The wideout led the way with nine receptions for 98 yards and added a crucial fourth-quarter touchdown as the Pats took down the Ravens 23-20 in overtime. The team overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to pick up their third-straight victory.
While quarterback Tom Brady picked up his 30th fourth quarter comeback win (and seventh comeback win from being down 10 points or more in the fourth), the slinger wasn’t the star of the show.
Helping Branch pace the offense was running back Danny Woodhead, who led the ground game with 11 carries for 63 yards. The stocky Chadron State alum also caught five passes for 52 yards to end the day with 115 all-purpose yards.
Stephen Gostkowski not only drilled a game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter, but the kicker sealed the deal in overtime with a 35-yarder. But his 3-for-3 day wasn’t all the Pats’ special teamer can be thanked for as he was hot from the tee as well, forcing three touchbacks. When the Ravens’ kick returners would decide to run it out of the endzone, they were forced to start from inside the 20 twice.
Gostkowski wasn’t the only special teamer to help out as punter Zoltan Mesko deserves a few butt-slaps, too. His 65-yard punt in overtime brought the ball from the Pats’ 16 to the Ravens’ 19-yard line. This punt, paired with a Le’Ron McClain penalty, pinned Baltimore’s offense back far enough to set the Pats’ offense up for the game-winning field goal.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Jerod Mayo led the way with 11 tackles while rookie Jermaine Cunningham notched four tackles and a sack. He was also on the receiving end of the McClain penalty in overtime, where he sold the post-whistle jab like a seasoned veteran.
Which Patriot deserves the game ball for Sunday’s win over the Ravens?Market Research
