Thanks to Jimmy Smith — and really Bernard Pollard — and that incredible interception, the Baltimore Ravens were given new life and another chance to take the lead, still down just three points.
Ravens Vs. Patriots, 2012 AFC Championship: New England Holds On Fourth Down, Controls Game
Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Ricky Williams and the offensive line put together a terrific drive after Flacco's interception, but Vince Wilfork, who had two sacks in the first quarter, stuffed Rice in the backfield on third down, pushing the Ravens back into dangerous field goal territory on fourth-and-six. Rather than let Billy Cundiff kick a 51-yarder, head coach Jim Harbaugh decided to go for it.
Joe Flacco dropped back, but before he could read the defense, he was being pressured, and while he was about to be wrapped up, was forced to fling it toward the sideline and incomplete. The Patriots got the ball back with less than three minutes to ball, leading by three points.
For updates and analysis on these teams during the 2012 AFC Championship, visit Ravens blog Baltimore Beat Down, Patriots blog Pats Pulpit and SB Nation Boston. Don’t forget to check out SB Nation’s NFL hub for all your playoff news.
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