video: Patriots Hold On to Beat Ravens 30-23 on Monday Night Football
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
The New England Patriots overcame two special teams disasters to hold on for a 30-23 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football at Gillette Stadium.
The win moves the Patriots to 11-2 on the season and hold on to sole possession of the number one seed in the AFC. The Ravens fall to 7-6 on the season.
Patriots Overcome Special Teams Blunders
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTFor the second straight week, Cyrus Jones made a major mistake while fielding a punt. This time Jones let the ball hit his his foot after calling for a fair catch. That miscue gave Baltimore the ball inside the ten and led to a Ravens touchdown.
On the ensuing kickoff, Matthew Slater, who is in his first game back after missing two weeks because of injury, fumbled the kick return and the Ravens recovered. Four plays later, the Ravens would score another touchdown on a Joe Flacco to Kenneth Dixon pass to get the Ravens within six, 23-17 late in the third quarter.
After the Ravens added a field goal to cut the Patriots 20 point lead to three, 23-20, Tom Brady hit a wide open Chris Hogan over the middle for a 79 yard touchdown pass to push the Patriots lead back up to ten, 30-20, with six minutes left in the half.
The Ravens would add a field goal late in the fourth quarter, but would not get any closer.
Special Teams, Defense Get Patriots Started
The Patriots got on the board in the first quarter after punter Ryan Allen hit a 56 yard punt that was downed at the Baltimore one yard line by Matthew Slater.
On the Patriots ensuing defensive possession Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon was tackled in the endzone by a group of Patriots for a safety, putting the Patriots up 2-0 in the game.
The Ravens threatened to take the lead, 3-2, midway through the first quarter on a field goal attempt by kicker Justin Tucker, but New England's Shea McClellin jumped over the center and got the block. The Patriots offense scored a touchdown on their ensuing possession to take a 9-0 lead.
The Patriots would take a 16-0 lead after Brady found Malcolm Mitchell in the endzone with 9:28 to play in the half.
Baltimore would get on the board following a 50 yard field goal from Tucker with 11 seconds left in the half.
After a Brady kneel down, the Patriots took a 16-3 lead into the half.
The Stats
Brady completed 25 of 38 passes for 406 yards and three touchdowns in the game while also throwing an interception in the redzone. It's only the Patriots second interception of the season.
Hogan hauled in five passes for 129 yards and the game-winning touchdown. The 129 yards also puts Hogan over 600 yards receiving on the season for the first time in his career.
Next Up
The Patriots return to action on Sunday, December 18 when they visit the defending Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos.
Kickoff is set for 4:25 p.m.
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