Ravens' AFC championship showdown with Patriots is full of storylines

In fact, when Bernard Pollard strolled into the locker room before practice the other day, he sounded as if he were getting up for an MMA fight.

"There's no intimidation," the Ravens' fearsome safety said about facing the Patriots. "You have two good teams going against each other. One thing I say to any football player who's intimidated: you're a coward and a punk.

"This is a man's game. This is what it is. I'm going to call it how I see it. You don't fear no man or no team. ... We're going to go out, and we want to out-hit you and out-play you and we want to go to the Super Bowl."

There's another story line: The Ravens plan to play smash-mouth football today.

But that's not exactly a new one.

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Felicia Fitzgerald at 10:51 AM January 20, 2013

I think people are forgetting that the karma associated with the missed FG in last years championship game already happened. That was in week 3 when Tucker shanked the FG attempt again but the replacement refs called it good giving the victory to the Ravens.

Now no more talk of destiny, ok?

DennisWV at 9:56 AM January 20, 2013

How about this storyline, Roderick: Only the sunpaper's Preston picked the Ravens over Denver; and only Schmuck and Preston pick them over New England.

That fact will not soon be forgotten by those of us who read your articles.

The OC Formerly Known As Cam Cheney at 9:42 AM January 20, 2013

Storylines? Meh. BOTTOM LINE: The Ravens can get to the Super Bowl if they play at the level at which they're capable of playing. For 4 full quarters. THAT'S the only thing that matters.

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