The Ravens got right back on track in Week 15, and they did it in emphatic fashion. A 24-0 shutout of the Cincinnati Bengals wasn’t just a win-it was a statement.
Baltimore controlled the game in all three phases, flexing the kind of dominance that reminds you why they’re still very much in the playoff conversation. But even with that bounce-back performance, the road ahead doesn’t get any easier.
Here’s the reality: the Ravens are still trailing the Steelers by a game in the AFC North, and the stretch run isn’t doing them any favors. According to Tankathon, Baltimore has the third-toughest remaining schedule in the league.
Their playoff chances sit at 38%, but here’s the silver lining-if they win out, they’re in. Simple math, difficult execution.
And it all starts with a Sunday Night Football showdown against the New England Patriots at home.
Offensive Line Under the Microscope
If there’s one area Baltimore knows it has to clean up, it’s the offensive line. The unit has been inconsistent all season, and that’s putting it kindly. Center Tyler Linderbaum didn’t sugarcoat the challenge ahead when he spoke to the media after Wednesday’s practice.
“[New England’s] defense as a whole is a really hard-nosed group that plays the game the right way,” Linderbaum said. “Tough, physical, everything you’re looking for in a defense to play for…I think it’s gonna be one of the better d-lines and front sevens that we go against all year.”
He’s not wrong. The Patriots may not be lighting up the stat sheet, but they bring a physical, disciplined front that can cause problems-especially for an offensive line that’s allowed 40 sacks through 15 weeks, eighth-most in the NFL. That number reflects more than just protection breakdowns; it’s a mix of coverage sacks, Lamar Jackson’s mobility (and occasional tendency to hold the ball), and yes, flat-out missed assignments up front.
Patriots’ Front Seven: Underrated but Dangerous
Don’t let the Patriots’ sack total fool you-they’re tied for 20th in the league with 29-but the talent up front is legit. Christian Barmore and Harold Landry III headline a group that thrives on disruption, even if it doesn’t always end in a sack.
Landry, in his first year with New England, has been a bright spot. He’s racked up 8.5 sacks and consistently applies pressure off the edge.
Barmore, meanwhile, doesn’t have the sack numbers, but his impact is undeniable-his 37 pressures are tied for the most among all defensive tackles this season. That’s elite company.
Add in K’Lavon Chaisson, who’s chipped in 6.5 sacks of his own, and you’ve got a front seven that can get after the quarterback in waves.
The good news for Baltimore? They’ll avoid facing Milton Williams, New England’s standout defensive tackle, who remains on injured reserve with an ankle injury suffered back in mid-November. That’s a big absence for the Patriots, and one the Ravens have to exploit.
Time for the Guards to Step Up
The spotlight now shifts to Baltimore’s interior line, particularly the guard duo of Andrew Vorhees and Daniel. This is a matchup where they can’t afford to be anything less than solid. If they get overwhelmed by New England’s interior pressure, it could be a long night for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense.
This game is going to be won-or lost-in the trenches. The Ravens have the playmakers to compete with anyone, but if the offensive line doesn’t hold up, all that talent gets neutralized. Sunday night offers a chance to prove they can rise to the occasion when it matters most.
With the playoff race tightening and every snap carrying more weight, Baltimore’s offensive line doesn’t just need to improve-they need to set the tone. The Patriots are coming to punch first. The Ravens better be ready to punch back.