Key Matchups for AFC Championship – Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - everydaygorship's Blog

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everydaygorship's Blog

Key Matchups for AFC Championship – Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots

Posted on January 18, 2013 at 04:42 PM.

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BAL (QB) – Joe Flacco Vs. NE (QB) – Tom Brady - Can Flacco out duel the HOF bound Tom Brady? Let’s look at how these 2 performed in last years AFC title game, both QB’s had the same amount of passes and completions. 22 for 36 with Brady gaining 239 yds, but 2 INT’s, and Flacco with 306 yards – 2 TD’s/1 INT. So actually Flacco already out dueled Brady, but can he do it again?
NE – Pass Offense Vs. BAL – Pass Defense - Last week the Patriots lost their biggest and baddest target for the rest of the year in TE Rob Gronkowski, when he re-injured his forearm. The Ravens are happy to hear that, but they are missing their #1 corner in Ladarius Webb, but safety Bernard Pollard has been known as “The Patriot Killer” after making a few Pats leave the field. The edge has to go the Patriots way with Aaron Hernandez, and Wes Welker, but the Ravens have experienced veterans led by #52. Remember the performance Pats RB Shane Vereen had as a receiver against the Texans last week.
BAL – (DE) Paul Kruger Vs. NE (RT) Sebastian Vollmer - It seems like Kruger is the wild card in the Ravens D, and when he is being disruptive it helps take pressure off of Terrell Suggs on the other side. Vollmer has stayed healthy all year, and should hold up, but this match-up is a key part for both teams success.
NE – (TE) Aaron Hernandez Vs. BAL – (TE) Dennis Pitta - These 2 are the QB’s safety blanket, and have been huge for both teams offenses. They both are athletic enough to line up as wide outs, and are always a mismatch for LB’s. Last year in the AFC Title game Hernandez led his team in receptions with 7 for 66 yards. Pitta had 5 catches for 41 yards, and 1 TD.
BAL – (K) Justin Tucker Vs. NE – (K) Stephen Gostkowski - This match-up is what told the story of last year’s AFC title game. A missed FG by then kicker Billy Cundiff would allow the Patriots to hoist their 7th AFC title. This year, rookie sensation Justin Tucker has made 30 of 33 tries, and has gone 4 of 4 from 50+. For the Patriots, Gostkowski is 29 of 35, and is 9 of 13 from 40 to 49 yards.

Comments

# 1 HottyToddyRebels @ Jan 18

I want see the matchup between the QBs. Obviously, people think Tom Brady is the best thing to ever walk the earth, but I can't stand him, and I think he's way overrated. Hoping Baltimore will tear him up.