A first-half beatdown by the numbers
January, 10, 2010
1/10/10
2:49
PM ET
By Tim Graham | ESPN.com
The early beatdown the Baltimore Ravens have administered to the New England Patriots was epic.
The Ravens posted the first four scores, taking a 24-0 lead before the end of the first quarter. The Patriots managed to get into the end zone and trail by 17 points at halftime. Did I mention this game is taking place in Gillette Stadium?
ESPN Stats & Information broke out a few numbers to put this game in perspective.
Patriots Playoff Openers Under Belichick
The Patriots have never lost a playoff opener since Bill Belichick became their coach in 2000. The last time they lost a playoff opener was the 1998 wild-card playoff at Jacksonville under Pete Carroll.
| Year | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 Wild Card | Ravens | ? |
| 2007 Divisional | Jaguars | Won |
| 2006 Wild Card | Jets | Won |
| 2005 Wild Card | Jaguars | Won |
| 2004 Divisional | Colts | Won |
| 2003 Divisional | Titans | Won |
| 2001 Divisional | Raiders | Won |
ESPN Stats & Information broke out a few numbers to put this game in perspective.
- The last time the Patriots were down by at least 24 points at the end of a first quarter was November 1979 against the Denver Broncos.
- A Bill Belichick-coached team never has allowed 24 points in the first quarter, regular-season or playoffs.
- The Patriots haven't allowed more than 20 points in a home playoff game since 1978, when the Houston Oilers beat them 31-14.
- The Patriots were 8-0 at home this year. The most points they allowed in a game was 24 to the Buffalo Bills back on opening night.
- The last team to lead 24-0 after one quarter of a playoff game? The 1999 Jacksonville Jaguars led the Miami Dolphins 24-0 and cruised to a 62-7 victory.
- Something to consider: The worst home playoff loss in NFL history was 34 points, when the Minnesota Vikings beat the New Orleans Saints in 1987. Twenty-four points would be tied for eighth.
- If the Patriots were to win, overcoming a 24-point deficit would tie the second-largest margin in postseason history. The Bills hold the record with a 32-point rally to beat the Oilers in 1992.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
James Walker
Walker joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the NFL and NBA for the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. He's a Temple graduate and Hyattsville, Md. native who lives in Miami.
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