Patriots wary of Ravens' freakish defence

The New England Patriots possess one of the National Football League's most explosive offences, yet the top seeds prepared for tomorrow's game against the hard-hitting Ravens respectful of Baltimore's key defenders. The winner of the blockbuster American Football Conference title game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough will advance to the Super Bowl on February 5 in Indianapolis. Pats offensive linemen Brian Waters and Logan Mankins promised on Thursday to protect Pro Bowl quarterback Tom Brady against a rugged Ravens front seven that includes linebackers Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs, and mountainous defensive tackle Haloti Ngata. Waters gushed about the size and talent of the 6-foot-4, 159kg Ngata. "He's as good as there is in the game at that position," Waters said. Athletic ability "His ability to play all over the defensive line, his ability to have power and athletic ability to go along with his size, it's something that you really can't account for until you are out there. "This will be the most physical front we've faced all year, by far. That's something that if you watch them, it doesn't take long to figure out that's what they drive and thrive upon," he said.