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Mike Preston's report card: Patriots 23, Ravens 20, OT

Ravens running back Ray Rice picks up tough yards against the Patriots. (Getty Images)

Quarterback: B-

Joe Flacco had impressive numbers and actually threw well through the first three quarters. He still doesn't step up in the pocket, but he played well enough to win. The best defense he faced Sunday were the restraints put on him by his own coaching staff late in the game.

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Running backs: C

It was evident that the Patriots spent a lot of time scouting Ray Rice, and they cut off all of those cutbacks moves. There were times Rice had holes running straight and hard, but he jitterbugged too much for a team that was ready for it. Willis McGahee was missing in action. Fullback Le'Ron McClain wasn't much of a factor except for the stupid penalty he got late in the game.

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Offensive line: B

Center Matt Birk played extremely well, and for most of the game the Ravens had good pass protection. Left tackle Michael Oher probably had his worst game as a professional and had problems with Vince Wilfork and Jermaine Cunningham. This unit has played well for the last three games.

Receivers: A

When the game plan called for them to catch the ball, they delivered. The Patriots had no answers for Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Derrick Mason and tight end Todd Heap. The Patriots didn't shut the Ravens down. The Ravens shut the Ravens down.

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Defensive line: C

Tackle Haloti Ngata is the MVP so far this season. He had two sacks and covered a lot of ground on the field. But the Patriots knocked the

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