Bill Belichick grabbed his youngest son, Brian, at his side for nearly every game the last couple of years, in a massive hug.
James Ihedigbo pointed to his mother in the stands and shouted, “We’re going to Indy!’’
As the Patriots waited to receive the Lamar Hunt Trophy given to the AFC champions, reminders of team owner Robert Kraft’s wife, Myra, who died July 20, were everywhere, from the patches on the players’ jerseys to those in the stands who waved giant “MHK’’ and “Win it for Myra’’ posters.
In the locker room afterward, there were more than a few who believed that Myra played a role in Cundiff’s miss. Cradling the silver Hunt trophy in his arm (he said he preferred the old trophy to the redesigned model), Robert Kraft touched the “MHK’’ lapel pin on his navy wool overcoat, kissed his fingers, and then pointed skyward when asked about the kick.
“We had an angel; it was pretty special,’’ Kraft said. “To win this game at home, in front of our fans, is the greatest thrill.’’
After being battered all season, the Patriots’ defense forced the Ravens’ field goal attempt. Rookie Sterling Moore, who earlier missed a tackle on Torrey Smith that led to a touchdown, bounced back mightily, breaking up the second- and third-down passes on the final drive from Joe Flacco.
An exceedingly blunt Tom Brady, on the CBS broadcast during the trophy ceremony, said, “I sucked today. Our defense won the game for us.’’
The snap and hold looked good for Cundiff’s kick, he simply misfired from a manageable distance.
“It’s a kick I’ve probably kicked a thousand times in my career. I just went out there and didn’t convert. That’s the way things go,’’ said Cundiff. “There’s really no excuse for it.’’
Belichick had little sympathy for Cundiff.
“Look, you have to make plays under pressure in this league,’’ he said. “That’s not the first one.’’
