Ravens vs. Patriots

SB Nation blog: Baltimore Beatdown | Pats Pulpit

Where: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA
When: Sunday, January 20, 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Odds: Patriots -8
Picks: Patriots, 35-27

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Baltimore Beatdown: Lots of story lines to follow | Full Ravens-Patriots coverage

Pats Pulpit: 2013 vs. now | Bold predictions for Sunday

The Ray Lewis Retirement Tour hasn't been stopped since it was announced, as the Ravens took down the Colts and the Chuckstrong Movement in the Wildcard round, then the Peyton Manning Return to Glory Tour (sounds like Lollapalooza or something) in the Divisional Round. Former Bear Corey Graham picked off two Manning passes and returned one for a touchdown, and for all the flak Joe Flacco gets, here he is in the AFC Championship Game again. Torrey Smith pulled in two touchdowns, but Jacoby Jones put down what might have been the backbreaker, as he hauled in a 70-yard touchdown with 31 seconds left.

The Patriots, on the other hand, are back in the conference championship themselves, again, as they put down the Texans 41-28. Seriously, if somebody had told me the Patriots and Texans would have the least-exciting game of the weekend last week, I would have looked at them funny. Shane Vereen caught two touchdowns and ran for another, and Tom Brady was his usual self, throwing 344 yards with three touchdowns and no picks.

The Ravens might have a little extra incentive this weekend, not only to make it to the Super Bowl, but it was these same Patriots that took them out in last year's conference championship, 23-20. In their earlier matchup this season, the Ravens were triumphant, 31-30.

This is your open thread for the AFC Championship Game. As always, Open Thread Responsibly (TM).