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Baltimore Ravens: Top 3 Performances In Loss To Patriots

By Steve Rudden

Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) leaves the game on cart with an injury during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) leaves the game on cart with an injury during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens lost a critical game against the New England Patriots.

The Ravens chances of making the playoffs this season took a huge hit after the loss to the New England Patriots.  It could be said that the game might’ve been different if Jimmy Smith didn’t get hurt in the first quarter.  Either way, the offense was left in Baltimore.

I’m going to try to come up with 3 players that deserve game balls against the New England Patriots.

Jimmy Smith:

You really don’t know how much Smith means to this defense until he’s out of the game. The Ravens defense was doing well with Smith playing.

Once Smith left the game with an ankle injury, the Ravens defense imploded and got dominated.  The 2nd half has been very different for the Ravens defense, but the defense is much much better with Jimmy Smith manning one side all game long.

Eric Weddle:

Weddle seemed like he was the only one making plays on defense. He had a sack and an interception.

Ozzie Newsome did well with this free agent acquisition. The Ravens needed a leader in the secondary, and Weddle has been that player.

This game might’ve been over before halftime if it wasn’t for Weddle and his big plays.  I’m a huge fan of Weddle and the way that he plays.

Next: Top 10 Performing Ravens This Season

Special Teams:

If it weren’t for the Ravens Special Teams, this game wouldn’t have been close at all.  The Patriots made two critical mistakes that lead to two Ravens touchdowns.

Special Teams has been very good for the Ravens this season, but this game was much more important for them.  It’s good that John Harbaugh was a Special Teams coach before he came to Baltimore has instilled greatness for that phase of the game.  Who knows, if the Ravens didn’t hire a former Special Teams coach, would they be as good?

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