As expected, John Harbaugh didn’t downplay Drake Maye and the Patriots’ offense.

This isn’t being said to insult the New England Patriots. It’s more of a salute to the job that they have done. In May, most looked at the schedule and saw this game as an easy win in the back half of the Baltimore Ravens‘ season. Things certainly have changed, haven’t they?

Baltimore opened as a 2.5-point home favorite in Week 16 on many of the Las Vegas sportsbooks. To make matters worse, the Patriots are now laser-focused following a home loss to the Buffalo Bills. Had things gone the other way, that would have won the AFC East for New England.

What do you think Mike Vrabel is talking to his team about this week? Yes, friends, things have changed. This one has transformed from an expected win to a potential buzzsaw for the Ravens, and one of the lesser-mentioned subplots is that Zach Orr’s defense will have its hands full.

“Big plays is the biggest thing when you look at their offense. They’ve just had a bunch of big plays [and] big runs. They have a rookie running back [in TreVeyon Henderson] that’s fast and explosive. Boy, you better have your angle set up on him. They’re physical, obviously, and [Drake] Maye’s made some nice throws, and sometimes he runs around, but he’s made some big throws and play actions and things like that. [They are] a big-play offense that can run the ball. That’s a combination that you have to be concerned about.”

Those were John Harbaugh’s thoughts about Drake Maye and the Patriots offense this past Monday, and he’s right. There are only five NFL teams that have gained more yards from scrimmage than Vrabel’s Patriots. Maye has led his team to an 11-3 record. He is completing 70.9% of his passes. He has thrown for 3.567 yards and 23 touchdowns vs. only seven interceptions. Ladies and gentlemen, the New England Patriots have found their quarterback.

Something else to note is the Patriots’ 364.2 yards-per-game average. That ranks sixth. They’re averaging 122.4 yards on the ground and 27.3 points per game.

This one is on the road in Foxborough. Baltimore will certainly be tested. This is a must-win. That thought isn’t lost on anyone who is paying attention.

That all leads us to a conclusion. Baltimore can’t show up for this one and play as they have on offense. They can’t survive this one. They have to dictate the action.

On the road against a confident team with a quarterback who has already arrived, each mistake will be punished. Baltimore’s margin for error is gone because there isn’t much the Patriots do wrong that they can capitalize on. Dare we say it? New England is slowly becoming one of the AFC’s elite teams again.