FOXBORO, Mass. — Terrell Suggs didn’t say anything inflammatory following the Baltimore Ravens’ 35-31 loss to the New England Patriots in Saturday’s AFC Divisional Playoff at Gillette Stadium.
Suggs, whose hatred for Tom Brady and Co. is well-documented, instead returned to the locker room, showered and willingly gave credit where it was due.
“They made one more play than we did. You have to tip your hat to them,” Suggs said. “They won a tough game on their home field. We came up here to win a game and there was no hesitation on our part.”
The Ravens put pressure on Brady at times, with Suggs even garnering half a sack. But Brady ultimately made plays when it counted, which Suggs didn’t deny while assessing Saturday’s quarterback play.
“We definitely got to him a little bit more than he would’ve liked, but he’s a pretty good quarterback,” Suggs said. “He stood in there and made the plays he needed them to make. They won the game. You learn more in failing than you do in success, so right now we’re already processing how we can get better. I don’t want to feel like this next year.”
The Patriots’ victory was sealed when Duron Harmon intercepted Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco in the end zone with 1:40 left in the contest. It was a sour ending to an otherwise solid effort by Flacco, whose five-game playoff winning streak was snapped.
“What about (No.) 5 (Joe Flacco), though? He played a hell of a game,” Suggs said. “That is definitely something to build on. January Joe. He’s always been dominant in this part of the season. Like I said, one play short. They made one more play than we did.”
In all likelihood, Saturday’s loss probably stung a bit more for Suggs and the Ravens given the teams’ heated history. However, the linebacker didn’t tip his hand on whether that assumption is accurate. A defeat is a defeat, no matter how it’s sliced.
“It doesn’t really matter who it is. You should despise losing all the time,” Suggs said. “It doesn’t matter. Like I said, they made one more play than us.”
One play was the difference. Even the most vocal Raven can’t run from that reality.
Thumbnail photo via Elise Amendola/The Associated Press
