New England Patriots Survive Ravens in Monday Night Showdown

The New England Patriots survived a couple of special team’s miscues defeating the Baltimore Ravens 30-23 at Gillette Stadium.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots were in control of Monday night’s battle with the Baltimore Ravens until a couple of turnovers made it a game late in the third quarter. But, the arm of their 39-year-old quarterback put the game away as the Patriots went on to defeat Baltimore 30-23.

Brady recorded his ninth career 400-yard passing game and running back LeGarrette Blount tied Curtis Martin’s single-season franchise record with his 14^th touchdown. He also went over the 1,000-yard mark as the Patriots’ offense made the Ravens number one defense look mediocre at times.

With touchdown competitions to Malcolm Mitchell, Martellus Bennett and Chris Hogan, Brady threw an untimely interception in his own end zone that could’ve extended a 16-3 Patriots lead deep into the second quarter.

Joe Flacco, who completed 37-of-52 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns, never got anything going. The Patriots’ defense limited Baltimore’s offense most the game until back-to-back special teams’ turnovers gave the Ravens the ball deep in New England territory. Flacco was able to capitalize with touchdown passes to Darren Waller and Kenneth Dixon to draw the score to 23-17.

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The Ravens eventually got within 23-20 until Brady connected on a bomb to Hogan to put the game away. Take away the three turnovers and the New England Patriots would’ve played their most complete game of the season.

With the victory, the Patriots are now 11-2 on the season and maintain a three-game lead over the Miami Dolphins in the AFC East.

Thoughts

Despite special teams miscues by Cyrus Jones and Matthew Slater, the Patriots did have some great plays. Shea McClellin blocked a field goal in the first quarter and the team pinned Baltimore within the five-yard line a couple times. The first lead to a defensive safety by Malcom Brown.

The great plays, however, will be overshadowed by the two mistakes that helped put the Ravens back in the game.

The defense stepped up in a big way. With an interception by Devin McCourty and a key sack by Rob Ninkovich, the Patriots looked inspired throughout. Take away the two turnovers that gave Flacco and the Ravens a very short field and the defense limited Baltimore in what was their best showing of the season.

Player/coaches reactions

Bill Belichick on LeGarrette Blount’s 1,000-yard season via Patriots.com:

"“He’s been really consistent for us all year. He’s been there every day. A lot of his yards are tough yards but he’s also had some explosive plays through the course of the year, gained some yards for us in the passing game as well, which those aren’t runs but they’re kind of the same as runs if you will. He’s been very durable, very dependable. Ball security has been great so we have a lot of confidence giving him the ball. He’s done a good job for us.”"

Tom Brady on last touchdown pass to Chris Hogan via Patriots.com:

"“Yeah, he made a great play. It was off a run fake. Hogs and I – he was just kind of, not really the primary receiver on that play, but he saw what I saw and kind of adjusted his route and I just tried to put it out there for him. It was a big play. We needed it.”"

Devin McCourty on interception via Patriots.com:

"“I didn’t really expect it. I was trying not to get a pass interference just knowing Mike Wallace, the speed he has. Being in just that two-high look, running back there and getting into the double coverage with [Patrick] Chung, [I was] able to make a play. I wish they didn’t take my returning yards away though.”"

Next: Patriots QB Tom Brady Will Let Fans Handle DeflateGate 2.0

The New England Patriots will next travel to Denver to take on the Broncos.

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