Week 6 will function a turning level for the Patriots season.
If they beat the Raiders, then there may nonetheless be some hope of being considerably aggressive in 2023. If they lose, then they’re doubtless beginning the season 1-7 with video games developing in opposition to the Bills and Dolphins.
Some followers are searching for a full-on tank. We’ll see in the event that they get their want with a loss on Sunday.
QB Mac Jones
This feels just like the final probability for Jones to show he needs to be the Patriots’ beginning quarterback. The backup choices are unhealthy behind Jones, but when he will get benched for a 3rd straight week with the rating out of hand, then Bill Belichick wants handy the keys to the offense to Bailey Zappe, Will Grier or Malik Cunningham.
Anything barring an utter catastrophe would doubtless result in Jones persevering with to start out. If the Patriots didn’t completely bench him after the 38-3 debacle in opposition to the Cowboys or the 34-0 rout in opposition to the Saints, then a mean displaying in opposition to the Raiders most likely wouldn’t pressure them to make a big change.
The Raiders’ protection has not been superb in opposition to the move. They’re twenty third in anticipated factors added (EPA) per dropback in opposition to. But Jones had one in all his worst performances — albeit with no turnover — final season in Las Vegas.
But if the Patriots get decimated once more, it might be Zappe time Week 7 in opposition to the Bills. Uh oh.
WR Kendrick Bourne
Patriots vast receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Demario Douglas are trying unlikely to play after getting into concussion protocol final Sunday. That’s the crew’s prime two slot receivers. Their different choices at vast receiver on the 53-man roster are Bourne, DeVante Parker and Kayshon Boutte. Tyquan Thornton is eligible to return off of injured reserve. And then they’ve Jalen Reagor, T.J. Luter and Malik Cunningham on the apply squad.
Toss tight finish Mike Gesicki and working again Ty Montgomery into the combo, as effectively. They each have expertise enjoying within the slot.
But in three-wide receiver units, Bourne is the most suitable choice to play inside. Bourne normally performs the Patriots’ “Z” receiver spot, however he’s taken roughly one-third of his snaps within the slot since coming to New England in 2021.
Based on his play this season, the Patriots received’t miss Smith-Schuster a lot. They will miss Douglas’ skill to get open in opposition to man protection and his after-the-catch skill. Bourne can function Jones’ safety blanket on Sunday, nonetheless.
DE Keion White
If the Patriots need to generate extra turnovers (which they do), then they’ll must get stress on Raiders quarterback and ex-Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo. Josh Uche has been constant in bringing stress. But White, the Patriots’ extremely touted second-round select of Georgia Tech, has been held with no stress in three of 5 video games to this point this season. He’s additionally struggled in run protection for 2 straight video games as he continues to enhance his method.
The Patriots want him with Matthew Judon out. They can’t rely on different hybrid edge defenders like Anfernee Jennings and Jahlani Tavai to carry stress. And the Patriots aren’t getting a push from inside.
White, who will likely be 25 years outdated in January, must mature quick on this protection.
CB J.C. Jackson
If anybody goes to remove the ball, it’s Jackson, who was a ball hawk in his preliminary tenure with the Patriots. He faces a troublesome take a look at regardless of who he matches up on this weekend whether or not it’s Davante Adams or Jakobi Meyers. He’s additionally nonetheless clearly not 100% since we’ve seen ice packs on his knee after practices.
But if the move rush can get to Garoppolo, then that would result in the Raiders QB tossing a few passes Jackson’s manner.
If Jackson spends most of his time on Adams, then Jonathan Jones would doubtless cowl Meyers, with Myles Bryant on Hunter Renfrow.
Renfrow has managed to be even much less productive than Smith-Schuster this season. He has six catches on 9 targets for 59 yards in 5 video games. So, that’s not essentially as massive of a mismatch for the Raiders than it appears on paper.
The Raiders ought to do the Patriots a strong and allow them to have Renfrow if head coach Josh McDaniels isn’t going to make use of him.
Source: www.bostonherald.com