It couldn’t have been easy in the hours after Mark Clayton dropped what could have been a game-changing catch in a 27-21 loss to the New England Patriots earlier this season.

The Ravens were driving for a potential winning touchdown with under a minute remaining, but on fourth-and-4, a pass from Joe Flacco hit Clayton between the numbers and fell to the turf.

Clayton will have the chance to redeem himself at Gillette Stadium on Sunday.

But does he see it that way?

“No, it’s just a game,” Clayton explained.  “I’m just excited to go out and play another game.”

Does he still think about the error?

“Not really, unless someone says something about it,” said the ever-positive Clayton.  “It’s been a tough season, but we’re in the playoffs, so it’s an opportunity for us to collectively gather together everything we’ve done – good or bad – and start fresh with a 0-0 record like everybody else.”

So, how does Clayton move past his flub?  Well… this answer took a wider scope.

“You have to know why you play the game, understanding your purpose,” he explained.  “When things happen, regardless of how they happen, you know you have to move forward.  Ultimately, there’s a destination for you in life.”

Really, the drop was shocking and drew a gasp in the press box.  Clayton’s typically sure-handed, but maybe that wasn’t the issue.

“That was the problem, it never touched my hands,” he said.  “I was super-shocked. I was just standing there like, ‘That didn’t just really happen did it?’”

And as Clayton trudged into the locker room, he left his frustration behind him.
 
“It was gone by the time we got off the field. It just stayed right there on the field.”