Seven sacks and a 1-for-15 third-down performance by Baltimore defined the Patriots’ 20-10 conference championship win: New England’s defense repeatedly disrupted the Ravens, and Steven Swanson supplied two touchdown passes to finish the job.

The Ravens struck first after a pass-interference penalty on New England followed a Richard Dunn interception by Anthony Payne. On the next play, Dunn connected with William Yon for a 46-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Yon finished with 54 receiving yards and that score. But the Patriots answered with a long pass of their own just before the first quarter ended, as Swanson found Andrew Ramsey for a 40-yard touchdown. The extra point made it 7-7.

New England’s defense then turned pressure into points. Michael Newman sacked Dunn, forced a fumble and recovered it in the second quarter. The Patriots converted that opportunity into John Reynolds’ 48-yard field goal. Reynolds added a 52-yarder with five seconds left before halftime, pushing New England ahead 13-7.

The Patriots’ advantage was built on disruption more than offensive efficiency. They managed 49 rushing yards on 27 carries and converted 5 of 17 third downs, while Swanson completed 21 of 40 passes for 217 yards, with no interceptions and two touchdowns. The Ravens were more productive on the ground, gaining 102 yards on 24 carries, but their passing total was 187 yards and their offense stalled on third down. New England recorded seven sacks to Baltimore’s two and recovered two Ravens fumbles; the Ravens recovered one Patriots fumble.

The third quarter offered Baltimore a way back. Reynolds missed from 49 yards, then the Ravens recovered a Shaun Kilpatrick fumble. William Silver’s 39-yard field goal trimmed the deficit to 13-10. Kilpatrick later fumbled again, but Donald Monroe recovered for New England, preserving possession. The Patriots’ only red-zone trip ended in a touchdown, while Baltimore went 0-for-2 on red-zone visits for touchdowns.

With 1:54 remaining, Swanson completed a one-yard touchdown pass to James Valenzuela, and Reynolds’ extra point set the final margin at 20-10. Valenzuela had 51 receiving yards, while Ramsey also finished with 51. The box score’s clearest contrast was the difference between opportunities and conversions: the Ravens found the end zone once, but New England’s pressure kept their drives from sustaining, and Swanson’s two scoring throws gave the Patriots the decisive cushion.