Pats Pulpit
For a short while in the late 2000s and early 2010s, the rivalry between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens was one of the fiercest in all of football. However, in the years since both teams have changed dramatically and their meetings both in the regular season and the playoffs have become scarce.
On Sunday night, we will get to see another such meeting. To find out more about the Patriots’ Week 16 opponent, we spoke with Nikhil Mehta of Pats Pulpit’s sister site Baltimore Beatdown, the SB Nation community for all things Ravens.
Here is what he told us about the upcoming game and opponent.
1. Lamar Jackson has battled multiple lower-body injuries this season. Have these affected his play or the way he’s been deployed?
Jackson’s multiple injuries have greatly affected his play this season. He has started to look more like his usual self in the past few games, but for a large portion of the season, Jackson has been a shell of the player we have become accustomed to watching. His mobility took a major hit, which has lead more sacks since he has been unable to avoid defenders and extend plays like normal, as well as far fewer designed runs compared to previous seasons. Jackson is currently set to finish with by far the least rushing yards he has had in a season.
2. Has anyone managed to slow down the Ravens’ run game with Jackson and Derrick Henry in the backfield? If so, how can the Patriots replicate that formula?
As mentioned above, the Ravens have not used as many designed quarterback runs, which has reduced the threat of Jackson’s legs. As a result, opposing defenses can focus on Henry, specifically with backside defenders crashing down the line of scrimmage to slow him up. The Browns, Lions, and Texans all did this effectively by playing aggressive, downhill football. That only works if, as has been the case for much of the season, the Ravens’ passing offense is not on point. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has also pivoted away from the run game multiple times this season despite favorable matchups. In the last few weeks, he’s been willing to stick with it well into the second half regardless of the score. While early success against the Ravens might reduce their run rate, the Patriots will need to hang tough in the second half when punishing runs from Henry can hurt even more.
Ultimately, it’s all about winning early downs. If the Patriots can force incompletions and short gains on first and second down, the Ravens will be forced into more pure dropback situations that turns their dynamic offense into a one-dimensional one. That will allow the Patriots’ pass rushers to tee off against an offensive line that has faltered in pass protection many times this season, and it will also take away the most consistent part of Baltimore’s offense.
**3. What’s contributed to the Ravens’ impressive defensive turnaround? How will they replace CB Chidobe...
