2012 NFL Playoffs : Why Ravens RB Ray Rice Is The Key to Baltimore’s Super Bowl XLVI Hopes In The AFC Championship Game

Published: 21^st Jan 12 11:56 am

by Robert D. Cobb
Cleveland Browns Featured Columnist, Follow me on Twitter, @RobertCobb_76

RANT It!

Andrew Weber-US PRESSWIRE

FOXBORO, MA – For all the talk of the high-flying New England Patriots offense and the hard-hitting Baltimore Ravens defense in the AFC Championship game, there may be one player who may be a factor in determining which team moves on to Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis.

Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice

Rice, the diminutive 5’8 fourth-year running back out of Rutgers, may be the best dual-threat running back in the NFL.

While other running backs such as Jacksonville’s Maurice Jones-Drew, Kansas City’s Jammal Charles, Philadelphia’s LeSean McCoy, Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch, Tennessee’s Chris Johnson and Houston’s Arian Foster can stake a legitimate claim, Rice’s versatility out of the backfield as a receiver and his durability makes him stand out.

It will Rice—not Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco—that holds the key to whether or not the Ravens will advance to their second-ever Super Bowl.

Flacco would help lead the Ravens to a 20-13 win over the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round last Sunday, Rice would rush for 60 yards on 21 carries and catch four passes for 20 yards.

Rice would also have one fumble against Houston.

Rice draws a favorable match-up against the New England Patriots and their re-vitalized defense which went from being ranked 31st overall during the regular season to the best in the post-season as they have allowed 252.0 total yards per game—albeit the stats may be eschewed because it was against Tim Tebow—Baltimore is not Denver and Rice is not Tebow.

Rice has recent history to draw upon against New England as he would rush for 159 yards and score two touchdowns in leading Baltimore to a 33-14 upset of the Patriots in Foxboro during the 2009 AFC Wild Card opening round game.

Rice would open the game with a 83-yard touchdown run, and the help the Ravens score 24 straight points in stunning Tom Brady and the New England Patriots on their home field.

For Baltimore to win at Foxboro for a second time against the Patriots, they will have to establish Rice early on the ground, and use his versatility late in attacking New England’s suspect defense on the edge late.

Flacco may be under the harsh media spotlight to help lead Baltimore past New England, Rice may be the proverbial shadow who could steal the show.

Follow me on Twitter, @Dawgfather_76