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Patriots escape again

Baltimore's Antwan Barnes, left, fights off a block to sack New England quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the second half. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Baltimore's Antwan Barnes, left, fights off a block to sack New England quarterback Tom Brady (12) in the second half. Associated Press (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

BALTIMORE – The New England Patriots weren’t kidding that they aren’t perfect, no matter what their record through 12 games shows.

They looked mighty vulnerable Monday night, needing a late touchdown drive and some penalties that both sides complained about to beat the Baltimore Ravens 27-24.

New England pulled off its great escape to become the sixth team in NFL history to start a season 12-0. For the second straight week, it was a struggle against a losing team, but the incredibly resourceful Patriots got Tom Brady’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Jabar Gaffney with 44 seconds left to win it.

The winning drive in the final minutes covered 73 yards and required two fourth-down conversions, one on a defensive holding penalty 6 seconds before Gaffney beat Dawan Landry in the left corner of the end zone.

“We made enough plays at the end,” Brady said. “A lot of questionable calls and we made some plays.

“There’s a lot of room to improve in the final four weeks. There’s things we could’ve certainly done better … we kept clawing back.”

Driven to distraction by a Baltimore defense at times reminiscent of the 2000 unit that led the Ravens (4-8) to a Super Bowl victory, Brady came through late – as he always seems to do.

“Most of it for three quarters didn’t go in our favor,” Brady said. “On the road, tough environment against a team that has won a lot of games in the last few years. It was tough.”

Eight days after edging Philadelphia 31-28, the Pats barely kept alive their pursuit of the only unblemished record in NFL history, Miami’s 17-0 in 1972.

Pittsburgh (9-3) is up next.

“We prepared to get their best,” coach Bill Belichick said. “A lot of things that we didn’t do well that we need to do – you name it – we need to improve it. Offense, defense, special teams.”

As the biggest road favorite in a non-replacement game (19 points), the Patriots nearly laid a dud in swirling winds and occasional snow flurries. But Brady relentlessly guided them downfield for the winning score and his 41st touchdown pass of the season.