BALTIMORE — Within a dozen days, Mohamed Sanu has done more than earn Tom Brady’s trust.

He’s changed the Patriots offense.

In Sunday’s 37-20 loss at the Ravens, Sanu earned his first start and played every offensive snap. He was a member of three-receiver personnel groupings the Pats utilized all game, a strategy that cannot work without wideouts who can win against 1-on-1 coverage. And with Baltimore paying extra attention to Julian Edelman, Tom Brady needed another receiver he could target on key downs.

Ten catches, 81 receiving yards and one touchdown later, Sanu had delivered.

“That’s the kind of game that you want to play in as an athlete — big-time games, and you rise up to the competition,” Sanu said. “You want those kind of moments and want to be in those situations.”

Rare is the game when the Patriots stick with a single personnel grouping. Typically, they switch between heavy and light groups and tight and spread formations. Against Baltimore, they wanted to play fast and go spread.

Sanu understood early in the week that meant he’d see an expanded role from his 37 snaps in last week’s debut against Cleveland. The staff trusted his grasp of the playbook and in his abilities and again reversed historical course. Usually receivers are worked slowly into the offense.

Not Sanu.

The four-yard touchdown he scored in the second quarter came on a design the Patriots ran to perfection in practice. It took patience and timing to execute, with Edelman and Phillip Dorsett aligned close to him at the snap. Then there was being on the same page as Brady, which required extra effort with the Ravens playing more zone coverage than expected.

By the end, the stats spoke for themselves. He saw a game-high 14 targets and finished as the only Patriot with a touchdown catch.

“We definitely took a couple strides today,” Sanu said of his chemistry with Brady, “and we’ve still got a ways to go.”

Bethel stars in Baltimore return

Patriots special teamer Justin Bethel was one of a few former Ravens who made a return trip to Baltimore.

His was just quicker than the rest.

The Pats signed Bethel two weeks ago after his unexpected release from the team. The three-time Pro Bowler had planned to begin preparing for the Patriots before he ultimately them. When he was released, the Ravens were on their bye week.

Back on the field, he recovered a muffed punt in the second quarter and downed another punt inside Baltimore’s 10-yard line. Pats special teams captain Matthew Slater, a fellow Pro Bowler, remarked about Bethel’s impact and ability postgame.

“I thought he made a lot of plays to keep us in the game tonight. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. But you go out there and think you’re going to single Justin Bethel, good luck.”

Slater continued: “I just think his awareness and his feel for the game is just tremendous. The way he’s in tune with situations, his experience; he’s seen just about everything at this point in his career. It’s a huge boost for our unit, as we saw tonight.”

Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore was spotted in the locker room with his left pinky wrapped.