Patriots In 4th Straight AFC Title Game After Beating Ravens

Tom Brady threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell with 5:13 to play, and the New England Patriots rallied to beat the Baltimore Ravens, 35-31, in the AFC divisional playoff game in Foxborough, Mass. on Saturday.As a result of the win, the Pats advanced to their fourth straight AFC Championship Game.

After a Justin Tucker field goal gave the Ravens a 31-28 edge early in the fourth quarter, Brady marched his team downfield for a 10-play 74-yard scoring drive that culminated with his game-clinching pass to LaFell. The touchdown was Brady’s 46th career postseason TD pass, setting a new NFL record formerly held by Joe Montana.

Thanks to Joe Flacco’s four touchdown passes, Baltimore had led 28-14 early in the third quarter. New England rallied behind its franchise quarterback and some trickery.

First, Brady capped off an 80-yard drive with a 5-yard scoring pass to Rob Gronkowski with 6:48 left in the third quarter. Then, wide receiver Julian Edelman threw a 51-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola to tie the game on the Patriots’ next possession.

Saturday’s game featured several swings of momentum. Baltimore scored two quick first-quarter TDs only to see the Patriots rally to tie the game at 14 in the second quarter. The Ravens then capitalized on a Brady interception, taking a 21-14 lead on Flacco’s 11-yard strike to Owen Daniels just before halftime.

Brady finished 33-of-50 for 367 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Gronkowski caught seven passes for 108 yards and a score.

Flacco threw for 292 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions. Justin Forsett carried 24 times for 129 yards for Baltimore.

New England will host the winner of Sunday’s Denver-Indianapolis game at Gillette Stadium next week for the right to go to the Super Bowl.