Ravens vs. Patriots: Why Ray Rice Will Have a Breakout Game Against the Patriots

Could Ray Rice duplicate or even better his last performance in the playoffs against the New England Patriots?

In a huge game by the 5'8" mighty mite, Rice ran over and through the New England defense in 2009 for 159 yards en route to a 33-14 win on the Patriots' home field. Could history repeat itself? If so, a trip to Indianapolis would await the four-year veteran and his Ravens teammates.

Rice would like to think he can make new playoff memories, as he stated to the Detroit Free Press earlier this week.

Breaking off another 83-yard run from scrimmage on the game's first play like in their last playoff contest in Gillette Stadium would just be fodder for the excellence Rice has become accustomed to bringing each week this season in the team's quest with destiny.

While it would be the first appearance for Rice, a player like Ray Lewis, who has already tasted Super Bowl success, would welcome the chance to earn another title before he hangs his cleats up for good.

But for now, it is Rice who all eyes are focused on as the centerpiece of the Ravens offense and certainly the most valuable piece to the playoff puzzle.

New England came into the playoffs with the 31st-ranked passing defense in the league and, for the most part, made Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos look as ordinary as sheets of snow. But Rice needs to focus on running the ball and doing the things that have helped him get the Ravens to this point, and then past this point and to the next level.

If he can do that, he will not only put himself in playoff lore, he will take another step toward being considered one of the best runners in the game today, if he has not already done so.

Rice does it all, having run for 1,364 yards and catching 76 passes from Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco for 704 yards. He was the only player in the NFL this season to 2,000 yards of offense combined. Not bad for a team that relied heavily on an aging defense to help keep the offense in some ballgames.

But Rice is what makes it all go. If he is able to exploit the Patriots defense like others have and keep Tom Brady on the sideline, the Ravens win. If Rice is slow to get started as he was in the Monday night loss against Jacksonville earlier this season, the Ravens will have issues.

Everything rides on his shoulders because his legs will be the most important weapon used by either team Saturday afternoon.

And as Rice has said, being vocal about wanting a championship ring, that is exactly how he wants it to be.