New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is pressured Sunday by Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata (92) during the AFC Championship game in Foxborough, Mass.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Joe Flacco outdueled Tom Brady, throwing three touchdown passes in the second half and leading the Baltimore Ravens to their first Super Bowl in 12 years with a 28-13 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday for the AFC championship.
The win sets up the first Super Bowl coached by brothers, Baltimore’s John Harbaugh and San Francisco’s Jim. The 49ers won the NFC title earlier Sunday 28-24 at Atlanta.
The 49ers have been listed as 5-point favorites.
Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis’ final season will conclude in two weeks in New Orleans; he was the MVP of the 2001 game, the Ravens’ only Super Bowl win.
Flacco had two touchdown passes to Anquan Boldin and one to Dennis Pitta as the Ravens outscored the Patriots 21-0 in the second half. Baltimore’s defense made Brady look ordinary and stymied the league’s top offense. Brady was 67-0 at home when leading at halftime.