Ravens vs. Patriots: 5 Takeaways from New England's 23-20 AFC Championship Win

The New England Patriots are headed to Super Bowl 46.

The defense has made plays in key situations all year, and they faced plenty in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens. Time and time again, they stepped up to the challenge.

The Patriots have been an offensive juggernaut all season long, and have compensated for their shortcomings on defense with big-time scoring, but make no mistake—this was a team win.

And with the win, the Patriots earned their first win over a team with a winning record all season.

Here are just a few things we learned along the way.

Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda and Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter. 

Ravens Offense Missed Several Opportunities

The Ravens were down 3-0 on the scoreboard, but with three Patriots drives resulting in a three-and-out, a field goal and an interception, they had to be feeling some mojo at the end of the first quarter.

Their first two drives resulted in minus-six yards, but their next drive marched from the 30-yard line into the red zone and ended in a field goal. They were able to score a touchdown on the next drive, an eight-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in 2:52. They had a couple of missed opportunities with dropped passes, including a wide-open Torrey Smith on a deep pattern that could have been a touchdown.

There were more missed plays to be had, as Lee Evans dropped a touchdown pass in the end zone that could have given the Ravens a four-point lead with under two minutes remaining. Credit goes to Patriots cornerback Sterling Moore for breaking up that pass in the end zone.

Patriots Don't Mind Running the Ball

This game was presumed to be a matchup of strength vs. strength, with the Baltimore's top-notch pass defense against New England's prolific pass attack. But the Patriots kept the threat of the running game alive with 31 carries for 96 yards, and while those numbers aren't impressive by any stretch, they aren't indicative of just how effective the running game was when they needed it to be.

The Patriots ran the ball effectively throughout the first half, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis had eight carries for 50 yards and a touchdown in the first 30 minutes of regulation. 

The running game always becomes more important in the postseason, and the Patriots tried their luck against a Ravens defense that ranked even better against the run than the pass. 

The Patriots Can Win Without a Dominant Day from Tom Brady

For the Patriots to win today (and throughout the postseason), many expected that Tom Brady would have to play lights-out. He didn't, but the Patriots still pulled it off by getting a team effort from their running game and defense.

Brady finished the game 22-of-36 for 239 yards and two interceptions. He added a rushing touchdown on a nifty leap over the line. The NFL's 31st-ranked defense did enough and made the plays it needed down the stretch to earn the win.

Of course, it didn't come without a little help from a dropped Lee Evans touchdown pass and a missed Billy Cundiff field goal.

Ray Rice Was Point 1a on the Game Plan

The Patriots often like to take away an opponent's best threat and make the opposing offense beat them with their weakness.

The key was clearly Ray Rice, who had 10 carries for 21 yards in the first half. That forced the ball into Joe Flacco's hands, but the quarterback responded early by going 11-of-16 for 162 yards and a touchdown in the first half for a passer rating of 112.4. He finished the game 22-of-36 for 306 yards, two touchdowns and a pick.

Rice finished with 21 carries for 67 yards and was held without a touchdown. 

The Patriots held the Ravens to three points in the first quarter, and started the game batting 1.000 with three straight three-and-outs. 

The Patriots Have Enjoyed Historic Postseason Success in the Past 11 Years

Six Super Bowl trips in the past 16 years. Five Super Bowl trips in the past 11 years. Sixteen career postseason wins for Tom Brady, which ties Joe Montana for most all-time.

These are just a few of the milestones that the Patriots achieved today. But it's not over yet. One remains in the future—the chance to win a fourth Super Bowl title in the past 11 years.