2012 AFC Championship Predictions: Patriots vs. Ravens

Football fans, we’re down to the final four in the 2012 NFL Playoffs, as both the AFC and NFC Championship games take place tomorrow.

As usual here on NFL Spin Zone, we’ve assembled our staff to get their thoughts on who will be playing in the Super Bowl in two weeks in Indianapolis.

We start with our AFC Title game predictions!

SUNDAY

#2 Baltimore Ravens at #1 New England Patriots – 3 PM ET, CBS

Brittany Jacks – With the AFC Championship game, I am going with the Baltimore Ravens. Having been analyzing the Ravens throughout this season and comparing old and new film posts of routes and runs, it was noted that the team boasts dynamic runners- with heavy emphasis placed on Ray Rice. The dynamic running allow for incomplete passes/poor passes to be reversed by adding yardage to better leverage the Ravens against their opponents. Coupled with the running talents, the Ravens have one of the best “Red Zone” defenses within the league; this immediately intimidates opponents. However, the Ravens lack consistency in the throwing abilities of Joe Flacco – this past season has displayed a decrease in successful passing rates from game to game.

Prediction: Ravens 19, Patriots 16

Ben Worthy – The Ravens have the best defense of teams left in the playoffs, while the Pats have the best offense left. The Patriot’s defense is horrible, while Baltimore’s offense is good, yet inconsistent. I believe the Ravens will win 38-24. New England’s defense won’t be able to stop Flacco’s passing, and will have trouble with Ray Rice running the ball. Expect Flacco to have well over four hundred passing yards. Tom Brady will play good as well, but the Raven’s defense will take control during the second half.

Prediction: Ravens 38, Patriots 24

Chris Smith – The New England Patriots are a juggernaut, no doubt about it. But I just see something in Joe Flacco that tells me he’s ready for the big time. This game should be so high scoring as my prediction suggests. The Ravens defense is superb but New England’s offense is so explosive I can’t see them being held back. Expect a close contest in this one.

Prediction: Ravens 30, Patriots 24

Sonja Holcomb – 30-27 and Ray Lewis will be one game closer to his second ring! The New England Patriots’ high powered and unpredictable offense will be dismantled by the Baltimore Ravens. The hard hitting Ravens defense will leave the Patriots bruised and battered. Joe Flacco and his fu manchu will tie Tom Brady’s record for post-season wins in his first four years.

Prediction: Ravens 30, Patriots 27

Dexter Williams – In the AFC, you have the “Golden” New England Patriots vs. the “Hard Hat” Baltimore Ravens. I pick New England based on the sole fact that Tom Brady is back their slanging the rock. The Ravens are a good match up for New England, but when the Patriots run their two-tight end set, its very few teams that can match up with them. You have to remember that Ray Lewis is getting long in the tooth and trying to cover a young tight end is not his thing anymore. The Patriots defense may not be top ranked, but they have that bend, but don’t break mentality and they have held it together all year. Baltimore just does not have the offensive power to get into a shootout with New England and if New England goes up big early, it’s over for the Raven. I know that the cliché is that defense wins ballgames, but you got to have some offense.

Predictions: Patriots 35, Ravens 14

Blake Lovell – I know a lot of people worry about the Patriots’ defense, but I’m more worried about Joe Flacco and the Ravens’ offense. Tom Brady will obviously have a tougher time against Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, but they still have enough on offense to put up some points. The Pats defense will step up and have a big game, which means that the Ravens will need some big plays on defense. I think they’ll get one or two, but Brady will lead a late drive to give the Pats a trip to Indianapolis.

Prediction: Patriots 23, Ravens 20

Josh Sanchez – This is another prolific offense against a big time defense. Tom Brady has been on a tear, but the who have the Patriots really beaten? If New England can get past the Ravens, it would be the first team they have beaten this season that would have finished with a winning record. It should never be that easy and it won’t. Expect a huge day from Torrey Smith as he shreds the Patriots pitiful defense and Ray Rice will run wild. New England will hit a brick wall and Tommy Terrific will not be able to pull this one out.

Predictions: Ravens 24, Patriots 21

There’s our picks. Now it’s your turn! Who are you picking in the AFC Title game?

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