AP photo New England Patriots running back Damien Harris, center, runs past Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, left, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey, right, in the first half of Sunday night's 23-17 win over Baltimore at Gillette Stadium.

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Damien Harris is proving his time has come as a New England Patriots running back.

“I’m on cloud nine right now,” Harris said after he rushed for a career high 121 yards in the Patriots’ 23-17 win over the Baltimore Ravens in the pouring rain at Gillette Stadium. “I’m just super happy right now. … Tonight was a special moment in my career.”

Harris said his tough running was just part of how the Patriots wanted to play.

“I just think it was representative of how we wanted to come out and play,” he said. “We wanted to show how tough and how physical we are and play the game the right way.”

And for him, that made the night even more special.

“It was important for me to show that I’m going to do what ever it takes to help make this team successful,” he said. “Playing in this game was super important … I wanted to come out here and be a part of it and come out here and help this team win.”

In one of those runs, Harris plowed over fellow Alabama alum and Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

“Marlin was my boy in college,” Harris said. “It was good having that play against Marlin, I guess. He’s not your typical DB. He’s as physical and as elite as they come.”

But Harris just felt this was a night that he could build on.

“It’s huge,” Harris said, crediting his line. “It helps me build confidence to try to continue to go out there and do my job.”

GILMORE OUT AGAIN

The Patriots were once again without standout defensive back Stephon Gilmore for Sunday night’s rain-soaked affair.

Gilmore was one of seven Patriot inactives. He returned to practice this week in a limited basis, but the knee issues that have plagued him the last three weeks apparently continue.

The other inactives included another defensive player that the Patriots have missed, Ja’Whaun Bentley.

Remaining Patriots inactives were veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer, rookie running back J.J. Taylor, offensive lineman Hjalte Frohold, newly acquired tight end Jordan Thomas, and defensive lineman Isaiah Mack.

The key Raven that was inactive due to injury was defensive end Calais Campbell, and it showed as the Patriots were able to run wide a lot of the first half. Other inactives were linebackers L.J. Fort, Jihad Ward, veteran corner Jimmy Smith, and quarterback Trace McSorley.

JACKSON DOES IT AGAIN

Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson picked off Lamar Jackson in the final seconds of the first half on a deep ball just inside the New England 10, thwarting a Ravens drive. Jackson has now had an interception in five straight games, setting a franchise record.

Jackson moved past Devin McCourty (2019) and Mike Haynes (1976), who had picks in four straight games.

HARBAUGH WAS READY

Ravens coach John Harbaugh said his team actually was ready for the Jakobi Meyers halfback option TD pass to Rex Burkhead, but that linebacker Patrick Queen misplayed it.

“We talked about it all week,” Harbaugh said. “We practiced it. I think we had it covered but Patrick just hesitated just a little bit. I would probably call that just a rookie mistake in terms of uncertainty in that situation.”

NOTES

Fred C. Turner, a Senior Enlisted Leader at Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Unit in Portsmouth performed the National Anthem…

Sunday was the fifth prime time game between the two teams. They played last year on a Sunday night in Baltimore, and played Sunday night in 2012. They also played two Monday Night Football games, in 2007 and 2016, both Patriot wins…

Cam Newton’s 4-yard TD run early in the third quarter was the 67th of his career, extending his own record…

Baltimore starting nose tackle Brandon Williams suffered an ankle injury early in the second half and was out for the remainder of the game…

Next up for the Patriots: Next Sunday at Houston, 1 p.m.