Daily Madden: AFC Championship Game Could Go Either Way
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) - John Madden said it's more likely the Baltimore Ravens will upset the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game Sunday than the Falcons will upset the 49ers in the NFC match-up.
"You tend to think that the Patriots playing at home are the better team," Madden told the KCBS morning crew. "Then you remember that a year ago they played in this same conference championship game and the Ravens came that close. They had a dropped pass and a missed kick, or they would have been the team in the Super Bowl. They played this year and the Ravens won. I still think the Patriots are going to win, but it's not one of those slam dunk things."
The Patriots are favored by nine points.
"I have a tough time, as I always say, going against the Patriots, (coach) Bill Belichick, (quarterback) Tom Brady, just those factors alone. And then you add playing at home, I think is a very difficult situation (for the Ravens)... (But the Patriots) defense is still suspect."
Madden said turnovers could be the difference.
"That's the big thing in these doggone playoffs, in any game... Which team is it that's going to have four turnovers? That's the thing that is always up there for grabs. That's what makes these games jump balls." (7:25)
Daily Madden
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