After losing to the Bills last week, the Patriots are not in a position to win the AFC East on Sunday night against the Ravens, but they can clinch a playoff berth with a win, while inching closer to stealing the division for the first time since 2019.
Based on how they played last week in Foxboro, that's not going to be easy against a consistent AFC favorite like the Ravens, even though it looks like they will have most of their players who were given questionable statuses for the game back on the field.
The defense, in particular, is going to have a tough outing when they line up against a stacked offense led by QB Lamar Jackson, RB Derrick Henry, and WR Zay Flowers. All are powerhouses at their position, with the explosiveness and speed to make defenses pay far more often than they get a win.
And that was made even clearer by Christian Gonzalez with his comments earlier in the week, as he reminded fans just how stacked Baltimore's offense is and the challenge that presents for them.
Christian Gonzalez is ready for the challenge against a deep Ravens' offensive roster
The cornerback spoke to reporters before the team left for Sunday's game and listed almost every offensive starter they'll have to shut down, which is not exactly a confidence booster for fans hoping they bounce back from last weekend's collapse.
It was an immediate reminder of why the Patriots are considered underdogs this week.
#Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez on the Ravens:
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) December 18, 2025
“Lamar [Jackson], everybody knows what he can do… Complete game changer. Has the ability to change the game with his legs and also his arm… [Derrick] Henry’s been playing amazing… They have a lot of really good skill players. Zay… pic.twitter.com/BzPq4rACOH
The Ravens might be going into this game with a 7-7 record, but it's not because of a lack of talent; it's more attributed to untimely injuries that wrecked their season.
The most notable name that has missed time this year will be on the field for Sunday's game, so the Patriots' defense will need to be prepared for anything and everything, which is a tall task when the opposing quarterback is a former MVP, and their top running back has already eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards this season. And that doesn't even include their deep receiving corps.
It's a tough matchup for the defense after getting blown out by the Bills in the second half last week, as the Ravens have a far more talented roster with more players to account for.
The hope is that the Patriots will use last week's meltdown as motivation to come out swinging in this game and play tough for all four quarters. They might not technically need the win, but they definitely need to prove they're a legitimate competitor again, or risk losing out on what could have been the best season they've had since Tom Brady was the quarterback.