Musket Fire
FanSided

The Patriots are entering the gauntlet of their schedule — or are they?

By Zachary Downing

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots leads his team onto the field before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 21: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots leads his team onto the field before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on October 21, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Running back Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackled is the Baltimore Ravens defense in the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Running back Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is tackled is the Baltimore Ravens defense in the first half at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens

This is a matchup that should be as thrilling as it is on paper.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson has become a superstar after using the offseason to transform from a player who sometimes resembles Tyrod Taylor into a player who often resembles Michael Vick, rushing for an astounding 576 yards already in just seven games. He’s on pace for 1,316 rushing yards this season, which would shatter Vick’s single-season record for a quarterback set back in 2006 (1,039 yards).

The Ravens also have some unsung heroes on offense in rookie wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and free agent addition runner Mark Ingram II; plus their defense is competent, ranking in the top half of yards and points allowed per game. This isn’t the classic suffocating Baltimore defense of seasons past, but where that side of the ball may be lacking a bit in 2019, the offense is all that much better this year.

On the down side, Jackson isn’t the most consistent quarterback when it comes to his arm. He only completed 51% of his passes against a bad Kansas City defense, and has only topped 300 passing yards once this year.

If New England can put a cork on Jackson’s running and force him to throw, they have a good shot at slicing the Ravens’ Achilles heel. It’ll be up to Jackson to see if he can have a career game through the air.

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