But the Ravens are rounding into form as the season hits the final stretch. And they match up well against the Patriots, who have struggled to stop the run and couldn’t protect a 21-point lead in last week’s loss to the Bills.

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“They’re playing well, they’re playing with a lot of confidence, and it’ll be a huge test,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said.

The Ravens are just 3-5 at M&T Bank Stadium this year, and Jackson may still be hampered by his injury. He is averaging just 23.9 rushing yards in his seven games since returning, at 4.2 yards per attempt. It’s well below his career numbers of 57.1 yards per game and 6.1 yards per attempt.

Jackson also hasn’t put up big passing numbers. Since returning, he is completing just 59.2 percent, throwing for 192 yards per game with eight touchdowns and five interceptions, and a modest 85.9 rating.

A Ravens offense that ranked top-four in points scored the last two years, and produced the 2023 MVP and ’24 runner-up, is now just 14th. But Baltimore coach John Harbaugh said Jackson is doing everything he can.

“Lamar competes every single week. He gives you everything he’s got,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a long season, and he fights and plays ball. So, I love the way he’s been playing.”

The Ravens are showing signs of life — namely, that they can still run the ball. They were uncharacteristically average to start the season, ranked 17th in rushing after the first five games (115 yards per game). Since then, they are No. 2 in rushing yards per game (163), and for the season still rank No. 1 in average per carry (5.2), even with Jackson’s numbers significantly down. The last two weeks, the Ravens have rushed for 406 yards.

Derrick Henry has shaken off a slow start to compile great numbers again, with 1,125 yards and 10 touchdowns for the season. He has gone for 94-plus yards in three of his past five games, including 100 on 11 carries in last week’s win over the Bengals.

Third-year running back Keaton Mitchell has also done damage, rushing for 142 yards on 14 carries the last two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Patriots’ run defense is springing several leaks. In Weeks 1-9, they allowed the fewest rushing yards per game (75.4) and third-lowest average (3.59). In Weeks 10-15, the Patriots were 19th in yards per game (130.4) and 26th in average (4.79).

The Bills rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns on the Patriots last Sunday. The Patriots know they have an equally tough task against the Ravens, especially with their top two run defenders unlikely to play — defensive tackle Milton Williams, on injured reserve for one more game, and middle linebacker Robert Spillane, who may miss his second straight game with a foot injury.

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel knows his defense will have to play better against the run Sunday night in Baltimore than it did in last Sunday’s loss to the Bills. Barry Chin/Globe Staff

“They do a very nice job with their scheme, different personnel groups, different run plan and styles of run, and different run actions,” Vrabel said of the Ravens. “And again, it’s a huge challenge this week. I’m sure we’ll see a lot of those runs that they did last week.”

A Ravens’ defense that was one of the NFL’s worst over the first half of the season is also clamping down. Last week’s win over Joe Burrow and the Bengals was Baltimore’s first shutout in seven years. The last five weeks, the Ravens rank No. 7 against the run (89 yards per game) and No. 2 in yards per carry allowed (3.4).

Vrabel credits the Ravens’ two run-stuffing defensive tackles, Travis Jones and John Jenkins, as the centerpiece of their defensive wall. But the Ravens pointed to a visit from team legend Ed Reed last Friday that got their defense back on track.

“We just feel like we haven’t played to the standard,” cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. “Ed Reed comes in on Friday, that kind of did motivate us. Honestly, that might’ve been why we played so hard on Friday, as well. Ed, he’s very unfiltered when he talks. Maybe we need a Raven to come back every week, if we practice like that and play like that.”

The Patriots will also have to deal with a desperate Ravens team that remains one game behind the 8-6 Steelers in the AFC North. Winning the division is likely the Ravens’ only path to the playoffs, as a wild card is likely out of reach. The Ravens-Steelers game in Week 18 could decide the division, but the Ravens need to keep winning to make sure it matters.

“I think the sense of urgency is different, obviously,” safety Alohi Gilman said. “When your back’s against the wall, that’s kind of when you play your best ball, I think. If this is going to be our last one, let’s go all in. So, same mentality, ‘Do or die trying,’ and this is it. Hopefully the Ravens community can hop along with us on that, and it’ll be fun.”

Without Mahomes, Burrow, or Jackson, what is the AFC playoff outlook?

Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.