The Patriots shook up their beginning lineup.
They modified their observe schedule.
They flew throughout the Atlantic Ocean in a single day Friday.
Will that be sufficient to lastly clinch a second win?
The Pats are slated as 6-point underdogs towards the Jaguars, who’re additionally mired at 1-5 because of issues on either side of the ball. Jacksonville’s protection ranks within the backside 10 of a number of metrics and will present a pleasant springboard for Drake Maye after his spectacular debut final weekend. Maye tossed three touchdowns towards Houston, regardless of going through an early 14-0 deficit and fixed strain with none operating recreation to help him.
If the Patriots can transfer on the Jaguars early, would possibly Maye earn his first win?
Right here’s what to look at for in London:
When the Patriots run
Final week, Antonio Gibson pressured 5 misses tackles towards Houston, however gained simply 19 yards on 13 yards because of some shoddy run-blocking. The Patriots couldn’t run inside or outdoors, and received stumped on each scheme they tried.
Though Gibson — and doubtlessly Rhamondre Stevenson — ought to discover holes extra simply versus Jacksonville, an injured and inconsistent Pats offensive line can’t be anticipated to pave the way in which for a 100-yard recreation. That offensive line will likely be debuting its seventh completely different beginning lineup in as many video games. So, search for the teaching employees to maybe contain Maye as a runner to select up extra yards in key conditions.
Maye led the group in speeding final week with 38 yards on 5 scrambles.
When the Patriots go
Bombs away.
The Patriots have stored most of their play-action bundle underneath wraps this season, cautious of their very own safety points and incapacity to separate downfield. That ought to change with Maye, and a Jaguars protection that’s additional weak towards play-action.
Jacksonville has allowed extra completions and extra passing yards off play-action than some other protection within the NFL. Maye went 4-for-4 final week after play fakes, plus a scramble. He has the arm power and mobility to make these deep photographs doable, even when on the run.
Out vast, Jerod Mayo mentioned this week DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne and Kayshon Boutte have been the one receivers constantly making performs. It’s doable they may take some snaps from second-round rookie Ja’Lynn Polk, who has three drops within the final two video games.
When the Jaguars run
Jacksonville operating again Tank Bigsby resides as much as his title this season, bowling over tacklers and averaging extra yards after contact than any rusher within the league. The Patriots have largely tightened up their tackling points, however they’re nonetheless weaker towards the run than they’ve been in years. Mayo’s protection has allowed 190-plus yards in back-to-back video games.
New personnel would possibly make a distinction. Backup inside linebacker Christian Elliss is in line for extra taking part in time, following consecutive unhealthy video games from Raekwon McMillan. The Pats may additionally go for modifications alongside their line of defense. Defensive sort out Davon Godchaux has been their solely constant stopper up entrance.
When the Jaguars go
Again to the blitz?
Final week, the Patriots revived their go rush by calling their highest blitz fee of the season towards Houston. Keion White led the way in which with three pressures, although nobody else constantly received their 1-on-1 matchups. If the Patriots have an effect on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence sufficient, they need to short-circuit Jacksonville’s passing recreation.
Lawrence is 20-of-44 for 186 yards underneath strain this season, per Professional Soccer Focus, with 15 sacks and two fumbles.
Within the again finish, Christian Gonzalez will face his stiffest take a look at from rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. The LSU product leads the Jaguars in all three main receiving classes with 25 catches, 424 yards and three touchdowns. Veteran wideouts Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis may additionally do injury downfield, with notable dimension benefits over the Pats’ subsequent obtainable cornerbacks: Joanthan Jones (5-foot-10) and Marcus Jones (5-foot-8).
Sport decide
Patriots 24, Jaguars 23