New England Patriots vs. Baltimore Ravens: 5 Bold predictions for Week 9

2. Jackson perplexes Pats, rushes for 100 yards

Coming into Sunday night’s game, Lamar Jackson has a chance to make NFL history. The second-year Baltimore Ravens quarterback has the opportunity to become the first quarterback to register three consecutive 100-yard rushing performances. Of course, doing so against the vaunted Patriots defense is not going to be easy.

Having said that, when you look at how the Pats have been successful at getting pressure this season, they’ve been able to do so with their blitzing. However, they do not have the speed on the line or at linebacker to do that or to spy Jackson effectively. Thus, Jackson is going to simply be able to run away from pressure and past linebackers for a big rushing day, hitting that 100-yard mark once again.

1. Ravens hand New England first loss

The prevailing notion about the Sunday Night Football showdown between the Ravens and Patriots is that Bill Belichick and this elite New England defense are going to solve Lamar Jackson and give the Ravens all kinds of trouble. And as much respect as I have for the great head coach, his personnel up front isn’t ready to contain Jackson, as we’ve already discussed.

In case you didn’t gather this from the previous four bold predictions all dealing with explosive offensive play, my thought is this game has far more offense than people expect it to. Jackson is the most dangerous weapon on the field, though, and in an offensive-minded contest, he’ll prove to be the difference that pushes the Ravens to victory, handing the Patriots their first loss of 2019.