Jackson has confounded several teams this season with his running abilities, including the Seattle Seahawks, whom the Ravens dismantled in the second half of their 30-16 win two weeks ago. The Patriots defense has allowed just 61 points in eight games and they have been quite dominant to this point.
If they need any tips for containing Jackson, they need only look at the game film from last year's wild card round playoff game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Ravens in Baltimore.
The Chargers were torched by Jackson and company a couple of weeks earlier in L.A. last year in a blowout loss, but then made the adjustments by putting defensive backs at the linebacker positions to keep Jackson in check. That plan worked perfectly as Jackson was confounded as the defensive backs made him look pedestrian when he tried to outrun them. The Chargers cruised to an easy win in that playoff game.
Of course, the Patriots know what they need to do on defense and they also have Tom Brady leading the offense, which despite leading the NFL in scoring, has been considered to be "off" so far this season.
Go figure.
This game should live up to the billing in Baltimore on Sunday evening and very well could come down to the final possession, which could be to the Ravens' advantage. They have All Pro kicker Justin Tucker, who has ice water in his veins when it comes to "crunch time" field goal attempts.
The Minnesota Vikings (6-2) travel to play the Kansas City Chiefs (5-3), who have lost all three of their games at Arrowhead Stadium this season after winning the first home game. They will likely be without starting QB Patrick Mahomes once again this weekend with the knee injury.
The Vikings have been rolling with four straight wins while averaging just under 32 points per game during the recent streak. Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been lights out after an abysmal game against the Chicago Bears just before the winning streak. The Vikings defense could be the difference in this one.
Stay tuned.
Across the pond in London, England this Sunday morning, the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-4) will "host" the Houston Texans (5-3) in a very important AFC South tilt. The Jags have been up and down this year, but have won two in a row and QB Gardner Minshew has been solid in relief of injured starter Nick Foles.
The Texans are right behind division leading Indianapolis and would love to keep the pressure on the first-place Colts. Texans QB Deshaun Watson has been outstanding through eight games with 17 touchdown passes and five rushing scores as well. If he gets rolling in this one, the Jags could be in for a long game. However, the Jags defense showed signs of becoming "SACKS-onville" again and Watson has already been sacked 24 times this season. Keeping pressure on the Houston quarterback will be huge if the Jaguars are going to win this one.
The rest of the games in the NFL for Week Nine are featured in the capsule style previews and are followed by the Heftyinfo picks. For what it's worth, the predictions were a perfect 15-0 last weekend, which is the first time that has happened since this site launched ten years ago.
Houston (5-3) at Jacksonville (4-4) - (in London) - Two teams in need of a win to keep the pressure on the first place Indy Colts in the AFC South division.
Washington (1-7) at Buffalo (5-2) - The Bills aren't going lay another egg at home this week, plus the Redskins are awful. They could learn a thing or two from the World Series champion Nats.
Tennessee (4-4) at Carolina (4-3) - Panthers should rebound at home after getting crushed out in San Francisco last week. Titans have been getting the breaks lately after a rough start this season.
Minnesota (6-2) at Kansas City (5-3) - Vikings are rolling and the Chiefs are looking to avoid a four-game losing streak at home. Toss up in this one.
New York Jets (1-6) at Miami (0-7) - The absolute stinker game of the week.
Chicago (3-4) at Philadelphia (4-4) - Eagles soar again. The Bears offense is among the worst in pro football.
Indianapolis (5-2) at Pittsburgh (3-4) - Steelers looking to make it three wins in a row, but the Colts have won three straight games and will not be an easy task.
Detroit (3-3-1) at Oakland (3-4) - The Lions got it rolling again last week while the Raiders lost a heart breaker on the road. Toss up here.
Tampa Bay (2-5) at Seattle (6-2) - These two teams both entered the NFL back in 1976. So much for the history lesson . . . Take the Seahawks.
Cleveland (2-5) at Denver (2-6) - Broncos going with a brand new quarterback after put starting QB Joe Flacco on IR for the rest of the season. Browns are reeling with three straight losses. Another toss up game.
Green Bay (7-1) at Los Angeles Chargers (3-5) - Packers roll !
New England (8-0) at Baltimore (5-2) - The game of the week no doubt. Can the Ravens burst the Patriots bubble?
Dallas (4-3) at New York Giants (2-6) - The Monday night game in The Meadowlands. Giants are due for a win and the Cowboys have struggled on the road in recent weeks, including a loss to the lowly Jets (in The Meadowlands) just three weeks ago.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Nine . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
San Francisco over Arizona
Jacksonville over Houston (in London)
BUFFALO over Washington
Carolina over Tennessee
Kansas City over Minnesota
N.Y. Jets over Miami
Philadelphia over Chicago
Indianapolis over Pittsburgh
Oakland over Detroit
Seattle over Tampa Bay
Cleveland over Denver
Green Bay over L.A. Chargers
New England over Baltimore
Dallas over N.Y. Giants
Last Week's Record - 15-0
SEASON RECORD - 81-39-1
Lock of the Week Record - 8-0
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