If the Baltimore Ravens want to win in Week 16, they need to lean on their defense’s physicality and put the ball in the hands of their electrifying playmakers on offense. Squaring off against the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football, Baltimore will need to limit quarterback Drake Maye and company as much as possible, while tapping into their big-play ability on offense.
Unfortunately, that big-play ability has yet to stand out consistently in 2025. After quarterback Lamar Jackson went down with a hamstring injury in Week 4, the Ravens’ offense was sluggish. Even after his return, they continued to turn in lackluster play every week. That changed in last week’s win over the Cincinnati Bengals, and fans are hoping Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken’s unit can keep riding that wave on Sunday.
Primetime games are meant for players like Jackson. On paper, Jackson vs. Maye has the makings for one of the best QB battles the NFL has seen this year. However, the formula for winning does not need to completely rely on Jackson’s play. In fact, it should fall on Baltimore’s rushing attack.
The Ravens always focus on winning time of possession. Their running backs play a huge role in that, and the duo of Derrick Henry and Keaton Mitchell has played a significant role in the offense’s slow reemergence in the past two weeks.
Everyone knows what Henry can do. Despite poor offensive line play, he is top-five in rushing yards this season, and will likely give New England’s nightmares this week. In Mitchell’s case, though, he is beginning the breakout, and in Week 16, all the cards are falling into place for him to make a statement on primetime.
Keaton Mitchell in line for huge game vs. Patriots
The stage is set. Mitchell is on a heater in his past two games. In Week 14, he had six carries for 76 yards. In Week 15, he had eight carries for 66 yards. He is slowly getting more involved with Monken’s offense, and the Ravens need to utilize him to attack the Patriots’ weak point.
On the season, New England has the fourth-best run defense in the NFL. However, more recently, they are struggling. Most notably, in last week’s loss to the Buffalo Bills, they let up 168 rushing yards.
Since defensive tackle Milton Williams injured his ankle in Week 11, they have been scrambling to find answers for opponents’ rushing attacks. They have yet to find one, and matters are only getting worse with their leading tackler, linebacker Robert Spillane, out with an ankle injury.
Baltimore will obviously continue to lean on Henry to lead the way, but Mitchell should keep seeing an increase in touches. With the opponent’s best tackler out and Mitchell’s make-you-miss ability pestering defenses every time he touches the football, the 23-year-old seems primed to reintroduce himself to the football world in Week 16.