New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens Matchup Preview 11/3/19: Analysis, Depth Charts, Daily Fantasy

The 2020 fantasy football season is quickly approaching which means it’s time to get a start on your research. We have you covered with our fantasy football rankings as well as projections for the upcoming season. If you are interested in the defensive side of the ball we have you covered there as well. Leave no stone unturned and check out everything we have to offer.

The perfect New England Patriots at 8-0 will travel down to Baltimore to face the Ravens led by second-year quarterback Lamar Jackson. The Ravens are currently 5-2 and lead the AFC North division. This will not the last time the Patriots and Ravens will face off this year as both teams are likely heading to the playoffs. A potentially very high scoring game makes for a perfect prime-time Sunday night game. This will be the first time that Lamar Jackson will face Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Coming off the bye week, Jackson and the Ravens will be looking to upset and ruin the Patriots perfect season so far. For odds movement and full matchup history, visit the New England Patriots vs Baltimore Ravens matchup page.

TV Schedule:

Date: November 3, 2019
Time: 8:20 PM EST
Location: M&T Bank Stadium Baltimore, Maryland
Coverage: NBC

Injury Report:

New England Patriots: RB Rex Burkhead (Q), S Patrick Chung (Q), WR Julian Edelman (Q), TE Ryan Izzo (Q), TE Matt LaCosse (Q), G Shaq Mason (Q), WR Gunner Olszewski (Q)

Baltimore Ravens: S Earl Thomas III (Q), WR Marquise Brown (Q), CB Maurice Candy (Q), LB Patrick Onwuasor (Q), CB Jimmy Smith (Q), CB Bennett Jackson (Q), G/C Patrick Mekari (Q)

New England Patriots Analysis:

Brady has one of the highest QBR ratings so far this season with a rating of 96.5. Throwing for 2251 yards, completing 64.7% of his throws with 13 touchdowns and 4 interceptions so far this season. Brady is the lifeline of this Patriots offense with a somewhat struggling run game from Sony Michel. He did have one of his worst statistical games of the season during week 8 against the Cleveland Browns. Throwing for 259 yards, his 3rd lowest of the season, completing just 55.6% of passes but throwing for 2 touchdowns. Facing the Ravens defense, who is no longer the elite defense we have come to know, is still a solid defense this season. The Ravens secondary has allowed the 16th most yards against this season, only giving up the 6th fewest touchdowns this season. This defense has allowed the 3rd most yards per completion this season with 12.5 yards. Expect Brady to perform like Brady, few mistakes and performs as one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

This struggling Patriots rushing offense is led by the former first-round pick Sony Michel. Michel has been inefficient so far this season. Averaging 3.3 yards per carry this season, he is however on pace to rush for 928 yards along with 12 rushing touchdowns. Facing a Ravens defense that has allowed the 2nd least rushing yards this season, averaging 4.3 yards per rush this season. Michel will face a tough rush matchup this week. Michel has seen very limited exposure to the passing game this season. That is where James White fits into this Patriots offense. One of Brady’s favorite targets for years now, White averaged 8.5 targets per game. White is almost exclusively the pass catching back, never seeing more than 6 carries this season. One of the most dependable and steady fantasy options out there, he has not scored less than 9 fantasy points in 0.5 PPR formats this season. Sony Michel is a risky fantasy option this week, you’re hoping for touchdown upside with him. James White is a solid flex option if you’re looking for a safe fantasy option.

The Patriots recently released the number 1 receiver Josh Gordon to the IR. Leaving Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, and Phillip Dorsett as Brady’s primary wide receiver options. Edelman is currently the Patriots leading wide receiver in yards, targets, and is tied for the lead in touchdowns with Phillip Dorsett. Edelman averages 10.8 yards per reception so far this season. Catching 53 out of 79 targets for 574 yards and 4 touchdowns so far this season. Edelman is Brady’s go to man, seeing 79 targets so far this season. Edelman is the best receiver in this wide receiving core. Phillip Dorsett has been the Patriots third wide receiver this season before the Patriots placed Josh Gordon on IR. Dorsett has averaged 13.6 yards per target. Catching 21 out of 33 targets for 286 yards and 4 touchdowns. Dorsett is the deep threat in this offense, with the longest yards per reception on this Patriots team. The new addition of former Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu saw 54% of the snaps against Cleveland during his first game as a Patriot in week 8. Sanu is likely to see more snaps as he settles into the Patriots offense. The Ravens defense has allowed the 17th most yards this season but, allowing the 6th fewest passing touchdown passes. This secondary could be missing one or two depth pieces but starting corner Jimmy Smith had a full practice on Friday and is slated to start on Sunday. This core of wide receivers will be up against a bend but don’t break secondary.

New England Patriots Depth Chart

QB: Tom Brady
RB1: Sony Michel
RB2: James White
WR1: Julian Edelman
WR2: Mohamed Sanu
WR3: Phillip Dorsett
TE: Matt LaCosse

Baltimore Ravens Analysis:

This Baltimore Ravens offense started of red hot this season but have since calmed down a bit. Currently ranked 8th in total yardage this season, scoring 22 total touchdowns. Lamar Jackson has seriously improved from this rookie year. Through 8 games this season Jackson’s QBR is 94.14. He has thrown 11 touchdowns with 5 interceptions. All five of those interceptions happened during weeks 4 and 5 this season. Jackson has not thrown a touchdown in 2 games. He has made up for it with 2 rushing touchdowns over these past two games. Jackson’s rushing ability has been his saving grace, rushing for 576 yards heading into the Ravens 8th game of the season. Facing the Patriots historically good defense this week, Lamar will likely struggle like the quarterbacks that have faced the Patriots defense before him. The Patriots have allowed the 2nd fewest passing yards this season, 2nd fewest passing touchdowns, and lead the league in interceptions by almost double the 2nd best team. Jackson will be up against it this weekend and will be a true test for Jackson.

The bread and butter of the Ravens offense is the run game. I mentioned Jackson has already rushed for 576 yards this season, on pace for over 1,000 yards rushing. Mark Ingram is second on the team in rushing yards with 470 yards, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. So far, Ingram has rushed for 7 touchdowns on the season. Ingram has seen an averaged of 50% of offensive snaps so far this season. Gus Edwards has been on the field for 31% of offensive snaps. The Patriots rush defense has allowed the 9th fewest rushing yards and the 3rd fewest rushing touchdowns. Allowing opposing running-backs to average 4.6 yards per carry, the Patriots have seen the 2nd fewest rush attempts this season. An interesting matchup considering the strength of this Ravens team is the strong rush game. I will be expecting the Ravens to have. Better rushing offense than expected, the combination of the bruising Mark Ingram and the electric Lamar Jackson could expose something about this Patriots offense.

The Ravens have been without the number 1 receiver in rookie first-round draft pick Marquise Brown for the past 2 games. Brown is expected to make his return to this offense against the Patriots. This electric deep threat has averaged 15.5 yards per reception. Catching 21 of 39 targets, scoring 3 touchdowns on the season. Brown has been leading the team in targets when healthy. The Ravens will be excited to have Brown back for their toughest matchup of the season yet. The rest of the Ravens receiver core is made up of Willie Snead IV and Myles Boykin. Both of these receivers combining for 24 catches on 35 targets for 354 yards and 4 touchdowns on the season. This passing game will struggle heavily against the Patriots secondary led by Stephon Gilmore.

Baltimore Ravens Depth Chart

QB: Lamar Jackson
RB1: Mark Ingram
RB2: Gus Edwards
WR1: Miles Boykin
WR2: Willie Snead
WR3: Marquise Brown
TE: Mark Andrews

Fantasy Standouts: Patriots WR & Julian Edelman

The lacking secondary of the Ravens presents a good matchup for these Patriots receivers to be able to break them. The always targeted Julian Edelman is your best daily fantasy option if you’re looking for both a safe floor and a fairly high ceiling. Edelman leads this Patriots offense in receiving yards and touchdowns. Seeing an average of 11.75 targets over the past 4 weeks. Edelman is a lock to perform this week.