Tom Brady has said that the New England Patriots are facing a tough game this weekend.

The Patriots face the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC championship game, having narrowly beaten the AFC North side in the same match last year.

The Patriots quarterback told reporters: "It's not like you beat this team 50-0. It's always a tight game. There's tight coverage, there's tight throws, there's tough reads because schematically they do quite a few things.

"It's never easy. There's not an easy throw, there won't be an easy throw this weekend. I think they really challenge you. That's why they're in this game. That's why our guys will see if we can step to that challenge.

"They're great in the red area, they're great on third down, they really make you earn it. That's what we have to have our mindset and that's what we're going to need to really be able to do here in a few days."

The Patriots booked their place in the conference final with a win over the Houston Texans, while the Ravens beat the Denver Broncos in overtime.