Kacsmar: Ravens wish to win, Patriots really need to win

On Sunday, the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens every will perform inside their third AFC Championship game above the previous 6 many years, the Patriots winning each and also the Ravens losing each, together with final year's 23-20 heartbreaker in Foxboro. It is also the third time the teams have met within the playoffs while in the previous 4 many years.

No meeting appears much more evenly matched, and that is the very first rematch within a conference championship due to the fact the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers met 3 many years inside a row (1992-94).

It may very well be the last game of your wonderful occupation for Ray Lewis, and potential Hall of Fame security Ed Reed isn't far behind him for retirement. As a result, the Ravens possess a smaller sized window of chance, however they will be the secondary story.

If your New England Patriots fall at your home or fail to win the Super Bowl this yr, it's going to carry on the best run of playoff disappointment in NFL historical past.

Patriots should validate their record success

Although coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady won 3 Super Bowls with each other from 2001-2004, that was an eternity ago. The only other present Patriots to get won a Super Bowl along with the crew are Deion Branch (backup receiver) and Vince Wilfork (being a rookie in 2004).

New England's regular-season accomplishment has only elevated, but no extra championships have come. The Patriots did come excruciatingly near 3 times, losing two Super Bowls on last-minute touchdown drives through the New York Giants and blowing the biggest lead ever inside a championship game (18 factors), losing towards the Indianapolis Colts.

The 2007 season started off with controversy soon after the Spygate story of illegal videotaping broke, questioning the validity of New England's historic results. Belichick answered with among the most dominant seasons in background.

Although they have been even now ahead on the curve offensively in people days, in 2007 the Patriots modified the dynamic of their group by including receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, the latter defining the part in the slot receiver. There was small comparison with their championship teams, which have been created on robust defenses.

New England's 2007 offense became the primary to make use of the shotgun on a lot more than 50 % of their plays, making use of components in the spread offense Belichick picked up on from university coach Urban Meyer.

The outcomes had been beautiful because the 2007 Patriots scored a record 589 factors. Brady threw a record 50 touchdown passes with Moss catching 23 of them. Once the crew commenced 10-0, it had been outscoring opponents by 25.four factors per game, on the lookout like arguably quite possibly the most dominant group in historical past.

However the grind of the march on the great season took its toll. The Patriots fell behind by twelve factors on the New York Giants in Week 17, but came back to win to clinch the only 16-0 common season ever. Nevertheless, the game developed self-confidence during the Giants, who took down the Patriots (twelve.5-point favorites) in Super Bowl XLII, holding quite possibly the most prolific offense ever to just 14 factors. Brady, who scoffed at Giants' receiver Plaxico Burress' prediction of New England scoring 17 factors, was sacked 5 occasions immediately after enjoying pristine pass safety all season.

It nonetheless took the best drive in NFL background, engineered by Eli Manning, to obtain the 17-14 win, however the Giants pulled off the upset, leaving the Patriots using a hollow 18-1 finish.

Brady tore his ACL inside the initially quarter on the to start with game in 2008, however the Patriots nonetheless managed to finish 11-5 behind Matt Cassel. Having said that, they became just the 2nd 11-5 crew ever (1985 Denver Broncos) to not qualify for that playoffs.

Returning to start out the 2009 season, Brady led the Patriots to a thrilling comeback win more than Buffalo in Week one, but that will be Brady's only game-winning drive in the season. The 2009 group struggled to near video games out, which was the hallmark of New England's earlier achievement from the decade.

The season-changing minute came in Week ten once the Patriots (6-2) played the Colts (8-0) in prime time. The moment holding a 17-point lead while in the fourth quarter, the Patriots faced a 4th-and-2 at their very own 28, holding onto a 34-28 lead with two:08 left. Most coaches would punt, but Belichick kept the offense around the field. Brady's pass to Kevin Faulk was brief in the initial down, and Peyton Manning threw the game-winning touchdown with 0:13 left within a 35-34 comeback win.

From that stage the Patriots completed just 4-4, lost Welker to injury in Week 17, and hosted the Ravens while in the Wild Card round. Ray Rice started out the game with an 83-yard touchdown run, and Brady turned the ball more than 3 times from the to start with quarter. Baltimore led 24-0 at that stage, and went on to win 33-14. The Ravens lost in New England by a 27-21 last in Week four.

In 2010 the Patriots once again started off to evolve their offense just after drafting tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. They completed the normal season on an eight-game winning streak, turning the ball above just a single time (+23 in turnover differential), and averaging 37.four factors per game (no less than 31 factors in just about every game). No efficiency was additional amazing than a 45-3 rout from the Jets in Week 13.

The 2010 Patriots scored 518 factors. Brady won his 2nd MVP award, turning into the primary unanimous assortment ever. He threw 36 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions, going a record 335 pass attempts with out an interception.

This was the scariest group getting into the playoffs lately. Acquiring clinched the league's very best record (14-2), the Patriots had currently beaten the Steelers (39-26), Jets (45-3), Bears (36-7) and Packers (31-27). People 4 teams ended up becoming the last 4 in 2010, because the Patriots fell flat on their encounter at your home while in the Divisional round against the Jets.

Brady threw an interception on his initial possession, snapping his streak. Mark Sanchez confidently guided the Jets to an upset win, though the scoring juggernaut managed 11 factors within the game's to start with 58 minutes against Rex Ryan's defense. Two late scores have been as well small also late because the Jets won 28-21.

From 2006-2011, Brady set a NFL record with 31 consecutive wins in the home inside the typical season. But hidden during the streak had been these two dwelling playoff losses.

In 2011 the Patriots once more reshaped their offense, totally using Gronkowski and Hernandez, now inside their 2nd season, for the tune of 169 receptions for two,237 yards and 24 touchdowns. Gronkowski had the biggest getting season ever by a tight finish with 18 complete touchdowns.

Brady passed for five,235 yards (2nd most in NFL background), and also the Patriots scored 513 factors inside the season. However they once more couldn't remedy Tom Coughlin's Giants, losing in the two the normal season and Super Bowl, scoring 17 factors this time within a 21-17 reduction.

Right here the Patriots are once more in 2012, scoring 557 factors while in the normal season, that's the third-highest complete in NFL background. Among their most current offensive developments is definitely the utilization of one-word play-calls to run a no-huddle offense so quick the defense can't even get set (here is taking a look at you, Houston). It had been a further stellar typical season, and now they sit two wins far from that elusive ring.

But we've got observed this in advance of. During the finish, a group the Patriots played inside the frequent season has come back to beat them, that is what has took place all 6 occasions from the playoffs because 2005. It may very well be Baltimore, who previously beat the Patriots 31-30 in Week three (in Baltimore), or it might be the San Francisco 49ers within the Super Bowl, who also beat the Patriots this yr.

Virtually all the gamers to the Patriots will not understand what it can be want to win a Super Bowl, however the shadow Belichick and Brady carry more than the group meshes their previous title accomplishment collectively along with the regular-season records due to the fact 2007.

These two eras are mutually unique, as well as failure to win a championship on this offense-driven era need to reflect much more poorly to the crew, Belichick and Brady than it has to date.

The Patriots are 76-20 (.792) within the standard season given that 2007, and that is on the list of ideal six-year runs ever. Additionally it is the most effective run to not create a championship.

Regardless of every one of the offensive records, the Patriots haven't sealed the deal due to the fact that final Super Bowl win practically eight many years ago. New England has presently had 3 from the highest-scoring teams in NFL historical past and only managed to score 14, 21 and 17 factors within a season-ending reduction for which it had been the favored every single time.

Like a 9-point preferred in excess of Baltimore, the Patriots naturally are unable to win the Super Bowl this Sunday, nevertheless they can eliminate a further shot at a single right after however one more historic normal season.

The possibilities are operating out for Brady and Belichick. Although these two can rest on their laurels, historical past is not going to deal with the Patriots as kindly without the need of a championship to validate this era's good results.

Ravens seek out breakthrough win and best ending for Lewis

Nobody needs to be sleeping around the Ravens. The return of leader Ray Lewis has lifted the crew, because they hope to make that storybook ending that has a walk-off Super Bowl victory, loved in previous many years by John Elway (1998) and Jerome Bettis (2005).

The Ravens are within the AFC Championship game for your third time due to the fact 2008, the start off with the John Harbaugh/Joe Flacco era. Once more they're over the road, owning lost 23-14 in Pittsburgh (2008) following Flacco threw an interception returned to get a touchdown by Troy Polamalu.

There is certainly the bitter taste of final year's reduction, by which Patriots defensive back Sterling Moore knocked what would are actually the game-winning touchdown from Lee Evans' hands with 22 seconds left. Seconds later on, Billy Cundiff rushed and missed the game-tying kick, just the 2nd time in historical past a kicker missed a do-or-die field aim in the championship game or Super Bowl.

(The very first time was once the Buffalo Bills' Scott Norwood missed the game-winner in Super Bowl XXV, lifting then-New York Giants defensive coordinator Belichick together with the win.

Harbaugh came from Philadelphia, exactly where he was the exclusive teams coordinator for the duration of the Eagles' streak of 3 straight losses during the NFC Championship (2001-2003). His group has adequate big-game knowledge to obtain in excess of the hump, nonetheless it is constantly a difficult job to win in Foxboro.

Baltimore is 2-4 against New England because 2007, but every single reduction was a nail-biter that went down on the wire. These teams know one another nicely, as well as the Ravens can stage to a couple of good indicators just after dealing with a so-so frequent season.

The Ravens by now have beaten the Patriots this yr, along with the 503 yards of offense they piled up that evening would be the most New England has permitted this season. The Patriots have enhanced on defense considering the fact that Week three, but so has Baltimore.

The postseason has become the only time this yr the Ravens have had their large 4 on defense intact. Which is Lewis, Ed Reed, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata. When they've got faced 174 offensive snaps the final two weeks, this defense is back to generating plays and limiting factors. They are going to also get some assistance through the truth that Rob Gronkowski is out to the Patriots.

If winning a Super Bowl as of late is extra about peaking with the appropriate time, needing to conquer adversity, then the Ravens match the bill. They've got the rallying cry to win a single for Lewis, Flacco is thriving with major pass plays right after the group replaced offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and soon after the Giants, no crew has provided the Patriots extra difficulties than the Ravens.

New England's not the only steady winner on this game that lacks a latest championship. The Ravens are just the sixth crew to ever win a playoff game in 5 consecutive seasons, nevertheless they would be the only crew to not attain a minimum of a single Super Bowl. Only the 2000-04 Eagles failed to win a Super Bowl, when another 4 teams all came by a minimum of as soon as.

With legacies over the line, and windows closing on a lot of the game's greats, this really should be a traditional AFC Championship.

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Your Wire's Robert F. Munch Drops dead of Center Disappointment

Robert F. Chew, greatest recognized for his purpose to the hit HBO demonstrate The Wire, has died from heart failure, based on The Baltimore Sun. He was 52.

Chew, who played Proposition Joe within the cable demonstrate, passed away in his rest on Thursday at his dwelling in Baltimore, his sister Clarise Chew tells the paper.

His former co-star Michael Kenneth Wiliams Tweeted a message on Thursday saying, "R.I.P. for the talented Mr Robert Chew." The message was retweeted virtually one,000 instances and was met by shock and sadness from pals and followers.

"I did not desire to feel this #RIP Robert F Chew," The Wire's Jamie Hector wrote on Twitter. "Prop Joe will often be remembered Robert Chew will generally be loved and missed!"

The show's creator, David Simon, sent a lengthy electronic mail to your Baltimore Sun praising Chew's do the job as an actor and his dedication to his neighborhood.

"Robert was not merely an outstanding actor, he was an crucial a part of the film and theater local community in Baltimore," wrote David Simon. "He could have gone to New York or Los Angeles and commanded lots extra operate, but he loved the city as his house and chose to continue to be right here functioning."

Chew, a member in the neighborhood Arena Gamers theater troupe, mentored youngsters and aspiring actors, and in many cases facilitated bringing a group of 22 younger actors to perform college students to the Wire's fourth season.

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Oelwein ancient gives kidney; begins chain reaction of donors

One kidney donation set off a chain reaction of comparable superior deeds at one particular Des Moines hospital. In one particular week, 5 folks donated their wholesome kidneys to other individuals in require.

The guy who started out all this, Tyler Weig, is initially from eastern Iowa. Weig graduated from Oelwein Large College in 2001. He truly went to prom with KWWL's Danielle Wagner, also an Oelwein graduate.

Tyler Weig now lives within the Des Moines region. He assisted conserve a daily life by choosing to donate a kidney to a full stranger.

"Right now its commencing to hit me, what it usually means, how unique it truly is," mentioned Tyler Weig.

On Monday, Weig went into surgical procedure to possess his kidney eliminated, for being transplanted right into a patient who required it to survive. Dr. Cass Franklin eliminated his kidney through a 3 hour operation when an additional patient waited to acquire it.

"Today I get blessed which has a new kidney," explained Lance Beyer.

The Mercy personnel place the healthier organ into an ice bath to put together it. A brief time later on, medical professionals started the prolonged challenging transplant surgical treatment on 42-year-old Lance Beyer of Pella, who had kidney sickness for 25 many years. Soon after an effective surgical treatment, two days later on, the 2 met to the initial time.

"So you happen to be the donor? Value it. Thanks a good deal. It truly is functioning authentic very good," mentioned Beyer.

But how can you thank another person to the present of daily life?

"I see his loved ones, what he'll have the ability to do now tends to make me pleased," stated Tyler Weig.

Weig's need to conserve a single individual set off a chain reaction that cause an additional kidney transplant that identical day.

45-year-old Jay Lindahl of Boone was wheeled in to acquire yet another kidney. Turns out his donor was the wife of your to start with recipient.

"You can give your kidney to anyone, a person can help my husband in that way, it is a no brainer," stated Julie Beyer.

Her kidney was not a match for her husband, so she paid it forward to assist a stranger as a substitute.

Immediately after operating on these two pairs Monday, two a lot more kidney transplants have been carried out Tuesday. On Wednesday, even one particular extra. None on the recipients knew his donor, but 4 donors had been close friends or household of yet another patient while in the chain who they wished to aid but did not match.

5 new beginnings and 10 lives impacted by one particular original and generous present.

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U.S. Reports Most effective Price range Outcome for December Due to the fact 2007

The U.S. government price range deficit narrowed to its ideal December month-to-month outcome in 5 many years, reflecting larger income, reduced investing and calendar-driven shifts in a few payments.

The shortfall final month shrank nearly fully to $260 million from $86 billion in December 2011, in accordance with Treasury Division information issued now in Washington. The gap was more compact than the $1 billion median estimate within a Bloomberg survey of economists. With the initial 3 months of this fiscal year, the deficit was 9.one % smaller sized than precisely the same period final year.

"We had a fairly reliable month in December largely on account of really a little bit of tax-related action that was shifted into December because of considerations more than the fiscal cliff and anticipated increased tax charges in 2013," explained Thomas Simons, a government financial debt economist at Jefferies Group Inc. in New York. "Going forward we're nevertheless likely to run rather significant deficits this year and in coming many years devoid of any major transform towards the investing policy."

The U.S. had a month to month price range surplus of $48.three billion in December 2007. The U.S. reached its $16.four trillion financial debt restrict on Dec. 31. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner explained on Dec. 26 he could build about $200 billion of "headroom" to prevent probable default using the utilization of extraordinary measures.

U.S. Workers

The Property of Representatives passed legislation averting cash flow tax increases for many U.S. employees Jan. one soon after Republicans abandoned their hard work to attach investing cuts that might happen to be rejected through the Senate. The 257-167 bipartisan vote broke a yearlong impasse in excess of the best way to head off $600 billion in tax increases and investing cuts that had been scheduled to start taking impact on Jan. one.

Even though the measure averts the majority of the quick soreness, it truly is only a tiny phase toward controlling the federal deficit -- a problem that may return having a looming battle in excess of raising the financial debt restrict.

Today's report showed income rose twelve.three % in December from your similar month a year earlier, to $269.five billion from $240 billion. Investing fell 17.two % to $269.eight billion from $325.9 billion.

December Estimates

Estimates for December ranged from a gap of $35 billion to an even stability to the month, as outlined by the Bloomberg survey of 22 economists.

Personal cash flow tax receipts from the 1st 3 months of this fiscal year rose to $312.four billion from $270.four billion from the exact same period final year. Corporate earnings tax receipts rose to $62.five billion from $55.six billion.

The Congressional Spending budget Workplace stated Jan. eight December would display a spending budget deficit of $1 billion.

The CBO stated that receipts in December 2012 had been about $30 billion a lot more than the receipts while in the exact same month the year just before.

"In each many years, investing was impacted by a shift of specified payments from January to December -- due to the fact January one is often a vacation -- but investing this December also was impacted by a shift of particular payments into November," the CBO explained.

The CBO explained there was a $24 billion enhance in withheld taxes final month.

" The sturdy development in withheld taxes may possibly be attributable in component to an acceleration while in the payment of some compensation from calendar year 2013 to 2012 since folks have been anticipating increased tax prices," the CBO mentioned.

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Theme for '13: Fantastic expectations

Watch closely, individuals. The 2013 NASCAR season might be one particular to bear in mind.

I am counting on it, if not betting on it.

A handful of issues are likely to transpire in NASCAR this year which have in no way occurred in advance of. As well as a number of issues may possibly transpire that nobody has noticed in lots of many years.

Let us get started using a couple of positive items, or nearly certain issues:

" 43 many years ago -- The final time NASCAR raced on dirt. It had been Sept. 30, 1970, about the fairgrounds in Raleigh, N.C. Richard Petty won around the 1-mile oval.

NASCAR goes vintage racing this year which has a Camping Planet Truck Series occasion for the dirt at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, a half-mile oval owned by Tony Stewart.

This race will probably be one of many most anticipated occasions on the season. It requires location on July 24, a Wednesday evening in advance of the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis (90 miles away) 4 days later on.

The field will likely be restricted to 30 trucks. Eldora has 16,000 seats, but supplemental grandstands is going to be brought in to get a most likely sellout crowd.

" A female initial -- No lady ever has run a total Cup season, except to the six-race inaugural NASCAR season in 1949, when Sara Christian raced in all 6 occasions.

She completed 13th all round, very best ever for any female, but a six-race season hardly counts by today's specifications.

Danica Patrick will come to be the very first lady on the present day era to race a total Cup routine (barring injury or suspension) this season when she runs total time for Stewart-Haas Racing.

By contemporary specifications, Janet Guthrie posted the very best ranking for any female when she completed 23rd while in the 1977 standings though operating 19 of 30 occasions, earning 4 top-10s.

Equaling that mark can be a tall undertaking for Patrick, but not not possible. Bobby Labonte was 23rd within the 2012 standings with two top-5s and an normal finish of 22.six. Patrick are going to be inside a improved automobile (Hendrick Motorsports tools) than Labonte has.

Right here are a number of other factors that may transpire for your to start with time inside a extended time and a few other folks that will be a to start with in NASCAR:

" 51 many years ago -- The 1962 season marked the final time NASCAR had 3 consecutive seasons exactly where a group proprietor won a Cup title for that initially time.

It is going to take place this year if Michael Waltrip Racing claims its very first title with both Clint Bowyer or Martin Truex Jr. The two guys manufactured the 2012 Chase, and Bowyer completed because the championship runner-up to Brad Keselowski.

"We possess the capability to enhance on our good results from final season," stated Scott Miller, MWR's vice president of competitors. "We designed a system final season to obtain from point A to point B, and we located plenty of results using the system. We'll make use of the identical approach to assist us with all the advancement of your 2013 vehicle.

"Toyota Racing Improvement is operating genuinely really hard for the engines to provide us additional reliability and even more electrical power. I believe we are able to elevate our plan this season and compete for any championship once more."

Stewart's 2011 title was the 1st Cup crown for Stewart-Haas Racing. Keselowski gave Roger Penske his long-awaited Cup championship in 2012.

Rex White (1960), Ned Jarrett (1961) and Joe Weatherly (1962) gave group owners first-time championships half a century ago. The exciting point is all 3 of them ran races in people championship many years for in excess of one particular group proprietor, not unusual in people days.

" 32 many years ago -- Darrell Waltrip won the 1981 title in his 1st season driving for Junior Johnson. Nobody has performed it because, but Matt Kenseth includes a great shot at it this year in his initially season for Joe Gibbs Racing.

" 17 many years ago -- The 1996 season was the sole time a driver won the championship twelve many years eliminated from his final a single. Terry Labonte did it at Hendrick Motorsports. Jeff Gordon could equal the feat this year for boss Rick Hendrick. Gordon's fourth and final Cup title came in 2001.

" 14 many years ago -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his 2nd consecutive Nationwide title (the Busch Series with the time) in 1999. That was the final time the Earnhardt title had a championship banner.

You will discover two approaches that may occur this year. Earnhardt could win the Cup crown in what may perhaps be his finest possibility ever. And Regan Smith could win the Nationwide title driving his initial total season for JR Motorsports.

" 13 many years ago -- Bobby Labonte's Cup championship in 2000 was the final time NASCAR had a driver who was the brother of the champion win a title within the exact same series.

Ty Dillon could win the Camping Globe Truck Series crown this year, two seasons soon after his brother, Austin Dillon, won it.

Austin also is actually a contender for that Nationwide Series title this year, so they could grow to be the very first brothers to win titles from the identical season.

" ten many years ago -- Brian Vickers won the Nationwide title in 2003. He's on the list of favorites to win it this year in his very first season driving for Joe Gibbs Racing. If he does, he'll come to be the very first guy to win championships from the series ten many years apart.

" Back-to-back titles in two series -- That by no means has occurred, but Ricky Stenhouse Jr. includes a shot at it this year. Granted, it truly is an extended shot, but he's driving a good quality vehicle for the group that manufactured the Chase final year. Stenhouse, who won the previous two Nationwide titles, replaces Kenseth at Roush Fenway Racing.

Keselowski and Greg Biffle came near to accomplishing this feat. Keselowski's Cup crown final year came two many years just after he won the 2010 Nationwide title. Biffle won the 2002 Nationwide championship two many years immediately after winning the CWTS title.

Keselowski and Bobby Labonte will be the only Nationwide champs (up to now) who went on to win a Cup title.

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