After going defensive-heavy in my column and video analysis after the game, we decided to look a little harder at the offense in this edition of the Plays to a W. Rex Burkhead, Ryan Izzo, James White, J.C Jackson, Lamar Jackson and Jakobi Meyers all factor in heavily here.
You know who else does? On all three Patriots offensive plays, Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters is involved — and not in a good way. The Ravens could have some issues brewing there. Peters was someone I singled out in my scouting report:
I would go after LCB Marcus Peters all night, both with the run and pass. His focus wanes and he can be lazy at the point of attack against the run.
This was partly a great route by Meyers, and part Peters being lazy and unfocused. Meyers does a nice job with his double shakes, but Peters — despite being in man coverage and not zone — has his eyes in the backfield on Newton the entire time, and that allows Meyers to gain the space needed to convert. Peters then has a frustration penalty and the Patriots score one play later on Newton's jaunt to go up 20-10.
The Ravens are paying Peters way too much money ($15 million in cap space this year) to play like this.