The Patriots’ defense held the Ravens to 14 offensive points and held fast in the fourth quarter, stopping Baltimore twice on fourth down to help the Patriots score a 27-21 victory and knock off an undefeated team for the second straight week. New England’s defense wasn’t suffocating, but it was sufficient enough to outplay Baltimore’s ballyhooed defense and hold Flacco (27 of 47, 264 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) below 60 percent passing for the first time this season.
Flacco, who had been sacked three times in three games, was sacked twice (both by Mike Wright) and was also intercepted at the New England 9 in the second quarter by cornerback Leigh Bodden, who came up with New England’s first interception of the season in spectacular fashion, dragging his feet like a wide receiver to stay in bounds and snuff out a scoring opportunity.
The knock on the Patriots’ defense was that it had been hiding behind the offense’s time of possession, preventing the defense from being overexposed. While the Patriots once again won the time of possession tug of war (34:56 to 25:04), the Ravens actually ran more offensive plays (66-65).
That should have answered any lingering questions about whether the defense is the weak link.
“Nah, people are still going to look at us as the biggest question mark on the team,’’ said safety Brandon Meriweather. “You got Tom Brady at quarterback. What did you expect? You tell me where the question mark has got to be.’’
Not on defense, not anymore.
Few noticed that heading into yesterday’s game, the Patriots’ defense was actually rated one spot ahead of the Ray Lewis-led Ravens defense at sixth best in the NFL, despite only having the services of its best player, linebacker Jerod Mayo, for less than quarter.
Few had noticed the Patriots’ defense at all.
That’s OK with them. They’ll keep holding teams down while not holding their breath for the respect that should come to a defense that hasn’t allowed an opposing offense to score more than 17 points.
