FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — For a while Saturday night, it looked as if Revis Island might be sinking.
Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis had a rough outing in the Patriots’ 35-31 AFC divisional playoff win over the Ravens, with two costly penalties and a touchdown allowed, but the former Jets star is back in the AFC Championship game after getting there with Gang Green in 2009 and 2010.
“Every year has its own experiences,” Revis said. “The only thing I can [do differently] from the other two I’ve been in is actually win, because we lost the ones in New York. Just win and that will solve a lot of problems.”
It appeared early like Revis might not get his return trip to the title game. The Patriots twice fell behind by 14 points twice, and Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco looked unintimidated by the New England defense.
Revis was matched up against veteran wide receiver Steve Smith most of the night. Smith caught a 9-yard touchdown pass against Revis in the first quarter. It was Smith’s third catch of the game — and his last. He finished with 44 yards and the score as Revis and the Patriots regrouped and stopped him.
“He was very tough,” Revis said. “He’s always tough, even the battles in the past we had. This game, it’s the playoffs. There’s a lot on the line. I’m sure he has the will to want to win. It was great. He caught a touchdown early in the game and after that he got erased.”
Smith talked about the respect he has for Revis.
“Every team does not have a great corner like Revis and it was like a chess match,” he said. “There were times we both did some savvy veteran moves against each other and it was a great battle. I respect the heck out of him and he played a great game. He is a good player.”
Revis had two uncharacteristic penalties in the game. He was flagged for pass interference in the second quarter, a penalty that led to a Baltimore touchdown. Then, he was called for holding late in the third quarter, a penalty that overturned a fumble the Patriots had recovered. Revis acknowledged the hold was a good call, but did not like the pass interference flag, his first such penalty of the year.
“[I] don’t agree with that call,” he said. “I played the ball right. The refs made the call and that’s it, but I definitely don’t agree with the call.”