If the Patriots are nonetheless excited by salvaging their season — and Wednesday’s commerce for cornerback J.C. Jackson suggests they do — the subsequent two video games on the schedule are must-wins.
The Saints come to city on Sunday in a winnable recreation. And then the Patriots will face off towards the Raiders in Las Vegas. If they will win each of those matchups, they’ll have a 3-3 file earlier than probably losses towards the Bills at dwelling and the Dolphins in Miami.
If the Patriots lose each video games towards the Saints and Raiders? It’s wanting fairly probably that they’ll begin the season 1-7 in full-on Caleb Williams watch.
These 4 gamers should make a huge impact for a Patriots win Sunday towards the Saints.
QB Mac Jones
The Patriots quarterback simply merely can not play as poorly as he did in Week 4 towards the Cowboys. He misplaced management of the soccer on two interceptions and one strip-sack, and two of these turnovers had been returned for touchdowns. He was understandably benched late within the third quarter, even when head coach Bill Belichick mentioned it wasn’t performance-related.
The Saints have a strong defensive assault, rating tenth in anticipated factors added (EPA) per play towards. And possibly even when it means extra of an absence of explosive performs, Jones must play throughout the confines of the system and conservatively if the Patriots are going to win.
If Jones has one other recreation like he had towards the Cowboys, then followers may begin chanting for Bailey Zappe, Will Grier or Malik Cunningham to switch him at quarterback. He was benched in Sunday’s blowout and mentioned Monday that “the ball is job security.” He understands what’s at stake.
“I think the biggest thing for me is take care of the football, go through my reads,” Jones mentioned this week. “You know, what’s the play? What’s the intention of the play? That’s all I can do as the quarterback, and I feel like the guys are doing a good job. So, I just have to get the ball out to them and let them make plays.”
WR Demario Douglas
The rookie receiver could be very clearly the workforce’s greatest playmaker with the ball in his fingers. The workforce’s different vast receivers are struggling. So, why did Douglas solely get 18 snaps — 14 on receiving performs — in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys? Third tight finish Pharaoh Brown out-snapped him 22-18, although solely eight of these snaps had been on passing performs.
The Patriots merely must get Douglas on the sector, consuming into JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker’s snaps. Douglas is a rookie, so some rising pains are to be anticipated. The Patriots aren’t in any other case ok to take him off of the sector for 66 p.c of the sport.
DE Keion White
With Matthew Judon anticipated to overlook months after present process biceps surgical procedure, White ought to see extra time as a cross rusher. We’ll discover out Sunday if the Patriots truly let him pin his ears again and get after the passer.
He’s proven the power and talent to overpower gifted offensive tackles. Pairing White with Josh Uche could be the important thing to the Patriots nonetheless producing a constant cross rush with Judon out.
There’s no assure White can deal with it, nevertheless it’s a minimum of value seeing what it will appear like with the rookie taking over a full share of snaps.
S Kyle Dugger
The Patriots desperately must generate extra turnovers on protection, and Dugger was key on this regard final season with three interceptions, together with two pick-sixes, a pressured fumble and a fumble restoration.
Jackson has been praised by teammates for his ball-hawking abilities and playmaking potential. It is perhaps too fast of a turnaround for Jackson to play Sunday, nevertheless, since he had not arrived in time for Wednesday’s apply.
So, till Jackson, who led the NFL in interceptions throughout his tenure from 2018-21, is able to play, the Patriots must depend on different defenders to get the ball again on offense.
It will assist if the defensive entrance remains to be capable of generate strain with out Judon. But Dugger and the secondary want to start out making some performs on the ball.
Source: www.bostonherald.com