That stadium. Those fans. Those purple uniforms. That head coach.
I know, the thought of the Patriots visiting the Baltimore Ravens — while far from fearful considering the Patriots are 8-1 in the regular season against them — certainly conjures up feelings of a street fight where one possession can turn the tide. Think trash-talking, turnovers, sacks and bone-rattling hits.
That's what you expect when you go into M&T Bank Stadium to play the Ravens. That's what you're expecting when the Patriots face them on Sunday night.
Only ... this isn't your older brother's Ravens defense. This is actually a unit that the Patriots offense — even if it's current state as one of their least efficient units ever — should be able to do some damage against.
And if the Patriots' offense is again as sharp as a dull knife, and again has to rely on the defense to set them up to score with turnovers, then they really might serious issues.
Why is this a good matchup for the Patriots? After viewing some film, let us count the ways:
Downhill defense
We all know how good the Ravens were defensively for years, but even in recent seasons — like last year — they stacked up well on that side of the ball.
The Ravens' recent defensive efficiency ratings at FootballOutsiders.com:
2018: 3rd overall (3rd pass/6th run)
2017: 3rd (2nd/9th)
2016: 6th (10th/4th)
This season, the Ravens are 18th overall, 13th against the pass, and 21st against the run.
What's the issue? Well, for one, Patriots-killing defensive coordinator Dean Pees left to join Mike Vrabel and the Titans. Pees, a former Patriots DC, knew how Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels thought, and knew how to attack them.
In 2018 Pees was replaced by Don Martindale. He just doesn't have the same track record as Pees, and his unit lacks attention to detail.
They do not tackle well as a group. There seems to be a lot of communication breakdowns. This is the type of defense where the Patriots could use tempo and some trick plays to gain an advantage.
Who are these guys?
Departures have had a huge effect. This is no longer the fearsome personnel of years past. Pass rushers Terrell Suggs and Za'Darius Smith are gone. Eric Weddle was released. C.J. Mosley is with the Jets. The Ravens lost edge Pernell McPhee — their most physical presence — for the year.
They traded for Marcus Peters and should get Jimmy Smith and linebacker Patrick Onwuasor back this week, but this defense just isn't very talented. Safety Earl Thomas is nowhere near the player he was with the Jets.
The run defense is bad
The Patriots have admitted the running attack is nowhere near where it should be, and we've all seen the lackluster results. But if there's a game where the running game can make some hay and get back on track, this would be it.
The Ravens are not good against the run. Defensive tackle Brandon Williams is still an excellent player, but he'll be going against Patriots standout Joe Thuney most of the game. The rest of the Ravens' front seven is underwhelming and can be moved. The line should be able to open some holes against linemen Michael Pierce and Chris Wormley, and ends Jaylon Ferguson and Matthew Judon. The linebackers are undisciplined in their run fits.
As you can see below, you don't want to run the ball at Williams. But right guard and tackle — where the Patriots have underachieved behind Shaq Mason and Marcus Cannon — are the areas where Baltimore is weakest. Also, they're not great on the edges.
I'd be worried if the Patriots can't run the ball well this week.
No pass rush
The Ravens lost their second-leading pressure player (14 pressures, three sacks) when McPhee was put on IR. Judon, the right edge, leads the team with four sacks and 24 hurries. He's not that dominant but Patriots left tackle Marshall Newhouse is always a concern.
As long as Judon is neutralized — and he's not even that good — then the Ravens have to rely on bringing an extra rusher to get any pressure. When Baltimore brings four, they hardly get any traction. And the Ravens' blitzes are nowhere near as sophisticated as they were under Pees.
Time to go
This is the perfect opponent for the Patriots at this time. New England should be able to stay balanced, and that should give the Ravens a lot of issues. Baltimore is decent defensively when they can make the opponent one-dimensional. The addition of Smith gives them the ability to man up on the corners, and should mean Marlon Humphrey can be the third corner instead of Brandon Carr.
As long as the Patriots defense holds early and the offense doesn't turn the ball over, the Patriots should get into a rhythm offensively and with the bye week looming, I wouldn't mind seeing some tempo to keep the Ravens confused. Then look for the usual deceptive play that throws the Ravens for a loop.
This is the time for the Patriots' offense.
N'KEAL HARRY ACTIVATED, LACOSSE OUT
The Patriots activated receiver N'Keal Harry off injured reserve and I would expect him to be active and utilized some, likely in four-wide sets.
TE Matt LaCosse (ankle) is out again. That's probably wise. Perhaps with the bye week looming, he can finally get healthy. With no fullback and TE Eric Tomlinson released, not sure what the Patriots are going to do for extra blockers in the run game.
GAME PICK
Line: Patriots by 3. O/U: 44.5. Season: 8-0, 5-3 ATS.