Tom Brady has taken the New England Patriots to the Super Bowl five times, winning three and losing two. New York Giants' fans know, however, that Brady's two losses came at their hands. Well, as Brady and the Patriots prepare to host the Baltimore Ravens in the 2013 AFC Championship Game the Giants -- home for the playoffs -- cannot stand in their way.
So, could a fourth Super Bowl title be in the offing for Brady if he and the favored Patriots can defeat the Ravens on Sunday. Here is a first look at the game.
Records: Ravens (12-6), Patriots (13-4)
Game Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Line: New England -10
Super Bowl Odds: New England 1-1, Ravens 15-2
New England will once again host Baltimore this Sunday in the first AFC Championship game rematch in consecutive years since Denver and Cleveland met in back-to-back conference title games following the 1986 and 1987 seasons.
The Ravens return to Gillette Stadium for the first time since their heartbreaking defeat in last year's AFC Championship Game. New England narrowly escaped with a 23-20 victory, after a potential go-ahead touchdown catch was knocked from the grasp of wide receiver Lee Evans and Billy Cundiff missed a field goal attempt in the waning moments of the fourth quarter.
"We fought hard to get back to this point," says Flacco. "We are definitely proud of being here. We are going to give it our all and we know what it felt like last year. We walked off that field without that win. We know what we've put in to get back to this point. It is going to be a great game."
Last week, Baltimore defeated Denver 38-35 and improved its road playoff record to 8-5 (.615), the highest road winning percentage in postseason history (minimum 10 games). Flacco's unforgettable 70-yard TD pass to Jones was the longest game-tying or game-winning scrimmage touchdown in the final minute of the fourth quarter of an NFL playoff game.
The Patriots advanced to their 10th AFC Championship with a 41-28 win over Houston in the Divisional round. New England is 7-2 in AFC Championship Games, including 4-0 at home. With the victory, Brady recorded his 17th playoff victory as a starting quarterback, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Montana (16) for the most in NFL history.