Two to go.
The Patriots will kick off their penultimate recreation of the season towards a Chargers crew that may clinch a playoff bid with a win Saturday.
The Pats are slated as 4.5-point underdogs towards Los Angeles, which escaped New England with a 6-0 win final season. Since then, first-year coach Jim Harbaugh has steeled the Bolts into one of many hardest, most basically sound groups within the league. Because the Patriots work to patch their very own fundamentals, they’ll be making an attempt to match final yr’s win complete with their fourth victory of the season.
In the event that they’re to upset the Chargers, Drake Maye should out-duel Justin Hebert, his most typical professional comparability as a draft prospect. Can he do it?
Right here’s what else to observe for in Foxboro:
When the Patriots run
Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson fumbled final week in Buffalo, but when historical past is any indication, each can be requested to hold the load once more towards Los Angeles.
Stevenson and Gibson are too useful to the offense to be sidelined, each as runners and receivers. However a begin for Gibson isn’t out of the query.
Not solely did Jerod Mayo not rule out the chance this week in a press convention, Gibson took extra snaps than Stevenson in Buffalo. He’s additionally averaging 3.99 yards after contact, which could possibly be vital towards a powerful tackling protection just like the Chargers. Stevenson is averaging greater than 5 yards per carry after the bye, however appears to have worn down this season whereas monitoring for a brand new career-high in rush makes an attempt. With six extra carries, he’ll get there.
When the Patriots move
As at all times, the Patriots’ passing recreation begins with safety. However there’s one wrinkle there this week: a query mark at middle.
With Ben Brown in concussion protocol, Cole Unusual and midseason addition Lecitus Smith took all of the beginning snaps in apply this week. Unusual, who hasn’t performed middle earlier than in an NFL recreation, sounded anticipating the chance this week. In any other case, the most important issues can be on the perimeters dealing with Chargers outdoors linebackers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.
Downfield, the Pats will face powerful matchups throughout the board, none more durable than Derwin James. The All-Professional security performs throughout Los Angeles’ zone-heavy protection, disguising blitzes and coverages. Maye might want to keep away from James, whereas searching for his favourite targets in Hunter Henry, DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte.
“You discuss Derwin James; one snap, he could possibly be in the midst of the sector. The following snap, he could possibly be blitzing off the sting,” Mayo stated this week. “So, I believe he does a superb job simply placing these guys in positions to go on the market and maximize their athletic capacity.”
When the Chargers run
Chargers working again J.Ok. Dobbins is about to return Saturday after a stint on injured reserve and figures to offer an enormous raise to LA’s floor recreation. He’s rushed for 766 yards and eight touchdowns this season, a strong runner able to breaking tackles in tight quarters.
However whoever is carrying the ball might not matter if the Patriots’ can’t repair their issues with tackling, run matches and fundamentals. Final week at Buffalo, failures on the defensive position and linebacker ranges allowed a 46-yard landing run and game-sealing first-down run within the ultimate minutes. A number of linebackers, together with Jahlani Tavai and Sione Takitaki, are questionable this week for the Patriots.
Greater than most battlegrounds Saturday, the Pats’ run protection towards the Chargers’ dashing assault needs to be a powerful indicator of who’s profitable the battle.
“Because the climate adjustments and so they’re popping out this fashion, I count on them to attempt to run the ball, particularly how we appeared final week,” Mayo stated. “So, that’s the problem to the gamers that, look— they’re going to come back in right here, it’s no secret. They’re going to wish to run the ball, and we now have to cease them and make them a one-dimensional crew.”
When the Chargers move
It’s all about Ladd McConkey.
The second-round rookie leads all different Chargers pass-catchers by greater than 400 yards. He can function contained in the slot and threaten deep outdoors.
“A man that may get open versus man-to-man protection. Look, he’s enjoying properly proper now. He additionally does a superb job discovering house within the zone coverages. He’s positively a participant you bought to maintain your eye on,” Maye stated.
Final week, Jonathan Jones efficiently shadowed Buffalo’s prime goal, Khalil Shakir, who profiles equally to McConkey. That allowed Christian Gonzalez to blanket the Payments’ larger receivers who stood 6-foot-3 or taller. That plan, rooted in a man-coverage charge north of 60%, may additionally apply this week, with LA’s No. 2 and No. 3 receivers, Quentin Johnston and Josh Palmer each being larger, big-play threats.
Both manner, it will likely be a tall job towards Justin Herbert (3,243 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs), who hasn’t thrown a choose with out being pressured. As of late, the Patriots rank among the many worst strain defenses within the league.
Sport choose
Chargers 30, Patriots 20
