The New England Patriots are now sitting pretty on top of the AFC with an 11-2 record. En route to their 11th win the Patriots steamrolled over the defensive monster that is the Baltimore Ravens. While it may not seem that the Ravens are a defensive monster, the stats show otherwise. The Ravens have the league’s best run defense, are second in team interceptions (14), and have only allowed 17.3 points per game according to ESPN.

Now you may see the score of 30-23 and wonder why I said the Ravens were steamrolled. The final score shows that the Patriots only won by a touchdown. However, the final score should have been closer to 30-9 with a Patriots victory. The Ravens struggled on offense and only managed 3 points by the half. However, the Patriots fumbled on back to back kickoff returns and basically gifted the Ravens 14 points. Due to these fumbles, the Ravens were back in the game with the score 23-17 Patriots. One of these fumbles was due to rookie Cyrus Jones.

Worst Player of the Game

Cyrus Jones

I have never done this section. But Cyrus Jones, you have forced me to actually write this. I can understand rookie mistakes, hence why they’re called rookie mistakes. But we are 14 weeks into the season. There is no reason why some of Jones’ mistakes are happening. I understood early in the season and I made excuses for the rookie early on. But that time has passed. I do not want to see Cyrus Jones back returning kicks for the rest of the season. Jones and his butter fingers (and butter foot) belong on the bench. Normally I would hesitate to say Bill Belichick botched the 2nd round pick before the season is out, but I have not seen anything from Cyrus to show me otherwise. In my opinion, Jones was the worst player on the field last night.

Jones has fumbled on about 25% of his returns this season according to my local radio hosts. Last night Jones fumbled a ball he should have been nowhere near. Let’s take a look at the play:

You cannot see the whole play, but Jones had no business being close to this ball. The other Patriots returner had already cleared out and wanted to let the ball roll into the end zone. Instead, Jones had the bright idea of getting super close to the ball. Then, Jones seems to almost intentionally stick his foot out to touch the ball. WHY? What was the plan here, Jones? I don’t understand your train of thought on this play. Just stay away from the ball, it is literally that easy. Jump away. Lunge over the ball if you need to. But just do NOT touch the ball.

And after touching the ball, Jones does not even go for the ball. Well, he sort of does. The Ravens defender missed the ball the first time and due to Jones lack of awareness, the Ravens defender was able to lunge a second time and recover the ball.

At a certain point, you have to blame the person who keeps putting him back there. Bill, enough is enough. The rookie can’t handle return duty. Maybe he was good in college but he needs work. I don’t want to see him back there for the rest of the season, especially not in the playoffs. He will lose a game for us one day if this continues. Special team Pro-bowler Matthew Slater also fumbled the ball on the next return. While this fumble hurt just as much, I am willing to be more lenient with Slater. Matthew is not used to

Special team Pro-bowler Matthew Slater also fumbled the ball on the next return. While this fumble hurt just as much, I am willing to be more lenient with Slater. Matthew is not used to doing returns. Not to mention Slater actually caught the ball and started running. Unfortunately, Slater fumbled while being tackled. However, these fumbles happen from time to time. Unnecessarily kicking the ball is not something that should happen.

Ok. I’m over ranting about Cyrus Jones. I needed to get that out of my system. Next, we move on to the positives of the game.

Pros:

The defense. For the second straight week, the defense played great. The Ravens actually have a decent offense so this was a better indication of the defensive performance. I said it last week and I’ll say it again: it seems like the defense has started to get it together. The defense came up with 2 key sacks on big plays. Along with these sacks, the defense just decided to put together its own highlight reel. The highlight reel includes…

A safety:

A blocked field goal:

And an interception:

Flacco launches into double coverage…

Bad idea. PICKED by Devin McCourty! #BALvsNE https://t.co/YcuBb93PI0

— NFL (@NFL) December 13, 2016

The defense was smothering the Ravens all game. Tackling was on point, pressure was there, receivers were covered. If the defense continues like this then I am not longer worried about their performance.

Other pros include the offense in general:

LeGarrette Blount had a decent ground game against the league’s best run defense. With 72 yards and a touchdown, Blount cracked 1000 rushing yards and also tied Hall-of-Famer Curtis Martin for single-season Patriots touchdowns with 14.

.@LG_Blount ties the #Patriots franchise record for rushing touchdowns in a season (14), matching Curtis Martin (1995, 96). #BALvsNE

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 13, 2016

The receivers looked great. Rookie Malcolm Mitchell still looks like great. Mitchell reeled in 4 receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. Julian Edelman struggled at times but still hauled in 7 receptions for 73 yards. Martellus Bennett seems to have returned to form; the black unicorn pulled in 4 receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown. Chris Hogan absolutely balled out with 5 receptions for 129 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown catch and run:

Honestly, there is just so much good to talk about. I could be here all day. However, I won’t be. I know, I’ll miss you too.

The final pro I have is that Tom Brady did Tom Brady things. Brady threw for 406 yards (for the 9th time in his career) and 3 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Brady also threw an interception. While it always hurts to throw a pick, this is only Brady’s 2nd of the season. At 39 Brady is still playing scary good. Even without Rob Gronkowski, Brady finds ways to make his offense into a juggernaut.