Ravens 31 - Patriots 30

Welll…so much for that 16-0 season many people in the New England area were predicting for this year’s New England Patriots. Coming into this season the Pats had what was statistically the easiest schedule in the league based on last year’s results.  Yet three weeks into the season the Patriots are sitting in last place in the AFC East with a 1-2 record.  

Now I’m not going to sit here and just bash this team for losing last night’s game. There are a few silver linings to take out of this. For one, the Tom Brady to Brandon Lloyd connection showed up last night in a big way for the first time. Before the season started every Pat’s fan was fantasizing over the thought of a legit deep threat after dealing with the debacle that was Chad aka “Wife Beater” aka “Ochocinco” Johnson. Lloyd's experience with new offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with both Denver and St. Louis was a major factor in his decision to take less money for a chance to win in New England. Through the first 2 games it seemed as if Brady and Lloyd were not quite on the same page. Lloyd had proven a few times in those games that he had the skill to be the threat we all envisioned, but last night was definitely his coming out party when he recorded 9 catches for 108 yards.

Another positive to take out of last night’s loss was the return of Wes Welker. Technically Welker never left, but in terms of production, last night was a flashback what we had become accustomed to. I’m not the type to brag, but exactly what I said would happen, happened. Except for the part about the Patriots losing, but we’ll disregard that I said that. Welker’s 8 catches for 142 yards were exactly what the Patriots needed and without that performance, this game could have gotten ugly.

But enough with the positives, a loss is a loss. If you’re not first you’re last and there is no excuse for this team blowing a 9 point lead in the 4^th quarter. Obviously they should not have lost that game.  The first mistake I believe the Pat’s made was in the 2^nd quarter when they allowed the Ravens to score on consecutive drives. At the time the Pats were leading 13-0 and had every bit of momentum. The once raucous crowd in Baltimore had gone silent and both the Pats offense and defense were playing great ball. Then, Joe Flacco was able to complete a 25 yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith and I knew we were in trouble. Now I am not one to give props to any opposing player in a competitive game but with that being said, I give my ultimate respect to Torrey Smith. Smith was playing on pure heart and emotion as his younger brother died in a tragic motorcycle accident less than 24 hours before the game.  His touchdown absolutely ignited both the Ravens and their crowd for what seemed like the rest of the game. After a quick 3 & out for the Pats, and another Ravens score for Dennis Pitta, the lead the Pats had worked so hard to attain was suddenly gone, as was any momentum they once possessed.

As the second half progressed, the Patriots defense seemed to revert back to its old ways like 2011. Ray Rice ran rampantly through the Patriots supposed “strong” run defense and Flacco, whom I do not consider an “elite” quarterback, was throwing the ball all over the field to wide open receivers. At the same time the Pats defense seemed to be losing all of it’s built up confidence, the Pats offense seemed to be gaining it as they were moving up and down the field at will against Ray Lewis and Co.

With 14:10 remaining the 4^th quarter, the Patriots had just taken a 30-21 lead on a Steven Gostkowski field goal. This score held until the last 5 minutes of the 4^th quarter when Torrey Smith once again scored to cut the Patriots lead down to one possession at 30-28. At this point everyone in New England started to feel a little uneasy about a game that was once seemed like a certain victory. As Justin Tucker’s final kick “sailed” through/over/around the uprights (see picture above and you be the judge), once again the Patriots had blown a huge opportunity to win a big game that they should have won.

Which brings me to my last point, have the Patriots lost their killer instinct? Patriots’ teams from the past just wouldn’t lose games like this. They always seemed to come through when no one thought it was possible. Past Patriots teams wouldn’t have lost to the Cardinals like this year’s team did in week 2 at home. They wouldn’t have been called for holding on a game winning TD run by Danny Woodhead. They wouldn’t have missed a field goal after being given a  fumble by the other team. And they most definitely would not have lost a 9 point 4^th quarter lead against their conference rival. I don’t know if maybe it’s the inexperience of this team but something needs to be done. In the past the team was full of savvy veterans like Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Rodney Harrison, Junior Seau and Troy Brown. These guys knew how to win. Very, very few times did they let a game slip away from them. This year we have seen it twice in 2 weeks. I think as this team grows, and continues to win, they will learn how to close out games. It is just frustrating to watch because we have all become so accustomed to the Patriots closing out games with a W.

I still have total faith in this team and I have faith in Bill Belichick. He will teach these guys how to correct the mistakes they have continuously made and ultimately they will learn how to win these close games. Call me a homer if you’d like, but I still think they are the team to beat in the AFC. Their offense finally seems to be clicking like we expected and the defense is gaining valuable experience. I expect by the time the Patriots roll back into Baltimore for the AFC Championship game in January, this Patriots team will be vastly improved from the team we saw last night.

PS - That ball did NOT go through the uprights. I don't care what the rules are, that kick should have been reviewed at the very least.