RAVENS (7-5) VS. PATRIOTS (10-2)
MONDAY, 8:30 P.M. ET, GILLETTE STADIUM, FOXBOROUGH, MASS. uTV: ESPN
Announcers: Sean McDonough, Jon Gruden, Lisa Salters
About the Ravens: Their offense has recently shown signs of life, and with a defense that has experienced players at key positions and ranks near the top of the NFL in every major statistical category, the Ravens have the look of a team that can play into January. They don’t have much margin for error in trying to get to the postseason, but the Ravens feel like they’re capable of leaving New England with a win. QB has reliable targets in WR WR and TE who caught two touchdown passes last weekend. RB has run well in recent weeks, and the Ravens defense can serve as a closer. CB returned after missing two games with a back injury, and Smith and S have been instrumental in helping some of the team’s young defenders develop.
About the Patriots: The Patriots will need to be prepared to adjust on the fly against a staunch Ravens defense. QB gives the Patriots a chance against anybody, but this weekend the Patriots’ power run game, led by RB takes on the league’s No. 1 run defense. The Patriots mix it up and love to set up big plays in the passing game off of their run game, so establishing the run will be key. Even with TE done for the season, Brady trusts in WR
RB RB and emerging rookie WR to make plays in the passing game. The biggest questions the Patriots have going forward involve their defense, specifically in the front seven, and that defense will get a playoff-type test. The Patriots have AFC home-field advantage in their sights and don’t want to lose momentum.
Suggs (torn biceps) is playing a majority of the snaps. The Ravens need his leadership and his playmaking ability, and if they’re going to win, they’ll need him to be in the Patriots’ backfield. Cannon recently signed a contract exten-
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
sion and is having probably his best season. The Patriots’ ability to keep Brady clean is important, and as the season goes along, the offensive line will have to continue to open holes in the run game, too.
A fourthround pick who was way down the depth chart when the season began, Mitchell has played himself into the rotation and very much into the game plan. He has 17 catches over the last three games and, with Gronkowski out, has become a red-zone weapon.
Though Pitta’s two touchdown catches were his first since 2013, he has 21 catches over his last four games. Flacco trusts Pitta and Smith in big spots, making the Ravens harder to defend.
KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Be the man: West played like a lead back last weekend, posting probably his best game in the NFL. A confident and comfortable West provides a necessary dimension for an offense that needs to control the ball.
Ravens K is the league’s only kicker who has yet to miss a field goal attempt this season, and he has been reliable from 50-plus yards. The weather could be nasty, but the Ravens have confidence in Tucker.
3. Mix it up: The Ravens have made many opponents one-dimensional by stopping the run and forcing them into must-pass situations. Even seasoned QB Brady wants to avoid third-and-long situations, so he will need to keep the Ravens off balance.
Zac Jackson