FOXBOROUGH — Everything you need to know from the Patriots’ 23-17 win over the Ravens in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
HEADLINES
Patriots pull the upset: It wasn't pretty — and if you're expecting this group to throw up some Picasso's this season, you'll be waiting for a while — but the Patriots finished off the Ravens to move to 4-5. The Patriots are still 2 games out of the playoffs and 2.5 games back in the division, but the schedule does open up a bit here so the Patriots have a chance to gain some ground if they keep stacking success.
Jakobi Meyers throws a touchdown pass: You figured it was only a matter of time before the former college quarterback got a chance to show off his arm, and it happened against the Ravens — a team the Patriots love to throw a trick play at. Meyers' 24-yard perfect pass to Rex Burkhead gave the Patriots their first lead at 13-10.
Jakobi Meyers had the play of the first half!
The completion probability on his bomb to Rex Burkhead was 34 percent.#NextGenStats powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/BpWHOwlP5U
— Sunday Night Football (@SNFonNBC) November 16, 2020
TURNING POINT
The Patriots were up 20-10 with about 6 minutes left in third quarter when, after a 4-yard run by Damien Harris on first down, they had to call a timeout. The second down keeper by Newton went nowhere, and then after breaking the huddle on third down, the Patriots were completely unsettled and a rushed Newton ended up missing an open Meyers in the end zone for what would have been a commanding 17-point lead. Instead, they only got three points and those four points they left on the field loomed large for the rest of the game.
The Patriots aren't talented enough to miss an opportunity like that. The Patriots probably didn't want to burn a second timeout there, but it might have been worth it.
Luckily for the Patriots, it didn't end up costing them. But it was a tough stretch in the game and made this a much more difficult win to finish off.
SECOND GUESS
John Harbaugh's decision to run the Wildcat with a running back on 4th and 1 instead of Jackson, the reigning MVP. Mark Ingram fumbled, giving the Patriots great field possession for an eventual field goal.
THREE UP
RB Damien Harris: The third 100-yard game of his career
WR/QB Jakobi Meyers: His beauty of a pass was the best throw the Patriots have had all season, and he had a key third-down conversion on the final clock-killing drive.
CB J.C. Jackson: His interception for a fifth-straight game likely took three points off the board before halftime and the Patriots need every point they can save.
THREE DOWN
Right side of the FG line: Patriots leaked on a previous extra point, and they finally gave way on the one Nick Folk missed to cause the kicker to react and pull the kick left. It could have loomed large.
No others. Look, the Patriots held Jackson to 5.0 yards per attempt and the Ravens to 4.1 overall. The defense certainly leaked, but it worked to their advantage and helped with the upset.
INJURIES
None.
TWO TAKES BEDARD WILL PROBABLY REGRET LATER
The Patriots are ahead of where I had them before the season: Everyone was all concerned when the Patriots were 2-5, but before the season I actually had them starting 4-6 and winning the division at 10-6. Don't know what will happen, but the Patriots have a great shot against Houston next week to level their record at 5-5 with some winnable games down the stretch. The season, if a struggle, is still very much on.
Gilmore's absence seems to be an issue: Stephon Gilmore, who tweaked his knee in practice on Oct. 30th, missed another game despite practicing this week and initially being deemed a "minor" injury according to reports. Something seems amiss here. After leaving training camp and later getting a $5 million raise, Gilmore put his house on the market and set the trade deadline as the time offers had to be made. When the Patriots didn't trade him, it seems like that was a disappointment for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and this could be him acting out. Gilmore, who will be 31 early next season, has been trying to get a contract extension since the summer. He knows the Patriots aren't going to give him one.