Ravens Team Grades: Comeback Falls Short In Loss To Patriots
By Daniel Benjamin
The Baltimore Ravens entered Monday night's game with the knowledge that they needed to defeat the New England Patriots in order to remain atop of the AFC North division.
The Ravens's two-game winning streak was snapped as they fell to 7-6 on the season with a 30-23 loss to the Patriots (11-2). Baltimore is currently in eighth place in the AFC playoff race and one game behind North division leader Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5). The Steelers defeated the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
Baltimore was thoroughly dominated in the first half of the game, trailing 16-3 at halftime—their largest first half deficit of the season. The Ravens trailed 23-3 after tight end Martellus Bennett hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass over linebacker Zach Orr with 8:45 remaining in the third quarter. Baltimore fought back hard, but couldn't complete the comeback.
Offense: D
The Ravens produced 346 yards of total offense and scored 23 points, but both of their touchdowns were set up by Patriots special team's miscues. The Ravens had just three drives (out of 14 possessions) total 50 yards or more, and two of those drives occurred on the team's final two possessions.
Quarterback Joe Flacco has a pretty good night, completing 71.2 percent of his season-high 52 passes, though most of those were short passes. Flacco finished with a franchise record 37 completions for 324 yards, marking his second straight 300 yard game and fourth of the season. He also had two touchdowns and was picked off once.
Rookie running back Kenneth Dixon also had a strong showing, totaling 81 yards from scrimmage as he caught a career-high eight passes for 42 yards and one touchdown. Dixon also had 39 yards on 11 carries.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk had an impressive 40-yard reception as he gained about 35 yards after the catch, breaking several tackles. He finished with three catches for 46 yards—both career-highs. In total, 11 different players caught a pass.
Baltimore was 6-of-16 on third down and only converted two-of-its-four red zone opportunities into touchdowns.
Defense: F
The Ravens' No. 1 defense was completely shredded apart by quarterback Tom Brady. The 30 points and 496 yards permitted by the Ravens were both season highs.
Brady completed 25-of-38 passes for 406 yards along with three touchdowns. The Ravens had several blown coverages, including on Chris Hogan's game-winning 79-yard touchdown reception. New England had three passing plays over 30 yards.
The Ravens, who also came in with the top-ranked run defense, couldn't stop running back LeGarrette Blount. Blount finished with 72 of the Pats' 94 yards on the ground. He averaged 4.0 yards a carry and scored one touchdown.
Zach Orr and Eric Weddle each had 11 tackles to lead the way for the Ravens. Weddle also had a sack and an interception.
Special Teams: B
The Ravens special teams were responsible for all 23 points of the night. Baltimore caused one fumble (rookie Patrick Onwuasor) and recovered two (Chris Moore and Shareece Wright). Following the Patriots turnovers, the Ravens' scoring drives were three and 22 yards.
Kicker Justin Tucker missed his first field goal of the season as his first attempt was blocked after an outstanding effort by Pats linebacker Shea McClellin. Tucker did make three field goals, from 50, 38 and 37 yards out. His onside kick attempt late in the game was a debacle—he tried to be fancy, and it didn't work out.
Punter Sam Koch was fabulous as usual, pinning the Patriots inside the 20 three times. He also had a season-high 65 yarder that hit punt returner Cyrus Jones' shoe and was ultimately recovered by Moore.
Ravens punt returner Devin Hester made the mistake of not catching a Patriots kick inside the 10-yard line that was ultimately downed at the one-yard line. Dixon was tackled in the end zone on the Ravens' very first play of the drive, resulting in a safety.
Coaching: C
The Ravens did not have any answer for the Patriots. New England's defense confused the Ravens offense several times with their lone shifts prior to the snap of the ball. Baltimore's short passing game was effective.
Up next:
The Ravens host the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Eagles (5-8) have lost four in a row.