AFC CHAMPIONSHIP | Ravens 28, Patriots 13

Patriots pounded by Ravens

Avenging last year’s AFC Championship game, the Ravens defeated the Patriots in a bruising battle, dashing New England’s hopes of returning to the Super Bowl.

Tom Brady sat on the ground after getting knocked down in the fourth quarter. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Tom Brady sat on the ground after getting knocked down in the fourth quarter.

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots in the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the New England Patriots 28-13. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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Ray Lewis celebrated after the game.

A New England Patriots fan reacts during the second half of the NFL football AFC Championship football game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 20, 2013. The Ravens won 28-13. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

AP

A Patriots fan reacted.

Fans at the Cask 'n Flagon were disappointed, enraged and often in tears as the Patriots lost to the Ravens.

Dina Rudick/Globe Staff

Fans at the Cask 'n Flagon were disappointed, enraged and often in tears as the Patriots lost to the Ravens.

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens scores a touchdown passed by Joe Flacco #5 in the fourth quarter against Devin McCourty #32 of the New England Patriots during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

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Ravens wide receiver Anquan Boldin scored a touchdown, one of two he scored in the second half.

Foxborough, MA--1/20/2013 (2nd Quarter) Baltimore Ravens Ray Rice breaking the tackle of New England Patriots Dont'a Hightower enroute to a rushing touchdown during second quarter action of the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday January 20 2013. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff) Topic: Ravens-Patriots Reporter: Shalise Manza Young

Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

The Ravens' Ray Rice broke a tackle and rushed for a touchdown.

1/20/13: Foxborough, MA: SECOND QUARTER........Patriots quarterback Tom Brady runs into an offical as he slides to make sure that the Ravens Ray Lewis will not hit him on a late first half scramble. The New England Patriots hosted the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium. section: sports topic: Ravens-Patriots (Jim Davis/Globe Staff)

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Tom Brady ran into an offical to ensure Ray Lewis did not hit him on a late first-half scramble.

Foxborough, MA--1/20/2013 New England Patriots Brandon Lloyd making a diving first down catch against the Baltimore Ravens during 1st quarter action of the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday January 20 2013. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff) Topic: Ravens-Patriots Reporter: Shalise Manza Young

Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

Brandon Lloyd made a diving first-down catch.

Foxborough, MA--1/20/2013 (first quarter ) New England Patriots Tom Brady point out the Baltimore Ravens defensive set during first quarter action of the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on Sunday January 20 2013. (Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff) Topic: Ravens-Patriots Reporter: Shalise Manza Young

Matthew J. Lee/Globe staff

Tom Brady pointed out the Ravens defensive set.

Foxboro, MA- Globe Staff photo by Stan Grossfeld---N.E.Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens- Gostkowski makes in 3-0 first qtr

Stan Grossfeld/The Boston Globe

Stephen Gostkowski kicked a first quarter field goal to put the Patriots up, 3--0.

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Brandon Lloyd #85 of the New England Patriots catches a pass over Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens during the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

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Brandon Lloyd caught a pass in front of Ed Reed.

Dan Shaughnessy

Patriots dealt an unusually abrupt ending

We waited for the Patriots’ surge to come, since they were 67-0 at in Tom Brady’s career when leading at halftime. But the Ravens made sure the surge never happened.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick signaed to the line during the second half.

49ers 28, Falcons 24

49ers headed to Super Bowl

After beating the Falcons in the NFC Championship game Sunday, the 49ers will head to the Super Bowl to face the winner of the Patriots-Ravens game.

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Pistons 103, Celtics 88

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