Ravens run roughshod over Patriots

The Baltimore Ravens ran riot from the very first play on Sunday and ran over perennial contenders New England 33-14 in the first round of the NFL playoffs.

Ray Rice exploded up the middle for an 83-yard touchdown on the opening play to set the tone for the Ravens, who booked a second-round clash with Indianapolis.

New England's superstar quarterback Tom Brady turned the ball over three times on the first four possessions, including a fumble on the fourth play of the game that Baltimore turned into a touchdown for a 14-0 lead after less than five minutes.

Brady also matched a playoff career-worst with three interceptions as he lost a postseason contest at Gillette Stadium for the first time.

The Patriots had won their last 11 home playoff games at Gillette and at Foxboro Stadium, since their last defeat in 1978.

The Patriots, who won three Super Bowl titles from 2002-2005, were a perfect 8-0 at home in the regular season, but were hearing jeers from their home fans as they fell 24-0 adrift in the first quarter.

Brady, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year after his return from a serious knee injury, was 23 of 42 for 154 yards with two touchdown passes and three interceptions.

The Patriots trailed 24-7 at halftime, after which they received the kickoff. Brady shortly threw his third interception, which Dawan Landry returned 42 yards to set up Billy Cundiff's 23-yard field goal that made it 27-7.

Brady then threw his second touchdown pass to Julian Edelman, who was in for injured receiver Wes Welker, covering 1 yard.

The Patriots defense, however, couldn't stop the Ravens runners. With 10:32 left, Baltimore's Willis McGahee ran three yards for a 33-14 lead.

The trio of Rice, McGahee and Le'Ron McClain gained 236 yards on the ground, Rice leading the way with 159. Rice ran for two touchdowns and McGahee and McClain one each.

The Ravens, who lost the AFC championship game to eventual Super Bowl champions Pittsburgh last season, will go to Indianapolis next weekend seeking to avenge a 17-15 regular season loss to the Colts on November 22.

In Sunday's National Conference game, the Arizona Cardinals hosted the Green Bay Packers in a rematch from the final day of the regular season.