A year ago, this was one of the most anticipated games of the season as the Patriots entered 8-0, while the Ravens were 5-2. This year, things have certainly changed.
The Patriots enter the game 3-5 on the year, while Baltimore is still one of the better teams in the AFC at 6-2.
Lamar Jackson still leads the way for the Ravens and their defense is better than a year ago as it currently is No. 1 in points allowed.
It is worth noting bad weather is expected with rain and wind, so that could potentially level the playing field. But, Baltimore is a good rushing team as well, so it may not matter at all.
Ravens vs. Patriots
Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020
Ravens -7, over/under 43.5
8:20 p.m., NBC
3 keys to the game
Force turnovers
If the Patriots have any chance at winning this game they are going to need to force some turnovers and get a flukey score or two. Although it’s worth mentioning, the Ravens turned the ball over four times against the undefeated Steelers two weeks ago and only lost by four, so even that might not be enough. The Patriots defense has recorded at least one turnover in every game this year, so that is something to feel good about.
Build momentum on ground
The Patriots running game has been arguably their biggest strength this year and that is led by Cam Newton, but also Damien Harris of late. With that being said, Baltimore’s run defense is eighth in the entire NFL so it won’t be as easy to have the same success that it has had of late. Sony Michel is eligible to be activated off IR and if he is it will be interested to see how the carries are split between he and Harris.
Don’t get embarrassed
This has two different meanings — don’t get embarrassed on the scoreboard, but don’t get embarrassed with specific plays, either. Even though it’s Week 10, this could be another moral victory for the team if it plays the Ravens tough and keeps the game close throughout. And when we say specific plays, it’s hard not to think of all the tackling issues of late and Jackson has the ability to make a number of players miss on plays that go for big gains.
Fun facts
1. If the Patriots remain seven-point underdogs, it will be the first time they are seven-point or more underdogs at home since 2001.
2. In Bill Belichick's career with the Patriots, he's been a seven-point or more underdog 12 times (includes playoffs) and he's covered the spread in nine of those games and won straight up in six of them.
3. This will be the 11th time Belichick has faced John Harbaugh (regular season or playoffs) and it will be the first where one of the teams enters with a losing record.
4. Of the 534 playoff teams since 1970, 20 of them (3.7 percent) started the season 3-5 or worse. Although, it is worth mentioning there’s an extra playoff team this year.
5. The New England offense enters this week fourth in the NFL averaging 159.6 rushing yards per game (1,277 total rushing yards) and is on pace for 2,554 rushing yards for the season, which would be the fourth-most in team history.
Prediction
Ravens 31, Patriots 10
Yes, this would indicate things get ugly and based on what we’ve seen so far this year, we wouldn’t be surprised if that is indeed what happens. The Patriots won last week, but it was against the Jets and came with them making two really bad decisions late in the game. Baltimore is one of the best teams in the AFC and the Patriots clearly are not on its level. The one thing to monitor is the weather and if it’s really bad, things could at least a little closer.
