BALTIMORE AT NEW ENGLAND
Time, TV: 5:30 p.m., Ch. 4 • Line: Patriots by 8
THE SKINNY
The Ravens stunned the Patriots in Week 3 with a last-second field goal and a 31-30 victory in Baltimore. Justin Tucker's kick sneaked inside the right upright, much to the protest of Patriots players. New England coach Bill Belichick grabbed the arm of one of the replacement officials after the game and was fined $50,000. The primary reason Tucker is the Ravens kicker is because Billy Cundiff shanked a 32-yard field goal against the Patriots in last year's AFC Championship Game that would have tied the score.
ABOUT THE RAVENS
How they got here: Baltimore, the fourth seed, won the AFC North at 10-6. It beat Indianapolis 24-9, then upset No. 1 seed Denver 38-35 in two overtimes last week.
Stats: The Ravens were 16th in the NFL in offense and 17th in defense.
Top guns: LB Ray Lewis, retiring after this season, has 30 tackles in two playoff games. QB Joe Flacco is the only quarterback with a postseason victory in each of his first five seasons during Super Bowl era. RB Ray Rice rushed for 131 yards against the Broncos. LB Paul Kruger led the Ravens in the regular season with nine sacks. He had at least one in six of his last eight regular-season games and 2 1/2 in this year's playoffs.
ABOUT THE PATRIOTS
How they got here: New England, the second seed, won the AFC East at 12-4. After a first-round bye, it beat Houston 41-28.
Stats: The Patriots were first in the league in offense and 25th in defense.
Top guns: QB Tom Brady's total of 17 postseason wins is an NFL record. RB Danny Woodhead is expected back after hurting a thumb on the Patriots' first offensive play last week against Houston and missing the rest of the game. Patriots, first in the NFL with a plus-25 turnover differential, got the only turnover of the game against Houston on an INT by DE Rob Ninkovich. DT Vince Wilfork and Ninkovich tied for second in the NFL during the regular season with four fumble recoveries.
