New England Patriots: 5 observations from beatdown in Baltimore

The New England Patriots defense was exposed in a 37-20 loss to the Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in the Week 9 AFC showdown.

The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for the New England Patriots following a 37-20 beatdown at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football.

Let the overreactions begin.  Yes, the Patriots suffered just their first loss of the 2019 NFL season.  But the narrative will be how they haven’t played anyone until their matchup with the Ravens and how inadequate Tom Brady and the offense looks at time.

Despite the final score, however, the Patriots actually took control of the game in the middle quarters after quickly falling down 17-0 to the Ravens.  The quick, no huddle pace of the offense gained rhythm against the Ravens defense in the second quarter and going into the third quarter before a costly Julian Edelman fumble quickly shifted momentum back in favor of Baltimore.

Defensively, the Boogeymen were anything but scary against the Baltimore Ravens rushing attack in the first three positions.  Jackson and running back Mark Ingram ran all over the defense to set the tone early.  That duo along with tight ends Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle also made big plays late to win by the same margin they jumped out to.

In all, it was an uncharacteristic performance by the defending Super Bowl champions, but also a humble loss going into the bye.  In fact, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick kept it simple following the game.  Here’s what he had to say following the team’s first loss of the season, via Patriots.com.

"“There is really not much to say tonight. Obviously, we didn’t do anything normal, certainly didn’t coach well. Give them credit, they were better than we were tonight, certainly the better team. We all have to do a better job.”"

Here are five observations from the New England Patriots 37-20 beatdown at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens.