LOS ANGELES (AFP) — Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens face a pivotal clash against the high-flying New England Patriots Sunday, knowing anything but a win leaves their National Football League (NFL) playoff prospects in turmoil.

Among many pundits’ pre-season favorites, the Ravens have suffered a disappointing and injury-ravaged campaign, and sit second in the AFC North with three games to play.

Needing to catch their divisional rival Pittsburgh, a desperate Baltimore come up against a Patriots team still in the hunt for the conference’s crucial number-one seed spot.

“I have to worry about the Patriots. I can’t think ahead (to the playoffs). I have to focus on these guys, because it’s an explosive defense, an explosive offense. So we have to lock in,” Jackson said.

The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player has had a trying season with injuries, and missed training this week with illness, but brushed off concerns it would affect his play.

“No matter where we’re at... this game is special,” the quarterback said.

The Patriots suffered a rare hiccup last weekend, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in a 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills.