This might not be the most important game for the Baltimore Ravens but it is one that’ll test just how ready they are for the big boys of the AFC. Taking on the New England Patriots on Sunday night, the Ravens will need their entire roster to play their best games of the season. However, a few players stand above the rest.
Let’s take a closer look at the five players Ravens fans need to watch in Week 9.
CB Marcus Peters:
The newly acquired cornerback has already been worth what Baltimore gave up for him. In his first game with the Ravens, Peters was the first player to pick off Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson this season, taking it back for a touchdown.
Though Jimmy Smith is set to come back, it’s likely Baltimore will work him back into the lineup gradually. That means Peters should get the brunt of the work limiting what Patriots quarterback Tom Brady can do down the field.
It’ll be interesting to see where Peters lines up and whether Baltimore’s defensive coordinator Don Martindale has him in press coverage throughout the game to help their limited pass rush.
QB Lamar Jackson:
Jackson might be the real key to how the Ravens fare in this game. As we’ve seen already this season, if Jackson is able to find running room, he can take over a game. If he does that tonight, Baltimore could pull off the upset.
Given how the Patriots’ defense has played this season and the tactician they have with head coach Bill Belichick, Jackson is going to be tested mentally as much as physically. While we’ve seen flashes of Jackson’s true potential, he’s had a few head-scratching moments this season as well. Jackson is going to have to be on top of his game in all facets. That’ll mean making the right decisions quickly — while not turning the ball over — and throwing pinpoint passes. If Jackson can have that type of game tonight, not even New England and Belichick can contain him.
S Earl Thomas:
Thomas might be the guy on defense that will decide how this game actually plays out.
At his best, Thomas is a field general capable of disguising coverages and forcing an opponent into mistakes. He’s also well known for laying devastating hits that make receivers think twice about catching a ball when he’s lurking. Other players listen closely when he speaks, and if Thomas has done his homework here, he should be able to guide the other 10 defenders to where the ball is going to go.
But on the flip side, Thomas has also been known for getting taken out of a game by being overly aggressive and letting the emotions of the moment overwhelm him. When that happens, he can get caught peeking and see a big play blow right by him.
If Baltimore’s defense is going to have the type of night they need to shut down Brady and Co., Thomas is the guy that will not only need to play at the top of his game but guide everyone else to theirs.
WR Marquise Brown
The big thing right now is just hoping Brown can actually play in this one. He’s been on the injury report all week after missing the last two games with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable.
If Brown is able to suit up, look for him to force New England’s defense to remain honest thanks to his deep speed. They can’t afford to leave him one-on-one without a safety at least looking in his direction, if not staying over the top for help.
This would help Baltimore in one of two ways: 1) It would keep a safety out of the box, which should open up some rushing lanes for the running backs and Jackson; 2) Or Brown would be faced with single coverage, potentially opening up some big plays down the field in the passing game.
G Bradley Bozeman:
The Patriots are about as finely tuned as a team can get. They don’t make stupid errors very often and they capitalize when opponents make them. Bozeman has played well at times this season but he’s also had some rough outings, both in his play and when it comes to penalty flags.
Bozeman was the cause of four penalties in the first half of Baltimore’s Week 6 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Those types of penalties have been driver-killers for the Ravens this season. But against the Patriots, they’d be especially awful.
If Baltimore wants to win this game, the offensive line will have to play their best game of the season. If Bozeman can hold his own, it’ll open lanes for running backs Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards while giving Lamar Jackson time to read the field and make the right choice.
