QUARTERBACK SWITCH- For the love of god, if Mac sucks to start the game can we make the switch before the game gets out of hand? Since we are in Vegas, is there any way to show that he's been betting on NFL games? If it was found out that he was betting against himself, that might actually benefit him and the Patriots all at the same time. Now that's 3D chess people.
FIELD PUNTS WITH A PURPOSE- Maybe this goes against some general rule in football, but fair catching the ball inside your own ten yard line is just awful. There's probably as much of a chance of moving the chains or even scoring from your own 1 as there is moving them or scoring from your 9 yard line. The way our offense already finds a way to move backwards or give points to their opponents, who really cares about the potential of a safety?
BIG PASSING PLAY- Combining both teams big passing plays (>25 yards), we have a total of 7. The Patriots have had 4, while the Raiders have had 3. There are 22 teams who have 7 or more big passing plays all by themselves. Current league leader is the Houston Texans with 15. Hopefully, if there are any big passing plays today they come from New England's offense. Defensively the Patriots have given up 7 passing plays of 25 or more yards (no touchdowns).
BIG RUNNING PLAY- The longest run for the Patriots this year was 18 yards by Mac Jones. We've played 5 games and our longest run is less than 20 yards and by our not very mobile quarterback. Of course, you aren't doing a whole lot of running in games when your are down by 2 scores before fans are finished with half of their first game-time beer. The defense has given up two pretty huge running plays of their own. While one came in mop up time against the Cowboys, the 46 yard touchdown run they gave up to the Dolphins was pretty significant. I'm going out on a limb a bit here, but if the Patriots can have at least one running play go for over 20 yards today, they will will the game.