The New England Patriots defense has been lights out in 2019, but they’re about to get a major culture shock when they face the Baltimore Ravens offense.
Lamar Jackson is absolutely incredible. Paired up with running back Mark Ingram and a solid offensive line, the run game is nigh unstoppable. Capable weapons in the passing game in guys like Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews only make the offense more explosive. Yup, the Baltimore Ravens offense can stack up with the best of the best. That’s why the New England Patriots will have a hell of a time containing this unit.
Don’t get it twisted, New England’s defense is legit. The Patriots defense is no.1 in total yards allowed per game at just 234.0. Their pass defense is elite, allowing 148.8 YPG through the air, good enough for second-best in the league. Against the run, New England ranks fourth, giving up 85.2 rushing YPG. There is a caveat to that stat however, and that’s that the Patriots are allowing 4.6 YPC, which is the 12th highest in the NFL.
This bodes well for a Baltimore Ravens team that thrives on running the football. Baltimore is averaging a ridiculous 204.0 rushing YPG, good for first in the league, and ranks second with 5.5 YPC. This lines up perfectly for the Ravens to run the ball at will vs. even a good defense like the Patriots.
Lamar Jackson by himself is enough of a reason to believe that Baltimore can take down New England. His ability to extend plays and break defenses with his legs is otherworldly. We haven’t seen this level of athleticism since the days of Michael Vick; defenses simply can’t conjure up ways to slow Jackson down. The moment you think you have him, you don’t. He can beat you in so many ways and has the weapons around him to thrive.
Jackson will gang up on the Patriots defense with the help of Mark Ingram and co. to run the football violently. Ingram and Gus Edwards will make life hard for New England, and Jackson only makes that experience worse. Simply put, there will be no answers to this rushing attack.
And if you try too hard to stop it, the Ravens have the outside receivers and tight ends to make you pay. It’s just too much for any-one team to handle.
Sorry New England Patriots fans, there’s no clear winning formula vs. this Baltimore Ravens offense here. There are too many moving parts and they’ve yet to face anything like this offense yet this year. They could always find a way, but the Ravens offense will simply be too much for the Patriots to slow down.