The Patriots entered Sunday night as huge underdogs (+232) against the 6-2 Ravens. With Sony Michel sidelined for another game, Damien Harris got the bulk of the carries. The downhill running back carried the ball 22 times for 121 yards. Sony might be a thing in the past, Harris is producing the way the Patriots thought Sony would. With the weather that delayed the start to the Browns-Texans game coming to New England, it was important to have a late lead and not have to throw the ball through the rain and heavy winds. Cam Newton, with another week of no turnovers, helped the Patriots offense as he went 13/17 with 118 yards and a touchdown. Newton also ran the ball 11 times for 21 yards and a touchdown. The biggest throw of the night didn’t come from a current quarterback but a former high school quarterback, Jakobi Meyers. Meyers, the undrafted second year player out of North Carolina State, was recruited to play quarterback for the team but switched to wide receiver. Newton threw a backward pass to Meyers, who shoulder faked a throw which froze the DB which helped Rex Burkhead gain a couple of yards on the defender, which led Meyers to drop a dime into the basket for a Patriots touchdown.
The defense did what they could to stop the air attack. Lamar Jackson finished the game 24/34 with 249 yards through the air, tossing 2 touchdowns and an interception. Jackson was held to 55 rushing yards on 11 carries and no rushing touchdowns. Josh Uche and John Simon both recorded a sack. J.C. Jackson continued his dominant season, recording his 6th interception and 5th in as many games. Rookie Kyle Dugger had his first career start ending the game with 12 total tackles, 8 of which were solo tackles.
Look Ahead:
Patriots have seven games remaining, 4 of the 7 having winning records. The biggest threat to the Patriots will be the Arizona Cardinals and the Buffalo Bills. The Cardinals are just a better Ravens team that can win against other good teams. I have no doubt the Patriots will be ready to go Monday night late December to make the potential playoff push they need. Cam Newton looks to be getting back to form, pre-covid. Edelman will be healthy down the stretch, and the line is getting back to where they were the first couple weeks of the season. The Patriots improve to 4-5 on the season and look to make a push for a wild card spot.
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