A 27-yard Justin Tucker field goal at the gun helped the Baltimore Ravens complete a fourth-quarter comeback and defeat the visiting New England Patriots, 31-30, at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday. The victory helped the Ravens improve their record to 2-1 overall, while the Patriots (1-2) dropped their second straight game.
Tucker's lone field goal of the night capped a seven-play, 70-yard drive that began with just under two minutes to go in the game. Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco completed 3 of 4 passes for 45 yards on the final drive, but it was a pass interference penalty against Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty (for contact with Baltimore wide receiver Jacoby Jones) that moved the ball to New England's seven-yard line.
After the Ravens ran one play to center the ball in the middle of the field and run down the clock to :02 remaining, Tucker snuck the kick through and above the right upright.
A 20-yard field goal by Patriots' kicker Stephen Gostkowski with 14:19 to play in the fourth quarter seemed to have put the game out of reach, as New England led 30-21.
Despite the late-game deficit, the Ravens were able to rally, closing the margin to two points, 30-28, after wide receiver Torrey Smith caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Flacco with 4:08 to play.
The Ravens defense followed up the score with a defensive stand, giving Baltimore the ball with enough time to make a game-winning march.
Ravens running back Ray Rice rushed for a game-high 101 yards on 20 carries, while Smith caught six passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns - less than 24 hours after learning about the death of his brother in a motorcycle accident. Flacco finished the game 28-for-39 with 382 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady completed 28 of 41 passes for 335 yards and one touchdown. Wide receiver Wes Welker caught eight balls for a 142 yards, while teammate Brandon Lloyd had nine receptions for 108.
Despite earning the win, the Ravens' one-point victory was not enough to cover the 3-point spread.
On Thursday, the Ravens host the Cleveland Browns (8:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network), while the Patriots visit the Buffalo Bills on Sunday (1 p.m. on CBS).
For more Patriots coverage, check out Pats Pulpit. For more on the Ravens, head over to Baltimore Beat Down.
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