FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Running back LeGarrette Blount reached a couple of milestones against the Baltimore Ravens’ top-ranked defense Monday night at Gillette Stadium.

When Blount plowed in for a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:04 left in the first quarter, giving the Patriots a 9-0 lead at the time, it was his 14th rushing touchdown of the season, tying Hall of Famer Curtis Martin for the franchise single-season record.

Martin, who played his first three seasons with New England before moving to the Jets, scored 14 in both the 1995 and 1996 seasons for the Pats.

Blount surpassed 1,000 yards for the season with a 6-yard run on New England’s first drive of the third quarter. That run gave him 1,005 rushing yards on the season.

Blount entered the game with 957 yards and wasn’t expected to do much against Baltimore’s defense, ranked first overall and against the rush, giving up 73.8 rushing yards per game.

But New England ran effectively in the first half, building a 16-3 lead, with 64 rushing yards, paced by Blount’s 41.

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It is the second time in his career that Blount eclipsed 1,000 yards. He rushed for 1,007 as a rookie with Tampa Bay in 2010.

Corey Dillon holds the team’s single-season record with 1,635 rushing yards in 2004.

WIDE RECEIVER Danny Amendola headed the inactive list for New England. Amendola, tied for the team lead with four touchdown catches, suffered a high ankle sprain on his right leg while returning a punt in the third quarter of last week’s 26-10 win over Los Angeles.

Cornerback Eric Rowe, who suffered a hamstring injury against the Rams, was also on the list. Other inactive Patriots included offensive lineman LaAdrian Waddle, defensive lineman Woodrow Hamilton, defensive back Jordan Richards, running back D.J. Foster and wide receiver Griff Whalen, who was signed as a free agent on Friday, probably as insurance for Amendola.

Special team’s ace Matthew Slater was active after missing the last two games with a right foot injury.

DEFENSE AND special teams helped the Patriots take a 16-3 halftime lead.

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Defensive tackle Malcom Brown scored the game’s first points when he tackled Baltimore’s Kenneth Dixon in the end zone for a safety with 10:47 remaining in the first quarter. It is New England’s second safety of the season as linebacker Dont’a Hightower had one on Oct. 16 when he sacked Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton.

On special teams, Shea McClellin blocked a 34-yard field-goal attempt by Baltimore’s Justin Tucker later in the first quarter when he hurdled long snapper Morgan Cox. He timed his leap perfectly.

It was New England’s second blocked field goal of the season as Alan Branch blocked a 54-yard attempt by the Jets’ Nick Folk on Nov. 27.

 


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