The Patriots are just one day out from their final primetime matchup of the season, this week against the hungry Baltimore Ravens, and they hope to prove that how they fared against the Bills last week was not an accurate representation of who they are, especially with the playoffs right around the corner.
Their second-half collapse last Sunday was one for the ages, as their offense played nearly perfectly at the start, and the defense kept Josh Allen out of the end zone until the final minutes of the second quarter, only to play the complete opposite in the final 30 minutes.
It was an embarrassing effort for a defense that has been a notable defense for much of the season, even with some of their best players out of the lineup. But how badly they failed last week is not how the Ravens are viewing their upcoming opponent, at least according to one offensive lineman, who just raised the stakes for the Patriots' defense on Sunday.
The Patriots' defense has a good reputation before facing the Ravens, but they have a lot to prove
Speaking to reporters earlier in the week, Tyler Linderbaum shared his thoughts on New England's defensive roster and praised their production this season.
He went so far as to claim they're one of the better front sevens Baltimore will face this season, which is saying a lot given who they've already played.
“Overall, [New England’s] defense as a whole is a really hard-nosed group that plays the game the right way. Tough, physical, everything you’re looking for in a defense to play for…I think it’s gonna be one of the better d-lines and front sevens that we go against all year.”
At one point during the Patriots' win streak, there would have been a fair argument to make that the defensive line was playing at a high level and could be up there with some of the best in the league this season. That has changed drastically in the wake of Milton Williams' injury, along with other players missing time like Robert Spillane and Khyiris Tonga, on top of Christian Barmore's roller coaster year.
Although Spillane and Williams won't be suited up on Sunday, the rest of the defense will need to step up their performance and do a better and more consistent job of shutting down Lamar Jackson and Co., or risk losing another brutal loss, just as they did last week.
They might not need the win on Sunday Night Football, since they're still one game ahead of the Bills and could end the season with a tied record with a Buffalo win and a loss, but having the one-game cushion over their divisional rival is much better to end the season.
It moves them one step closer to locking up the AFC East for the first time since 2019, and would further prove that the Patriots are a far better team than anyone is giving them credit for. Beating the Ravens would put them back on the map, so let's hope they can get it done.