Ravens @ Patriots
Final Score: Baltimore 37, Patriots 26
Writer: Ryan McDonough (@RyanTalksFF on Twitter)
Objectively, this game was awesome. There were big plays, crucial mistakes made, and almost constant back-and-forth action. Selfishly, it was nice for me to cover a game that wasn’t an absolute dumpster fire to watch.
Right from the opening kickoff, it was clear that this was going to be yet another installment in what has become one of the better interdivisional rivalries in the NFL. Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews continued to display why they are in the top tier of QB-TE duos in the league, with several key conversions and multiple scores.
The Patriots came unraveled in the fourth quarter with multiple key turnovers but finally found their footing as an offensive unit. DeVante Parker put together a breakout performance on multiple deep balls, but it wasn’t enough to put the Patriots over the top in Sunday’s action.
Baltimore Ravens
Quarterback
Lamar Jackson: 18/29, 218 Yards, 4 TDINT | 11 Carries, 107 Yards, TD
There is simply no other way to say it. Lamar Jackson makes playing football at the NFL level look easy. His one hiccup came by way of an underthrown ball that was intercepted by Jonathan Jones. Besides that, Jackson looked poised in the pocket, frequently making the opposition look silly when he would roll out or take off on a designed run.
The Jackson 5
Tune in on FOX! pic.twitter.com/hT0X3LhONq
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 25, 2022
Lamar’s greatest improvement comes in the way that he has really developed his use of the touch pass. Even in his 2019 MVP campaign, Jackson often relied on ripping the ball through secondaries with all of his strength or taking the check down. His ability to throw with touch allows for his receivers to run different types of routes that were otherwise obsolete with his throwing style.
DUUUUUUUUUUUV!
Tune in on FOX! pic.twitter.com/PLUybzAfVw
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 25, 2022
Running Back
Justice Hill: 6 Carries, 60 Yards
J.K. Dobbins: 7 Carries, 23 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 17 Yards
While the biggest headline about the Ravens’ backfield should have been J.K. Dobbins playing in his first NFL action since the 2020 Divisional Round, it was actually Justice Hill that stole the show. Hill looked great on his cuts, patient in waiting for the hole to open, and all around more ready to play in all facets of the game than Dobbins did today. While it was Dobbins who received a lot more of the work earlier on, the Ravens elected to utilize Hill more often down the stretch, which proved to be a fruitful decision for the Baltimore staff. Hill rewarded them with several key plays in their second-half scoring drives, most notable when he ripped a 34-yard rush in the third quarter to set up his squad in great field position.
HUGE PLAY from @jhill21_ ❗️❗️
Tune in on FOX! pic.twitter.com/kjuuDjv9vs
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 25, 2022
Fantasy managers who have Dobbins on their roster can hang their hat on the fact that he was the only guy out of the backfield to get any targets. This is especially promising considering the fact that this was probably one of the biggest areas of improvement for Dobbins entering this season.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Mark Andrews: 13 Targets, 8 Receptions, 89 Yards, 2 TD
Rashod Bateman: 4 Targets, 2 Receptions, 59 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
Devin Duvernay: 2 Carries, -2 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 25 Yards, TD
Josh Oliver: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 8 Yards, TD
Isaiah Likely: 2 Targets, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
There is a real discussion to be had as to whether Mark Andrews is the best tight end in football. The guy is just on a different level in terms of finding weak spots in zones in order to dissect defenses. What makes Andrews especially dangerous is how he always seems to know when his quarterback is in trouble so that he can free himself to make a play. He has been doing this for years now, but it really is just absurd. Andrews’ first score came on an inside shovel pass that he basically went untouched on during the Ravens’ second drive of the game.
TOUCHDOWN, @Mandrews_81 ❗️❗️
Tune in on FOX! pic.twitter.com/H7uRW6yr5S
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 25, 2022
His other score came by way of going up and over Devin McCourty on a ball that appeared nearly impossible to catch.
ANOTHER ONE 🔥🔥🔥
Tune in on FOX! pic.twitter.com/oFXuWYJfVh
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 25, 2022
Outside of Andrews, the Ravens didn’t get a whole lot out of their receivers. Rashod Bateman had the ball ripped out of his hands for a fumble in the fourth quarter, but made up for it with a 35-yard reception later on. The most interesting part about Bateman’s performance today was how he was essentially nonexistent until the second half. Devin Duvernay continues to impress with his work as a kick returner, but also managed to haul in a score in the third quarter.
New England Patriots
Quarterback
Mac Jones: 22/32, 321 Yards, 3 INT | 5 Carries, 31 Yards, TD
Patriots fans (myself included) are hoping that Mac Jones‘ injury that he sustained at the end of this game isn’t a substantial one that would cost him his season. It really was a tale of two Macs today, as there were times that the sophomore quarterback looked razor sharp with his precision and making all the right reads. Then, the fourth quarter rolled around and Mac seemingly threw any and all awareness out the window and tried to play hero ball. Now, this hero ball did pay off a couple of times to help his squad build momentum on crucial drives, but also came back to bite them later on an ill-advised prayer of a pass that was intercepted by Marlon Humphrey of all people.
We saw Mac be a lot more mobile in his performance on Sunday, so it should be interesting to see if that would continue should the injury not be serious.
https://twitter.com/IanSteeleABC6/status/1574119945369165825?s=20&t=woftPjge-lxw6kz2JlCiNg
Keeping it for the score.@MacJones_10 | #ForeverNE
📺 on @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/xgQwlN0egD
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 25, 2022
Running Back
Rhamondre Stevenson: 12 Carries, 73 Yards, TD | 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 28 Yards
Damien Harris: 11 Carries, 41 Yards, TD | 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 5 Yards
I am just going to come out and say it. Rhamondre Stevenson is a better player than Damien Harris, it is just that simple. Stevenson constantly makes something out of nothing, eats contact to gain extra yardage, and is blatantly more serviceable in the passing attack. This does not go as far as to say that Harris isn’t a solid player out of the backfield, but it does frequently seem as though he needs everything to be just right in order to see any success in his attempts. It is rather baffling to see the Patriots continue to split their time so evenly, despite Rhamondre putting carry after carry together of solid yardage.
https://twitter.com/FTBeard7/status/1574098014397861888?s=20&t=woftPjge-lxw6kz2JlCiNg
Whether Mac is going to miss significant time or not, fantasy managers should really be gearing up for the Rhamondre Stevenson breakout week, because it is absolutely coming. The amount of times he slipped into the middle of the field after chipping the linebacker is a really promising sign for those who are familiar with the way that the Patriots’ offense typically operates.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
DeVante Parker: 10 Targets, 5 Receptions, 156 Yards
Kendrick Bourne: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 58 Yards, 1 Fumble (Recovered)
Nelson Agholor: 3 Targets, 2 Receptions, 41 Yards, 1 Fumble (Lost)
Jonnu Smith: 4 Targets, 4 Receptions, 25 Yards
Hunter Henry: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
It is one of the worst-kept secrets in the league that the Ravens have the worst defense against the pass in the NFL. Fantasy managers should be checking the schedule weekly to see if anyone on their roster is slated to play against Baltimore that week. In the first three weeks of the season, the Ravens have given up: 77 yards to Corey Davis, 190 yards to Tyreek Hill, 171 yards to Jaylen Waddle, and now 156 yards to DeVante Parker.
DeVante Parker getting involved early. Good sign. https://t.co/HWCNdyHoUG
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) September 25, 2022
This is by no means intended as a knock on Parker, as he really seemed to piece together a solid performance utilizing his innate ability to win contested balls and break tackles to pick up extra yardage.
DeVante Parker having yourself a day!! https://t.co/boGYaTLuVs
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) September 25, 2022
Kendrick Bourne was finally let out of the dog house due to the absence of Jakobi Meyers and continued to display great chemistry with his quarterback. After Nelson Agholor gave up that costly fumble in the fourth quarter, watch for Bourne to slide in as the third wide receiver in this offense for at least the next couple of weeks.
The Patriots’ use of their tight ends continues to confuse me, as they have strayed away from their renowned 12 personnel on offense and have instead opted to bring in their wide receivers. With this shift in offensive philosophy, Jonnu Smith has emerged as the volume leader at the position, being featured a lot more than last year’s darling, Hunter Henry. Smith is known around the league as one of the best run-after-the-catch players, so unlocking that in this New England offense has to be a top priority.