FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots survived.
The Baltimore Ravens gave the Patriots all they could handle in Saturday’s divisional-round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Bill Belichick was satisfied with New England’s effort but insists his team must elevate its play in next week’s AFC Championship Game in order to punch its ticket to the Super Bowl.
“We have to play better,” Belichick said after the Patriots’ 35-31 win. “Down by 14 points twice, I don’t think that’s a formula to win a lot of playoff games. I’m sure there’s a lot more playoff games that have been lost by teams down by 14 points in the middle of the first quarter or middle of the third quarter than won.”
The Ravens jumped out to a 14-0 lead behind two first-quarter touchdown passes from Joe Flacco. Flacco capped a quick opening scoring drive with a 19-yard chuck to Kamar Aiken, then found Steve Smith Sr. on a 9-yard strike roughly eight minutes later.
The Patriots, to their credit, rallied. New England cut the deficit in half when Tom Brady scampered into the end zone from four yards out, and the Pats tied the game in the second quarter when Danny Amendola tip-toed the sideline en route to a nifty TD. But the Ravens scored the next two touchdowns to grab a 28-14 lead in the third quarter, putting the Patriots’ promising season in jeopardy.
“(I’ve) got to give our players a lot of credit. They’re resilient. They’re mentally and physically tough. They hang in there,” Belichick said. “We’ve had other games like this. We had a game like this last year against Denver, behind at halftime, or behind against Miami or whatever it is, and (we) keep playing and keep fighting and find a way.”
The Patriots responded to Justin Forsett’s third-quarter touchdown catch with a nine-play, 80-yard drive. They later tied the game 28-28 when Julian Edelman hooked up with Danny Amendola on a marvelous trick play.
Baltimore produced three points to grab a 31-28 lead in the fourth quarter, but Tom Brady and Co. saved their best for last. Brady hit Brandon LaFell with a beautifully thrown pass to give the Pats a 35-31 lead they’d never relinquish.
“They’re a tough group and they never give up, no matter what the situation is,” Belichick said of the hard-fought victory. “We were able to make enough plays to win today. But we’re going to have to play better next week no matter who we play. We have to do that.”
It’s officially on to the next opponent: Either the Denver Broncos or the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots certainly aren’t resting on their laurels.
Thumbnail photo via Elise Amendola/The Associated Press
