6 rings: 3 matchups to watch in patriots vs. jets
The Patriots are looking to get off the shneid after an 0-2 start that, while probably could have been expected given matchups vs. the Eagles and Dolphins, isn’t sitting well in and around the confines of the Foxborough locker room.
They’re headed to the Meadowlands for a 1 p.m. kickoff versus their division rival New York Jets, a team they've beaten 14 consecutive times dating back to 2015.
Here are 10 players to watch on Sunday afternoon:
10 - WR Demario Douglas, Patriots
All eyes will be on Patriots rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas, who was effectively benched during last weeks loss to Miami following a first quarter fumble.
"I didn't like it,” former Patriots safety Devin McCourty told WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show on Wednesday when asked about the benching. “For that offense, Pop Douglas, there's nobody else on the offense like him. The only other guy on the team like him is Marcus Jones. So, unless you're gonna move Marcus Jones to offense, which doesn't look likely now that he went down last week, that kid has to play. He has to play. And not just like, show up a little bit - he needs to be out there a lot. Because you need guys that put some fear in the defense of, 'Man, when this guy has the ball in his hands we got to gang tackle, we got to surround him.' You need that out there on offense because it changes the way some of those guys are gonna play defensively. And when Pop Douglas isn't out there, they really don't have that guy. They have good football players, but they don't have guys that have a different level of explosion and speed."
Preach, Dev.
Douglas, a 2023 sixth-round pick, is the shifty, waterbug-type of player that the Patriots have been desprate for for years. He caught Mac Jones’ longest completion in week one (aside from a long catch-and-run from Rhamondre Stevenson), and looked to be the only answer New England had on offense during week two prior to the fumble.
He better see the field again on Sunday. It would be a travesty if he doesn’t.
9 - T Mechi Becton, Jets and 8 - T Duane Brown, Jets
The New York Jets’ bookend tackles, Mechi Becton and Duane Brown, both saw time on the injury report this week - but as of the latest edition, Becton was removed and Brown was listed as questionable with a hip injury. He was a full participant during Friday’s practice.
“They’re a big, physical group,” Patriots defensive tackle Lawrence Guy said this week when broached about the unit they’ll face off against this week. “Understanding that they all work together. They just added another piece at that left tackle. He works his butt off. I remember playing him in Seattle, he’s a real hard worker. They’re big, physical, and understand the game. So, it’s just one of those things that, we just need to bring the fight to ‘em. We can’t not throw the first punch.”
While Becton and Brown should be serviceable, Jets quarterbacks have been sacked six times for 42 yards through two games. New England’s defensive front will look to make it even more.
7 - LB Matthew Judon, Patriots
A front that includes, of course, arguably New England’s best player in Matthew Judon.
Judon has a sack in each game to start the 2023 campaign and had tallied seven total tackles on top of that. Additionally, in six games career games against the Jets, he’s put up 16 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
The linebacker noted this week that Zach Wilson “can make all the throws”, but probably didn’t expect to play this season. If all goes according to plan, Judon will make him wish he wasn’t.
6 - RB Breece Hall, Jets
The Patriots struggled defending the run in week two, allowing speedster Raheem Mostert to rush for 121 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. That’s exactly why my eyes are on Breece Hall this weekend.
Hall, who the Jets drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, missed most of last season with a torn ACL but has come back with a vengeance. Though he saw only four carries in New York’s week two loss to Dallas, week one was a different story when he went for 127 yards on ten carries against Buffalo.
“That’s the upside for their team,” Ja’Whaun Bentley said of the Jets’ running back room. “There is no drop off, there is no drastic difference from when one player’s in the game versus when the other back’s in the game. They have a three-headed monster when you talk about Carter, too. They all bring something different to the table but they all use what they do well.”
Whether Bent wants to admit it or not, Hall is the top back in the Jets offense and like me, I’m sure their eyes will be locked on him this Sunday.
5 - LB Quinnen Williams, Jets
The Jets’ best unit is, without question, their defensive line. Names like John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson, Solomon Thomas, Carl Lawson, and Will McDonald IV may ring a bell, but none as as dominant as Quinnen Williams.
“Really good player, man,” Patriots center David Andrews said this week when asked about how good of a player Williams is “He’s got a lot of attributes you look for in a d-lineman, plays really hard. They rotate in and out so they can keep those guys as fresh as possible. You’ve got to do a really good job at finishing on the back side, finishing all your blocks on him [in] pass pro., run game. A really good D tackle. Does a lot of things well. Strong, physical, quick, big. He’s got all the attributes you look for in that position.”
The third overall pick out of Alabama in 2019, Williams was a first-team All-Pro in 2022 and has tallied 27.5 sacks in four seasons including 12.5 last year. He’s arguably the Jets’ best player, and will be a key player for New York if they want to win this matchup.
4 - QB Mac Jones, Patriots
Mac Jones is not the reason this Patriots team is 0-2. Through two games, New England’s quarterback leads the NFL in completions and attempts, is fifth in passing yards, and
Despite the solid showings, he’s also had chances to win both games at the end and, whether it was ultimately his fault or not, has failed to do so.
Whether it’s ultimately a close game as the clock approaches zero or not, it’s time for Jones to show command, for four full quarters, of his new offense .. While the lack of weaponry and subsequent benching of one are certainly viable excuses, it’s time for a “no excuses” attitude on the field for the third year quarterback.
3 - CB Sauce Gardner, Jets
In order for Mac to succeed this week, he’ll have to get through Jets defender Sauce Gardner, one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
Whether on purpose or not, Gardner admitted this week that he’s not too worried about the Patriots’ offense:
“They don't really have a complex offense,” the defender told the New York media this week. “It's pretty simple for the quarterback to get. The gap scheme, everything is really simple. But they excel at it. What they try to do is get other people to mess up and make mistakes. They just do everything right.”
Against CeeDee Lamb last weekend, Gardner was in coverage against Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb for 6 snaps last weekend and was targeted twice - allowing just one reception for one yard. He’ll likely shut down whomever he's matched up against versus New England on Sunday.
2 - CB Christian Gonzalez, Patriots and 1 - WR Garrett Wilson, Jets
The matchup of the weekend, in my opinion, my eyes will be all over these two on Sunday.
Garrett Wilson, who the Jets drafted with the 10th overall pick in last season’s draft, is turning into a star right before the league’s eyes. The pass catcher was an 1,000+ yard receiver during his rookie year, and has made highlight reel after highlight reel grab through two weeks with Zach Wilson throwing him the football.
He’ll be matched up against Christian Gonzalez, the Patriots’ rookie phenom, on Sunday.
Gonzo has been the one true bright spot through two games in New England, tallying 11 tackles, two pass breakups, a sack, and an interception. He’s also the third ranked cornerback in the entire NFL in terms of PFF grade (82.6), and has been the highest graded rookie overall.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: getcha popcorn ready for this one.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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