AFC Championship Game: New England Patriots Win 23-30 as Ravens Kicker Misses Last Second Field Goal

WIDE LEFT!!!!

The New England Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 23-20 in the AFC Championship Game and are headed to the Super Bowl.  Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff missed a 32 yard FG that would have tied the game with just 15 seconds left. Instead, what should have been a routine kick, turned out to be and adventure and WIDE LEFT!

The Patriots are headed to Indianapolis and the Super Bowl after today’s war with the Ravens. In a game in which Pat’s QB Tom Brady had a less that Brady-like game, who knew that it would be the NFL’s 31st ranked defense that would save the day for New England.The Patriots took the lead for good on Tom Brady’s QB sneak from the half yard line and the PAT’s defense hung on for the victory. As the Ravens were driving for a go ahead score or at least a tying FG, the PAT’s DB made a phenomenal play knocking a sure TD out of the hands of the Baltimore WR that would have most certainly won the game for the Ravens. BTW, the receiver did not drop it, it was knocked out of his hands (VIDEO).

DEFENSE, DEFENSE, DEFENSE …   Pats DT Vince Wilfork and the D-line of the Patriots were beasts today. If you were to tell me that Brady would throw no TD’s and throw two inceptions, I would have said that the Patriots had no chance of winning. Prior to the game I thought that the Patriots had to score between 24-28 points against the Ravens defense to win. In a post game interview, All-Pro PATS wide receiver  gave the credit for the win to the defense (VIDEO).

The Patriots shut down Ray Rice, the league’s total yardage leader, who was limited to 78 yards. Brandon Spikes made a fourth-quarter interception of Joe Flacco, who played well before that and threw for two touchdowns. And when the Ravens (13-5) were threatening to score a late touchdown to win their first conference title in 11 years, New England clamped down.

In the post game press conference, Ravens coach John Harbaugh was a class act (VIDEO). Its never easy to come out in front of the cameras after a loss like this one.

Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick’ are headed off to their fifth NFL Super Bowl together and the New England Patriots 7th Super Bowl appearance overall.