New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens: 5 Bold predictions for Week 9
Are the Baltimore Ravens the ones to hand the New England Patriots their first loss? Bold predictions for Sunday Night Football in Week 9.
The New England Patriots have dominated at every turn in the 2019 season, posting an 8-0 record to start the year. However, many critics of the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady regime will point out that the Pats have, at least for the most part, not played many quality teams. That changes on Sunday Night Football in Week 9 as they take on the Baltimore Ravens on the road.
Baltimore has been far from perfect this season but they have remained quality, entering Week 9 atop the AFC North at 5-2 and having one of the most dynamic weapons in the league, quarterback Lamar Jackson. The question, though, is whether Jackson and his explosive offensive play are enough to solve the riddle that the unbeaten Patriots present.
There’s no question that this matchup is built for primetime but the biggest question is if Baltimore, playing at home, has the chops to hand the Patriots their first notch in the loss column in 2019. Let’s see if that’s the case as we make five bold predictions for the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football.
5. Hollywood Brown breaks a 50+ yarder in return
Over the past few weeks, the Baltimore Ravens have been having offensive success without one of their most dangerous weapons on the field. Rookie first-round pick Marquise Brown has been sidelined but is now healthy as the team comes off of their bye week. The speedy youngster will now take the field for a tough matchup but John Harbaugh is going to find a way to get him to break loose.
Though the Patriots have been an elite pass defense this season, they have not faced a player with the game-changing speed of Hollywood Brown. While taking a deep shot or two isn’t a bad idea, the Ravens will find success with quick underneath throws that will allow Brown to pick up speed and run around and away from the bigger-bodied players on New England’s defense. That will result in at least one massive play that goes for over 50 yards in Brown’s return to action.