National Football League

PATRIOTS 23, RAVENS 20;Brady's been there before

Published Oct. 18, 2010 10:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

FOXBORO - Giving Tom Brady three possessions to engineer a game-winning drive is a sure-fire recipe for disaster.

After three-and-outs on their first two series of the extra session, the third time proved to be a charm for Brady and the Patriots. He led a seven-play, 45-yard drive culminating in Stephen Gostkowski's game-winning 35-yard field goal with two minutes left in a 23-20 win over the Ravens yesterday at Gillette Stadium.

''It was a battle. I think there were a lot of things we wish we could have done better,'' said Brady, who improved to 8-1 in overtime games. ''But I tell you, it feels good to win down 10 (points) in the fourth quarter. We are going to watch the film and there is a lot to correct and a lot to build on, but it's a good one to win.''

The comeback was the 30th time in Brady's career he rallied the Patriots from a fourth-quarter deficit to victory, seven of those coming with his team trailing by 10 or more points. After a lackluster opening three quarters, Brady lit it up down the stretch, completing 16 of his final 24 passes for 156 yards and a touchdown.

''That's Tom Brady, man,'' said Ravens defensive end Cory Redding. ''He's a good player and he was making plays. Guys are paid to make plays and he stood up and made some crucial ones.''

While Redding waxed poetic on Brady's skills under pressure, the Patriots quarterback was far more critical of his own performance.

''The first half we didn't play well and the second half we were sporadic,'' said Brady, who has won 23 straight regular-season contests at Gillette Stadium. ''We had some opportunities there and those are the things we are going to kick ourselves on.

''I know I missed some reads out there and some open receivers, so I have to do a better job of getting us the ball and getting those guys the ball and keeping the chains moving, but I'm glad we pulled it out.''

One of those guys is Deion Branch. Playing together for the first time in five seasons, the duo hooked up nine times for 98 yards and a touchdown. One of those came on a third-and-2 in the overtime and it resulted in a 10-yard completion down to the Ravens 21.

Three plays later, the game was finished.

''We've known each other for a long time, so the chemistry is there and it will be there for a long time,'' said Brady. ''He's made some big catches - all those play-action passes, he made some good plays on those, so it's great to have him out there.''

- dventura@bostonherald.com