Patriots go to 3-1 after beating a very tough Ravens team. The Patriots held the Ravens to 21 total points (and just 14 points on offense) after the Ravens came into the game ranked second in the NFL averaging 34.3 points per game. Baltimore's potential game-winning drive stalled as Mark Clayton dropped a perfect fourth-down pass that would have given the Ravens a first-and-goal. The Patriots took a knee and ran out the remaining 28 seconds off the clock.
The Good:
Tom Brady's numbers weren't prolific (21 of 32, 258 yards, one touchdown, one fumble lost), but he spread the ball around to nine different receivers and scored the Patriots' first touchdown on a 1-yard QB sneak in the first quarter.
Patriots cornerback Leigh Bodden grabbed the team's first interception of the season with a leaping, sideline, toe-tapping grab to stop a Ravens drive at the Pats' nine-yard line with 1:11 left in the first half.
Before Sunday, the Ravens had not allowed a rushing touchdown in four games. They gave up two to the Patriots.
The return of Wes Welker steadied the Patriots against the blitz-happy Ravens. While he only tallied 48 receiving yards, Welker led the team in receptions (6) and gave Tom Brady a reliable outlet against pressure.
The Bad:
Ravens LB Terrell Suggs blew past Matt Light, then sacked Tom Brady, who fumbled the ball. Dwan Edwards picked up the loose ball in the end zone.
The Ugly:
Patriots safety James Sands appeared to injury his right shoulder with 1:15 left in the first half attempting to chase down Ravens RB Ray Rice.
Ravens tackle Jared Gaither was taken to Mass General for tests on his neck and shoulders.
Game Notes:
The Patriots have started the season with at least three wins in their first four games for the fourth straight season and are the only NFL team to begin each of the last four seasons with a record of 3-1 or better through their first four games.
The Patriots demonstrated marked improvement on offense, converting three of five possessions in the red zone into touchdowns. On the last nine attempts, they only scored one.
With his third-quarter touchdown reception, Randy Moss moved past Marshall Faulk into sixth all-time, with 137 career touchdowns.
The Ravens have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 39 straight games (longest active streak in the NFL).
Notable Quotes:
"Flat out drop...It was a perfect ball. Joe put it on the money. To not come up with it is tough. It cost us the game." -- Ravens WR Mark Clayton
"That was quite a finish...Stop them on fourth down twice in the fourth quarter, that's when you've got to be there. Luckily, we were." -- Patriots Coach Bill Belichick
The Patriots went ahead 10-7 on the next series with a 1-yard sneak by Brady: "Head-to-head with Ray Lewis, I certainly wasn't thinking of that one going to bed last night." -- Patriots QB Tom Brady
Ray Lewis complained about rushing the passer penalties that helped the drives on which Brady and Morris scored. "Without totally going off the wall here, it is embarrassing to the game. Brady is good enough to make his own plays, let him make the play." -- Ravens LB Ray Lewis
Game Scoring:
Patriots strike first on a Gostkowski 32 yd. Field Goal (Patriots 3, Ravens 0)
The Ravens wrapped up an impressive drive with a 20-yard TD pass from Joe Flacco to a leaping Derrick Mason on third and goal. The combo connected six times on the scoring drive. (Patriots 3, Ravens 7)
Tom Brady used his legs on the Patriots first touchdown drive as he ran in the final six yards on two straight runs, including a QB sneak from one-yard out. (Patriots 10, Ravens 7)
Sammy Morris gave the Patriots a 17-7 lead on a 12-yard run. The play capped a six-play, 63 yard drive. (Patriots 17, Ravens 7)
Ravens LB Terrell Suggs blew past Matt Light, then sacked Tom Brady, who fumbled the ball. Dwan Edwards picked up the loose ball in the end zone. (Patriots 17, Ravens 14)
Following the Ravens defensive touchdown, Tom Brady led the Patriots right back down the field throwing a 14-yard toss to Randy Moss. (Patriots 24, Ravens 14)
Ravens QB Joe Flacco threw a 13-yard TD pass to Willis McGahee with 14:17 left in the game. (Patriots 24, Ravens 21)
The Patriots melted 7:07 on a 15-play drive, which was capped by a 31-field goal by Stephen Gostkowski. (Patriots 27, Ravens 21) FINAL
Game Info from NFL.com and Boston.com
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