Pats-Ravens rematch very fitting for AFC title

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WHDH) -- In the history of the NFL no teams have battled for an AFC Championship two years in a row at the same location.

So while it may surprise some that it’s about to happen, it doesn’t surprise the New England Patriots or the Baltimore Ravens, who thought this matchup was all but inevitable.

“You have the two best teams in the AFC playing. It just goes to show you the consistency of these teams. Every year it always seems like we in it and they in it,” said Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork.

“It’s very fitting. Great organization, great coaching staff, great players led by a great quarterback, so it will be a big challenge for us up there in Foxborough,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.

The Patriots victory in last year’s AFC title game was more than enough motivation for Baltimore to seek a return visit to Gillette Stadium.

“We all felt the same way leaving there last year. That we had an opportunity to win that game. What better way to go back. If you weren’t going to the Super Bowl then to go back and go back at New England again,” said Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

It’s not fluke that the two best teams in the AFC over the last five seasons will be fighting for a Super Bowl berth Sunday night.

“The New England Patriots, they’re battle tested. They have won many Super Bowls. They set the standard on how to win,” said Ray Rice, Ravens running back.

“We feel like they are in our division because we play them every year once or twice and it has been that way these last couple years. We know it is going to be a physical game,” said Jerod Mayo, Patriots linebacker.