3 Keys to a Patriots Victory in Week 9 vs Ravens
Finally, the New England Patriots are set to play a real, legitimate opponent. In Week 9 they face the Baltimore Ravens, who have always been a thorn in the side of New England dating back to Joe Flacco and Ray Lewis. The Ravens are the class of the AFC North with the Cleveland Browns being subpar and the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals in rebuilding years. This game will be a battle from the start.
Let's go over three keys for New England that will help them come out with a win in Week 9.
1) Contain Lamar Jackson
The Ravens have an exciting and dynamic playmaker in their second-year quarterback, Lamar Jackson. He is the best mobile quarterback since Michael Vick. He also plays like a poor man’s Randal Cunningham with his ability to throw deep. Jackson is a game plan buster for the Patriots. New England can have the perfect defense called but Jackson is so gifted athletically that he can turn a busted play into a huge gain with his legs.
Expect New England to load up the box and leave their great cover cornerbacks on an island and dare Baltimore to throw deep. Jackson and the Ravens like the big plays as they have built their team to throw deep with Jackson’s big arm and speedy wide receivers. They will not look to dink and dunk the ball and take what the defense gives them. Look for the Patriots to really force Jackson to go short with his pass attempts.
2) Tackling on defense
The Patriots defense doesn’t have many flaws, however, tackling seemed to be an issue last week vs the Browns. The weather may have played a part in that as it was rainy and wet, and it was tough to just get a grip on the ball carrier. Outside of Week 8's game tackling has been an issue for this New England defense, though.
It's very important for the Patriots D to wrap up and finish the play on Jackson and running back Mark Ingram. They are what makes the Ravens offense go. Linebackers like Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins can’t be expected to make every tackle. Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, and Patrick Chung are going to have to come down and help out.
If Baltimore controls the clock with their run game and dominate time of possession, the Patriots will be in trouble.
3) Protect Tom Brady
If the Ravens grab an early lead and that crazy crowd gets going, they will look to blitz and attack Tom Brady all night long. Brady has had his fair share of struggles vs the Ravens but that was with Ed Reed and Ray Lewis leading the defense. They’re gone and so is Terrell Suggs, but Baltimore still has a solid defense with a secondary that can still make plays led by Marcus Peters and Earl Thomas, who is questionable to play.
If the Patriots have to play from behind with how subpar the offensive line has looked, it could be a long night for the 42 year old QB.
One of the NFL’s most memorable rivalries is renewed on Sunday night primetime. It is sure to be an explosive, hard hitting game. New England will surely have their toughest test to date this season, which will lead to an opportunity for them to silence the critics who believe their undefeated record is flawed.
