Patriots make costly mistakes on both sides of the ball, suffer first loss of the season 37-20 to Ravens
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Patriots are used to their opponents being the ones to beat themselves. This time, it was Bill Belichick’s team making costly self-inflicted mistakes. And at the same time, Baltimore made big plays on both sides of the ball and limited their own mistakes as the Ravens handed the Patriots their first loss of the season in a 37-20 win at M&T Bank Stadium.
Between a fumble by Julian Edelman resulting in a touchdown for Marlon Humphrey – which came as the Patriots were marching down the field down only four points – and seven penalties for 48 yards, some of which were truly back-breaking – this was not the kind of Patriots team we’re used to seeing in the discipline department. But Baltimore deserves credit for making them pay for their mistakes more than the Pats did for theirs.
The Ravens got off to a hot start on offense, with a little help from the Pats. After going 65 yards to the 6-yard line, it appeared as if the Pats had held the Ravens to a field goal. But a neutral zone infraction by Shilique Calhoun gifted the Ravens a first-and-goal, and Lamar Jackson made them pay with a touchdown run on the next play to give the Ravens a quick 7-0 lead.
A three-and-out for the Patriots offense gave the ball right back to the Ravens, and Jackson burned them again for a big 18-yard run. But the Patriots were able to hold the Ravens to a field goal to make it 10-0.
Unfortunately, the Patriots had another quickly stalled drive to give the ball back to the Ravens. That’s when running back Mark Ingram made the Patriots really pay, busting up the gut for a 53-yard run. Gus Edwards ran it into the end zone on the next play to make it 17-0.
The Patriots finally caught a break after that, and not on offense or defense but special teams. Former Patriot Cyrus Jones muffed a punt and Justin Bethel, who signed with the Patriots two weeks ago after previously playing for the Ravens, made the recovery. The short field helped Tom Brady find Mohamed Sanu for the touchdown to cut the lead to 17-7.
The teams traded punts before the Ravens made another big mistake. Kyle Van Noy ripped the ball out of Ingram’s hands to force the fumble, which Lawrence Guy recovered. The Pats cashed in with Nick Folk’s first field goal with his new team to make it 17-10.
After yet another stop for the Patriots defense, suddenly Brady had a chance to lead a game-tying drive. He made two big-time throws and Julian Edelman and James White each made big-time catches. James White got stopped just before the goal line and Bill Belichick opted to take three points and head to halftime down 17-13.
Brady had the Patriots driving with a chance to take the lead. But a gassed Julian Edelman couldn’t hold onto the ball after making a catch and fighting for extra yardage, as Marlon Humphrey took the fumble to the house for a 70-yard touchdown that made it 24-13 Ravens. But Brady quickly answers with an 11-play touchdown drive to make it 24-20, as James White led the way with six runs including the TD.
Even still, Jackson and the Ravens found an answer for the answer. After completing a fourth-down pass to Willie Snead, Jackson led the Ravens on another TD drive that ended with a score for tight end Nick Boyle. However, Justin Tucker missed the extra point so the score sat at 30-20.
With a chance to get back in the game late in the third, Brady threw two straight errant passes to set up third-and-long. Brady then chucked it deep and Thomas intercepted him to get the ball back to Jackson.
And that’s when the Ravens put the game away. Jackson led yet another touchdown drive that made it 37-20, and the Pats ran out of time from there.
Up next: The Patriots will have plenty of time to think about their first loss during their Week 10 bye. They get back to work in Week 11 with another potentially tough road contest against the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of Super Bowl LII.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].