Entering Week 16, the Baltimore Ravens still hold a decent chance of making the playoffs. Their 2025 season has been a rollercoaster ride, but with three games remaining, they sit just one game back of the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North and the fourth seed in the conference.
While the Ravens could have a winner-takes-all clash against the Steelers in Week 18, they have a tough road to get themselves into that position. First up on that competitive schedule? A Week 16 clash against the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football.
Baltimore owns a 7-7 record. New England is one of the best teams in the league, boasting an impressive 11-3 record. The Ravens are fighting for their playoff lives, and it is in games like these where the most unexpected heroes can rise to the occasion.
Here are three Ravens who can earn cult hero status in the team’s must-win game against the Patriots on Sunday.
3 Ravens who could earn cult hero status vs. Patriots
Charlie Kolar
Tight end Charlie Kolar is already a fan-favorite. He does the dirty work, growing into an excellent run blocker in 2025, and seems to always make the timely plays. He has gotten limited snaps as an actual receiving option, but when the moment reveals itself, he makes his presence felt.
The Ravens extended tight end Mark Andrews, just a few weeks ago, but Kolar is also in a contract year. With three regular-season games left to earn a future in Baltimore, Kolar’s time may be coming.
The Patriots have had trouble dealing with tight ends this season. They have allowed 86 receptions for 869 yards and six touchdowns. To make matters worse, their leading tackler, linebacker Robert Spillane, is out for Sunday night.
In the biggest game of the year, look for Kolar to step up. Whether it is as a blocker or receiving threat, he could have his fingerprints all over this matchup.
LaJohntay Wester
In competitive games like the one people expect to see in Week 16, one play can change the game. All it takes is one moment, one player, to completely shift the momentum. Rookie wide receiver and punt returner LaJohntay Wester might be in the perfect position to steal the spotlight.
When the Ravens selected Wester in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, they believed they were getting the best returner in the draft. He immediately showed off his playmaking ability with a punt return touchdown in his preseason debut. Since then, he has had a few chances that he has been so close to breaking, but he has yet to find paydirt in the regular season.
New England has allowed one return touchdown this year, so there could be a chance for Wester to open the floodgates on special teams. He could also see that opportunity with the offense. He has seen a slightly increased role with Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken’s unit, playing five or more snaps on offense in four of the last five games.
Wester is a certified playmaker, and if he finds himself in the right place at the right time, he could make the game-changing play the Ravens need.
Trenton Simpson
With rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, third-year linebacker Trenton Simpson is set to step back into the starting spot he occupied at the beginning of 2025. He has been underwhelming in his Baltimore tenure, but that could all change in Week 16.
While Simpson has not slotted in comfortably next to All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, he is in a prime position to become a cult hero this Sunday. He is an explosive athlete and possesses the traits to be a versatile playmaker.
Simpson can be a threat when it comes to rushing the passer. His presence in the middle of the field should allow Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr to draw up diverse schemes and bring pressure with Simpson.
Baltimore is going up against the seventh-best passing attack in New England. They will need Simpson to make an impact as a pass rusher and in coverage if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.