New England Patriots: 3 games to watch around the NFL in Week 10

Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Following their 37-20 victory over the New England Patriots, the Baltimore Ravens are the “it” team in the AFC.

With a running game that is hard to defend and a young quarterback in Lamar Jackson who is finding his stride as the season goes on, the Ravens are in position to challenge the Patriots for the top seed in the AFC.

But the challenge here is whether they can continue winning after scoring their biggest win of the season.

In the past, teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans won their regular season Super Bowl against the Patriots and then failed to even make the playoffs.  But, if the Ravens are to have a similar let down, it probably won’t come at the hands of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Then again, these AFC North battles tend to be more competitive than predicted.  The Cleveland Browns did hand it to the Ravens after all.

With rookie Ryan Finley starting at quarterback in place of Andy Dalton, this could be a trap game for Baltimore who are 15.5-point favorites in this Week 10 matchup.  The Ravens players certainly know they can’t afford to beat the Patriots then come out the following week and lose one to a winless team.

"“What would last week’s win mean if we go out there and just lay an egg?” Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith said, via Baltimoreravens.com.  “Nobody wants to do that.  It doesn’t take any extra motivation to want to go out and win a game.  We know what we’re here for.  It’s only better if we win.”"

A win would put Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens in position to take over the top spot in the AFC should the New England Patriots lose in their Week 11 matchup to the Philadelphia Eagles.

An unlikely loss gives Bill Belichick and the Patriots some breathing room.