Poll: Who Will Win the AFC Championship?

by Chris Pokorny on Jan 19, 2012 6:01 PM EST

Two years ago, the Baltimore Ravens traveled to New England to take on the Patriots in the first round of the playoffs. The Patriots were heavily favored to win the game, but the Ravens got off to an unbelievable start: an 83-yard touchdown run by Ray Rice on the game's first offensive play, a fumble by Tom Brady to set up a short field and another quick touchdown, and two interceptions by Brady to set up another Ravens touchdown and field goal. By the end of the first quarter, it was 24-0 Ravens. With that type of lead, the Ravens' defense isn't going to cave.

This year, Brady and the Patriots' offense is much more electric. Brady threw for nearly 4,400 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2009. This year, he threw for over 5,200 yards with 39 touchdown passes. 17 of those touchdown passes went to tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has become virtually undefendable. Against the Broncos last week, Brady threw for 6 touchdowns, with 3 of them going to Gronkowski. If Brady had wanted, he could have seriously thrown for 10 touchdowns against Denver.

New England finished the season at 13-3. The Ravens don't seem to have been too far behind, finishing at 12-4. They were the league's No. 1 and No. 2 ranked seeds, respectively. Still, the distance between the two teams seems drastic when you consider how the Ravens performed on the road. Including the playoffs, Baltimore was an impressive 9-0 at home this year. On the road, they were 4-4, with losses to Tennessee, Jacksonville, Seattle, and San Diego. None of those teams made the postseason.

Behind it all, you have Joe Flacco struggling to get the job done. There's no doubt that Ray Rice can be a difference maker. Ultimately, it comes down to Flacco stepping his game up. He didn't last week against a Texans offense that was held back by a couple of questionable throws by rookie quarterback T.J. Yates; the defense was the reason Baltimore won that game. Even if Flacco does throw the ball well, I absolutely hate the way that Cam Cameron has been calling games. There is zero flow on any given series. The Patriots won't have that problem, and I'm leaning toward them prevailing, which would prevent the Harbaugh-vs-Harbaugh Super Bowl.

Who do you think will win the AFC Championship?

Poll

Who will win the AFC Championship?

Baltimore Ravens

102 votes

New England Patriots

328 votes

430 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

The Antichrist and co.

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Jan 19, 2012 6:16 PM EST reply actions

As much as I hate the Ravens I think their D can frustrate Brady. And even Joe Flacco can throw against this Defense. If the Ravens are smart though they will lean heavily on Ray Rice early. Keep Tom on the sideline and keep the game low scoring.

by Justin Kowalczyk on Jan 19, 2012 7:09 PM EST reply actions

This. If they keep the Pats at 21 points or under, they have a shot. I can’t vote though.

We'll be kicking ourselves if we don't get Burflict.

by The New Kardiac Kids on Jan 19, 2012 9:25 PM EST up reply actions

Didn’t hold them to 21…..

We'll be kicking ourselves if we don't get Burflict.

by The New Kardiac Kids on Jan 22, 2012 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

I hate both teams, yet I still come into this totally biased because my hatred toward the other boils over.
I think Gronkowski is going to continue his reign of terror and leave those ratbird begging for their much needed valtrex.

"The tragedy of life is not that man loses, but that he almost wins."

by Simmsinns on Jan 19, 2012 8:56 PM EST reply actions

I hate to say this but I want Bradys ladys to beat the ratbirds. Its so sad to look at Baltimore and wonder what would have happened if it hadn’t been for The first traitor. And if this could be the Browns right now playing the pats for a SB birth.

by UnSafe 70 on Jan 19, 2012 9:50 PM EST reply actions

A Super Bowl birth would be quite a miracle for anybody.

by Legoman0721 on Jan 21, 2012 12:50 AM EST via Android app up reply actions

!!!

Oh, Sniff, sigh

by Royce Groff on Jan 21, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

Flacco sucks. Pats roll.

by Bernie19Kosar on Jan 19, 2012 10:48 PM EST reply actions

Flacco Flaccid as Fatbirds Falter

by batard on Jan 20, 2012 5:19 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

I like this.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jan 20, 2012 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

I remember a similar comment from you prior to the NO-SF game (although I did agree).

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Jan 20, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions

And I stand by it. 49ers needed 5 turnovers to eek out a win.

Saints win that match-up 9 out of 10 times. But, like Herm Edwards says…

by Bernie19Kosar on Jan 20, 2012 12:10 PM EST up reply actions

I’ll take the bait.

YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Jan 20, 2012 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

New England’s defense is worse than Baltimore’s offense. New England can’t stop anyone. New England has to score 30 or more to win this game.

by champion64 on Jan 20, 2012 12:24 PM EST reply actions

they do that pretty much on a weekly basis regardless of who they are playing.

by PaduaDSP on Jan 20, 2012 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

I’m too lazy to verify at the moment, but I do remember hearing that they had not beaten an above .500 team all year. Now the only team above that that they beat is Denver. I’m not all that impressed.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Jan 20, 2012 11:30 PM EST up reply actions

I’m impressed by them. As the Colts have shown, if you can find some run defense in the playoffs to support your awesome QB, you can go far. Regular season defense doesn’t matter, I think the Pats are peaking at the right time.

by Legoman0721 on Jan 21, 2012 12:52 AM EST via Android app up reply actions