BALTIMORE — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ loss to the Ravens in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Patriots fall behind 17-0, can't fully recover, take first loss: Gotta tip your cap to Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, he used his bye week effectively and came out with a good plan that kept the Patriots' top-ranked defense on its toes as they scored on the first three possessions and racked up 198 yards. You just can't fall behind that far on the road and expect to win.
Defense humbled in loss: The Patriots' defense was not overrated in their first eight games. Even though the schedule was easy, they still played unbelievable football. But when they finally went up against a physical, run-first offense with a quarterback that you had to respect, the cracks that had shown against the Jets and Browns were exposed by the Ravens offense, which totaled 375 yards — almost 200 in the first quarter — and were 5 of 10 on third down, and dominated time of possession (over 35 minutes).
Edelman's fumble turns the game: The Patriots were driving on the opening possession of the second half, having clawed back to at 17-13 deficit and were threatening to take the lead. And then Julian Edelman caught a pass and fumbled going to the ground. Marlon Humphrey picked it up and returned it for a touchdown.
TURNING POINT
Edelman's fumble. At 24-13, you could feel the air go out of the Patriots. They were very close to taking the lead and suddenly they were down two scores again.
SECOND GUESS
Not having another good run defender on the defensive line. The Patriots basically have Lawrence Guy and Danny Shelton who are really good at defending the run. When they want to go to a three-man line in a 3-4, as they like to do against a good running team, the Patriots have no choice but to go with Adam Butler or Deatrich Wise, who are more pass rushers than anything. Maybe Michael Bennett could have helped in this game. Maybe not.
THREE UP
Mohamed Sanu: Caught 10 of 14 passes for 81 yards and a score in his first real action. Looked to be a real, reliable weapon for Brady.
James White: Had 84 yards on 11 touches and a touchdown. Was his usual self.
Tom Brady: Was under constant pressure again and made some really nice throws. Just didn't get a lot of help otherwise. Deserved better.
THREE DOWN
Marshall Newhouse: The left tackle had another rough game and didn't get much help in the blocking scheme either. Might want to give him a little more help.
Julian Edelman: He's the man, but his fumble could have been a 14-point swing.
Linebackers: Whether it was on the edge, against the run in the middle or in coverage, the lack of speed in the Patriots' linebacker group got exposed against a much faster Ravens group.
INJURIES
WR Phillip Dorsett: Sustained an injury on the opening drive but stayed in the game.
S Patrick Chung: Was often seen limping during the game but stayed in.
TOP PLAYS
.@Mo_12_Sanu's first #Patriots touchdown gets us on the board.#NEvsBAL | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/gPalA0xcb1
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 4, 2019
Defense back at it.
Forced by @KVN_03.
Recovered by @thatLGUY. pic.twitter.com/5dDNlmOEJP
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 4, 2019
????@TomBrady | @SweetFeet_White pic.twitter.com/acyNbPqsib
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 4, 2019
Juuuuuuules. @edelman11 | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/YYvbwXvwdX
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 4, 2019
Flying squirrel.@Edelman11 | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/aBtkY5daEw
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 4, 2019
.@SweetFeet_White finds the end zone. #NEvsBAL | #GoPats pic.twitter.com/k4pRw6QmWB
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 4, 2019
THREE TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
Patriots got pushed around on both lines: The Ravens largely gutted the Patriots' defensive line with inside runs in the early going as a good Ravens line shoved them around. On the other side, the Patriots' line just could not give Brady enough time to sort out the Ravens' coverage. Games are won on the lines in this league when two good teams matchup, and the Ravens were the better team there tonight.
Schedule helped the Ravens: Give Baltimore credit for doing what they had to do, but also take time to acknowledge they got a huge break by having the bye week before this matchup. Their coordinators obviously put it to good use. The Patriots also hadn't had their bye week, and they looked tired. I'd be interested in a rematch and I'm sure the Patriots would fare much better.
Patriots also got break, which makes this even worse: The Ravens had two terrible turnovers that gave the ball inside the Baltimore 20-yard line and gifted them 10 points. Patriots were just 2 of 5 in the red zone and in goal-to-go. The Ravens were 4 of 4 in both. That's your ballgame.