The Cowboys stymied Gronkowski and Hernandez with a wide variety of zone coverages, cutting down on big plays, avoiding mismatches, and relying on their pass rush to force errant throws. It wasn’t a perfect plan – the Patriots did win the game, and on a last-minute touchdown to Hernandez at that – but it was probably the best anyone has fared against New England’s tight ends all season.

Could Baltimore use a similar strategy in the AFC Championship Game? They will likely take more chances against New England than Dallas did. The Ravens have rushed three on only six percent of opponents’ pass plays this year, and have sent five or more rushers 39 percent of the time. That will help to limit the tight ends – Gronkowski and Hernandez can’t catch passes if they’re blocking defenders. And when the Ravens don’t blitz, they can still count on getting pressure, thanks to one of the best pass rushers in the league. Terrell Suggs finished fifth this year with 14.0 sacks, and while Game Charting Data has not been fully counted yet, we’ve currently got him second in football with 30 hurries.

Eventually, though, Gronkowski and Hernandez are going to get their passes. When they do, don’t look for Lardarius Webb or Cary Williams in coverage. Unlike the Cowboys, the Ravens rarely used cornerbacks to cover tight ends, doing so only 17 percent of the time. Instead, the two men in coverage will probably be strong safety Bernard Pollard and inside linebacker Jameel McClain. One of those men was the primary defender on 25 percent of passes to tight ends this year. How’d they do? Baltimore allowed 6.3 yards per pass against tight ends, tied for third in the NFL.