There are no must-wins in September in the National Football League, but a victory in Jacksonville on Sunday, considering a trip to Buffalo looms next, would be pretty sweet for the New England Patriots.
Four Quick Patriots Thoughts Heading into Sunday’s Battle at Jacksonville↗
Trevor Lawrence, an explosive offensive and the AFC South champion Jaguars should provide a stern test for a slumbering New England offense and a defense that has yet to be tested.
Here are four stray thoughts heading into battle on Sunday.
It starts with Drake Maye
Maye has to be better than he has shown through two weeks – plain and simple.
Even the most cynical of followers can’t see the third-year quarterback continue on this path to “Mac Jones-ville.”
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Enduring a run against nothing but top-shelf defenses has yielded a confidence problem. Now, he’s in for a pretty fair stretch here with the Jaguars, Bills, Raiders and Jets. It’s time to get back to basics, get the ball out on time with authority and get to moving the chains on a regular basis.
Two giant holes growing
Injuries have attacked New England in the most vulnerable spots, on the edge defensively and in the interior of the offensive line.
Through July and August, the depth woes at those spots were clear, and injuries have already thinned the herd – guard Mike Onwenu is on IR and edge Dre’Mont Jones is out today.
It’s time for the coaching staff to do its job and adjust so those issues don’t manifest themselves.
The one giant no-brainer is to play both Christian Barmore and Milton Williams out over the tackles in the three-technique in a pure three-man front. It would mean one less outside linebacker on the field, meaning there would be less speed. But it would allow the Patriots to work from their position of strength defensively.
Ready for a real test
Jacksonville’s passing offense is legitimate. The New England secondary has been lauded early, especially Christian Gonzalez, who has been pretty much flawless at corner through two games.
This one is a much fairer fight. Time to see how the Patriots perform.
The key matchup? Let’s go Jaguars’ receiver Jakobi Meyers vs. Patriots slot corner Marcus Jones. Both are exceptional technicians, who’ve worked hard to get here.
Neither is going to give in. It is the game within the game.
Where there’s a Will …
He’s been protected through two weeks with extra help — tight ends and backs staying in the block – plus an ultra-quick passing game-plan.
But if the Patriots get behind, which could happen in Jacksonville, Will Campbell could be asked to do much more, while staring across the line at a solid edge in Josh Hines-Allen.
It will be a good day to gauge where the second-year left tackle stands.
