Patriots-Ravens Monday Night Football Live Blog: Pats Win 30-23, Improve To 11-2
By Matthew Geagan, CBS Boston
Final -- Patriots 30, Ravens 23
It was a lot harder than it had to be, but the Patriots are 11-2 on the season after a big win over the Ravens. They're the first team in the AFC to 11 wins.
Tom Brady finished with 406 yards and three touchdowns passes, with Malcolm Mitchell, Martellus Bennett and Chris Hogan catching the scores. Hogan's was a key 79-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that secured the win.
LeGarrette Blount did his thing against the best rush defense in the league, finishing with 72 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. He's over the 1,000-yard mark for the season, and his touchdown was his 14th of season, tying a franchise record.
The Pats had their issues on special teams in the third quarter, with Cyrus Jones and Matthew Slater fumbling on back-to-back special teams plays, leading to two quick touchdowns for the Ravens. But the Patriots survived, and they're a step closer to getting that top seed in the AFC.
We'll be breaking this one down all night, so stick with us if you're too amped up to sleep after that one. You can hear tons of postgame coverage on both 98.5 The Sports Hub and on Patriots 5th Quarter over on myTV38.
4th Quarter, 00:08: Blount rush up the middle, and that'll be your ballgame.
4th Quarter, 00:51: Blount was stuffed at the line on a third-and-1 carry, so the Pats will have to do something with about 12 seconds left on the clock. The ball is at the Baltimore 25.
4th Quarter, 1:36: Blount picked up four more yards on a second-and-5 carry, and the clock continues to tick.
4th Quarter, 1:44: Five more yards for Blount, as Baltimore is forced to call their final timeout.
4th Quarter, 1:50: Blount just ran over the Baltimore defense to move the chains for the Patriots, and force the Ravens to use their second timeout.
4th Quarter, 1:55: Brady went to Edelman with a first down throw that picked up eight yards as we hit the 2-minute warning.
With that, Brady went over the 400-yard mark for the ninth time in his career. That's good for the fourth-most all-time in NFL history.
Expect some running plays the rest of the way.
4th Quarter, 2:01: The Ravens went with the onside kick, but Sam Koch's lap around the ball didn't fool anyone. The Pats recover and take over at the Baltimore 47.
4th Quarter, 2:03 -- Patriots 30, Ravens 23
The Ravens get a little bit closer thanks to a 37 yarder by Tucker that just snuck in the left goal post.
4th Quarter, 2:25: Flacco hit Pitta, but the tight end came up an inch short on third-and-3. He also came down in bounds, so the clock keeps ticking.
4th Quarter, 3:20: The Ravens are driving, but they're not really in a hurry. They're down to the New England 22 and face a third-and-3.
4th Quarter, 6:18 -- Patriots 30, Ravens 20
If you blinked, you may have missed it. But Tom Brady just went to a streaking Chris Hogan down the middle, and he took it 79 yards to the house. One play. Seven points.
The Ravens D fell asleep on the play, as Hogan went untouched. No one even bothered covering him off the line.
Brady is up to 398 passing yards on the night. That was career touchdown pass No. 450.
4th Quarter, 6:28: James White had the honors of returning the kickoff. Tucker's kick was a good one, forcing White to field it at the New England 3, and the Pats will take over at their own 21.
4th Quarter, 6:35 -- Patriots 23, Ravens 20
The Ravens inch closer, but the Patriots D comes up big. Four players pummeling Flacco on a third-and-4 sack, led by Rob Ninkovich.
Chris Long and Trey Flowers were also in on the sack, with Hightower adding on at the end.
Justin Tucker was good from 38 yards though, so the lead is down to a field goal.
4th Quarter, 10:05: Breshad Perriman just burned Cyrus Jones on a deep route, which ended with a 47-yard pickup down to the New England 29.
Rough, rough night for the rookie. On the other side, Flacco is in a nice rhythm, which is bad news for the Patriots defense -- no matter who is out there.
4th Quarter, 12:20: Good news for the Patriots: Malcolm Butler is back out there.
Phew.
4th Quarter, 13:03: No points, just another punt. The Pats went three-and-out after a Blount two-yard carry, an Edelman drop over the middle and a five-yard pickup by Lewis, who was brought down by Zach Orr shortly after catching Brady's pass.
So it'll be up to the defense to preserve the lead.
4th Quarter, 14:45: Yikes! A short pass third-and-14 nearly turned into something big for the Ravens, as Jonathan Jones and Kyle Van Noy both ran by the speedy Mike Wallace after the catch.
But Wallace could only pick up seven yards before going out of bounds, so another disaster was averted.
Now let's see if the Patriots can put some more points on the board.
End 3rd Quarter -- Patriots 23, Ravens 16
The third quarter has mercifully come to an end. Dixon lost four yards on a first down carry just before the clock hit zero, so the Ravens will be dealing with a second-and-14 from their own 23-yard line when the fourth quarter gets underway.
Hopefully the final 15 minutes go much better for the Patriots than the previous 15.
3rd Quarter, 00:10: The Ravens move the chains with a six-yard Flacco-to-Wallace connection over Logan Ryan.
3rd Quarter, 1:00: Butler popped up and walked off (skipped off) under his own power, but he's out for a big third-and-4. Cyrus Jones has taken his place, so....
3rd Quarter, 1:00: Malcolm Butler is down after going for a tackle on Terrance West. His head hit off West's shoulder.
3rd Quarter, 2:45: No safety this time, as Dixon takes the handoff in the end zone and goes nine yards up the middle.
3rd Quarter, 3:11: A holding penalty on Joe Thuney kind of killed that drive.
But special teams is doing well again though, as the ball was downed at the Baltimore 1-yard line thanks to a beautiful punt by Ryan Allen.
Safety, anyone?
3rd Quarter, 4:55: With a four-yard run, Blount is now up to 1,009 on the season to set a new career high.
3rd Quarter, 5:24: Dion Lewis took a knee in the end zone, which was met by a mock cheer from Patriots fans.
3rd Quarter, 5:24 -- Patriots 23, Ravens 17
Remember when the Patriots had a 23-3 lead? That was just over a minute of game clock ago.
But just like that, this one got a whole lot more interesting. Flacco found Dixon in the flat, and he easily took it into the end zone for an eight-yard score.
Let's see if the Pats can hang on to this next kickoff.
3rd Quarter, 6:43: Another miscue by the Patriots' special teams, this time by Matthew Slater on a kickoff return.
Slater coughed up the return and the Ravens take over at the New England 22. Things are not easy for the Patriots defense to start this second half.
3rd Quarter, 6:50 -- Patriots 23, Ravens 10
That bad mistake by Jones leads to points for the Ravens, as Flacco hits tight end Darren Waller for the short touchdown. We have a bit of a football game now.
3rd Quarter, 6:57: Cyrus Jones may not see the field again this season.
On Baltimore's punt, he waved off the catch, but didn't run away and let the ball hit his foot. He didn't make much of an effort to chase it down and recover it, either. Baltimore now takes over at the New England 4-yard line.
Bad rookie. Bad!
3rd Quarter, 7:08: The Ravens had some big-play potential on a deep third down pass by Flacco, but Mike Wallace couldn't hang on with Devin McCourty getting a hand in on the play.
That forces a Baltimore punt.
3rd Quarter, 8:45 -- Patriots 23, Ravens 3
That's how you come out of the half.
On third-and-5, Brady threw it perfectly to Martellus Bennett in the end zone, good for a 19-yard touchdown. Zach Orr was all over Bennett, who wasn't bothered by the defender and made the catch. Bennett is up to four catches for 70 yards on the evening.
Just an incredible play by Brady, who spotted the mismatch and took advantage. Not to mention, his throw was perfect.
His score capped off a seven-play, 60-yard drive by the Patriots. LeGarrette Blount also went over the 1,000 rushing yard mark on the season on the drive.
Quarter, 10:59: Trick play alert!!!
Brady gave the handoff to Blount, who flicked it back, and the QB threw a dart to Chris Hogan down field. The play went for 28 yards down to the Baltimore 24.
Harbaugh must have loved that one.
3rd Quarter, 12:51: Patrick Chung received the last Ravens punt, returning it seven yards to the New England 35.
3rd Quarter, 13:12: Quick three-and-out for the Ravens. Duron Harmon is back on the field, and took down Kyle Juszczyk as he found for a first down on a 6-yard reception on third-and-7.
So close. But not enough.
Baltimore went with three short passes out of the half.
3rd Quarter, 15:00: The second half is just about to get underway.
Halftime: Patriots 16, Ravens 3
The Ravens mustered a 50-yard field goal from Tucker on their final drive of the half, thanks to a 15-yard pickup by Dixon on first down to the New England 37. Short pickups by Wallace and Perriman on the ensuing first and second downs inched Baltimore closer, and they finally get on the board thanks to Tucker's boot.
Brady has 230 yards on 15-for-26 passing, throwing a touchdown and a pick. The score was to Malcolm Mitchell, who has 42 yards on three receptions. LeGarrette Blount has the other score, rushing for 41 yards on nine carries.
But the story is defense and special teams. Shea McClellin will be leading off plenty of Top 10 Plays packages with a blocked field goal, and Trey Flowers got the scoring started for New England with a safety.
Brady's interception came in the end zone, so the Patriots could have turned this one into a laugher. But they have to feel pretty good about taking a 13-point lead into the locker room after punting away their first three possessions. The Ravens have just 142 yards so far.
2nd Quarter, 1:11: Eric Weddle has been a problem for the Patriots. He just sacked Brady on third-and-10, so the Ravens will get the ball back with one more chance before halftime.
2nd Quarter, 2:18: Cyrus Jones was back to field the punt, and looked like he wanted no part of it. As it bounced his way, he ran away, and it still nearly hit his foot. Always an adventure...
The Pats will have the ball at their own 17-yard line.
2nd Quarter, 2:28: They probably won't be going for it anymore, as Baltimore was just hit with a false start, costing them five yards.
With a receiver in motion, Dixon leaned a little too much before the ball was snapped. So the Ravens will now have to punt it away.
2nd Quarter, 2:28: Timeout Ravens, as they face a 4th-and-2.
They lined up to go for it, but let the play clock wind down. This is a big possession for Baltimore, as they have the ball to start the second half.
2nd Quarter, 3:14: Safety Duron Harmon is down for the Patriots after making the stop on a short reception by Bernard Perriman.
2nd Quarter, 4:36: No early blowout at Gillette tonight.
Brady had loads of time on a third-and-goal, but eventually the pocket collapsed. He made a bad throw into double coverage, looking for Hogan in the end zone, and instead found safety Eric Weddle.
Just Brady's second interception on the season, and just the ninth turnover by the Patriots.
2nd Quarter, 7:48: Another big gain for Brady and company, as the QB hits Mitchell for a 34-yard pickup to the Baltimore 16.
2nd Quarter, 8:00: No worries, the Patriots are at the 50 already after a 27-yard connection between Brady and Bennett.
2nd Quarter, 8:33: McCourty was ruled down by contact, despite the fact that he may not have had possession at the time. So the Patriots will have the ball at their own 22.
At least that 10-yard penalty won't matter, as Hochuli explained in wonderful terms.
2nd Quarter, 8:33 Joe Flacco made a big mistake, going deep for Mike Wallace, and instead found Devin McCourty, who was actually going backwards on the play. It looked like one of those patented Joe Flacco "Toss It Up There And Hope For A PI" long balls.
McCourty made a nice 40-yard return, but a hold will take 10 yards off of it and likely bring it back to the Baltimore 48. They're currently taking another look at the play to see if McCourty was down by contact, so Easy Ed will give us the full explanation when he gets back.
Hochuli will probably say McCourty was going forward, and forward progress will rule him down.
2nd Quarter, 9:28 -- Patriots 16, Ravens 0
Welcome to the Monday night spotlight, Malcolm Mitchell.
Tom Brady didn't sweat the Baltimore blitz, his rookie receiver ran a beautiful route over the middle, and Brady delivered a bullet in traffic to put the Pats on top 16-0. It's the rookie's fourth touchdown of the season, all coming in the last four weeks.
Just an all-around beautiful play by the Patriots.
2nd Quarter, 11:24: After an illegal shift by Malcolm Mitchell set up a first-and-15 for the Patriots, Blount powered through for a 13 yard gain.
2nd Quarter, 12:25: And what a third down it was, as Brady hit James White short and the back took it 61 yards to the Baltimore 22. White ate up Baltimore's man coverage.
2nd Quarter, 12:31: The Patriots dodged a bullet, as Brady went to Edelman on second-and-4 and it appeared the receiver fumbled the reception. But it was ruled incomplete, setting up a third down.
2nd Quarter, 13:02: The Patriots D isn't giving Flacco much to work with.
Yes, he converted a third-and-7 with a 10-yard pickup to Aiken, but on the very next third down, they shut down all of the QB's options down field, and he threw it wide of Dixon with a short pass. It forced another Baltimore punt, which went out of bounds at the New England 11.
2nd Quarter, 15:00: Before the quarter can officially start, the Ravens are flagged for a false start.
End 1st Quarter -- Patriots 9, Ravens 0
The first 15 minutes are in the books, and the Patriots hold a two-score lead. New England is out-gaining Baltimore 118-77, and had the ball for over 10 minutes.
Brady has 84 passing yards, completing eight of his 14 passes. Edelman leads the way with three receptions for 37 yards.
1st Quarter, 1:04 -- Patriots 9, Ravens 0
LeGarrette Blount just forced his way into the end zone for his 14th touchdown of the season, tying a franchise record for rushing scores.
It capped a 10 play, 74 yard drive. Good to see after three straight punts from the offense to start. Blount rushed for 14 yards on the drive, with seven receiving yards as well.
1st Quarter: 1:21: As the Patriots threaten, now at the Baltimore 1-yard line, corner Jimmy Smith is hurt for the Ravens.
Smith missed two of the last three with a back injury, and it doesn't look like he's going to be getting up on his own.
1st Quarter, 5:58: Justin Tucker had made 35 straight field goals, but Shea McClellin timed it out perfectly and jumped over the defensive line to block Tucker's 34-yard attempt. Just an incredible play by McClellin, who blocked an extra point earlier this season.
Special teams has been huge so far. The offense, not so much.
1st Quarter, 6:02: Big play by the Patriots defense, making up for that 40-yarder. Flacco went over the middle looking for Mike Wallace on 3rd-and-six, but Malcolm Butler was there to swat it away.
1st Quarter, 6:42: The Patriots defense was just torched for 40 yards by Kyle Juszczyk. Bad, bad misses by the Patriots D, including Devin McCourty.
1st Quarter, 7:49: As good as Jonathan Jones was on the last punt, Shea McClellin just did the opposite, knocking the ball into the end zone for a touchback.
1st Quarter, 8:00: Brady's third-and-20 deep attempt went too long for Edelman, and the QB was pretty pissed off after.
It looked like Edelman pulled up a bit on the route, so he'll be getting an earful on the sideline. Either way, that's three punts on three possession for the New England offense.
1st Quarter, 8:06: Brady was just crushed by Elvis Dumervil, and he threw to no one before he was hit -- a 10-yard intentional grounding penalty to set up a 3rd-and-20.
1st Quarter, 8:24: Brady just delivered a quick 18-yard strike to Martellus Bennett, a play in which Cam Fleming was an eligible receiver. The Ravens weren't sure who to cover, so get ready for some postgame complaining!
1st Quarter, 10:47 -- Patriots 2, Ravens 0: How big of a play was that by Jonathan Jones? Malcom Brown just plowed through the line and got to Kenny Dixon in the end zone for a safety. He blew up the fullback on the play. Just an all-around great effort by Brown.
1st Quarter, 10:53: Another three-and-out for the New England offense, after Brady and Edelman couldn't connect on second or third down. Brady's bid was too long on a deep attempt on second down, and Edelman couldn't snag Brady's third-down try over the middle.
At least special teams is here to play. Ryan Allen's punt was downed at the one-yard line by Jonathan Jones.
1st Quarter, 11:15: Chris Hogan ran for six yards on first down, but the Pats had to burn a timeout after some miscommunication on second won. It didn't look like Matthew Slater, in as a receiver, was ready.
1st Quarter, 12:02: Patrick Chung and Cyrus Jones were back to field the Ravens' punt, which Chung fair caught at the New England 37.
1st Quarter, 12:13: Trey Flowers picked up his fifth sack of the season on a huge third down stop, and he may have even ripped the ball out of Joe Flacco's arms.
But as Hochuli explained, Flacco was down by way of forward progress before the ball popped out. It's a play the Patriots cannot challenge, despite the efforts by Belichick. Kind of a curious call, given that Flacco was going backwards when said "forward progress" was taking place.
The Ravens did pick up a first down on the drive, with Flacco hitting Terrance West with an 11-yard checkdown pass on the second play of the drive. But the Pats' D held from there on out.
1st Quarter, 13:45: Nothing doing for the Patriots on their first drive, as they go three-and-out.
Brady made quick throw to Bennett on third-and-8, but the tight end could only pick up six yards before he was brought down.
Pregame -- 8:31 p.m.: The Ravens won the coin toss and deferred. So Tom Brady will have the ball to start this one.
And for those wondering, Ed Hochuli went with the long sleeves tonight. So the Gun Show is all covered up. Don't worry, you'll see plenty of Ed before the night is over.
Pregame -- 8:28 p.m.: Opera singer Fran Rogers performed the National Anthem and followed it up with a string of fist pumps that would make Rene Rancort proud.
The crowd seemed to like it, too.
Pregame -- 8:15 p.m.: Tom Brady has addressed the new DeflateGate nonsense. So has Jonathan Kraft.
Now we can focus on football. And not their inflation. Hallelujah.
Pregame -- 7:34 p.m.: Danny Amendola's absence for the rest of the regular season raises a big question on special teams: Who will be returning punts for the Patriots?
Julian Edelman is the prime candidate to take over those duties, given his extensive history doing so. But you have to worry about his durability by adding punt returns to his agenda, and without Rob Gronkowski, having Edelman out there to catch passes from Brady the rest of the way should be the priority.
But rookie Cyrus Jones has been terrible returning punts this season. Amendola was only back there last week because of Jones' ineffectiveness. We'll see if Belichick trusts the rookie enough to send him back out there in such a big game.
Patrick Chung was just on the field catching punts during pregame warmups, but he has one career punt return. That wouldn't be an ideal situation for New England.
Pregame -- 7:09 p.m.: The Patriots just released their list of inactives for this one, and cornerback Eric Rowe will not be suiting up after trying to give it a go during warmups. Safety Jordan Richards is also out, along with newcomer Griff Whalen.
Not spotted on the inactive list is special teams captain Matthew Slater, who missed the last two games with a foot injury.
With Rowe out, Justin Coleman is likely in line to see a lot of action. He's active for the first time in three weeks, and will get a lot of run as the third corner.
Pregame -- 7:00 p.m.: There will be a playoff feel at Gillette Stadium tonight, as the New England Patriots welcome in the Baltimore Ravens for a Monday Night Football matchup.
Tom Brady and the Patriots offense will have their work cut out for them against one of the best defenses in the league, one that loves to get after No. 12. On the other side of the ball, the Patriots pass defense has a lot left to prove and will have to do it against Joe Flacco, a quarterback who has some of his best games against New England.
It's a chilly night in Foxboro, but the field is in great condition after it spent much of the day covered by a tarp. That means none of that snow or rain from earlier this morning and afternoon will play into tonight's tilt.
We'll see what the two teams have planned for each other in this one. They may respect one another, but that doesn't mean they have to like each other. Neither are going to hold anything back, and we may even be treated to a trick play or two. The Ravens may still be sore from the epic Divisional Round game in 2014, so maybe Bill has a few wacky formations and ineligible receiver sets to rub it in a little more. Let's see if someone out of the ordinary catches a touchdown tonight, potentially left tackle Nate Solder.
Follow along for all the updates from tonight's game, which you can hear on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
