By idling on the NFL’s commerce deadline this week, the Patriots despatched a message to their roster: we’re using with you the remainder of the way in which.
At 2-6, it’s all however sure the Pats gained’t flip their season round in time for a playoff run, however just a few younger gamers may form the rest of this marketing campaign. Whether which means ending near .500 or making a case for taking part in time in 2024 and past stays to be seen. But all of it begins Sunday.
From the roster, these are the 4 Patriots most pivotal to a win over the Commanders.
WR Demario Douglas
The Patriots’ new main receiver performed a career-high 41 snaps final week. Don’t be stunned to see Douglas surpass that in opposition to Washington.
The Commanders rank second-worst within the league at defending opponents’ No. 1 receivers by DVOA. They discipline a younger secondary with tall, lengthy cornerbacks that would battle in opposition to Douglas’ elite quickness. The sixth-round rookie is by far the Pats’ greatest yards-after-catch risk and most constant separator versus man protection.
Over the previous two weeks, the Patriots have additionally featured Douglas in motion-heavy sport plans. Against Miami, they ran a season-high 34.1% of performs with a receiver in movement on the snap. On these performs, they loved a 53% success charge, up from their 38% mark for your entire sport.
Douglas executed most of these pre-snap motions with Kendrick Bourne, however now that Bourne is out for the season, the rookie needs to be a lot busy earlier than and after the snap as Mac Jones’ new go-to man.
WR Tyquan Thornton
It’s not fairly now or by no means for the 2022 second-round decide, however it’s getting shut.
The Patriots made Thornton a wholesome scratch for final weekend’s loss at Miami, a transparent signal the workers doesn’t consider he might be efective. In his final sport motion, Thornton caught one move for 2 yards versus Buffalo. The week earlier than that, he secured one in every of two targets for six yards.
Despite boasting 4.3 velocity and above-average peak for his place, Thornton has by no means been capable of apply his uncommon skills and make an influence. Sunday can be a super time, given the Patriots’ poor well being at receiver and Washington’s dreadful deep-ball protection. Defending passes with 20-plus air yards, Washington has allowed probably the most completions, highest yards/try common and highest Expected Points Added (EPA).
Thornton can get behind most defenses, and it seems like Mac Jones would like to throw him the ball.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing with really fast receivers. That’s a quarterback’s favorite thing, right?” Jones mentioned this week. “You have guys that may threaten the protection vertically, and the actually good ones are those who can have a number of routes, as properly. So, I believe Tyquan positively has that, and he has the best mindset proper now.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him progress and grow, for sure.”
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C David Andrews
It all begins within the center.
Whether the Patriots are working the ball or defending Jones, they need to win between the tackles in opposition to Washington. This season, they’ve confirmed to be an above-average dashing crew inside, thanks largely to a terrific season from middle David Andrews and the exhausting working of Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott.
That should proceed Sunday, particularly if left sort out Trent Brown (ankle/knee) is proscribed or out. On Thursday, Andrews spoke to the problem of going through Commanders defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Among defensive tackles, Allen (34) and Payne (34) rank among the many league leaders in tackles for loss during the last two-plus seasons.
And when Jones faces strain, he has a passer ranking of 56.8 with three touchdowns and 4 interceptions this 12 months, per Pro Football Focus.
CB J.C. Jackson
In his first three video games as a Patriot this season, Jackson appeared like his outdated self.
He performed robust man-to-man protection and flashed pure instincts. He even broke up a move in opposition to Buffalo and bested Bills star Stefon Diggs, who’s lengthy had his quantity. Then, over a single outing, Jackson regressed.
He allowed two touchdowns final weekend at Miami, the place the Dolphins picked on him relentlessly. In all, he allowed 5 catches, two touchdowns and dedicated a defensive move interference penalty. While Commanders main receiver Terry McLaurin is not any Tyreek Hill, his velocity remains to be a hazard.
This week, Bill Belichick referred to as McLaurin “a very explosive player,” who threatens all ranges of the protection.
“He can make plays down the field, intermediate, catch-and-run plays. He’s quick, plays a lot of different positions,” Belichick mentioned. “They move him around. … It’s not like all the targets go to him, but he’s clearly one of the top players in the league. There’s no doubt about that.”
McLaurin leads Washington with 42 catches for 495 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Source: www.bostonherald.com