To get into the playoffs the Patriots pretty much need a win today. To secure the number one pick in the draft the Jaguars pretty much need to lose their next two games. With those things both being true, here is what the Patriots need to do to be playoff ready.
WIN- While this may seem like something which is guaranteed, you never know. The team the Jaguars could lose the number one pick to is the Detroit Lions. The Lions have been playing games to win and knocked off the NFC's top dog Cardinals by a score of 30-12. Could the Jaguars come into today's game gunning for the Patriots and saying screw it to having back to back number one draft picks? Absolutely. Yes, the Jaguars only have two wins this year. Who did they beat you ask? Well, lucky for us Patriots fans, they got their two victories against AFC East foes, the Dolphins and Bills. So, while the Jaguars could be complacent today, we can't bank on it and better show up to play from start to finish.
AVOID INJURIES- Knock on wood, we haven't been decimated by injuries this season. Yes, we had a huge loss to our running back room early in the season when James White went down at the same time the youngins couldn't hold onto the ball, but overall we've stayed relatively healthy.
AVOID INJURIES- Knock on wood, we haven't been decimated by injuries this season. Yes, we had a huge loss to our running back room early in the season when James White went down at the same time the youngins couldn't hold onto the ball, but overall we've stayed relatively healthy.
TURN TAKEAWAYS INTO POINTS- Step one is cause turnovers. Step two is to turn that free possession into points, preferably 7. This season the Patriots have scored 80 points off of takeaways. In their 6 losses, these takeaway points were almost non-existent. In three of their losses they didn't have any takeaways (Saints, Bucs, and Bills). In two of their losses they ended up giving the ball back on their free possession (Dolphins and Cowboys). In their recent loss against the Colts, they scored a field goal after intercepting Wentz.
GET MAC SOME STYLE POINTS- This season Jones has been the best rookie quarterback. Since he's facing the number one pick and pre-ordained future Hall of Famer Trevor Lawrence today, I'd like to see him look extra special. Mac looking good today comes in two different ways. One is by his play at quarterback. While ball control isn't sexy, interceptions aren't good for your stat sheet or highlight reel. After having only 8 picks in his first 13 games, Mac has thrown 2 in each of the team's back to back losses. In addition to completing his passes only to Patriot players, having a couple of pristine passes down the field will help as well. The other way Mac can look good today is by the Belichick defense making Lawrence look like a rookie.
FAST START- The team has admitted to having slow starts lately. This would be a good week to come out ready to play. On the season the Patriots defense has given up the majority of their points during the 1st and 3rd quarters. When has the team scored the majority of their points? During the 2nd and 4th quarters (1st- 70 pts. 2nd- 115 pts. 3rd-61 pts. and 4th- 142 pts.)
DON'T COMPOUND ERRORS- While I completely agree with Trent Brown and David Andrews losing their minds on the referees last week, we can't let one bad call or mental error change the momentum. Looking over all of the Patriots penalties this season, I noticed that way too often we were guilty of changing our momentum by getting back to back penalties. Since the second one was frequently a bone headed pre-snap variety, you can't even try to deflect it as a judgement call.
GET MAC SOME STYLE POINTS- This season Jones has been the best rookie quarterback. Since he's facing the number one pick and pre-ordained future Hall of Famer Trevor Lawrence today, I'd like to see him look extra special. Mac looking good today comes in two different ways. One is by his play at quarterback. While ball control isn't sexy, interceptions aren't good for your stat sheet or highlight reel. After having only 8 picks in his first 13 games, Mac has thrown 2 in each of the team's back to back losses. In addition to completing his passes only to Patriot players, having a couple of pristine passes down the field will help as well. The other way Mac can look good today is by the Belichick defense making Lawrence look like a rookie.
FAST START- The team has admitted to having slow starts lately. This would be a good week to come out ready to play. On the season the Patriots defense has given up the majority of their points during the 1st and 3rd quarters. When has the team scored the majority of their points? During the 2nd and 4th quarters (1st- 70 pts. 2nd- 115 pts. 3rd-61 pts. and 4th- 142 pts.)
DON'T COMPOUND ERRORS- While I completely agree with Trent Brown and David Andrews losing their minds on the referees last week, we can't let one bad call or mental error change the momentum. Looking over all of the Patriots penalties this season, I noticed that way too often we were guilty of changing our momentum by getting back to back penalties. Since the second one was frequently a bone headed pre-snap variety, you can't even try to deflect it as a judgement call.
RANDOM THINGS TO CONSIDER-
- With a win Belichick ties Shula for the most 10 win seasons (20) as an NFL head coach. Personally I think this win needs to occur today and not next week or else everyone will be claiming it doesn't count.
- With a post-season appearance this season, Belichick will tie Shula with 19.
- The Patriots are 7-1 in the regular season against the Jaguars. Their lonely loss came in their last meeting.
- Since the 2001 season, the Patriots have only been below .500 for 29 weeks. In second place is the Steelers with 66 weeks.
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