Anatomy Of An Upset: How The Patriots Beat The Ravens
By Michael Hurley, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) — Figure this one out: A year ago, the Patriots had the best defense in the NFL, yet they got run over by the Baltimore Ravens.
This year, the Patriots entered Sunday night with one of the worst run defenses in the league and a bottom-third overall defense. Yet they somehow put together a tremendous performance in slowing down Lamar Jackson and the league’s No. 1 rushing offense and pulled off the upset victory.
Given the way things were going for the Patriots — with a four-game losing streak followed by a nail-biting win against the winless Jets — there weren’t many folks who believed this upset was possible.
Here’s how it happened.
Response
Cam Newton celebrates Rex Burkhead’s touchdown. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Patriots fell behind early in the second quarter. They fell behind again just minutes after tying it up. In both instances, they answered — with authority.
Following the Ravens’ endless touchdown drive (13 plays, 94 yards, 8:04), Cam Newton and Co. came right back with a marathon drive of their own. With a 19-yard pass to Jakobi Meyers and a rare 20-yard connection from Newton to Ryan Izzo, the Patriots scored with ease on a first-and-goal play from the 7-yard line. N’Keal Harry set a perfect — and legal — block to spring Rex Burkhead for six.
Wreck it Rex! @RBRex34 | #GoPats
Watch live: https://t.co/hYp83EW2oK pic.twitter.com/KfGaSB...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: CBS Boston Tags: NFL Patriots Sports Syndicated Sports Baltimore Ravens Cam Newton Jakobi Meyers Lamar Jackson Michael Hurley New England Patriots Sports News Source Type: news