Week 4: Second Half Recap

Posted by Adam Hart October 4, 2009 at 5:49 pm

The Patriots pull out a 27-21 win on this weekend of breast cancer awareness in the NFL, holding on in the second half despite Baltimore’s best efforts to topple them.

Unaware of the impending danger, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady dropped back on a play action pass. He was blindsided by Terrell Suggs, who strip sacked Brady after blowing past Matt Light. Baltimore’s Dwan Edwards recovered the ball in the end zone; Patriots 17 Baltimore 14.

Taking advantage of Baltimore’s hunger to blitz, Brady marched his team down the field on a series of screens and deep slant routes. The drive concluded on a 14-yard gimme pass to Randy Moss. Yeah, I said “gimme” with the Patriots in the Red Area. 3-of-4 trips inside the 20 have led to a touchdown for New England; Patriots 24 Baltimore 14.

Undeterred by an offensive pass interference call, the Ravens push right back. Facing a long 1st & 20, Joe Flacco handed the ball off to Ray Rice, who used his cannonball-like skills to sprint for a 50-yard gain. A few plays later, Flacco hit Willis McGahee in stride on a route down the middle of the field for a touchdown; Patriots 24 Baltimore 21

Proving that it’s not quite Halloween yet, the Patriots attempt at fake field goal trickery was called back due to illegal motion by the receiver, Chris Baker. The real treat was the challenge by Baltimore, to see if Baker indeed got a first down. He did, but had he not, the Ravens could have declined the penalty and taken over possession. Alas, New England was moved back five yards and kicked a field goal; Patriots 27 Baltimore 21.

Making no bones about it, safety Brandon McGowan continues to display his status as a playmaker — not to be confused with the short-lived ESPN drama. On 4th & short, McGowan and linebacker Gary Guyton plugged the whole, causing Baltimore to come up short. Combating the spread offense, it was a great play to sniff out the run and stop the drive cold.

Holding true to my self-proclaimed title of NFL Draft Mastermind, the player I predicted New England would select in the first round — but ended up choosing in the second round — made two huge stops on Baltimore’s final drive to preserve the 27-21 win. Darius Butler knocked one ball out of Mark Clayton’s hands in the end zone, jarred the ball out of his hands with a hard hit and drew some luck on a 4th & long drop by Clayton with about :30 to play.  It’s telling that he was on the field for the final stand.