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New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick has earned a reputation for identifying an opposing team’s best offensive weapon and taking it away.

Heading into the Ravens-Patriots game this past Sunday, it was reasonable to assume that All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews would be the player in Belichick’s crosshairs. But that wasn’t the case.

Belichick focused on taking away Rashod Bateman, says Russell Street Report’s Jim Zipcode. The effort was largely a success, as Bateman was targeted just four times and finished with two catches, both of which came in the fourth quarter.

The takeaway, though, is that Belichick thought enough of the second-year wide receiver to make shutting him down the priority.

“That’s AMAZING if you think about it,” Zipcode wrote. “Andrews is the reigning All-Pro tight end and a two-time Pro Bowler. He had over 1,300 yards last year. He has been, if not the engine, then the drivetrain for the Ravens’ pass game. Belichick chose to play him straight-up, and instead schemed to take away Bateman. That tells us something about Bateman, if we’re paying attention.”

With the Patriots blanketing Bateman, Jackson successfully spread the ball around and made smart decisions based on what the defense was giving him. Andrews was the main beneficiary, catching eight of 13 targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Overall, eight different players caught at least one pass.

As for Bateman, he still finished second on the team in receiving yards, as his two catches totaled 59 yards. He had a 35-yard reception on the Ravens’ game-clinching drive late in the fourth quarter of the 37-26 victory. Through three games, the 2021 first-round pick is on pace for 1,280 yards.

“Even blanketed, Bateman shows why he commands defensive attention,” Zipcode wrote. “He almost had another chunk play on a bomb down the sideline that was just off his fingertips. He’s a nightmare after the catch. He’s just a problem. In…