Patriots Defense Gets Shredded By Ravens 37-20, First Loss of the Season
Monday, November 04, 2019
PHOTO: Jeffrey Beall/Wikipedia
The Patriots defense allowed the Ravens to rush for 213 yards, en route to giving up a total of 375 yards.
New England didn’t have an answer for Baltimore quarter Lamar Jackson who rushed for two touchdowns an 63 yards on 14 carries.
“I think overall it was just their whole offense. We knew they had one of the best running attacks in the NFL and they were able to run the ball. I think because we struggled to stop the run, it pretty much gave them control of the game,” said Patriots safety Devin McCourty in his post-game press conference.
Prior to Sunday, New England's defense was on a historic pace after the first eight games. However, those games were against teams many of the weakest teams in the league.
“It’s a week by week thing, and I say that every week, I don’t care if we win or we lose or what happens, it’s a week by week thing, so this week it didn’t work out, we didn’t win,” McCourty added.
The loss drops the Patriots 8-1 on the season, while Baltimore improves to 6-2 on the year.
Edelman Turnover Halts Momentum
Despite first-half problems, the Patriots entered the third quarter trailing just 17-13 with the ball.
Starting on their own 25, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady connected with Julian Edelman for three yards and then Mohamed Sanu for 11 yards and 15 yards respectively.
Using the no-huddle offense, the Patriots drove the ball to the Baltimore 30-yard line with all the momentum.
On first and ten from the Ravens 30, Brady connected with Edelman in the flat. Edelman made the first man miss before fumbling the ball.
The ball was picked up by Marlon Humphrey and returned 70 yards for a touchdown to make the score 24-13.
“He was just trying to get yards and they made a good play, give them credit, those are the types of plays good defenses make. He avoided the one tackler and then the other guy punched the ball out. I was happy the way we responded, came back scored again,” said Brady in his post-game press conference.
On New England’s next possession, Brady drove the Patriots down the field again, this time resulting in a James White one-yard touchdown run to make the score 24-20 after a Nick Folk extra point was good.
However, the Patriots then needed a defensive stop, and they couldn’t get it.
On the Ravens ensuing possession, Baltimore drove 81 yards on 14 plays, including converting on a fourth and four, resulting in a Jackson five-yard touchdown pass to Nick Boyle.
The drive took up a total of eight minutes.
On New England’s next possession, the Patriots had third and ten from the Baltimore 48 yard-line.
On the play, Brady threw the ball deep down the middle of the field and it was intercepted by Earl Thomas.
It appeared that the pass was intended for Sanu, though he was not all that close to where the ball ended up.
The Ravens capitalized on the turnover, ending that drive with a one-yard touchdown run to make the score 37-20 and seal the win.
“Give them credit, they were better then we were tonight, certainly the better team. We just all have to do a better job,” said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the game.
Near Disastrous 1st Half
If not for Baltimore turnovers that would help New England get back in the game, the first half was nearly a disaster for the Patriots.
Baltimore opened the game with an 11-play, 75-yard drive resulting in a three-yard touchdown run by Jackson to take a 7-0 lead.
After the Patriots offense went four-and-out on their first possession, the Ravens would respond with another 11-play drive resulting in a Justin Tucker field goal to take a 10-0 lead into the second quarter.
The Ravens would add to their lead in the second quarter when running back Gus Edwards rushed in from 12 yards out to put the Ravens up 17-0.
The touchdown was sparked by a 53-yard run by Mark Ingram.
Momentum then changed when former Patriot, now Raven, Cyrus Jones muffed a punt return on his own 19-yard-line and the Patriots recovered.
Four plays later, Brady connected with Sanu for a four-yard touchdown pass to make the score 17-7 after a Folk extra point.
Brady finished the game completing 30 of 46 passes for 285 yards and a touchdown, as well as, an interception.
Two Baltimore possessions later, Kyle Van Noy would force a fumble from Ingram on his own 11-yard line. The fumble was recovered by New England's Lawrence Guy.
However, New England would only get a field goal out of it to make the score 17-10.
The Patriots would add another field goal just before the half to cut the Ravens lead to 17-13 at the break.
Good Day for Sanu
One positive for the Patriots in the game was the play of Sanu.
After having just four catches and a couple of drops in his first game with the Patriots, Sanu hauled in ten passes for 81 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore.
Brady connected with him over the middle, on out routes toward the sideline and in the flat.
He has targeted a total of 14 times in the contest.
Next Up
The Patriots have a bye next week.
They will return to action on Sunday, November 24 when they visit the Philadelphia Eagles.
Game time is set for 4:25 p.m.
Related Articles
- What to Watch For: Patriots vs Redskins
- NEW: Patriots Sign Kicker Mike Nugent to Replace Gostkowski
- NEW: Patriots Overcome Shaky Start to Cruise Past Redskins 33-7
- Patriots Release Tight End Ben Watson
- What to Watch For: Giants vs Patriots
- Patriots Place Gostkowski on Injured Reserve
- NEW: Defense Comes Up Big as Patriots Edge Bills 16-10
- Antonio Brown Blasts Patriots Owner Kraft in Twitter Tirade
- Patriots Roll Jets 30-14, Gordon Breakout Game, Edelman Leaves Before the Half
- Patriots Place Brown Grad Develin on Injured Reserve
- What to Watch For: Patriots vs Bills
- Patriots Beat Giants 35-14, Gordon Leaves Before Half
- Patriots Re-Sign Tight End Ben Watson
- NEW: Patriots Beat Browns 27-13 Behind Big Day from Defense & Edelman
- What to Watch For: Browns vs Patriots
- NEW: Patriots Sign Kicker Nick Folk After Releasing Nugent
- Patriots Left Tackle Isaiah Wynn Returns from Injured Reserve
- Patriots Release Gordon from Injured Reserve, Receiver Now Goes Through Waivers
- Patriots Trade Bennett to Dallas for 7th Round Pick
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It