ProFootball Focus: Pats vs. Ravens Stats
Patriots: Three performances of note
Brandon Spikes (+6.4) had an excellent day in run defense and is a major reason why Ray Rice was shy of 100 yards (88) despite 28 carries on the day. Spikes was not only impressive knifing through gaps to break up play, but he was routinely stuffing holes by taking blockers head-on and not losing ground. This was easily the rookie’s best performance to date.
Running back Danny Woodhead (+1.0) didn’t have the best grade imaginable, but it’s noteworthy because of the contrast with “The Law Firm,” Benjarvus Green-Ellis (-1.6). Green-Ellis had just one fewer carry than Woodhead, but gained 43 fewer yards, 21 fewer yards after contact, and did it at a 3.7 fewer yards-per-carry average. Woodhead also proved to be a weapon in the passing game and even stuck his head in to pick up a blitzing Ray Lewis.
Corner Kyle Arrington (-2.2) didn’t have a good day, allowing seven completions on the eight passes thrown in his direction and getting called for a pair of penalties in coverage (albeit one of which was declined because the ball was caught anyway). With Darius Butler grading terribly before Arrington began starting, the Patriots are in danger of having some real weaknesses at corner.
