Tom Brady threw three touchdown passes as the New England Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens 30-23 at home. Baltimore scored two third-quarter TDs to put the pressure on, but a 79-yard pass from Brady to Chris Hogan handed the Patriots their 11th win of the season.
In 140 Characters...
Patriots move to 11-2 with a hard fought victory. Ravens comeback looked on, but Brady stepped up once more, to keep New England rolling.
MVP
Brady threw for over 400 yards, for the ninth time in his career, as the Patriots home in on the AFC's No 1 seed. As well as his 406 yards, the four-time Super Bowl winner added three touchdown passes, including a clutch 79-yard TD completion to stave off a potential fightback.
Game-changer
Despite being 23-3 down in the third quarter, Baltimore showed their play-off potential to get within three points of the AFC leaders. However, Brady needed just one opportunity to settle any Patriot nerves, finding Hogan in open space, for a 79-yard touchdown pass.
Stat of the night
14 - LeGarrette Blount scored his 14th rushing touchdown of the season, to tie a franchise record. He has three games to break Curtis Martin's 1995 total.
The game
New England took the lead following an excellent punt by Ryan Allen, which was downed at the one-yard line. Kenneth Dixon had no chance coming out of the end zone, dropped by Malcolm Brown and the Patriots defence for a first quarter safety.
The Ravens had an opportunity to get on the board halfway through the first period, but Justin Tuckers 34-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Shea McClellin, who hurdled his offensive line to shut down the kick.
Brady and the Patriots took advantage with a ten play, 74-yard drive, finished off by Blount's one-yard charge into the end zone.
The home side then made it 16-0 to start the second quarter. Running back James White showed his versatility, lining up as a wide receiver for a catch-and-run to move the chains 61 yards, before Brady found rookie Malcolm Mitchell in tight coverage in the centre, for an eight-yard score.
The teams then exchanged interceptions, before a Tucker 50-yard field goal got Baltimore on the board to finish the half.
New England extended their advantage to 23-3 early in the third quarter, Brady handing off to Blount before the running back tossed it back to the quarterback, known as a 'flea flicker'.
Brady then threw 28 yards downfield to Hogan, setting up a 19-yard end zone pass for tight end Martellus Bennett, who had to wrestle the ball away from linebacker Zach Orr to make the touchdown.
Baltimore began their comeback with back-to-back touchdowns. Following a muffed punt by Patriots returner Cyrus Jones, the Ravens recovered the ball at New England's three-yard line, and Darren Waller took advantage, catching the three-yard pass at the back of the end zone.
Matthew Slater fumbled the ensuing kick off return, handing possession back to Joe Flacco and the Baltimore offence at New England's 22-yard line. The visitors made the most of the opportunity as Flacco found Dixon in space on the right side.
Another Baltimore field goal brought the score to within three, but it was not to be for the Ravens. After a misread defensive cover, Brady connected with a wide-open Hogan downfield, allowing the 2016 free agent signing to run the ball 79 yards to the house.
Tucker scored a late field goal to make it a one-possession game, but the Patriots defence stifled Flacco's attack and maintained their place atop the AFC standings. Brady's performance enhanced his candidacy for regular season MVP, while Blount added weight to his case for a Pro Bowl spot.
Meanwhile, Baltimore (7-6) slip to second in the AFC North, a game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers who have won their last four.
The Ravens now host the Philadelphia Eagles, before travelling to Pittsburgh for a divisional showdown. However, if they want to make the post-season, head coach John Harbaugh will have to tighten up his offence that allowed New England to build such a healthy lead and, ultimately, left too much work for the Ravens to do.