Normally, on Sunday mornings I sit at my computer and type up the things I think the Patriots need to do in order to win. This week is the first time I've sat down without really having that as a mindset. I guess not knowing what the mindset is of Belichick and Kraft at this point in the season, I'll just hope that the team does what they they want them to do. Now if they aren't in the same mindset, then I don't know what to hope for.
QUARTERBACK PLAY- I think it is pretty safe to say that neither Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe is the quarterback of the future for the New England Patriots. I'd also offer up that I doubt either of them are in Patriots uniforms next season. While not having Zappe on the team next year is pretty simplistic, the way we get rid of Mac is pretty important. Do we keep him on the sideline so he doesn't get hurt? Do we have him play and hope he looks good? Do we intentionally make it look like the coaching or players surrounding him are the problem? Do we just suck it up and realize that we made the wrong pick and cut our losses? It used to be that teams did whatever they could to take Patriots players and coaches away from New England to stop the machine, now they won't touch Mac with a 10 foot pole.
DEFENSE- While they haven't been scoring points or being very flashy, the injury depleted defense is still getting the job done and keeping teams under their average. Currently the only team worse than the Patriots when it comes to putting points on the board is the Giants. Although they managed 31 points in their last game, they are averaging 13.5 points per game. At home that point total drops to 6.8. As a team, I don't realistically see the Patriots holding the Giants under 6.8 points today. Regardless of who we put in as quarterback, a turnover that turns directly into points is likely. Ideally with the defense, I'd like to see and injury free day with some solid tackling.
DEFENSE- While they haven't been scoring points or being very flashy, the injury depleted defense is still getting the job done and keeping teams under their average. Currently the only team worse than the Patriots when it comes to putting points on the board is the Giants. Although they managed 31 points in their last game, they are averaging 13.5 points per game. At home that point total drops to 6.8. As a team, I don't realistically see the Patriots holding the Giants under 6.8 points today. Regardless of who we put in as quarterback, a turnover that turns directly into points is likely. Ideally with the defense, I'd like to see and injury free day with some solid tackling.
SPECIAL TEAMS- They have really been all over the place this season. One minute they look like the Bad News Bears, the next minute they look like an all-star team. The only thing that's been pretty consistent is having flags thrown that no one agrees with. Bryce Baringer is having a pretty strong rookie season with a league leading 23 punts inside the 20. Unfortunately, Baringer having the longest punt this season (79 yards) is really a testament to how bad the offense has been. While it feels like he's had a bunch of touchbacks, he's only had 5. If you were thinking that with today's two offensive plebeians going head to head, we might see some field goals, I'd change that though to field goal attempts. In addition to being the worst overall scoring teams, the Patriots and Giants are also the worst at making field goals. The Patriots have made 70.6% of their attempts while the Giants have made 68.4% of theirs. Since both teams are typically in the top ten with field goal percentages, it is a bit unusual for the fans to watch.
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