The story appears on

Page B7

September 25, 2012

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

Home » Sports » American Football

Emotional Ravens edge Patriots

JOE Flacco outdueled Tom Brady in an emotional shootout as the Baltimore Ravens exacted sweet revenge against the New England Patriots with a 31-30 home victory on Sunday.

The Ravens suffered heartbreak to the Patriots in last season's American Football Conference championship game when a missed field-goal attempt doomed their chances, but this time Baltimore converted the knockout blow on a 27-yard field goal by Justin Tucker as time expired.

"We just didn't want to replay last year," Ravens' Ray Rice told reporters after rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown. "If you go back to the playoff game this game was almost identical. This time we got the win."

Flacco threw for 382 yards and three scores, rallying the Ravens (2-1) from a 21-30 deficit in the fourth quarter, including a 70-yard drive in the final two minutes that set up the game-winner.

Boosting Baltimore's offense was receiver Torrey Smith, who played despite mourning the death of his younger brother in a motorcycle accident less than 24 hours earlier and managed to catch six passes for 127 yards and two scores.

"This means a lot, not just for us but for my family as well," Smith said. "We're just thankful for the support from everyone around the league."

Brady finished with 335 yards and one passing score, but could not prevent the Patriots (1-2) from losing their second straight game.

Elsewhere in the National Football League, it was: Cowboys 16, Buccaneers 10; Bears 23, Rams 6; Vikings 24, 49ers 13; Titans 44, Lions 41 (in overtime); Chiefs 27, Saints 24 (in OT); Bengals 38, Redskins 31; Jets 23, Dolphins 20 (in OT); Bills 24, Browns 14; Jaguars 22, Colts 17; Cardinals 27, Eagles 6; Falcons 27, Chargers 3; Raiders 34, Steelers 31; and Texans 31, Broncos 25.

In a wild contest in Baltimore that featured a few controversial calls, Tucker's final kick just barely cleared the top of the right upright, causing the Patriots to protest and coach Bill Belichick to run on the field and grab the arm of an official at the game's conclusion.

There were 24 total penalties on the night ranging from clear cut calls to head-scratchers.

"I don't have any control over that, I just try to do my job," Brady said. "We just don't play well when we need to. We have to start winning close games."

Utilizing a no-huddle offense, the Patriots went on the attack early and built a 13-0 edge in the first quarter.

Baltimore responded with 14 unanswered points and it was a back and forth battle from there.





 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend