The Patriots open their home schedule as they battle the Baltimore Ravens Sunday at Gillette Stadium. It’s a great test for the 1-1 Patriots because I think perception can change come Monday if you beat a guy like Lamar Jackson and you’re sitting there at 2-1. How can they beat Baltimore?
Don’t: Defend Like The 2019 Game
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes past linebacker Dont’a Hightower #54 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Lamar Jackson is actually throwing the ball really well after two games. Even during the collapse against the Miami Dolphins last week, Lamar put a lot of points on the board. He rushed for over a hundred yards in the game. The Patriots have played the Ravens twice over the last couple of years. In 2019 Tom Brady said he was the most miserable 8-0 quarterback because he knew the Patriots were in trouble and was not going to be a contender that year. They lost to the Ravens that night pretty badly down in Baltimore. They defended Jackson pretty well as far as the spacing, but his moves, his ability with his speed, he just broke ankles in the secondary and with the linebackers proved to be the linebackers were pretty slow at that point starting to age.
Do: Defend Like The 2020 Game
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – NOVEMBER 15: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens is tackled by Lawrence Guy #93 of the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on November 15, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
During the Covid year the Patriots played the Ravens at home in the rain and they actually did a great job containing him. You kept him in the pocket. I think that’s the one thing this Patriots defense needs to do. Mack Wilson will have a prevalent role, get Adrian Phillips down in the box, and you’re probably not going to have Kyle Duggar this weekend because of his knee injury. I would run a strong safety type box where you’re going to maybe run a spy with him. It’s a big game again for Matthew Judon and guys like Josh Uche and Deatrich Wise and you got to be able to push a middle of that pocket with Barmore and Godchaux. It’s predominantly a three tight end offense with Mark Andrews as his number one receiver but he will transfer it to the near guys like Rashod Bateman on the outside with the slants.
Looking Ahead
Lambeau Field at sunset on Aug. 14, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (Sarah Kloepping/USA Today Network-Wisconsin via Imagn Content Services)
This will be great test for the Patriots here in week three. It’s the home opener. And if you could pop one of these next two teams, whether it’s Baltimore or Green Bay, you set yourself up where maybe the next six games you can look at and say, hey, the Patriots have a shot. Each and every one of those games they maybe favored. So you got a chance to make up some ground here. Just find a way to get out of these next two weeks and win one of those games. You should be in good shape.
