The New England Patriots are heading into a crucial late-season matchup with more questions than answers on the defensive side of the ball - and unfortunately for them, Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are not the team you want to face when your defense is still searching for its identity.
Let’s set the stage: the playoff picture is tightening, and this week could bring major movement. According to Tom Pelissero, nine teams have a shot to clinch postseason berths, with the Broncos even in position to lock up the AFC’s top seed.
For the Patriots, it’s simple: win or tie and they’re in. But even if they don’t handle business themselves, losses or ties by the Colts or Texans could still punch their ticket.
Baltimore, meanwhile, is locked in a high-stakes race with the Steelers for the AFC North crown. Every game matters, and the Ravens are playing like a team that knows it.
And that’s where things get dicey for New England.
Facing Lamar Jackson is never easy - especially when he’s healthy, confident, and operating at full throttle. After working through injuries earlier in the season, Jackson looks like he’s rounding back into MVP-caliber form. That’s bad news for a Patriots defense that’s been leaking oil in recent weeks.
Just look at what happened against Buffalo. New England couldn’t get off the field.
The Bills averaged seven yards per play in the second half, and once they got into the red zone, it was game over - every single time. No stops, no pressure on Josh Allen, and no answers.
That’s not just a rough outing; that’s a red flag, especially with the playoffs looming.
Phil Perry put it bluntly: “The defense couldn't get a stop. They allowed seven yards per play in the second half, and that, to me, is the story.
Couldn't stop the run, couldn't pressure Josh Allen. (The Bills) went crazy in the red zone.
Every time they got inside the 20, they scored. That continues to be a problem for the New England Patriots' defense.”
And while the offense didn’t exactly light it up either, the defense’s inability to make key stops down the stretch was the defining issue.
Contrast that with what’s happening in Baltimore. The Ravens just dismantled the Bengals, and it wasn’t just a Sunday surge - it started during the week. According to cornerback Marlon Humphrey, the intensity in practice was off the charts.
“Honestly, it was crazy how we practiced,” Humphrey said. “I was actually sore on Saturday because we went so hard on Friday.
The message, ‘Hey, we’ve got to practice well.’ I feel like guys really took it to heart.
It kind of did get a little contagious. You walk in the locker room, and people are talking about, ‘You had game reps in practice.’
Bodies were in a lot of places this week during practice.”
That kind of preparation doesn’t just show up in the box score - it shows up in how a team imposes its will. And right now, the Ravens are doing just that.
So here we are: the Patriots, trying to patch up a defense that’s struggling to get stops, and the Ravens, sharpening their edge as they push for playoff positioning. Something’s got to give. And if New England doesn’t find a way to tighten things up - fast - they could find themselves on the wrong end of a statement win by a Baltimore team that’s peaking at the right time.