The Baltimore Ravens went through Andrw Luck, Peyton Manning and now Tom Brady to earn a trip to New Orleans to take on what is being dubbed the “HarBaugh Bowl.”
Quarterback Joe Flacco continued his winning ways on the road in New England and achieved redemption against the Patriots in Foxboro with a 28-13 victory. Flacco who seemed to stutter in the first half came out slinging in the second half and had the offense firing away. Flacco tossed touchdown passes to Boldin (2) and Pitta (1) and finished the night 21-of-36 for 240 yards.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady could not make plays happen in the second half. After seemingly controlling the first half entering halftime 13-7 Baltimore’s defense kept New England out of the end zone the entire second half. Brady tossed two interceptions finishing the night 29-of-54 for 320 yards and one touchdown.
The Ravens defense’s “bend but don’t break mantra kept the Patriots at bay all evening. Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe came up with a huge interception late in the third quarter and cornerback Cary Williams closed out the game with another. Safety Bernard Pollard had a bonecrushing hit on Patriots running back Stevan Ridley causing a fumble and was forced to leave the game with a possible concussion.
The scene is set for Super Bowl XLVII with the Ravens taking on the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans. It will mark the first time in NFL history that two brothers will face each other as head coaches in the big game. Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who will retire at the end of the season gets to dance one more time.
