Ravens vs. Patriots scouting report for Week 3: Who has the edge?

Ravens vs. Patriots scouting report for Week 3: Who has the edge? [ad_1]

The Ravens will test to get again on keep track of following their epic collapse against the Miami Dolphins. The New England Patriots are not the titanic opponent they have been a few many years ago, but they even now have a stingy defense and the biggest mentor of all time in Monthly bill Belichick. Who has the benefit going into 7 days 3?

Ravens passing recreation vs. Patriots go protection

The Ravens wasted a person of the ideal passing performances of Lamar Jackson’s job (21 of 29, 318 yards, 3 TD) in their 42-38 decline to the Dolphins. Jackson benefited from a thoroughly clean pocket created by the Ravens’ offensive line, and he was sharp on both of those timing and contact passes. His top rated two targets, large receiver Rashod Bateman and tight conclusion Mark Andrews, the two surpassed 100 yards towards Miami, and Bateman has set up himself as a deep danger with landing catches of 55 and 75 yards in the to start with two weeks. The 2021 first-round draft decide on is a chore for any cornerback to cover due to the fact of his quick, cleanse releases from the line of scrimmage. Devin Duvernay, who cleared concussion protocol and returned to exercise Friday, has emerged as an economical No. 2 vast receiver, with six catches on 6 targets in the very first two video games. The Ravens also obtained rookie limited close Isaiah Likely likely (4 catches on 5 targets, 43 yards) from Miami right after he was shut out in his debut. Through two game titles, Jackson has taken two sacks for a combined decline of 2 yards and thrown just one interception, important improvements on his efficiency from 2021. He wore a padded sleeve on his proper elbow in follow Wednesday and was detailed as a limited participant but claimed he will play Sunday.

The Patriots said goodbye to their top rated cornerback, J.C. Jackson, in the offseason, and incumbent starter Jalen Mills, who is questionable with a hamstring injuries, has performed poorly in the first two months. But Belichick commonly finds a way. New England rated second in pass protection final season and ranks ninth so far this year. The Patriots also missing to the Dolphins but performed far better in opposition to Tua Tagovailoa In 7 days 1 than the Ravens did in 7 days 2. They have blitzed on 30% of dropbacks, up from 23% previous calendar year. Former Ravens outdoors linebacker Matthew Judon is off to a strong start with two sacks and five quarterback hits. Defensive stop Deatrich Clever Jr. has also played very well.

EDGE: Ravens

Patriots passing sport vs. Ravens pass protection

It is difficult to say the Ravens have an benefit more than any opponent immediately after Tagovailoa’s passes sailed around their damaged coverages to the tune of 199 fourth-quarter yards. Patriots second-calendar year quarterback Mac Jones is off to a sluggish get started, with just two touchdown passes and two interceptions. He ranks 26th in ESPN’s complete QBR statistic. New England has invested intensely in its broad receivers and limited ends with blended results to display for it. Wide receiver Jakobi Meyers has been Jones’ leading target this yr, with 13 catches for 150 yards, but he skipped follow 2 times with a knee personal injury and is questionable to perform. Limited ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry have merged for just five catches on 11 targets. Patriots blockers have completed a great position keeping Jones clean up.

The Ravens have to hope their secondary is more healthy this 7 days. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey performed properly against the Dolphins but is questionable to play with a groin injury. His lover, Marcus Peters, is also confined, participating in 44 of 71 defensive snaps in his initially recreation again following missing previous season with a torn ACL. Brandon Stephens (quadriceps) did not play in opposition to Miami but returned to apply Wednesday. Tagovailoa took gain of rampant miscommunication in the Baltimore secondary, connecting with Tyreek Hill for 48- and 60-yard touchdowns as the Dolphins rallied from a 3-touchdown deficit. The Ravens also struggled to build meaningful tension as their edge rushers, Odafe Oweh and Justin Houston, appeared to tire late in the sport. It was an all-close to catastrophe for a protection that concluded last versus the go in 2021 but expects to do much better in 2022. On the bright side, protection Marcus Williams has 3 interceptions in his very first two game titles as a Raven.

EDGE: Even

Ravens managing activity vs. Patriots operate defense

Jackson was the Ravens’ jogging video game versus the Dolphins, with 119 yards on nine carries, such as a 79-lawn landing that set them up 35-14 at the end of the third quarter. The landing, with Jackson exploding up the middle as two other potential runners swept appropriate, was a reminder of offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s nifty participate in layouts. But the Ravens have struggled mightily to squeeze production from jogging backs Kenyan Drake, Mike Davis and Justice Hill, who blended for 28 yards on 14 carries towards Miami. The Ravens’ incapability to transform in brief-yardage scenarios assisted aid the Dolphins’ comeback. Coach John Harbaugh explained opponents have dedicated excess gentleman power to stopping the jogging attack but acknowledged his team has to do improved. The return of No. 1 operating back, J.K. Dobbins, would assistance, but Harbaugh reported he’s nonetheless 7 days-to-week as he recovers from a major knee personal injury.

The Patriots have limited opponents to 156 dashing yards in excess of the 1st two months right after position 22nd versus the operate previous time. Linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley (12 tackles) has played perfectly, though former Ravens Lawrence Person and Carl Davis stay contributors on the interior.

EDGE: Patriots

Patriots operating activity vs. Ravens run protection

The Patriots remain a dedicated functioning staff but have averaged just 3.8 yards for every carry, 22nd in the league. That’s not the fault of their lead runner, Damien Harris, who has 24 carries for 119 yards right after he averaged 4.6 yards for every carry and scored 15 touchdowns last period.

The Ravens led the league in operate protection previous 12 months, and opponents have rushed just 35 periods versus them by way of two game titles, but they are enabling 4.8 yards for every try. Defensive deal with Justin Madubuike and nose tackle Michael Pierce have performed perfectly. Veteran linebacker Josh Bynes has struggled, with two tackles in 69 defensive snaps, when fellow linebacker Patrick Queen has remained on the subject for just about every defensive participate in, earning a respectable operate-protection quality from Pro Soccer Emphasis.

EDGE: Ravens

Ravens specific groups vs. Patriots distinctive groups

The Ravens concluded initially in Soccer Outsiders’ distinctive-groups DVOA in 2021. All-Pro Justin Tucker produced his only industry-intention attempt from 51 yards in opposition to the Dolphins and is excellent on the season. Duvernay returned the opening kickoff 103 yards for a landing. Rookie Jordan Stout struggled in his second sport, with a net average of 36.5 yards on two punts.

The Patriots have usually emphasized particular teams below Belichick but have not played up to their lofty requirements more than the very last two many years. Kicker Nick Folk has made just one of two makes an attempt this time. 3 Patriots have averaged 28.3 yards on 4 put together kickoff returns.

EDGE: Ravens

Ravens intangibles vs. Patriots intangibles

The Patriots are not the automated playoff staff they have been for so several years with Tom Brady at quarterback. But Belichick has hardly ever been easy to outmaneuver, in particular at home, the place the Patriots have had their way with the Ravens in the common time. They shut down Jackson in a 23-17 upset the previous time the groups achieved in 2020, a sport marred by large rain and wind.

Harbaugh, in the meantime, has to rally his workforce from a person of its most embarrassing residence defeats and hope his secondary is wholesome plenty of to keep a mediocre offense in look at. The Ravens will truly feel urgency not to drop to 1-2 with the pink-very hot Buffalo Charges on their way to Baltimore in 7 days 4.

EDGE: Patriots

Prediction

The Patriots do not have plenty of offensive weapons to retain up with the variety of effectiveness Jackson shipped from Miami. So the query is irrespective of whether Belichick can devise a way to throw off the Ravens quarterback. An additional shootout would be a shock. The Baltimore defense will come across its footing adequate to support Jackson pull out a tough street gain. Ravens 27, Patriots 20.

()

[ad_2]