Updated: Monday, 23 Jan 2012, 7:00 AM CST
Published : Monday, 23 Jan 2012, 7:00 AM CST
(The New York Post) - Tom Brady sat through the final, fateful seconds of the New England Patriots' AFC Championship win helpless on the sideline Sunday. And after Ravens kicker Billy Cundiff's miss sealed the 23-20 victory, he sidled over to team owner Robert Kraft and essentially apologized for his poor play.
"I sucked pretty bad today [Sunday], but our defense saved us," Brady said. "I'm gonna go out and try to do a better job in a couple weeks."
The three-time Super Bowl winner went 22-of-36 for 239 yards, did not throw a touchdown, tossed two picks and had an uncharacteristic 57.5 rating. But his fourth-quarter touchdown sneak stood up as the game-winner and sent the Patriots (15-3) to Indianapolis, where they will meet the New York Giants.
"He said to me, 'I promise you I'm going to play a lot better in two weeks,'" Kraft said. "He's still pretty good in my book. I'll take him over any quarterback. I've been watching the NFL for a long time, and there's no quarterback I'd rather have."
Brady saw his string of 18 straight playoff games with a passing touchdown -- the second-longest streak in history -- snapped. But after yapping at linebacker Ray Lewis following an earlier four-yard run, Brady went airborne for a one-yard score with 11:29 left, then spiked the ball as he sauntered away.
"It's incredible," Brady said. "You pinch yourself to get this opportunity. It's really a privilege to play quarterback on this team."
It marks Brady's fifth trip to the Super Bowl, tying him with John Elway for the record among starting quarterbacks. He and Bill Belichick became the first coach-QB combo to reach five Super Bowls together.
Read more: The New York Post
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