The New England Patriots (11-3) will look to rebound from their recent loss as they visit the Baltimore Ravens (7-7) on December 17, 2023. After a remarkable ten-game winning streak, the Patriots slipped from the top seed in the AFC. With a perfect 6-0 record on the road, they also boast the highest point differential in the conference at +106. The Ravens, despite their struggles, remain in contention for a playoff spot but must secure victories in their next two games to set up a pivotal Week 18 showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The matchup is set to kick off at 20:20 EST and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock. According to the latest odds from DraftKings, Baltimore is favored by 3 points, with an over/under set at 48.5. Both teams have critical factors to consider as they approach this game.
Lamar Jackson has faced challenges recently, averaging just 190 passing yards over his last six games, with four touchdowns and five interceptions. His rushing ability remains a key asset, as he has accumulated 153 yards and one touchdown on the ground during that span. DraftKings has set his over/under for passing yards at 211.5. The Patriots rank 15th in passing yards allowed with 3,050, having conceded 24 touchdown passes this season.
Derrick Henry, the Ravens’ primary running back, has also experienced a dip in touches, receiving only 11 carries in two of the last three games. Despite this, he has surpassed 100 combined yards in each of those appearances. With an over/under of 79.5 rushing yards set by DraftKings, Henry’s ability to find success will be crucial. The Patriots have allowed 1,131 rushing yards this season to running backs, ranking 10th in that category.
As the Ravens aim to control the game on the ground, they will rely on Henry’s performance to maintain momentum. The Patriots have utilized player Raheem Henderson effectively in recent weeks, with Henderson averaging 49% of snaps and having a breakout performance in Week 15, where he rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns. DraftKings has set his over/under at 56.5 rushing yards, highlighting his potential impact in this matchup.
Despite a challenging outing in his last game, rookie quarterback Drake Maye remains a focal point for the Patriots. He has surpassed 250 passing yards in six of his previous starts, with a completion rate of 67.4%. DraftKings lists his over/under at 243.5 passing yards. The Ravens’ defense has struggled against the pass, ranking 26th in passing yards allowed, with quarterbacks throwing for 19 touchdowns against them.
Zay Flowers has emerged as a key target for Baltimore, consistently performing despite the overall struggles of the offense. He has recorded over 61 receiving yards in ten of his fourteen starts this season, suggesting he may continue to see opportunities against the Patriots’ defense, which ranks fifth in receiving yards allowed with 1,680.
As both teams prepare for this crucial matchup, the stakes are high. The Patriots are looking to reestablish their dominance in the AFC, while the Ravens fight to keep their playoff hopes alive. With key players like Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and Zay Flowers taking center stage, fans can expect an intense clash on Sunday night.
