New England Patriots win overtime thriller
In their first game without Pro Bowl receiver Randy Moss, the New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 in overtime on Sunday at Gillette Stadium. Patriots’ kicker Stephen Gostkowski nailed
a 35-yard field goal with 64 seconds left in OT to lift the Patriots (4-1) over the Ravens (4-2) in this high-profile AFC showdown.
Both teams were unable to move the chains in overtime with Baltimore punting three times and the Patriots punting twice. With time expiring and New England desperately trying to avoid a tie, the Patriots
decided to put the game in the hands of recently acquired receiver Deion Branch.
With excellent field position with the ball on their own 38 yard line, quarterback Tom Brady immediately connected with Branch on a 23-yard strike. Brady went back to Branch for a 10-yard completion and
two short runs by running-back BenJarvus Green-Ellis were all that Gostkowski needed to put an end to the game.
"It's very rewarding to be the last person to touch the ball and walk off winners," Gostkowski said.
Branch, the former Super Bowl MVP with the Patriots back in 2005, finished with nine receptions for 98 yards. "I'm just so happy to be back," Branch said after the emotional victory. "Feels like I never
left.Tom and I have been away for four years and I honestly don't feel we missed a beat," Branch said.
That statement was echoed by Brady. "We've known each other for a long time, so I think the chemistry's there.”
Coming off a bye week, New England had fresh legs which aided their comeback from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter after Branch hauled in a five-yard touchdown pass to cut the Baltimore Ravens'
lead to 20-17. Brady completed 27 of 44 passes for 292 yards and one touchdown and two interceptions for the Patriots.
In typical Bill Belichick fashion, the Patriots coach was more critical of Branch’s performance. "Not perfect, but he did a lot of good, like he always did. He got open and caught some balls. Let's not
make it too complicated."
Although the loss ended the Ravens three-game winning streak, they aren’t concerned about the final score and still feel that they are the better team. The Ravens led for the majority of the game after
taking a 10-7 halftime lead. Quarterback Joe Flacco added to that lead in the third quarter connecting on a 16-yard touchdown pass to Todd Heap to make it 17-7.
"If we see them in the playoffs we will be ready again," Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis said.
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