Baltimore Ravens LB Ray Lewis performs his pregame ritual before an AFC wild-card playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts, Jan. 6, 2013. Lewis announced his retirement early this week. (Gene Sweeney Jr./Baltimore Sun/MCT)

By James Williams

Linebacker Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens defeat the New England Patriots, 28-13, in the AFC championship game on Jan. 20^th in Gillette Stadium.

With the victory, the playing career of Lewis extends another two weeks as he looks to appear in his second Super Bowl.

Lewis, who was the Super Bowl XXXV most valuable player, led all defensive players for either team with 14 tackles in the game against the Patriots.

On the offensive side of the ball for the Ravens, quarterback Joe Flacco threw for 235 yards for three touchdowns.

Two of the Flacco’s touchdowns were caught by wide receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin also contributed to the offense with five catches and 60 receiving yards.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had 320 passing yards with one touchdown and two interceptions against the Ravens.

Wide receiver Wes Welker had eight catches for 117 passing yards and caught Brady’s only touchdown pass which came in the second quarter.

With Rob Gronkowski out for the rest of the playoffs due to a broken forearm, Brady’s only target from the tight end position was Aaron Hernandez, who caught nine catches for 83 yards.

Despite putting points on the board in the first half to lead 13-7 at halftime, yards were not adding up into points for the Patriots offense, especially in the second half as the offense was shut out by the Ravens’ defense.

The Patriots were 67-0 in home games after leading at halftime when Brady was playing quarterback.

As winners of the AFC Championship Game, the Ravens will meet the San Francisco 49ers on February 3rd in the Super Dome in New Orleans for Super Bowl XLVII.

NFL history will be set at the Super Bowl as Ravens head coach John Harbaugh will coach against his brother, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh.

(Featured on The Downey Patriot)