LeGarrette Blount, with Tom Brady, after he ran for a score during the second quarter of the Patriots’ 43-22 victory over the Colts. Andrew Weber/USA Today Sports, via Reuters
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The shootout between Tom Brady and Andrew Luck in Saturday night’s divisional playoff game was a riveting duel for three quarters. It had everything a postseason game should have, with Luck cast as the resolute heir apparent who played brilliantly as he tried to knock off Brady, the Patriots longtime king of playoff excellence.
But, ultimately, it was not a fair match. Brady had a secret weapon in the New England huddle in this struggle against the Indianapolis Colts: the fourth-year running back LeGarrette Blount.
Early in the fourth quarter with the Patriots ahead by just a touchdown, Blount broke open a tense game with a 73-yard dash into the end zone. It was Blount’s fourth touchdown of the game, a Patriots record. Two plays later, Luck cracked, finally looking like the 24-year-old second-year player he is.
Luck heaved a pass into double coverage and it was easily intercepted. Five plays later, the Patriots had scored again and were leading by 21 points.
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There was no miracle Luck comeback this week. The Patriots will be going to their third consecutive A.F.C. championship game next weekend. It will be the eighth conference championship in the Brady era.
By BILL PENNINGTON
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