The Baltimore Ravens’ defense has propelled the team into playoff contention late in the season. While they have a tough road in the final three regular-season games, they sit just a game back of the Pittsburgh Steelers for first place in the AFC North.
Entering a pivotal Week 16 battle with the New England Patriots, the defense needs to continue to be the catalyst in this run. The offense needs to wake up from its slumber, but the defense has set the tone since the bye week. Against the league’s sixth-best offense, Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr needs to carve out a masterful gameplan on Sunday Night Football vs. the Patriots.
The Ravens had a lengthy injury report this week. Outside of left tackle Ronnie Stanley (knee/ankle), who is listed as questionable, every other uncertain status surrounds the defense. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie (foot) is doubtful, and defensive linemen John Jenkins (illness) and Brent Urban (illness), and safety Kyle Hamilton (ankle) are all questionable.
Looking at the defensive side, Hamilton should be able to tough it out as he has all year long. Baltimore should look to cornerback T.J. Tampa in Awuzie’s potential absence. The status of the defensive line, though, is unpredictable due to illnesses.
On Friday, Head Coach John Harbaugh seemed confident that Jenkins would be ready for kickoff. Regardless, the team’s flurry of roster moves on Saturday tells the story of a team looking to play physical in the trenches and stop the run in Week 16.
Ahead of Sunday’s matchup, the Ravens elevated nose tackle Josh Tupou and linebacker William Kwenku. Both of these gameday additions are crucial for both depth and game planning against New England’s offense.
Ravens looking to make Patriots one-dimensional on Sunday
All year, the focus of Baltimore’s defense has been to stop the run first and try to make the opponent one-dimensional from there. While the Patriots’ offense has thrived on the passing attack under quarterback Drake Maye for most of the year, Baltimore's defense thrives on imposing its will in the trenches.
With New England finding a rhythm on the ground behind rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, the Ravens must continue to lean on their run defense on Sunday. Henderson has 620 rushing yards and six touchdowns in the last seven games. His emergence is helping take New England’s offense to another level, and the Ravens’ coaching staff needs to put that to a halt.
Alongside defensive tackle Travis Jones, veterans Jenkins and Urban have played a significant part in eating blocks and crowding rushing lanes, which has allowed others to feast. If either of the two cannot play or is limited due to their illness, Tupou could see meaningful snaps. Even if the two do play, Tupou’s elevation makes it five run-stuffing-focused defensive linemen (Jones, Jenkins, Urban, Tupou, and C.J. Okoye) who could possibly play in Week 16.
Of course, Orr’s defense has plenty to worry about outside of the opposing rushing attack. However, if they can slow Henderson and company down and control the pace of the game, they should put themselves in a strong position to win.