What You Need to Know About the New England Patriots' AFC Divisional Game Against the Baltimore Raves

Editor’s Note: Information in this article was provided by Patriots Media Relations

A familiar playoff opponent in the Baltimore Ravens return to Foxborough Saturday afternoon as the Patriots host their AFC North foe in the divisional round of the AFC Playoffs.

The Ravens advanced to the second round of the playoffs after a 30-17 victory at Pittsburgh last Saturday. This week’s game will be the third postseason meeting between the two teams, including a Wild Card game in 2009 and AFC Championship games in 2011 and 2012. The Patriots are 1-2 in those three postseason games.

The Patriots will try to advance to the AFC Championship Game for the fourth straight sea- son, joining Oakland (5-1973-77), Philadelphia (4-2001-04), Buffalo (4-1990-93) and Dallas (4-1970-73 and 1992-95) as the only teams to reach at least four straight conference cham- pionship games.

The Patriots finished the 2014 regular season with a 12-4 record and the top seed in the conference, securing home-field advantage throughout the AFC Playoffs. The Patriots have now earned the number one seed five times (2014, 2011, 2010, 2007 and 2003). New England’s 12 wins mark the ninth time in franchise history the Patriots have recorded 12 or more victories in the regular season, and it is the ninth time in the last 12 years the Patriots have had at least 12 regular-season wins. The Patriots have won at least 12 games for five straight years dating back to 2010 and finished with a 12-4 regular season record for the third straight year.

The Patriots earned a first-round bye in 2014 and lead the NFL with 10 first-round byes since the current NFL playoff format was instituted in 1990. New England has earned a first- round bye for the fifth consecutive season, becoming the first team to accomplish that feat. Dallas and San Francisco earned four straight byes from 1992 through 1995.

To help you get ready for the game, here is what you need to know!

Broadcast Information

Television: This week’s game will be broadcast by NBC and can be seen locally on WHDH Channel 7 in Boston. Al Michaels will handle play-by-play duties with Cris Collinsworth as the color analyst. Michele Tafoya will work from the sidelines. The game will be produced by Fred Gaudelli and directed by Drew Esocoff.

Local Radio: 98.5 FM, The Sports Hub, is the flagship station for the Patriots Radio Network. Play-by-play broadcaster Bob Socci will call the action along with former Patriots quarterback Scott Zolak, who will provide color analysis.

Be Aware of the Weather

Fans going to the game are advised to bundle up and prepare for a cold evening of football. As of Friday afternoon, a high of 21 degrees with a low of around 10 is expected. According to the Weather Channel, it will be 18 degrees with a wind chill of 7 a half hour before kick off. By 8 p.m., the temperature is expected to drop to 14 degrees with a wind chill 4.

Due to the weather, longer waiting times at the stadium gates should be expected as fans will likely be bundled up for the weather. Fans are strongly encouraged to arrive early at the gates, which open two hours before kickoff.

While it will be cold, it won’t be quite as cold as the coldest game in Patriots history. In 2004, it was 4 degrees with a -12 wind chill when the the Patriots and Titans played a divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium.

Parking Lot Information

The Gillette Stadium parking lots will open four hours before kickoff. Parking at the stadium is $40 for cars and motorcycles and $150 for buses, RVs, and limos.

In addition, the following vehicles will not be allowed in the lots:

• Any vehicle towing a trailer (this includes fifth-wheel RV units).
• Professional catering trucks and or services without prior written approval from Stadium Management.
• Excessive tailgate setups that impede on customers parked around your vehicles, emergency access or deemed to be unsafe or inappropriate by Stadium Management.
• Any type of swimming pool, portable pool, hot tubs, water filled pickup trucks, or the like.

Allow Plenty of Time for Traffic Around the Stadium

With a capacity crowd of over 68,000 fans expected, drivers are advised to allow themselves plenty of time when traveling near the stadium on game day. Traffic restrictions will be in place on local roads before and after the game. Fans must use I-95, I-495 or Route 140 to access Gillette Stadium. ‘

Those not going to the game should seek alternate routes to their destination.

The Dos and Do Nots of the Parking Lot

No one wants to be that person that gets in trouble for something that could have been avoided by knowing the the rules of the parking lot. Here are the regulations for parking at the stadium.

To provide all visitors with a safe and enjoyable visit to Gillette Stadium, the following parking lot restrictions apply on game days:

• Visitors must be in possession of a valid ticket to that day’s game to gain access to parking lots.
• Parking license is limited solely to the purpose of parking your vehicle on our property to gain entry to Gillette Stadium. Each paid license entitles the licensee to occupy one parking space.
• Solicitation, commercial or otherwise, by anyone for any purpose is expressly prohibited.
• Sale of any food, beverage or other items in Gillette Stadium parking lots, either prepaid or walk-up, without obtaining prior written approval of stadium management is expressly prohibited.
• Visitors must follow the directions given by the parking attendants and park within the space they designate for your use.
• Spaces cannot be held for vehicles arriving at a later time.
• Vehicles cannot be pulled into drive aisles after they are parked.

Failure to abide by these rules and restrictions will result in the immediate revocation of the individual’s parking license, the individual will be escorted from the property, the vehicle will be towed at the owner’s expense, and such conduct may result in the loss of Season Ticket Holder privileges.

Series History

The Patriots and Ravens have squared off eight times in the regular season and three times in the postseason, including two straight AFC Championship Games in 2011 and 2012, since the Baltimore franchise was founded following the Cleveland Browns’ move to Baltimore in 1996. All three postseason games have been played at Gillette Stadium. The Patriots are 1-2 against Baltimore all time in postseason play.

The teams last met in the regular season last year in Baltimore on Dec. 22, with the Patriots taking a 41-7 victory.

The Patriots and Ravens played in their first postseason meeting following the 2009 season with Baltimore taking a 33-14 win in a Wild Card matchup at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 10, 2010. The Patriots avenged that loss in the 2011 AFC Championship Game with a 23-20 victory over the Ravens at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 22, 2012, to advance to Super Bowl XLVI. The teams met for the second straight season in the 2012 AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on Jan. 20, 2013, with Baltimore getting revenge for the 2011 AFC Championship loss with a 28-13 win to advance to the Super Bowl.

The Patriots are 7-1 all-time against Baltimore in the regular season, including 4-0 in home games.

The first meeting between the teams came during the Ravens’ first season in Baltimore, when the Patriots prevailed 46-38 on Oct. 6, 1996. The 84 total points scored by both teams in that game rank as the second-highest total number of points in a game in Patriots history to the 86 points in a 43-43 tie with Oakland in 1964.

The Patch Perspective

What do the Patriots need to do to make it to a fourth AFC Championship game in a row?

It’s About Scoring Points

Is saying the Patriots need to score more points than the Ravens to win a bit obvious? Of course, but it’s about point production when these two teams meet in the playoffs. In New England’s two losses against Baltimore, the Patriots were held to no more than 14 points with New England winning the 2011 AFC Championship 23-20.

Similar to their 17-16 win against the Jets, the Patriots could find their defensives efforts nearly all for naught if there is no offensive production from Tom Brady and company. It’s going to take at least 20 points for the Patriots to beat the Ravens and bearing a big defensive or special teams play, that falls on the offense.

Brady Needs to Step it Up

Against the Ravens in January, Brady has been un-Brady like over the years. In the three playoff games against the Ravens, Brady’s QB rating is 56.3.

O-Line Needs to Show Up

At times looking like they’re being kept together with tape and bubble gum, the offensive line needs to show up. Towards the end of the season, Nate Solder showed some issue at left tackle and the center position has been more unpredictable than a game of musical chairs.

Brady’s protection is going to play a big role in this game given the proficiency of the Raven’s pass rush. This season, Baltimore recorded 49 sacks, the second most in the league.

If the line can’t give Brady time in the pocket, it puts pressure on the defense in a low scoring game that favors Baltimore.

Try the Long Ball

It hasn’t been the Patriots’ forte this year but the offense might want to exploit the Ravens’ secondary. According to statistics and analysis website Football Outsiders, the Ravens were 30 out of 32 teams during the regular season when it came to defending long passes.

The Gronk Factor

There is one major difference between this game and the losses against the Ravens and that is Rob Gronkowski. If the unanimous All-Pro tight end makes it though the game, it will be the first time the Ravens will face a healthy Gronkowski for a full 60 minutes. As one of Brady’s primary targets, Gronkowski may be the deciding factor for the Patriots.

The Defense

This game could come down to the effort of what may be the best Patriots defense since the 2007 season. The likely matchups to watch will be Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis vs Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. and Brandon Browner vs. Torrey Smith. Also in the backfield will be Kyle Arrington, and Devin McCourty.

Showing great improvement over the year has been linebacker Jamie Collins who earned 74 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions during the regular season.

Stop Flacco

For whatever reason, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco becomes a different player once the playoffs start. In the past five postseason games, Flacco has earned a passer rating over 100 with a rating of 106 since 2010.

Prediction Time

If the Patriots win, it’s not going to be a low scoring affair. It’s going to be a fight, a slugfest, and a battle. Despite the Raven’s strengths and Falcco’s tendencies to become a different player in the postseason, the transformation of the Patriots defense with the addition of Revis and a healthy Rob Gronkowski are too much to overlook. This one, and another appearance in the AFC Championship game, goes to the Patriots.

What do you think the Patriots need to do to beat the Ravens? Tell us in the comments section and give us your score prediction too!