Not wanting to go to 1-4, the Patriots have a must win game down in Houston. Although they are without 80% of their offensive line, they are still favored to win as Houston has their own set of troubles.
ROOKIE QUARTERBACKS- At the beginning of the season, we did not have this game marked as a battle of the rookies. However with Tyrod Taylor pulling his hamstring in week two, here we are. We all know that Bill Belichick coached defenses tend to make highly drafted rookie quarterbacks look pretty bad. Today he gets to coach against Stanford product Davis Mills. The last time Davis was highly sought after was in high school. How he even got into the NFL, is probably a Covid miracle as he lucked out with some decent stats for a shortened senior season. While at Stanford, Davis started 11 games and played in 14. If this is the first you've heard of him, you definitely aren't alone.
Mac Jones is having a solid rookie debut considering that when relatively healthy the offensive line and running backs haven't been anything close to what was expected heading into the season. With today's injury depleted offensive line, I'd expect the team to continue with getting the ball out quickly. Assuming the Patriots don't fall behind or get offensive penalties, they shouldn't need to go for the long ball. Although Mac Jones has only been sacked 10 times (tied for 12th), he has been hit 25 times (2nd). While he appears to be a tough kid, proper play calling and execution to keep him unscathed is needed.
Mac Jones is having a solid rookie debut considering that when relatively healthy the offensive line and running backs haven't been anything close to what was expected heading into the season. With today's injury depleted offensive line, I'd expect the team to continue with getting the ball out quickly. Assuming the Patriots don't fall behind or get offensive penalties, they shouldn't need to go for the long ball. Although Mac Jones has only been sacked 10 times (tied for 12th), he has been hit 25 times (2nd). While he appears to be a tough kid, proper play calling and execution to keep him unscathed is needed.
TURNOVERS- If not for untimely turnovers the Patriots could easily be 3-1. For the season they are 1-0 when winning the turnover battle and 0-3 when losing. In the two seasons post-Brady, the team is a perfect 7-0 when winning the battle, 1-6 when losing, and 0-6 when even. Not saying that we want to take some air of of the balls or anything, but are the balls getting prepped before the games?
DEFENSIVE SCORES- It has been a while since the Patriots got either a special teams or defensive score. While we may not want to "waste one" today, we could really use some help scoring points. Last season the team had 2 defensive scores and 2 special teams scores.
In his two previous stints with the Patriots, Jamie Collins had two touchdowns. In 2015 he returned a fumble for a score and in 2019 he had a pick 6.
DON'T BEAT YOURSELF- Houston does not have a good defense and has given up an average of 29 points per game. Even with issues on the offensive line, the Patriots should be able to do some damage. Usually a well-disciplined unit, the Patriots are having some uncharacteristically miscues on special teams as well as way too many whistles. This needs to be cleaned up.
DEFENSIVE SCORES- It has been a while since the Patriots got either a special teams or defensive score. While we may not want to "waste one" today, we could really use some help scoring points. Last season the team had 2 defensive scores and 2 special teams scores.
- 9/21 Devin McCourty had a pick 6
- 9/27 Deatrich Wise returned a fumble for a score
- 12/6 at the Chargers Gunner returned a punt 70 yards and Devin returned a blocked field goal
In his two previous stints with the Patriots, Jamie Collins had two touchdowns. In 2015 he returned a fumble for a score and in 2019 he had a pick 6.
DON'T BEAT YOURSELF- Houston does not have a good defense and has given up an average of 29 points per game. Even with issues on the offensive line, the Patriots should be able to do some damage. Usually a well-disciplined unit, the Patriots are having some uncharacteristically miscues on special teams as well as way too many whistles. This needs to be cleaned up.
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