FOUR MOST IMPORTANT PATRIOTS VS. SAINTS
If the Patriots are still interested in salvaging their season — and Wednesday’s trade for cornerback J.C. Jackson suggests they do — the next two games on the schedule are mustwins.
The Saints come to town on Sunday in a winnable game. And then the Patriots will face off against the Raiders in Las Vegas. If they can win both of these matchups, they’ll have a 3-3 record before likely losses against the Bills at home and the Dolphins in Miami.
If the Patriots lose both games against the Saints and Raiders? It’s looking pretty likely that they’ll start the season 1-7 in full- on Caleb Williams watch.
These four players have to make a big impact for a Patriots win Sunday against the Saints.
QB Mac Jones
The Patriots quarterback just simply cannot play as poorly as he did in Week 4 against the Cowboys. He lost control of the football on two interceptions and one strip-sack, and two of those turnovers were returned for touchdowns. He was understandably benched late in the third quarter, even if head coach Bill Belichick said it wasn’t performance-related.
The Saints have a solid defensive attack, ranking 10th in expected points added (EPA) per play against. And maybe even if it means more of a lack of explosive plays, Jones needs to play within the confines of the system and conservatively if the Patriots are going to win.
If Jones has another game like he had against the Cowboys,
then fans might start chanting for Bailey Zappe, Will Grier or Malik Cunningham to replace him at quarterback. He was benched in Sunday’s blowout and said Monday that “the ball is job security.” He understands what’s at stake.
“I think the biggest thing for me is take care of the football, go through my reads,” Jones said this week. “You know, what’s the play? What’s the intention of the play? That’s all I can do as the quarterback, and I feel like the guys are doing a good job. So, I just have to get the ball out to them and let them make plays.”
WR Demario Douglas
The rookie receiver is very clearly the team’s best playmaker with the ball in his hands. The team’s other wide receivers are struggling. So, why did Douglas only get 18 snaps
— 14 on receiving plays — in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys? Third tight end Pharaoh Brown out-snapped him 22-18, though only eight of those snaps were on passing plays.
The Patriots simply need to get Douglas on the field, eating into Juju Smith-schuster, Kendrick Bourne and Devante Parker’s snaps. Douglas is a rookie, so some growing pains are to be expected. The Patriots aren’t otherwise good enough to take him off of the field for 66 percent of the game.
DE Keion White
With Matthew Judon expected to miss months after undergoing biceps surgery, White should see more time as a pass rusher. We’ll find out Sunday if the Patriots actually let him pin his ears back and get after the
passer.
He’s shown the strength and ability to overpower talented offensive tackles. Pairing White with Josh Uche would be the key to the Patriots still producing a consistent pass rush with Judon out.
There’s no guarantee White can handle it, but it’s at least worth seeing what it would look like with the rookie taking on a full share of snaps.
S Kyle Dugger
The Patriots desperately need to generate more turnovers on defense, and Dugger was key in this regard last season with three interceptions, including two pick- sixes, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Jackson has been praised by teammates for his ballhawking skills and playmaking ability. It might be too quick of a turnaround for Jackson to play Sunday, however, since he had not arrived in time for Wednesday’s practice.
So, until Jackson, who led the NFL in interceptions during his tenure from 201821, is ready to play, the Patriots need to count on other defenders to get the ball back on offense.