On Sunday the 3-5 New England Patriots host the 6-2 Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium.
Date: Sunday, November 15, 2020
Game Time: 8:20 PM EST
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro MA
Network: NBC
All-time record: Patriots lead series, 10-4-0 (including playoffs)
When They Last Met…
Patriots 20-37 Ravens
November 3, 2019
The Patriots were well and truly thumped the last time these two teams met.
After initially stopping a spirited drive by the soon to be league MVP, Lamar Jackson, Shilique Calhoun jumped on the field goal try to give an automatic first down to the Ravens. Jackson walked in on the next play to open the scoring.
Soon it was 10-0 Ravens, then Gus Edwards rushed into the endzone after the Patriots failed to produce anything on offense. 17-0 Ravens. Finally, the Pats began to fight back, with some help from Cyrus Jones who muffed a Jake Bailey punt.
Brady found Mohammed Sanu (his one and only TD for the Pats) for a four-yard touchdown and the Ravens lead was cut to ten. Nick Folk then converted consecutive field goals to end the half’s scoring. HT Patriots 13-17 Ravens
The second half started badly, Brady went to Julian Edelman who fumbled and the recovery was returned by Marlon Humphrey for a Ravens touchdown. But, refusing to lie down, Brady led a great drive downfield which was capped off by James White, who ran it in for the score.
Unfortunately, the Patriots scoring for the night ended there. To begin the fourth quarter, Jackson found Nick Boyle underneath for a five-yard touchdown. On their next possesion, Baltimore iced the game when Jackson rushed in for his second rushing touchdown of the night. Final Patriots 20-37 Ravens
Performances
NE
QB Tom Brady 30/46 – 285 YDS – 1 TD – 1 INT
WR Mohamed Sanu – 10/14 – 81 YDS – 1 TD
K Nick Folk 2/2 FG – 2/2 XP
BAL
QB Lamar Jackson 17/23 – 163 YDS – 1 TD – 16 ATT – 61 YDS- 2 TD
RB Mark Ingram – 15 ATT – 115 YDS
TE Nick Boyle – 5/5 – 27 YDS – 1 TD
How The Patriots Win
Lamar Jackson hasn’t had the same season that won him the MVP award last year, but this could be the perfect game for him to find some deadly form once again.
The Patriots have struggled to stop the run this year, including mobile quarterbacks. Stopping the run is key, force Jackson to throw, and hopefully, the Pats secondary will be better than they were against the Jets.
Offensively, Cam needs to continue establishing the passing game. Newly acquired Isaiah Ford will be at his disposal, along with Jakobi Meyers, who looks to be the first Patriot since last season to have back to back 100-yard games. It’s going to be tough sledding, but it won’t be easy for the Ravens if this Patriots team all play their best.
TSM’s 5 Keys To Victory-
-0 Turnovers
-Jakobi Meyers production
-Secondary preventing big plays/touchdown passes
-Fewer penalties
-Stopping the run
Player Spotlight – Jakobi Meyers
Another UDFA who’s shown that he can play in this league is Jakobi Meyers. The 24-year-old went undrafted in 2019 out of NC State and earned a roster spot in his rookie year following an inspired camp performance.
Meyers has been a low-key fan favorite out of the UDFA crew over the last couple of camps. Last season, he was one of the few rookie players Brady had trust in, this year with Cam Newton at QB, he’s had even more opportunities.
His 12 catches for 169 yards on Monday night was a career-high, it also showed he was able to get open and find space, albeit against the Jets, but an NFL secondary nonetheless. With Edelman on IR and N’Keal Harry faltering, Meyers is now the team’s number 1 receiver along with Damierre Byrd.
In a season where this team is finding a new identity, maybe they’ve found a diamond in the rough?
Familiar Faces
Former Patriots
Players
CB Justin Bethel (2019)
CB Terrence Brooks (2014-15)
DL Lawrence Guy (2014-16)
LB John Simon (2013)
Coaching Staff
QBC Jedd Fisch (WR/QB Ast. 2004-08)
Former Ravens
Players
CB Jordan Richards (2015-17) (2019)
Broken Records
Here’s some milestones that could be surpassed on Sunday.
CB J.C. Jackson
-Jackson heads into Week 10 with four straight interceptions, tied with Devin McCourty and Mike Haynes for most consecutive games with an interception in team history.
RB James White
-Needs two touchdown receptions to tie Larry Garron (26) as most all-time in Patriots history for touchdown receptions by a running back.
S Devin McCourty
-Needs one interception to tie Ron Hall, Roland James, and Fred Marion for third all-time in Patriots history with 29 career interceptions.
Score Prediction: Ravens 30-27 Patriots
The offensive performance against the Jets gave me some faith that they could keep up with teams in this league. I’m backing the Pats to do just that with the Ravens on Sunday night, but I can’t see them winning, Baltimore have the far superior roster and QB right now.
[…] Check out my preview for today’s match up here. […]