New England Patriots Defeat Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football, 23-17

New England Patriots didn’t lose their championship mentality, and they showed that on Sunday Night Football, beating the Baltimore Ravens, 23-17.

Bill Belichick’s side defeated one of the biggest Super Bowl favorites, indicating that they might be back on track when it comes to the playoff hunt. After several struggling games, it seems that the Pats (4-5) are slowly finding their rhythm, and what is more important, they are bringing back the championship mentality. After an ugly win against the Jets last week, they now beat the Ravens (6-3), with an identical approach.

Cam Newton was rational, Rex Burkhead lethal, Jacoby Meyers was the creative one, while Damien Harris did a ton of dirty work in this event. On the other side, the defense was rock-solid, and they stepped up when needed the most, in the fourth quarter, shutting down one of the best attacks in the league.

They posted 19 disruptions in this match, one sack, two QB hits, and 16 pressures, with Chase Winovich posting 11 alone.

“This was a great day to be a Patriot,” he said following the game.

Willie Snead delivered the initial points in this event, with his first of two TD scores of the game. After that the Pats posted three TDs, getting away to 23-10, before Snead added his second end-zone trip.

Two of the Pats’ touchdowns were by Rex Burkhead, one coming from Cam Newton and the other from Jacoby Meyers, for a 24-yard score. This is nothing odd for all those who know Meyers because he played quarterback in high school.

Cam Newton had one TD pass and one TD rush, with the former MVP ending the night without turnovers and with 118 yards through the air. He was once again fascinated with Bill Belichick’s knowledge and surprises.

“I’m beginning to think he either has like a Staples easy button or a Buffalo Wild Wings button or just a straight direct line to the football gods because he’s like a football whisperer when it comes to anticipating what the game’s going to be like,” said Newton.

Damien Harris had 22 carries for 121 yards, and probably had the greatest impact of all the Patriots’ offensive players. The grinding coming from his side was massive, often moving the chains and controlling the clock once New England went up.

The @Patriots unleash the DOUBLE PASS.

Newton to Meyers to Burkhead to take the lead! #GoPats

📺: #BALvsNE on NBC
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/l0xejbcXLl pic.twitter.com/jZN33HPmCD

— NFL (@NFL) November 16, 2020

The Ravens, however, failed to show up again, especially their offense, who had three drives in the final quarter, none of them with more than 13 yards. Lamar Jackson posted 249 passing yards, with two TD tosses and one pick, running for 55 yards too.

“We’re just going to stick together. We’re going to build,” Jackson said. “It’s one team, one goal. We’re good.”

After losing LT Ronnie Stanley, TE Nick Boyle also picked up an injury that ended his campaign. On top of that, they have four defensive starters with health issues, Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams, Jimmy Smith, and LJ Fort.

The doctors will have to do their job fast, because of the Ravens’ upcoming two games. The first is against the Tennessee Titans in Baltimore, but after that comes a big divisional derby in Pittsburgh against the Steelers.

Pats have a lighter schedule, as they visit the sorry Houston Texans first before coming back home to face the Arizona Cardinals. These two matches will be defining when it comes to their playoff prospects.