The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Pats close in on another title
New England moves within win of eighth straight East crown.
FOXBOROUGH, MASS. — By the time the Patriots took the field Monday night against the Ravens, they knew they’d have to wait at least another week to wrap up their eighth consecutive playoff berth.
It didn’t stop New England from producing a postseason-quality effort.
The Patriots (11-2) overcame a pair of miscues on special teams and provided some timely offense late to beat the Baltimore Ravens 30-23 on Monday night. New England enters its final three games within one victory or a Miami loss of an eighth straight AFC East crown and currently in possession of the No. 1 AFC playoff seed.
“We just got to keep it rolling,” Patriots safety Devin McCourty said. “That’s whether you want to call it a playoff game, must-win, or any of that stuff. Once you get into December and toward the end of December, every game is important. There’s really no rebounding and trying to fix things. You want to try and play your best ball every time you go out there.”
Of course, that consistency is common for New England’s 39-year-old quarterback. Tom Brady carved up the NFL’s top-ranked defense for 406 yards passing and three touchdowns, saving his best for last with a 79-yard strike to Chris Hogan in the fourth quarter.
“We weren’t clicking early, but that happens in football,” Brady said. “I’m glad we found a way to make some plays . ... It was a big win for us.”
For the Ravens (7-6), it will be a short turnaround as they try to salvage their playoff hopes over the final three weeks. Baltimore is currently one game behind the Steelers in the AFC North.
“We know where we stand and the situation we are in. And that we basically have to win three games, you know, and (we are) certainly fully capable of doing that,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “That’s what we intend to do, but all the focus goes to the next game.”