Ravens Roll Past Patriots in Foxborough
The Baltimore Ravens battled the New England Patriots Sunday with the Ravens coming away with a convincing 37-26 victory. This was the second straight week the Ravens have scored more then 30 points.
After a quick three and out by the Ravens offense, Lamar Jackson found tight end Mark Andrews for a five-yard score on the team second drive to get the scoring started. Jackson would find Andrews twice for scores with the second score coming with just under six minutes left in the second quarter. Jackson found Andrews for a jump ball over Patriots safety Devin McCourty for the 16-yard score.
After a 50-yard field goal by Patriots kicker Nick Folk to end the half the Ravens took a 14-13 lead into the half.
The Ravens offense would come out firing in the third quarter as Jackson threw his third and fourth touchdowns of the game. The third going to tight end Josh Oliver on a one-yard score, Oliver’s first career touchdown. Jackson would then find Devin Duvernay in the back of the end zone for a four-yard score, Jackson’s fourth and final touchdown pass of the day. A Josh Bynes interception of Mac Jones on the Patriots next possession would lead to a 56-yard field goal by Justin Tucker giving the Ravens a 31-20 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
After the collapse last week against the Dolphins in the fourth quarter the Ravens were determined to finish Sundays game against the Patriots strong. An interception by cornerback Marlon Humphrey stalled a Patriots drive at the goal line. The Ravens failed to score off the turnover however keeping the score locked at 31-20.
Kyle Hamilton would make the biggest play of his young NFL career as he chased down Patriots receiver Nelson Agholor punching the ball out from behind, recovered on the sideline by Marcus Peters. The Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson would leave no doubt about the outcome of this game following the fumble, as they would go on a seven play, 73 yard drive. Jackson would cap off the drive with a strong nine-yard touchdown drive to give the Ravens a 37-26 lead with three minutes to go in the game.
On the Patriots next possession Marcus Peters would seal the victory for the Ravens intercepting Mac Jones for the third time, giving the Ravens their second road win and moving them to 2-1 on the year.
With the return of J.K. Dobbins the run game looked much improved. While Dobbins only rushed for 23 yards on seven carries. Justice Hill had a strong day on the ground as he rushed for 60 yards on just six carries. But the story was Lamar Jackson who accounted for five total touchdowns, four passing and one on the ground. Jackson has looked like the league MVP through three games as he currently leads the NFL in passing touchdowns with 10.
The Ravens defense struggled at times against Mac Jones, only sacking the second year quarterback three times. The secondary struggled to corral Patriots receiver DeVante Parker who torched the Ravens for 156 yards on only five catches. But a strong second half, and big plays by Peters, Humphrey, and Hamilton showed the potential for this Ravens defense moving forward. The key now will be for the Ravens and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to have a strong performance for all four quarters.
The Ravens now turn their attention to the Buffalo Bills who come to Baltimore next Sunday for a battle of top AFC teams. Next Sundays matchup against the Bills will be a good test for the Ravens as they look to see how they stack up against the Bills, a team many experts considered to be the AFC representative in this years Super Bowl.
Injury Notes:
Justin Houston (Groin) Day-to-Day
Patrick Mekari (Ankle) Week-to-Week
Michael Pierce (Arm) MRI scheduled
Game Notes:
Lamar Jackson became the first Raven to throw for three touchdowns in the teams first three games.
Lamar Jackson rushed for over 100 yards for the second straight week.
Mark Andrews led all Ravens receivers with 89 yards.
Josh Bynes led all Ravens with 10 tackles.
Marcus Peter and Marlon Humphrey recorded their first interceptions of the season.
