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"We fought hard to get back to this point and we're definitely proud of being here," Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said. "We feel like it's going to take a lot for somebody to come and kick us off that field come the AFC championship game."
Lewis and the Ravens will have to stop the NFL's most potent offense. The Patriots put up 457 yards in a 41-28 victory over Houston, which left them one win away from their sixth Super Bowl in the 2000s.
"I think the two best teams are in the final," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said. "Baltimore certainly deserve to be here and so do we."
The Patriots were made early 9 1/2-point favorites against the Ravens.
These teams met in the regular season and that game was also decided by a kick -- Tucker's 27-yard field goal that sneaked through the right upright for a 31-30 victory. Or did it?
While the Ravens were celebrating, Pats coach Bill Belichick ran to midfield and grabbed a replacement official's arm as he tried to exit the field. The NFL fined Belichick $50,000 for the gesture.
New England is the even-money favorite in Vegas to win the Super Bowl. San Francisco is next at 2-1, followed by Atlanta (5-1) and Baltimore (8-1).
Among the possible Super Bowl storylines:
The Harbaugh Bowl. Jim Harbaugh coaches the 49ers and John Harbaugh coaches the Ravens.
A rematch of San Francisco's 41-34 win at New England on Dec. 16 -- one of the most entertaining games of the regular season.
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Online: http://pro32.ap.org/poll and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL
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