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.
5. Boogeymen not so scary
The New England Patriots defense knew Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and the running attack was going to be a problem and they couldn’t do anything about it to start the game.
In jumping out to a quick 17-point lead, the Ravens moved the ball at will on the Patriots defense by gashing them on the ground for near 150 yards going into the second quarter. Devin McCourty and crew did eventually settle down and hold the Ravens during the middle part of the game, but the quick start was too much to overcome.
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"“I think overall it was their whole offense,” McCourty said following the game, via Patriots.com. “We knew they had one of the best running attacks in the NFL. They were really able to run the ball, and I think because we struggled to stop the run, that pretty much gave them control of the game. Possessions, down and distance; they got to be comfortable all game. We got them in a couple third-and-longs, and we were able to get off the field, but for the majority of the game, they were able to play on their terms.”"
Overall, the Ravens finished the game with 210 yards rushing. Mark Ingram II accounted for 115 of those yards while Lamar Jackson ran for 61 yards including two touchdowns.
While the rush defense was considered a vulnerability coming into the game, it will certainly be a focal point as the team goes into their bye week. It is not a personnel issue, it is more scheme and players staying in their gaps.
Those things will be corrected by Bill Belichick and this defense will certainly work on being better with nearly two weeks to let this loss soak in. A humbling loss indeed for Devin McCourty, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Stephon Gilmore and the crew.
4. Edelman’s costly fumble
The New England Patriots offense started off slowly, but really started to move the ball once they switched to an up-tempo style.
Trailing the game just 17-13 coming out of the half, Tom Brady and the Patriots offense had all the momentum and was driving for a potential go-ahead touchdown before the momentum was switched by to the Baltimore Ravens on a Julian Edelman fumble that was returned for a touchdown by Marlon Humphrey.
Edelman, who had 10 receptions for 89 yards, was trying to fight for extra yardage when he lost the fumble. Not only was it an uncharacteristic mistake by the veteran receiver, it was a play handed control of the game back to Lamar Jackson and that multifaceted offense.
"“You have got to move on. It put us in a hole,” Julian Edelman said following the game, via Patriots.com. “You cannot turn the ball over against a team like that. I felt like I let my team down, but you have got to move on. It just was not our day. You have got to tip your hat to the Baltimore Ravens, they played a good game.”"
It was a crushing turnover, but it’s hard to be mad at Edelman, especially with all the crutch plays he has made throughout his career. It was unfortunate, but the New England Patriots still had a shot to take back control of the game after scoring a touchdown on the next drive following the Ravens going up 24-13.
3. The Brady and Sanu connection
A positive takeaway from the game was the connection established between Tom Brady and Mohamed Sanu.
In his second game in a New England Patriots uniform, Sanu showed just why the team coveted him. The veteran wide receiver caught 10 passes from Brady for 81 yards and this touchdown:
There was a stretch in the game in which it seemed like Brady was going to Mohamed Sanu over and over again as the offense really started to click in the no huddle offense. Although the overall result was a loss, the Patriots really gained something out of the game with how Sanu’s route running complimented where Brady likes to get the ball.
Combining for 20 catches in the game, Sanu and Julian Edelman are going to be quite the tandem going down the stretch of the second half of the season. Once 2019 first-round pick N’Keal Harry gets back in the mix and the offensive line shows some improvement, the New England Patriots offense will be just fine.
In all, Sanu is fitting into the system just fine and will only get better.
"“I am getting better and better each step of the way,” Sanu said, via Patriots.com. “I still have a ways to go, but I am getting better and better with it. I am just learning day by day. I am just being me. If they want me to do something, I am going to go ahead and do it. I am a competitor, so I am going to find a way to do the best at it that I can.”"
Tom Brady is really going to love that competitive nature.
2. The defense will be alright
Despite being carved up on the ground by Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, the New England Patriots defense still should keep their heads up.
Almost all of the top defenses over the years have had a game in which they gave up over than 30 points in the game. The 1985 Chicago Bears, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, that “Legion of Boom” defense of the Seattle Seahawks all had a hiccup along the way during their dominant seasons.
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The Patriots aren’t looked upon as dominant as those teams despite the numbers, but a loss like Sunday night should be seen as a good thing.
Not only does the loss get the players prepared for similar defenses, they also now have experience going up against Jackson if the two teams were to meet again in the playoffs.
Another motivator is now the defense has to hear about this performance for the next two weeks. Being out performed won’t sit will and defensive lineman Lawrence Guy knows playing better will bring much better results.
"“We have to play a little bit better football,” Guy said, via Patriots.com. “We went out there, but they played every down a little bit better than we did. We weren’t able to keep [QB Lamar Jackson] in the pocket. They pretty much outperformed us. We just need to figure out what to get fixed and move forward. There was a lot of good football played, but there were a lot of mistakes being made. We need to stop the mistakes so that we can move forward.”"
A couple of costly mistakes made stopping Lamar Jackson a lot more difficult and kept the New England Patriots defense on the field during a couple of important drives where a stop would’ve given the offense a chance to put the team closer or even ahead.
1. Tom Brady looked good
It was a disappointing loss by the New England Patriots, but another positive takeaway is how Tom Brady performed as the game went on.
While Lamar Jackson received all the buzz, and rightfully so, Brady had a solid game passing for 285 yards and a touchdown. He did have an interception in the game, but overall, Brady round rhythm once the team went no-huddle and established some chemistry with his newest receiver Mohamed Sanu.
As Tom Brady said following the game, there was too many missed opportunities by the offense, but the 42-year-old quarterback demonstrated his fight and showed he still has it with throws like this:
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1191185348329644032
With the bye week coming, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Brady have something to build on. That no-huddle offense really works with Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu and James White all on the field.
If they can get something out of the tight end position, namely Ben Watson, the New England Patriots will be alright on the offensive side of the ball.