To everyone who is already talking about the inevitable rematch between the Patriots and Giants in this year’s Super Bowl: stop. Before next weekend is over, the No. 2 seeds from both the AFC and NFC might have something to say about that. The Niners already beat the Giants at home once this year. The Patriots put a beating for the ages on the Broncos Saturday night, but the Ravens are not the Broncos. Baltimore knows what type of task lies ahead in the AFC Championship game. In fact, Ravens center Matt Birk even praised the Patriots in a way that may make New England fans extremely uncomfortable.
“Yeah, I mean, they’re the Patriots,” Birk told reporters after the Ravens’ win over the Texans on Sunday, according to the Boston Herald. “They’re like the New York Yankees; great team, been great for a long, long time, and we’re going up there to play them. But the road to the ultimate goal for any team is very hard, very difficult, and you have to meet all the challenges.”
Take that, Patriots fans. The Yankees are probably the last team on earth New England fans would want to be compared to, but Birk has a point. Both teams have dominated the last decade in their respective sport. The Patriots have faced questions about their horrendous defense and weak schedule all season long, yet somehow they are once again the Vegas favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in a few weeks.
As cliche as it sounds, the games are played for a reason. The media would love to see a rematch between New York and New England, but that is a long 120 total minutes of football away. If you’re not a Yankees fan, you’re a fan of whoever they’re playing. The same is true for the Patriots. The Ravens beat New England two years ago in Foxboro with America on their side. There’s no reason to be certain history won’t repeat itself on Sunday afternoon.
