Storyline: The Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. This will be the first meeting between the two teams since the Patriots beat Baltimore 35-31 in the 2014 playoffs.

The Patriots are currently atop the AFC standings with a 10-2 record and need to win tonight in order to maintain their lead over the 10-3 Kansas City Chiefs.

For the Ravens, they are now in second place in the AFC North after the Steelers 27-20 win over the Bills yesterday. Baltimore needs to win tonight in order to keep pace in the division and the conference.

Here five keys for the Patriots tonight.

1. Win the Line of Scrimmage on Both Side of the Ball: I know it sounds cliche but the Patriots have to dominate the line of scrimmage tonight if they want to win this game. They must do a good job in pass protection on the offensive side of the ball and they must get consistent pressure from their front four defensively. If the Patriots can limit Baltimore’s ability to run the football and get them into long down situations defensively, they’ll be fine tonight.

2. Stay Out of Long Down Situations Offensively: The Ravens will bring early down pressure tonight in an effort to get the Patriots into second and long and third and long situations. The Patriots must pick up those pressures and execute. They cannot get into long down situations with a defense as aggressive as the Ravens.

3. Don’t Give Up the Deep Ball: Joe Flacco likes to sling it deep on any medium or long down situations. With vertical threats like Mike Wallace, Steve Smith and Breshad Perriman on the outside, the Ravens are going to test the Patriots corners early and often. Malcolm Butler and company cannot give up big plays. If they do, it could be a long night for the Patriots defense.

4. Throw Flacco Off His Spot: The Patriots have to get consistent pressure on Joe Flacco and force him out of the pocket. They must throw him off of his spot. If Flacco has time to hang in the pocket, make his reads and get the ball off on time, the Patriots will struggle defensively.

5. Make Big Plays on Special Teams: You have to win in all three phases in order to win tight games like this. The Patriots need to make plays on special teams. Whether its pinning them inside the 20 and tilting field position or giving Tom Brady and company good field position. The Patriots need to make plays on special teams tonight.

Prediction: Patriots 31 Ravens 28: Its always a tight, back and forth affair when these two rivals meet and tonight should be no different. Both teams need to win this game in order to solidify their positioning in the AFC. It is a must win for both. I think the Patriots will pull it out.