The Baltimore Ravens surprised a lot of people with their performance on Sunday night, none more so than the New England Patriots themselves. The 37-20 victory at M&T Bank Stadium is Baltimore’s first win over the Patriots since the Super Bowl run seven years ago.
The big win has fans and pundits energized for the Ravens, with some viewing them as the best team in the league now. But these four odd stats from the big win might shock you even more.
Fumble return TD by Marlon Humphrey
When Julian Edelman fumbled the football two-and-a-half minutes into the third quarter, Humphrey wasted no time. He scooped it for a 70-yard touchdown return, the longest fumble return for a touchdown in Ravens history.
But you already knew that.
What you might not have known was that he became the first player in Ravens history to have a defensive touchdown in back-to-back games, per the NBC broadcast. What a fitting thing to do on the night Baltimore legend Ed Reed — known for his defensive scores — received his Hall of Fame ring.
The Ravens run game is ‘revolutionary’
Against what was the No. 2-ranked defense in the league, Baltimore gouged them on the ground to the tune of 210 rushing yards. It was the first time New England had allowed over 200 yards rushing in a game since Week 7 of the 2014 season — a half-decade ago.
On the flip side, it’s the fourth time the Ravens have put up at least 200 yards on the ground just this season (and the fifth time if you take out the kneel-downs at the end of Week 7’s win over the Seahawks).
Patriots failed their first real test
Obviously, coming into Week 9, the Patriots had been undefeated. But more impressively, New England had allowed no more than 14 points in any game and an average of 7.6 points per game. But Baltimore more than doubled that, hanging 37 on them.
The Patriots hadn’t allowed more than 35 points in a game since Week 6 in 2018. In fact, New England has allowed more than 35 points in a game just seven times in the last decade. It might point to the Patriots’ schedule being pretty soft thus far or that the Ravens are just that good.
Earl Thomas picks off Tom Brady
Thomas intercepted an overthrow by Brady early in the fourth quarter. It effectively sealed the game for the Ravens and gave Thomas a nice souvenir.
That was Thomas’ second interception of the season and his second interception of Tom Brady in four games against him, including Super Bowl XLIX. The first occurred in 2012 when Thomas was a member of the Seahawks.
