Ravens @ Patriots Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013 6:30 p.m. ET
As a result of the blowout win over the Houston Texans last weekend, the New England Patriots have now advanced to the AFC Championship game for the second consecutive season to face-off against the Baltimore Ravens once again.
Although the Patriots were able to accomplish the mission of returning to the championship game and being one step away from getting back to the Super Bowl, it hasn’t come without a potentially devastating cost. New England lost All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski in last week’s win over the Texans with the up-and-comer re-injuring his broken arm.
Gronkowski missed five games during the regular season after breaking his arm against the Indianapolis Colts. The team’s best receiver then re-injured the same arm after landing on it during a catch in the first quarter against the Texans last week.
As a result of the injury, Gronkowski will miss the rest of the season due to season-ending surgery on the arm. The loss of Gronkowski costs the Patriots their best way in the passing offense and biggest threat in the red zone.
Despite the loss of Gronkowski, the Patriots have a formidable backup in the form of Aaron Hernandez. With Hernandez playing well in place of Gronkowski, the team’s chances of advancing to the Super Bowl once again are high.
The Patriots have been labeled the heavy favorites in this game against the Ravens with a -9 point spread. Although Tom Brady and company are as good as any team on their home field, the Ravens will be a challenge on Sunday with all the emotion surrounding Ray Lewis’ pending retirement.
New England should come out on top in this matchup, but Baltimore will make it closer than anticipated.
Take the Ravens at +9.
Related News
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- Aaron Hernandez Charged with First Degree Murder of Odin Lloyd
- Patriots All-Pro Rob Gronkowski May Undergo Fourth Surgery
- Patriots’ tight end Rob Gronkowski out of walking boot
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