Ravens, Patriots discount rematch of AFC title game

BALTIMORE - Using the precise timing and anticipation that have helped him to become a record-setting NFL safety, the Ravens' Ed Reed had his answer before the question was completed.

Knowing tonight's matchup between Baltimore and the New England Patriots is being touted as a rematch of last season's AFC title game, Reed knocked down the premise as if it was a soft fourth-down pass over the middle.

"The AFC championship really doesn't have anything to do with this game, because that was last year and we've got a couple different guys in this locker room," Reed said. "We feel totally different about this year than last year. This is a totally different situation.

"Last year's game was win or go home. This is not a playoff situation. It may have implications down the road, but who knows what that will be?"

If the Patriots (1-1) and Ravens (1-1) meet on Jan. 20 with a trip to the Super Bowl at stake, that confrontation will truly be considered a rematch. This game, however, is really about two very good teams that don't want to dip below .500.

"I don't think the last game we played against them has anything to do with this game," Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said. "We're both coming off a loss last week and want to get back on track. It should be a good game, like it always is."

The last meeting between the teams was a classic. New England won at home, 23-20, but not before Baltimore's Lee Evans had the potential winning touchdown pass knocked from his hands in the end zone and Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard field-goal attempt in the closing seconds.

Evans and Cundiff are no longer with the Ravens and standout linebacker Terrell Suggs is out indefinitely with a torn right Achilles tendon, backing Reed's assessment that this team is not the same.

This isn't the same Patriots team, either. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who ran for 68 yards and a touchdown in the AFC title game, is now toting the ball for Cincinnati. New England's defense has also gotten significant contributions from first-round picks Chandler Jones and Don't'a Hightower.

Although the Ravens and Patriots have long been contenders in the AFC, this rivalry belongs to New England. The Patriots lead the series 7-1, the lone flaw on their ledger a 33-14 embarrassment at home in the 2010 wild-card game. Only twice before have the teams played in Baltimore; the last time was in December 2007, when New England won, 27-24.