It will be about a year ago to the day that the Baltimore Ravens take the same field that caused them such heartbreak and disappointment last season. Flashback to the AFC Championship game in 2012, and Baltimore will remember a game that they nearly had won, or at the very least, could have forced overtime.
But it was not to be, and as a result, the New England Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl, eventually losing to the New York Giants for the second time in four seasons.
If ever there were a stage set for payback, revenge, or whatever you want to call it, the Ravens have that chance this Sunday in the AFC Championship game.
Same time, same place, one year later.
Perhaps a little more seasoned, perhaps a little more experienced, the Ravens nonetheless were still not expected to get here. There season was supposed to end last week in Denver at Mile High Stadium. The only problem was that no one told them that.
Baltimore went into Peyton Manning’s new house last Saturday on a frigid day in Denver, and up-ended the former Super Bowl favorite Broncos 38-35 in double-OT to advance to a second-consecutive AFC Championship game.
And just like they were last week to Denver, the Ravens are double-digit underdogs to the Patriots on AFC Championship Game Odds.
That’s a role they are fine with though. These 2013 playoffs we have grown accustom to seeing and hearing Ray Lewis talk at the end of the game, still showcasing why he may just be the best leader in the NFL history. That leadership will need to be on full display this week if the Ravens are to go into New England and beat the Patriots.
New England has been the benchmark to which all other teams are trying to achieve. At the same time, the Ravens have been the team over the last several seasons knocking on the door wanting in most often.
This is Baltimore’s chance to prove that they belong in that conversation with New England. Rest assured, they will not be intimidated going into this environment. Whether or not they are able to execute is a different story.