Musket Fire
FanSided

Who are the New England Patriots’ top threats to going 16-0?

By Patrick Morgan

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 08: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on during the game between the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 12: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball against Matt Elam #33 of the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on December 12, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA – DECEMBER 12: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots runs with the ball against Matt Elam #33 of the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on December 12, 2016 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

1. Baltimore Ravens

In light of all the events that transpired around the league in Week 1, it’s hard not to be concerned about the Patriots’ Week 9 trip to Baltimore. The Ravens went down to Miami last Sunday and absolutely embarrassed the Dolphins by a final score of 59-10, showing just how far quarterback Lamar Jackson has come after a full offseason spent as the team’s unquestioned starting signal-caller.

To be fair, the Ravens were also playing the Dolphins. While Miami has staunchly denied reports and accusations that the franchise is in full-blown tank mode to try and get in better draft position next year, everything they’ve actually done seems to refute that notion. The Dolphins jettisoned many of their best players in order to accumulate future draft picks, and no one’s taking Ryan Fitzpatrick or Josh Rosen very seriously as legitimate starting quarterbacks.

All this being said, the Ravens still manhandled Miami through and through. As explosive as Baltimore was on offense, they were just as powerful and clamp-down on defense.

The trio of Mark Ingram, Justice Hill, and Gus Edwards at running back looks like it could lead the Ravens to the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL this year. Their pair of former Sooner skill position players, wideout Marquise Brown and tight end Mark Andrews, both had field days against the Dolphins, and they should be among the most-added players in fantasy football this week.

Baltimore has proven in recent years that they’re not afraid of New England, and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is one of the most well-respected football minds around. Assuming that second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson’s outing wasn’t just a one-time fluke, and that his throwing mechanics really are as drastically improved as they appeared to be on Sunday, this Ravens team is extremely capable of beating the Patriots at home on November 3.

Next. How will the NFL, Patriots handle Antonio Brown controversy?. dark

Let’s just hope it doesn’t happen that way.

If New England can maintain the exemplary levels of play they showcased Sunday night against the Steelers across a full season – and escape without any major injuries to their players along the way – there’s absolutely no reason to think this team couldn’t conceivably finish with a perfect record of 16-0 heading into the playoffs.

Home/Patriots News