Week 3 Preview: New England Patriots vs Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens visit the New England Patriots in a matchup of 1-1 teams this Sunday in Week 3. The Ravens will look to bounce back from a shocking 42-38 collapse to the Miami Dolphins, and the Patriots will attempt to build on a hard-fought 17-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The teams last met in a rain-soaked 2020 brawl that the Patriots won 23-17. The Ravens are 3-point favorites to get their revenge this week.

It was a tale of two halves for the Ravens in Week 2. Baltimore jumped out to a massive 28-7 lead at the half thanks in large part to the efforts of star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson was sensational in defeat for his team, tallying 318 net passing yards on only 29 passing attempts and adding a team-leading 119 yards on a mere nine carries, but it wasn't enough. The Ravens went to absolute pieces on defense, allowing 35 points in the second half and a career-best performance for Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. After finishing 25th in yards allowed in 2021, Baltimore's reputation as a perennial defensive powerhouse grows fainter every day.

The Patriots offense could use a favorable matchup. New England ranks 29th in points scored through two weeks, and fears that they were sabotaging their young quarterback Mac Jones this offseason are dangerously close to being confirmed. Jones has managed a below-average 83.2 passer rating so far this year and turned the ball over three times. Thankfully, the Patriots defense has carried over its solid play from 2021; they've allowed the fourth-fewest yards in the league so far. They'll need to keep up that stifling play if they want to hang with the Baltimore Ravens this week.

The New England Patriots host the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday in Week 3.