Based on officiating trends, the Ravens won't have to worry about roughing-the-passer penalties when they play the New England Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady in the playoffs.The officiating crew that will oversee today's game - which is headed by Gene Steratore - has called three roughing-the-passer penalties in 15 games this season. Only three officiating crews called fewer in the 2009 regular season.

Three months ago, it was Ron Winter's crew that flagged the Ravens twice for roughing the passer. His group led the NFL with nine roughing-the-passer penalties this season.

Asked about the public perception that the Ravens have to battle the Patriots as well as the officials, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said: "We don't believe in that. We've got a tough, hard-nosed, hard-playing bunch of guys. We play good, clean football. It's an intense game, but we expect to play a good, smart game."

Steratore's group has also called 10 pass-interference penalties, which is the sixth-fewest among the 17 full-time officiating crews in the NFL.