New England Patriots: Week 9 roadmap to the Baltimore Ravens
Coach’s corner
In facing the 5-2 Baltimore Ravens, the biggest challenge will be stopping their running game along with young quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The New England Patriots obviously know a lot about Jackson as there were links to the team drafting him in the 2017 NFL draft. They passed up on him twice to select offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn and running back Sony Michel.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
While the jury is still out on that draft, the Patriots will have to find a way to figure out that big, tough Ravens defense and keep Jackson in the pocket.
With all the success Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has had over the years against young quarterbacks, this will be an interesting battle for both Jackson and the future Hall-of-Fame head coach who has taken on a bigger role this season calling plays on defense.
Complimentary of the Baltimore Ravens, Belichick knows he has to have his entire team ready for this prime-time matchup, particularly his defensive unit vs a mobile quarterback like Lamar Jackson. Here’s what coach had to say on Thursday, via Patriots.com:
"“There’s not another quarterback in the league like this. How do you get one? Yeah, that’s some of the things that we’ll have to work on. I’d say that’s a problem every week. Usually, to some degree there’s some player that they have that you don’t have anybody like that guy. It is what it is. You do the best you can to replicate what they do and who they do it with, but ultimately that’s not going to be quite the same as what we’ll see on Sunday night.”"
The New England Patriots have had both success and difficulty against running quarterbacks in the past. However, this Patriots defense seem more ready personnel wise to rise up to the challenge. It will be interesting to see how big of a role Jamie Collins and Patrick Chung play in this one and how Bill Belichick utilizes the versatility of both these players.