no other way for them to stick around on defense, regardless of how many good players they have. Baltimore did well in their pressure packages two Januarys ago, so keep your eye on how the Patriots adjust Sunday. 

3. Vonta Leach vs. Jerod Mayo

The Ravens need to make plays in the passing game to win, but they will still attempt to stay run heavy. Feeding the ball to Ray Rice is the way for this offense to move the ball and keep No. 12 on the sidelines. For that plan to work, Leach—a top-three fullback in the NFL—needs to attack Mayo at the second level. 

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION

The Ravens certainly have the horses on defense to get after Tom Brady in the passing game, and I wouldn't be surprised if Ray Rice had a big game catching the football. However, Brady looks determined to carry this team on his back to get to another Super Bowl. If he plays well and doesn't turn it over, the Patriots are almost impossible to beat.  

Patriots 31, Ravens 23