The New England Patriots are coming off a tough loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 15 - the kind that stings, no doubt. But with the season still hanging in the balance, there's no time to dwell.
Up next? A primetime showdown against one of the AFC’s top contenders: the Baltimore Ravens.
This Sunday night matchup is more than just another game on the calendar. It's a chance for the Patriots to reset the tone and prove they can hang with the league’s heavyweights. And while the Ravens just flexed their muscles with a dominant 24-0 shutout over the Bengals, they’re heading into this one with a major hole in their defense.
Baltimore’s bounce-back win over Cincinnati came after a gut-punch loss to the Steelers in Week 14 - a game that raised some eyebrows about their consistency. But on Sunday, the Ravens looked locked in.
The defense smothered Joe Burrow’s backup-led offense, and the offense did enough to control the game from start to finish. Still, the win came at a steep cost.
Rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan, one of the breakout stories of the Ravens’ season, went down with a knee injury during the game. And the early reports aren’t promising. According to league sources, the team fears Buchanan suffered a torn ACL - a season-ending injury that would be a huge blow to a Baltimore defense that’s relied on him heavily all year.
Buchanan, a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft, wasn’t just a nice surprise - he became a core piece of the Ravens’ defensive identity. Through 14 games, he tallied 93 tackles, 0.5 sacks, one pass deflection and a forced fumble.
That’s not just solid production for a rookie - that’s impact-level play. He’s been the team’s second-leading tackler and a sideline-to-sideline presence who’s played well beyond his draft status.
With Buchanan likely out, Baltimore faces a tough task: replacing a player who’s been at the heart of their defensive success. That’s no easy fix, especially this late in the season. And for New England, it’s one less playmaker to game-plan against.
Still, the Patriots have their own issues to address. The offense has sputtered, and the defense hasn’t been able to carry the load the way it has in years past.
But with the lights shining bright on Sunday Night Football and kickoff set for 8:20 p.m. ET, there’s no better stage to turn things around.
This one has all the makings of a classic AFC battle - two proud franchises, plenty on the line, and a national audience watching. The Ravens may be down a key piece, but they’re still a heavyweight.
And the Patriots? They’ve got a shot to punch back and remind everyone they’re not done yet.