Deion Branch Comes Back Strong for New England Patriots in Win Over Ravens

In a thrilling overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots receiver Deion Branch was reborn into his 2006 form, like a phoenix from the ashes. Nine receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown seemed to be just the trick to make Patriots fans forget about Randy Moss, and start anew (again) with Branch.

The taste was still bitter in the Patriots' mouths after the Ravens washed them out with soap in a 33-14 punishing in the 2009 Wild Card round. The Patriots washed some of that taste away with a 23-20 comeback win at home.

Many said that this would be a huge statement game for both teams in their endeavor to prove themselves as contenders.

Here's my take on some of the statements the Patriots made in their win.

Danny Woodhead Really Is Second Coming of the "Swiss Army Knife"

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Danny Woodhead #39 of the New England Patriots is caught by Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first second half at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriot won 23-20 in overtime. (P

Patriots nation held its collective breath when Kevin Faulk went down with an ACL injury in the second game of the season, but Danny Woodhead has breathed new life into the Patriots backfield. He averaged over seven yards every time he touched the ball, on 11 rushes and five receptions.

Many thought he'd be eaten alive by a big, mean Ravens front seven, but he had one nifty, shifty move after another up his sleeve as he slipped through the defense time and time again.

This was his first game as a Patriot without a touchdown, but his versatility and dependability was key in the win.

Stephen Gostkowski Still Has It

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Stephen Gostkowski #3 of the New England Patriots kick the game winning field goal as Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens watches from the sidelines at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patrio

Plenty of questions could be asked after Stephen Gostkowski missed the first three field goal tries of the season, and the Patriots front office was certainly asking those questions by bringing in potential backup kickers for their franchise kicker.

He was 3-for-3 on his field goal tries, and hit a late one to send the game into overtime as well as another to win the game with under two minutes remaining in the fifth quarter of play.

Brandon Deaderick Makes First Start, Gets First Sack

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 05: Defensive lineman Brandon Deaderick #95 of the Alabama Crimson Tide against the Virginia Tech Hokies during the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Georgia Dome on September 5, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Image

Clearly unhappy with the production he's been getting on the defensive line, Bill Belichick made his first change of the season by starting 2010 sixth-round pick Brandon Deaderick out of Alabama. He was quickly rewarded as Deaderick flushed Flacco out of the pocket and forced him out of bounds for a sack.

It's not the ideal way to land a sack, but his ability to make a quick impact against a big-time opponent speaks volumes to his potential down the line.

Poor Clock Management

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots shouts instructions during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Bill Belichick channeled his inner Les Miles at the end of each half, waiting 24 seconds to use one of his three timeouts at the end of the first half when the Ravens were forced to punt. They subsequently kneeled and went to the locker room, and the boos came down like an avalanche.

The Patriots could have used the extra momentum going into the locker room, as it clearly took them awhile to find their rhythm in the second half.

A Strong Performance in Fourth Quarter and Overtime

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Rob Ninkovich #50 of the New England Patriots celebrate with teammate Jermaine Cunningham #96 after Ninkovich sack Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massa

At the beginning of the season, the Patriots' outlook among fans and analysts was predominantly that they would have to dominate through the air in the early part of games because their defense didn't have promise and they struggled famously in the second half of games last season.

After two consecutive second-half comebacks thanks to strong performances on both sides of the ball, that prognosis seems to have faded into the back of the naysayers' minds.

Patriots Secondary Still a Weak Spot

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens is unable catch the football under the pressure of Brandon Meriweather #31 and Kyle Arrington #27 of the New England Patriots in the second half at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 i

"Unflappable" Joe Flacco was just that against the Patriots, and was able to go 27-of-35 for 285 yards and two touchdowns. The Patriots have gotten used to that type of performance from opposing quarterbacks over the course of the season.

They looked baffled at times, unable to stop Flacco from making deep completions and unable to stop themselves from giving up costly penalties.

My guess is that's an issue they'd like to correct sooner than later, as they face Philip Rivers and Brett Favre in their next two contests. They may have to do it without Brandon Meriweather, who could face a fine or a suspension for his vicious helmet-to-helmet hit on Todd Heap.

Maybe Patriots Can Stop Teams on Third Down After All...

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens gains yards against the New England Patriots in the first half at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The Ravens were able to convert four out of nine third downs in the first three quarters of play, but the Patriots defense held the Ravens to only one third down conversion on seven attempts in the fourth quarter and overtime.

ESPN's Mike Reiss points out that this could be attributed to a tactical change as the Patriots went from a 4-2-5 package on third downs to a 3-3-5. I think the Patriots defense grew on the job today, as well.

Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves, but this, combined with the performance against the Dolphins, could be the return of the bend-don't-break defense that dominated the NFL for much of the previous decade. Their respectable performance also came against a Ravens offense loaded with weapons across the board, so there's plenty of reason for confidence in New England.

Deion Branch Is Back

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Deion Branch #84 of the New England Patriots catches a pass before a game with the Baltimore Ravens at at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Did he ever leave? Is it still 2006?

It seemed that was the case yesterday, especially in the fourth quarter and overtime. Deion Branch was key in aiding the Patriots to their win, contributing nine receptions for 98 yards and a fourth quarter touchdown.

He's not "the answer" to the Randy Moss trade, but he and Tom Brady are still clearly on the same page in their timing and chemistry.

He said it best in his postgame press conference, when he said, "It's like I never left."

Tom Brady Is Still Elite in Clutch

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots throws during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

A big-time fourth quarter comeback from a 10-point deficit is vintage Tom Brady. This game was no different.

It's been a long time since we've seen that version of Brady, but his command of the offense really came through in the fourth quarter and overtime. He suddenly found rhythm and turned into the field general we all knew and loved in the early 2000's, taking the short completions and leading his team up the field for the score.

After a slow start, he threw 24 times for 16 completions and a touchdown down the stretch in engineering a big comeback win.

If his late performance against the top-ranked Ravens pass defense is any indication, opposing defenses could be in for a long game anytime they face Brady.

See You in Playoffs?

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 17: Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens hake hand with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots before a game at at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Terrell Suggs and Tom Brady had some choice words for one another during Sunday's action, but Suggs took his jaw with him off the field as well. This, to me, had the look and feel of a playoff game. The excitement, intensity and drama were at an all-time high, and after this game, both teams look primed for runs at the postseason.

That would mark the fourth time in two seasons that the two teams have met.

If that's the case, we have one heck of a rematch to look forward to. I'm sure the Ravens are already hoping for it. The Patriots just better hope they have as many answers this January as they did this Sunday.