AFC Championship Predictions: Players Who Will Have Biggest Impact

The players who make their mark in the big games are the ones who are ultimately remembered.

Headed into Sunday's AFC Championship Game, there are a slew of stars who are going to be on the field for the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.

Here are the three players who will make the biggest impact.

3. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice is one of the best running backs in the league and you can bet the Ravens are going to give the Patriots a heavy helping of Rice in the AFC title game.

The Patriots allowed 4.6 yards per carry during the regular season and Rice rushed for 1,364 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. If the Ravens can control the clock with Rice, they have a shot against Tom Brady and Co.

2. Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England Patriots

The logical choice here is Rob Gronkowski, but the Ravens have been an elite defense against tight ends this season and I expect them to pay close attention to "Gronk."

In that regard, I see Brady looking Hernandez's way more often on Sunday. Don't forget, Hernandez racked up 79 catches for 910 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Against the Denver Broncos in the divisional round, despite all of Gronkowski's shenanigans, Hernandez had six catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.

1. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Did you expect anybody else?

The Ravens have a dominant defense this season; there's no question about that. But Brady is Brady, and he's playing spectacular football right now. In Brady's last eight regular-season games, he tossed just two interceptions, while throwing for 19 touchdowns. Against the Broncos in the divisional round, he passed for 363 yards and six touchdowns.

Sure, Brady hasn't faced the Ravens yet, but I honestly can't see anyone stopping him at this point. He's been that good.