Pats vs. Ravens: Week 6

There's something different this season. Maybe it's not actually all that different. It wasn't all too long ago, after all, that those Dynastic Patriots ran terror over the NFL. But there's definitely something about these Patriots that continue to remind us all more and more of the Glory Days edition.  Yesterday was the exact kind of game that last season the Patriots would have lost. Being down 20-10 early in the 4th quarter, I have no doubt that last year this is the kind of game where the Patriots would have rolled over and let the Ravens rock. There was something missing last year. And many were wondering if whatever it was would ever return for the Belichick/Brady Pats.

Maybe it's the return of Deion Branch. Maybe it's the emergence of role players a la Danny Woodhead. Maybe it's the defense growing up faster than we ever could have imagined. But whatever it is, Belichick, Brady, and the rest seem to have their swagger back.

It all beings with Tom Brady, the man who's been here since the very beginning. Statistically speaking, Brady delivered a rather pedestrian performance, at least by his standards. He completed 27 of 44 passes (61%),  combined with a touchdown strike and two interceptions, although one of those picks was on a Hail Mary play at the end of regulation. But as has become the norm with Brady, he did his best work when it mattered most. He led them in to field goal range to tie the game at 20 with just under 2 minutes remaining.  And if that wasn't enough, he did it again as time wound down in overtime, completing the 30th 4th quarter/OT comeback of his career.

Also of note had to be Brady getting all up in Terrell "T-Sizzle" Suggs' grill during the aforementioned 4th quarter drive. Who knows what exactly was said, but I'll tell ya, it takes some serious balls to talk shit with Suggs, or anyone on that Ravens D for that matter. This prompted Suggs to suggest after the game that he "couldn't wait" to see the Patriots again [in the playoffs].  Brady struck back this morning on WEEI's "Dennis
& Callahan" morning show that "they talk a lot for beating us once in 9 years". That's the kind of talk you can get away with if you're a two-time Super Bowl MVP, I suppose.

Speaking of Super Bowl MVP's, how about the return of Deion Branch eh? I've made it this far through the blog without mentioning Randy Moss, but I think I'll have to break that silence here. This is not to slight Moss, one of my favorite Patriot players of all-time, but it warrants mentioning that Branch had as many catches (9) in his Patriots Debut, Part II than Moss in his four games with the Pats earlier this season. Many people questioned the re-acquisition of Branch, pointing out his lack of productivity in Seattle. And that's a very fair point. Branch never had more than 53 catches in a season for the Seahawks, never topped 725 yards receiving, and never reeled in more than 4 touchdown catches in a single season. Throw in the fact that those numbers were all attained way back in 2006, his first season in the former land of the Supersonics, and it would definitely be fair to throw a "washed-up" label on Branch.

"What if?" is such a fun question to ask when it comes to sports. So, what if Deion had never left Foxboro?

But you know what? You can never be too sure how a player, in any sport, will react to returning to a comfortable environment. With all due respect to Matt Hasslebeck, he's not even in the same galaxy as Tom Brady. Throw in his oft-injured tendencies, and Branch never was quite able to replicate his New England success on the West Coast.  It's really true for any person, in any setting, to perform their best when they're back at home. Go listen to "Homecoming" by Kanye West or "The Boys Are Back In Town" by Thin Lizzy (and if you really want to get into it, "Homeward Bound" by Simon & Garfunkel), and you'll understand. Branch's 9 receptions yesterday were his most since--wait for it--Super Bowl XXXIX, when he won MVP honors with his 11 catch performance. Welcome back, indeed, Deion.

Aside from Aaron Hernandez, you want to know about another mid-to late round rookie having a sensational season? Zoltan Mesko, the punter. His 65-yard moon shot in overtime yesterday practically went into orbit, and wound up being key in the field position battle that ultimately won the Patriots the game.

Ken Walter he isn't, Zoltan Mesko is 3rd in the NFL in net punt average.

On the subject of Hernandez, let's hope yesterdays drops, which truly couldn't have come at worse times, were just a blip on the Radar. Hernandez has looked like one of the steals of the draft thus far, emerging as a reliable target for Brady. I'm really not in the mood for another Chad Jackson-type flameout.

Moving on, how about the Danny Woodhead story? As I wrote a few weeks ago, this is no gimmick. He gained 115 yards from scrimmage yesterday (63 rushing on 11 carries, 52 receiving on 5 catches) continuing to emerge as the Patriots most versatile weapon.  While technically he isn't a rookie, this is his first extended chance to shine in the NFL.  He's making the most of the opportunity, and then some. And the fact that he was cast off by the Jets just makes it even sweeter.

Wrapping things up here, I've gotta say I'm shocked the Ravens sat on the ball in the 4th quarter rather than being aggressive in the passing game. Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason were both having field days picking on the youngn's Kyle Arrington and Devin McCourty, but for whatever reason Baltimore seemed happy with the conservative approach of pounding the ball with Ray Rice.  We all know what happened last time Rice faced off against the Pats, but yesterday it clearly wasn't happening for Raymundo. He did manage 88 yards, but it came on 28 carries for a ho-hum 3.1 yards per carry. The Pats definitely caught a break with the Ravens play-calling down the stretch.

And finally, it's easy to say Belichick made the right decision since they won, but I would have had Gostkowski try for the potential of a 62 yard field goal at the end of regulation. I know, I know, that's 1 yard shy of the NFL record. Gostkowski's career long is just 53 yards. But he was flat out KILLING the ball yesterday on his kickoffs, and the wind was blowing in his favor.  Without the greatest deep threat of all-time still on our side, you've got to figure the odds of a successful kick are at least somewhat greater than a Hail Mary.

Next up for the Pats:  A trip to San Diego to visit the struggling Chargers (2-4). Brady is 1-2 at San Diego in his career, with the one win coming in the 2006 postseason. You likely remember that one as the Troy Brown game.