Fixing defensive woes is fast becoming what will make or break the 2025 NFL season for the New England Patriots, but any corrections may not come soon enough to protect “struggling” linebackers from a “terrible matchup” against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.
The Pats have been warned about the mismatch by Anthony Dabbundo of The Ringer. He believes facing the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday Night Football “is another excellent measuring-stick game to help us figure out the real quality of New England’s defense.”
A measuring stick is needed after “the Patriots allowed touchdowns on five consecutive possessions last week” against the Buffalo Bills, when Dabbundo observed “linebackers especially struggled to cover the middle of the field. The defense is 26th in overall DVOA. If they’re struggling to cover backs and tight ends, then Baltimore could be a terrible matchup.”
It’s an ominous prediction, but there’s something to Dabbundo’s take. That something is based on the Ravens being loaded with after-catch playmakers at both tight end and running back.
Their riches at these positions will pose a stern test to a Patriots linebacker corps already set to be without a key leader in the middle.
Ravens Have Edge Over Struggling Linebackers
Head coach Mike Vrabel wasn’t happy with his defense last week, and the frustration is understandable, particularly about poor play at linebacker. Vrabel retooled the position group in the offseason to make the Patriots lighter and quicker in space, but a newcomer like Jack Gibbens and an incumbent like Christian Elliss haven’t met expectations.
Gibbens and Ellis combined for 130 snaps against the Bills, per Pro Football Reference, but the Pats’ AFC East rivals still got got two touchdown catches from tight end Dawson Knox, along with a four-yard scoring reception by running back James Cook.
Elliss (53) couldn’t stay with the two-time Pro Bowler in coverage.
Plays like this make a trip to take on the Ravens unwelcome duty for the Patriots and their linebackers. Especially since Baltimore’s offense also uses backs and tight ends to good effect in the passing game.
A notable example occurred during last week’s 24-0 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, when two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson connected with backup runner Rasheen Ali for a 30-yard touchdown.
The Pats will need to be aware of Ali and fellow change-of-pace back Keaton Mitchell, but there are bigger threats to consider.
Patriots Face Triple-Headed Threat
Dealing with tight ends has been a season-long problem for the Patriots, and things won’t change against the Ravens. Not when this week’s opponents boast a triple-headed threat at the position, led by All-Pro Mark Andrews.
The latter is the second-most active receiver on the Ravens and is also buoyed by a new contract. Andrews still knows how to get open in the red zone and find gaps in coverage between the numbers.
Containing Andrews, who remains Jackson’s go-to target in the clutch, is tough enough, but Patriots linebackers will also be challenged by Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar. Likely is the more dynamic of the two as a roving mismatch with hybrid skills, but Kolar has his own underrated flair for the big play.
Keeping Andrews and Co. under wraps will be key for a Patriots defense that can’t ignore running backs releasing into space, nor the threat of Jackson’s mobility. It’s a lot to consider for a group of linebackers too often found wanting in coverage.
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