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NFL playoff schedule 2013, AFC Championship: Patriots to host Ravens at Foxboro

After toppling the visiting Houston Texans, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will host the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC title.

By Dylan DeSimone
Rob Carr

As many predicted they would, the New England Patriots ran away with Sunday's playoff game against the Texans, moving onward to the AFC Championship game once again. With Tom Brady behind center, this team is highly competitive and has been the cream of the crop in their respective conference for over a decade now.

But a fourth Super Bowl ring for Tom Brady won't come easy.

The Patriots will have the arduous task of hosting Ray Lewis' Baltimore Ravens, who are playing inspired football at the moment. It will be two future first-ballot Hall of Famers and former Super Bowl champions clashing next Sunday, when Lewis' Ravens meet Brady's Pats.

In two postseason game this year, the Ravens have been battle-tested, surviving Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning to advance to the AFC title game. Meanwhile, Brady's Patriots never flinched in the divisional round, as they cruised past the Houston Texans.

There does not appear to be a defense in the American conference that can stop Brady's Patriots. The two defenses that stoned him during the regular season that were in this year's playoffs were the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks -- one of which was sent home after a loss in the divisional round.

Right now, the New England defense is playing good ball, and Brady is at the top of his game. This methodical and explosive Patriots attack should be able to expose the age and lack of speed on the Ravens defense.

The Ravens will travel to Foxboro to face the Patriots next Sunday, January 20th. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 6:30 p.m. ET and will be nationally broadcast on CBS.