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Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots to battle wind

The kickers in Sunday's AFC Championship Game between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots better hope a trip to the Super Bowl doesn't hinge on a long field-goal attempt in the final moments. The winds are swirling in Foxborough, Mass.

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Winds whipped Gillette Stadium at 18 miles per hour at 3 p.m. ET, and Weather.com forecasts gusts up to 36 mph for the game. The Patriots tweeted a photo of the practice-field goalposts being bent in the wind.

We'll see if the wind affects the passing game, but quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Tom Brady both like to drive the football. It's the kickers (and punt returners) that should be concerned.

Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.