FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- By the time the Patriots took the field Monday night against the Ravens, they knew theyd have to wait at least another week to wrap up their eighth consecutive playoff berth.It didnt stop New England from producing a postseason-quality effort.The Patriots overcame a pair of miscues on special teams and provided some timely offense late to beat the Baltimore Ravens 30-23 on Monday night .New England enters its final three regular season games in great position for an eighth straight AFC East crown.We just gotta keep it rolling, Patriots safety Devin McCourty said. Thats whether you want to call it a playoff game, must-win, or any of that stuff. Once you get into December and toward the end of December, every game is important. Theres really no rebounding and trying to fix things. You want to try and play your best ball every time you go out there and play.Of course, that kind of consistency is common practice for New Englands 39-year-old quarterback.Tom Brady carved up the NFLs top-ranked defense for 406 yards passing and three touchdowns, saving his best for last with a 79-yard strike to Chris Hogan in the fourth quarter.He became just fourth NFL quarterback with at least 450 career touchdown passes.We werent clicking early, but that happens in football, Brady said. Im glad we found a way to make some plays. A lot of guys contributed. ... It was a big win for us.For the Ravens, it will be a short turnaround as they try to salvage their playoff hopes over the final three weeks. It begins with their final regular season home game against the Eagles on Sunday, followed by road tests at Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.Baltimore is currently one game behind the Steelers in the AFC North.It doesnt really matter what our record is, quarterback Joe Flacco said. Weve just got to win our games.FOCUSED ON PHILLYCoach John Harbaugh said coming up short against the Patriots wont deter the Ravens from doing all they can to stay in the division hunt. That begins, he said, with putting all their focus into the matchup with Philadelphia.We know where we stand and the situation we are in. And that we basically have to win three games, you know, and (we are) certainly fully capable of doing that. Thats what we intend to do, but all the focus goes to the next game, Harbaugh said.BLOUNT FORCEPatriots running back LeGarrette Blount picked up a pair of milestones in the game, topping 1,000 yards for the season and collecting his 14th touchdown. A 1-yard TD run in the first quarter gave the Patriots a 9-0 lead and tied the franchise record set by Curtis Martin in 1995 (and matched by Martin in 96).Blount ended the game with 1,029 yards this season, topping the 1,007 from his rookie season with Tampa Bay in 2010. Hes the first 1,000-yard rusher for the team since Stevan Ridley had 1,263 in 2012.SAYONARA, CYRUSCyrus Jones continues to have problems returning kicks.After dancing away from the football in the first half to avoid a fumble, he touched a bouncing punt with his foot in the second and allowed the Ravens to recover at the New England 3. Two plays later, the Ravens scored to make it 23-10.It was the fifth fumble of the season for Jones, who sat out four times in six weeks as a healthy scratch because of his earlier struggles to hold onto the ball.We turned the ball over three times tonight. Three situations that I would say were pretty preventable, Belichick said. Well work on it with everybody. Its everybodys job to protect the ball who handles it.SCORING DEFENSENew Englands defense was the first unit to get on the scoreboard Monday night. Patriots punter Ryan Allen pinned the Ravens at their own 1, and on the next play, Kenneth Dixon was swarmed in the end zone and brought down by Malcolm Butler for a safety.It was the Patriots third safety of the season -- a franchise record. They also had one on Oct. 9 against Cleveland when Browns quarterback Cody Kessler fumbled the ball out of the end zone, and the following week when Donta Hightower sacked Andy Dalton in the end zone.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---AP Sports Writer Jimmy Golen contributed to this report.---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter a http://www.twitter.com/khightower Travis Hamonic Gear . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Sean Monahan Gear .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. http://www.calgaryflamesgear.com/ .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Nick Shore Gear .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable.Niall Quinn says the Republic of Ireland are starting to believe World Cup qualification is possible after their victory over Austria helped them maintain their unbeaten start. The odds of reaching the 2018 tournament in Russia were stacked against Ireland when they were drawn in a group alongside Wales, Serbia and Austria.However, Irelands 1-0 victory in Vienna on Saturday sent them top of Group D, having secured 10 points from their opening four games. And while Quinn admits that Irelands start has come as a shock, he said Martin ONeills ability to get the best out of his players is the reason why they are in such a strong position.It has taken me by surprise because its a really tough group, Quinn said. Even Serbia look good and suddenly theres four teams in it so its going to be difficult. Republic of Ireland manager Martin ONeill was proud of his players as they became the first away team to beat Austria in a competitive match in Vienna in But ONeill has got a clique going on now. They all believe and the motivation he has brought into that side, and the way that theyre bringing it out in performances, means were starting to believe ourselves.I honestly think fans are of the opinion that the perfect man is managing this team, and that theres another trip on its way in two summers time.Irelands victory over Austria was their first since 1963, and they had James McClean to thank after the West Brom winger netted in the second half. Highlights of the Republic of Irelands World Cup qualifier against Austria.dddddddddddd McClean is viewed as a divisive figure - predominantly down to his decision not wear a poppy around Remembrance Day - but Quinn believes the 27-year-old has matured as both a man and a player.James wasnt afraid to come out and say we have to kick on and win the group now, others would just be cautious, said Quinn.Hes as honest as you like, people might disagree with his political principles, but the lad gives absolutely everything hes got.Hes starting to get clever with it and understand the game more. His work-rate is always superb, he works so hard up and down that left side in every game he plays. Harry Arter was pleased to make his competitive debut for the Republic of Ireland and hopes for more wins following victory over Austria. Hes now reading things better, and he saw that opportunity open up as soon as [David] Meyler took the ball. What a ball from Wes [Hoolahan], but still a lot of work to do, and James is playing like a player who just wants more of that now.Quinns praise led fellow Sky Sports pundit Dean Saunders to remind the ex-Sunderland chairman of how he first brought McClean to England in 2011.I signed him in a pub, thats not to say hes a pub player - but his agent met me in a pub, Quinn added.Its one of those things, its great. To see his career develop and blossom, hes had a few bumps to try and get over - but its going well for him.Theres no better feeling. To think that hes gone away to Austria tonight and has scored the winner for his country in such a big game, thats fantastic for him. Also See: Austria 0-1 Rep Ireland As it happened Rep Ireland fixtures Table Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jersyes Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '