New England Patriots: Top 5 AFC Championship game moments

2. Billy Cundiff missed kick – Baltimore Ravens (2011)

This game was a dogfight, a back and forth physical, low scoring game.

Late in the third quarter, the Ravens were down 16-10. Joe Flacco took over at his own 22 yard line. The Baltimore offense put together an 11 play, 83 yard drive to give Baltimore a 17-16 lead. Flacco was 4-6 with 57 yards and capped it off with a 29 yard strike to Torrey Smith.

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The New England Patriots would then fumble the ensuing kickoff and give Baltimore the ball at the 28 yard line.

The New England defense would stand tall, only giving up a field goal, making it 20-16 as the third quarter ended. Brady and the Patriots needed an answer, and they got just that. New England marched down the field on an 11 play, 64 yard drive that was capped off by a 1 yard rushing TD by Brady.

The Patriots were leading 23-20 with 11:29 left in the game.

After trading interceptions on the next two drives, the Ravens forced the Patriots to punt with 1:53 remaining in the game. Flacco and the Ravens drove down the field and had 1st & 10 at the Patriots’ 23 yard line.

Flacco took 3 shots to the end zone and was forced to give the ball to his kicker, in hopes of tying the game and moving into overtime. Billy Cundiff would then shank the ball wide left, missing the field goal and sending the Patriots to the Super Bowl.