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Baltimore depth chart 20228/18/2023 ![]() Thus far Jackson has been efficient throwing the ball, completing over 64 percent of his passes for 531 yards and six touchdowns against just one pick for 120.1 passer rating through two games. The problem when defending Baltimore's offense is the attention needed to contain Jackson often leads to trouble elsewhere. If the Ravens can't generate more from the backs, Jackson alone won't be enough to win this matchup. After being victimized by Jackson's legs in the first meeting back in 2019, the Patriots did a much better job in 2020, holding him to just 55 yards on 11 carries while eliminating the big plays. Lawrence Guy, Davin Godchaux, Christian Barmore and Deatrich Wise have been stout up front in both games and they'll need some disciplined play from Matthew Judon, Ja'Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai and the safeties in an effort to contain Jackson on the edges. He would join Kenyan Drake, Justice Hill and Mike Davis in the backfield, and none of them has produced much to this point. Dobbins has practiced in recent weeks and appears poised to return. ![]() Dobbins has yet to suit up while coming off a torn ACL suffered before last season. But Baltimore's backs have been held in check as J.K. The Ravens have enjoyed success with Lamar Jackson thus far, as the quarterback leads the team with 136 yards on the ground while averaging 9.1 yards per attempt. That's a dramatic improvement from what we've seen in recent seasons, and it will be put to the test against Baltimore's unique running game. New England ranks fifth in the league in both rushing yards allowed (78 per game) and per attempt (3.5). The Patriots run defense has been outstanding in the first two games, by far the best element of the team thus far. That could allow for a more efficient passing attack than what we've seen thus far, and it could lead to Jones getting comfortable early. Mac Jones isn't looking to air it out like Miami did, and if the Ravens focus on the deep ball it could open up opportunities for him to use Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor underneath like he did in Pittsburgh. ![]() Safeties Chuck Clark, Marcus Williams and rookie Kyle Hamilton will need to do a better job of eliminating the home run balls the Dolphins hit in the fourth quarter, and that could play right into the Patriots hands. In fairness, Humphrey was battling a groin injury that forced him off the field on several of the plays where damage was done. Tua Tagovailoa exploded for 469 yards passing and six touchdowns in the comeback win, repeatedly victimizing Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters, the Ravens talented cornerbacks. As a result Baltimore currently owns the worst pass defense in football, allowing 379 yards per game through the air. But watching the Ravens secondary implode in the fourth quarter against Miami was alarming. For two games the offense has been stuck in neutral, and although New England moved the ball more effectively in Pittsburgh than in the opener, the result was still just 17 points and 10 of those came off a muffed Steelers punt at the 10. It will be interesting to see if the Patriots unlocked something in the ground game on the final drive or if it was simply a solid drive to close out the win.īased on the first two weeks it's hard to imagine the Patriots getting the edge in an offensive category. ![]() The Patriots best stretch of the early going came in the final six minutes after the run game had been effectively bottled up for the first seven-and-a-half quarters of the season. Linebackers Patrick Queen and Josh Bynes do a good job of filling the holes inside and will be challenged by the Patriots tandem of Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson. Baltimore's front is strong with Justin Madubuike and Calais Campbell around nose tackle Michael Pierce. Miami averaged 3.4 yards per carry (17 carries for 58 yards) minus Edmonds' perfectly timed draw late when the Ravens were playing the pass. Otherwise, the Ravens have been their typically stingy selves when it comes to run defense. It's also an indication that Baltimore has allowed some big plays on the ground, one huge one coming from Miami's Chase Edmonds for 28 yards during the Dolphins game-winning drive in the closing seconds last week. That's an indication that Baltimore has been able to play with the lead and eliminated the opponent's ability to remain balanced. However, Baltimore is giving up 4.8 yards per rush, which is good for just 22nd overall. In terms of run defense, the Ravens allow just 84.5 yards per game through Week 2, which ranks eighth in the league. Baltimore has been a bit erratic defensively in the early going and it shows in all areas. ![]()
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