AFC –
Conference Championship Prediction
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
How they got here:
- Both the Ravens & the Patriots won their respective divisions. The Ravens however had tough competition on their way towards the AFC North Championship. Baltimore had to fight with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and to a length also the Cleveland Browns, who actually had a better record than New England’s main opponent, The New York Jets. The Ravens had 12 wins and 4 losses – they had the exact same overall record as the Steelers. You can say that their Playoffs began much much earlier than for a lot of other teams in the NFL, seeing as they had to fight every week for the top position in the AFC North. Then it’s time for the Patriots. As mentioned earlier, their main opponent in the Regular Season was the New York Jets. However, remember that both the Browns & the Steelers had a better record – and therefore the Patriots had a much easier way to the Playoffs than the Ravens. But, as we know both of these teams won their respective divisions. Also, both teams entered in the Divisional Round. The Patriots faced the lucky Denver Broncos, led by the famous running Quarterback Tim Tebow. Now in my opinion both Tebow and the entire Bronco-offense is overrated, and that definitely proved to be the case when they faced the AFC East winners. The Patriots proved their offensive might when they rewrote the offensive Playoff-record books with Brady’s arm & Rob Gronkowski’s hands. They ended up winning 45-10 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. In a sense both the Ravens & the Patriots where lucky, seeing as they both met either an injured team or an unbelievably lucky team. The Ravens met the injured team, the Playoff-debutants the Houston Texans. When looking at the Texans, it was obvious that they were injured severely! Just look at the Quarterback position – they started a rookie 5th round pick, T.J. Yates. Sure, he’s actually done fine – but he replaced the very very good Quarterback Matt Schaub & Matt Leinart. They relied heavily on their running-game and their defence. Bears-football. The Texans did their best, but, eventually they lost 20-13 at the M&T Bank Stadium. So now the Ravens face the Patriots in Foxborough to fight for the AFC Championship and the AFC Super Bowl-spot.
Ravens experience:
- This is their 8th appearance in the Playoffs for the Ravens. They won the AFC Championship & the Super Bowl in the 2000-season. However, there are a lot of new faces on the team. But, remember – the Ravens have been to the Playoffs every year since the 2008-season, all of which has been with Joe Flacco as their Quarterback.
Patriots experience:
- This is their 19th appearance in the Playoffs for the Patriots. They’ve won the AFC Championship 6 times, and the Super Bowl 3 times – all these Super Bowl wins have been with their current Quarterback Tom Brady.
Offense:
- The Patriots offense is record breaking! I’ve already mentioned Brady & Gronkowski, and they are simply magnificent this season! Their per game average point total is the 3rd highest in the NFL, their yard average at 2nd highest, their passing yards 2nd highest – however, their running yards average is ranked 20th in the NFL. An amazing offense! However, their opponent has a very average offensive output. Flacco doesn’t do much, and Rice hasn’t been amazing throughout the season, therefore both of these will have to play good in order for the Ravens to pull out a win!
Defence:
- The Patriots allow the second most yards per game in the NFL – that is all I need to say. Their defence is not good enough. They rely on their offense! The Ravens D is much much better than their defence… With names like Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs & Ed Reed they have a very good shot on defence. Their defence allow the 3rd lowest amount of yards and points in the NFL!
Special Teams:
- I’d rank the Patriots as the 19th best Kick Return-team, and the Ravens as the 14th best. Both teams have very good kickers and punters.
Who will win?:
- This is tough… I’d love to see the Harbaugh-Harbaugh II in the Super Bowl, however, I believe that Flacco will not be capable of providing the Ravens with a good enough passing offense, and that will ultimately end up being the reason they lose the AFC Championship Game… The Patriots aren’t good defensively, but, they are scary offensively! Brady, Belichick & Gronkowski will go to the Super Bowl!
Prediction for the AFC Championship Game:
- New England Patriots.
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
How they got here:
- Both the Ravens & the Patriots won their respective divisions. The Ravens however had tough competition on their way towards the AFC North Championship. Baltimore had to fight with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and to a length also the Cleveland Browns, who actually had a better record than New England’s main opponent, The New York Jets. The Ravens had 12 wins and 4 losses – they had the exact same overall record as the Steelers. You can say that their Playoffs began much much earlier than for a lot of other teams in the NFL, seeing as they had to fight every week for the top position in the AFC North. Then it’s time for the Patriots. As mentioned earlier, their main opponent in the Regular Season was the New York Jets. However, remember that both the Browns & the Steelers had a better record – and therefore the Patriots had a much easier way to the Playoffs than the Ravens. But, as we know both of these teams won their respective divisions. Also, both teams entered in the Divisional Round. The Patriots faced the lucky Denver Broncos, led by the famous running Quarterback Tim Tebow. Now in my opinion both Tebow and the entire Bronco-offense is overrated, and that definitely proved to be the case when they faced the AFC East winners. The Patriots proved their offensive might when they rewrote the offensive Playoff-record books with Brady’s arm & Rob Gronkowski’s hands. They ended up winning 45-10 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. In a sense both the Ravens & the Patriots where lucky, seeing as they both met either an injured team or an unbelievably lucky team. The Ravens met the injured team, the Playoff-debutants the Houston Texans. When looking at the Texans, it was obvious that they were injured severely! Just look at the Quarterback position – they started a rookie 5th round pick, T.J. Yates. Sure, he’s actually done fine – but he replaced the very very good Quarterback Matt Schaub & Matt Leinart. They relied heavily on their running-game and their defence. Bears-football. The Texans did their best, but, eventually they lost 20-13 at the M&T Bank Stadium. So now the Ravens face the Patriots in Foxborough to fight for the AFC Championship and the AFC Super Bowl-spot.
Ravens experience:
- This is their 8th appearance in the Playoffs for the Ravens. They won the AFC Championship & the Super Bowl in the 2000-season. However, there are a lot of new faces on the team. But, remember – the Ravens have been to the Playoffs every year since the 2008-season, all of which has been with Joe Flacco as their Quarterback.
Patriots experience:
- This is their 19th appearance in the Playoffs for the Patriots. They’ve won the AFC Championship 6 times, and the Super Bowl 3 times – all these Super Bowl wins have been with their current Quarterback Tom Brady.
Offense:
- The Patriots offense is record breaking! I’ve already mentioned Brady & Gronkowski, and they are simply magnificent this season! Their per game average point total is the 3rd highest in the NFL, their yard average at 2nd highest, their passing yards 2nd highest – however, their running yards average is ranked 20th in the NFL. An amazing offense! However, their opponent has a very average offensive output. Flacco doesn’t do much, and Rice hasn’t been amazing throughout the season, therefore both of these will have to play good in order for the Ravens to pull out a win!
Defence:
- The Patriots allow the second most yards per game in the NFL – that is all I need to say. Their defence is not good enough. They rely on their offense! The Ravens D is much much better than their defence… With names like Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs & Ed Reed they have a very good shot on defence. Their defence allow the 3rd lowest amount of yards and points in the NFL!
Special Teams:
- I’d rank the Patriots as the 19th best Kick Return-team, and the Ravens as the 14th best. Both teams have very good kickers and punters.
Who will win?:
- This is tough… I’d love to see the Harbaugh-Harbaugh II in the Super Bowl, however, I believe that Flacco will not be capable of providing the Ravens with a good enough passing offense, and that will ultimately end up being the reason they lose the AFC Championship Game… The Patriots aren’t good defensively, but, they are scary offensively! Brady, Belichick & Gronkowski will go to the Super Bowl!
Prediction for the AFC Championship Game:
- New England Patriots.
- I’m Jeffrey Rex!
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