Week Three is in the books! With two games played since my last post and another on the horizon, there is a lot to talk about. Before we dive into the headlines of Week Four, here is a quick synopsis of Weeks Two and Three.

Week Two: Patriots Vs. Dolphins

I may have predicted that the Patriots would win this game because of the favorable matchups, but long story short…they didn’t. A final score of 24-17 however, isn’t too bad considering how potent the Dolphins’ offense has been this season. Why isn’t that bad? Well, 24 points is pretty good compared to the 70 the Broncos let the Dolphins score last Sunday. The Patriots’ defense played very well this game and successfully shut down Tyreek Hill’s “big play” attribute. As usual, the offense left something to be desired but they had their moments and had a chance to tie the game up late in the fourth quarter once again. Mac Jones continues to prove competent, but may be lacking in the “clutch gene”.

Week Three: Patriots Vs. Jets

Back in the win column! After falling to 0-2 the Patriots really needed to pull this game out. The final score of 15-10 illustrates a low-scoring defensive battle between two premiere defensive units. Both offenses struggled to get going, but a 58-yard strike to tight end Pharaoh Brown was the difference maker. Rookie first-round pick, Christian Gonzalez, continued to shine at cornerback and held New York’s elite wide receiver, Garrett Wilson, to only 48 yards. My reaction to the game: offense, please be better. The Patriots will need to figure out how to score points if they are going to hang with some of the tougher teams on their schedule.

Zeke Revenge Tour?

The Patriots Week Four matchup is the Dallas Cowboys, a talented but inconsistent team. This matchup has a little bit of drama sprinkled in. Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott will be facing his former team for the first time since being released earlier this year. Along with the extra chip on his shoulder, Elliott is coming off a very solid performance last week (16 carries for 80 yards) and has been seeing reps as a starter at practice this week.

Rhamondre Stevenson has not been very effective carrying the ball this year–averaging only 2.9 yards per carry–so this week may see a changeup in who gets more snaps and carries. Bad news for fantasy owners of Stevenson, good news for Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott may be in for a big game this week, hopefully, one that includes getting one-up on his former team. Let him eat!

The Cowboys are coming off a rather embarrassing loss to the lowly Arizona Cardinals, so they will look to bounce back. Hype surrounds this team every year, but they always seem to disappoint. Dallas is considered to have one of the most talented defenses in the league, and their offense is no joke either. Christian Gonzalez should give elite receiver CeeDee Lamb a good battle and if the Patriots’ offense can find ways to exploit the defense just like Arizona did last week, there is a good chance a 2-2 record is in their future.

Mac Jones Avoids a Fine

On a less positive note, Mac Jones was accused by Jets CB Sauce Gardner of hitting him “below the belt” during a small tussle after a play last Sunday. Unfortunately, Jones already has a “dirty player” narrative surrounding him after some questionable antics last season. Nothing has been obvious and Jones has denied doing things to harm other players in the past, but some have accused him of purposely falling or getting up in ways that put opposing players in harm’s way. It’s getting harder and harder to write off all of these instances as just coincidence. Sauce Gardner accused Mac Jones of some fine-worthy extracurricular actions, but video evidence was not enough to prove Jones did anything malicious. Thus, Mac Jones avoided a fine, but his reputation continues to be questioned.

Posting this so I don’t get fined lol pic.twitter.com/2KjcAVTNsW

— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) September 25, 2023

Above is the video of the incident. I’ll let you be the judge. (Source)

With week one in the books there is a lot to unpack before the Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins in a Prime-Time matchup on Sunday night football (September 17th at 8:20). Below you can find everything you need to know before tuning in this Sunday as well as my review from game number 1!

My Review of Week 1

The beginning of this game was ugly. There is no denying that. A first quarter disaster, the Philadelphia Eagles jumped out to a swift 16-0 lead following a Mac Jones pick-six and a subsequent Ezekiel Elliott fumble–a problem persisting from his days in Dallas–on the very next drive. Similar to last season, the offense played abysmally once again through the first 15 minutes of this game, with the defense needing to carry the team’s success. However, through the rest of this game, I was given hope. Facing a Super Bowl favorite in the first game of the season is never an easy task, especially when that team has one of the most electrifying offenses in the league; it’s not easy to defend a dual-threat QB and two superstar WR’s. Despite this challenge and the woes of the first quarter, the Patriots rallied and dare I say it, outplayed the Eagles through the rest of the game. Did they win? Unfortunately not, but a 25-20 loss with multiple chances to take the lead in the waning minutes can be called a moral victory (if you believe in those). Mac Jones looked poised in the pocket and threw for over 300 years and three touchdowns (two to Kendrick Bourne and one to Hunter Henry). The defense played stoutly. They did not let up a touchdown outside of one in the first quarter (curtesy of Ezekiel Elliott’s fumble). Kayshon Boutte’s inability to get both feet in bounds on a 4th down passing attempt in the final seconds of the 4th quarter on a potentially go-ahead drive was ultimately to difference maker. I cringed a little at the rushing attack by the Patriots, but that is to be expected with multiple starters out on the O-line. Although the Patriots have started 0-1, I am excited to see how the offense continues to grow and hope to see the defense continue to shut down opponents.

Injury Report Heading into Sunday Night

Just like any other team, the Patriots are no strangers to injuries. The injury report includes the following players: OT Trent Brown (Concussion), OL Sidy Sow (Concussion), CB Jonathan Jones (Ankle), G Cole Strange (Knee), OL Mike Onwenu (Ankle), and WR DeVante Parker (Knee). Sow and Brown both were placed on concussion protocol following last weeks game while Jones appeared on the report during Thursday’s practice. Parker, Strange and Onwenu were all inactive for week one.

As it turns out, almost all of these players are key to the Patriots’ success. Four of the six players who are questionable for Sunday’s game are offensive linemen. Mac Jones needs to be protected. Missing four starters against a tough divisional matchup is far less than ideal, but the good news is that Strange and Onwenu will most likely suit up. Both have been full participants at practice. Jonathan Jones would be another huge loss if unable to play due to the fact that he is historically very effective against Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill. The speedster typically is a nightmare for opposing defenses, but Jones has held him to an average of 24.5 yards and zero touchdowns since 2018. DeVante Parker will hopefully make his way back to the lineup this week as the Patriots’ deep-threat to replace rookie Kayshon Boutte who was unable to make key plays against the Eagles. It seems as though most of these players will be game-time decisions. Only time will tell.

Week 2 Predictions

The Dolphins are coming off a big win from last week, where QB Tua Tagovailoa threw for over 450 yards and three touchdowns. An absolutely monster performance. However, the Patriots may have the edge over the Dolphins in most aspects of the game this week on paper. Despite the poor rushing performance last week, I like the matchup against Miami’s run defense because the Patriots should have Cole Strange and Mike Onwenu back in the line up instead of two rookies. Miami’s run defense was also shredded by the Chargers last week. Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott should be excited. The Patriots should also enjoy an advantage against the run on defense. The Dolphins faltered in their run game against the Chargers defensive unit and the speed and quickness of the Patriots defensive line and linebackers should similarly hold the Miami run game in check. My only worry is if Bill Belichick decides to commit too much to slowing down Tyreek Hill. The game plan will be interesting.

The pass game should be in favor of both offenses. A wide range of reliable targets gives Mac Jones a plethora of choices while going through progressions. While they may not be superstars, the variety may cause problems for the decent Miami secondary. The Dolphins wide receiver corps is one of the best in the league, with star power in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. It’s quantity versus quality this week. Who will prevail? The Patriots have the edge in terms of matchups this week in my opinion, but need to play a sound and mistake free game in order to get their first win of the season.

With the start of the NFL season rapidly approaching and the Week 1 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on the horizon, here are the most important developments coming out of New England!

Bailey Zappe Waived by the Patriots

Accompanying the end of the pre-season schedule are, of course, the final decisions on who makes the roster and who does not (90 players down to 53). In a surprising move, the Patriots elected to waive all of their backup quarterbacks, including Bailey Zappe, a fan favorite from last season. Zappe reportedly claimed to have been ‘blindsided’ by the decision–especially from receiving no explanation–after playing a decently significant role on the team last. The former backup QB appeared in four games last season, throwing for over 700 yards and five touchdowns against three interceptions. These appearances include his entering the game midway through an October loss against the Chicago Bears, in which Zappe was given a standing ovation by fans  chanting, ‘Zappe! Zappe!’ due to the poor performance from starter Mac Jones: two three-and-outs and an interception to start the game. Jones later successfully regained his starting spot and remained for the rest of the season, but considering how disappointing the 2022/23 campaign culminated, it is no secret as to why many fans desperately wanted to see more of Bailey Zappe as losses continued to mount. Despite the surprise to Zappe and the Patriots’ fanbase, the quarterback reportedly ‘stunk’ throughout training camp and the pre-season; staying rostered in a cut-throat league like the NFL requires continued success, not just the memories of former heroics. Still, the decision to waive Zappe without the curtesy of a conversation describes an interesting move from the Patriots’ front office, who chose to sign Matt Corral (formerly rostered by the Carolina Panthers), to serve as Mac Jones’ backup. Zappe now finds himself signed to the practice squad for the foreseeable future, and time will tell whether or not he can overcome this obstacle and regain his position on the 53-man game day roster.

Rhamondre Stevenson Praises Ezekiel Elliott’s Versatility and Work Ethic

On a more positive note, this week, Rhamondre Stevenson–the Patriots’ No. 1 offensive threat–showed his support for the new running back in town. Rhamondre praised Ezekiel Elliot’s versatility as a runner, blocker and pass catcher. Stevenson also noted the intangibles, like Elliott’s hard-working nature as a ‘student of the game’ and role as a helping hand to some of the younger players who are still learning the ropes to the NFL. These words are promising ahead of the new season because in many cases, the signing of a new veteran prompts the younger player to view the newcomer as a threat to his position; instead, Stevenson recognizes the potency Elliott may bring to the Patriots offensive plan by providing a second effective running back to alleviate some of the workload. Coming off of his worst year stat-wise in the NFL, Ezekiel Elliott can expect to see a significantly lightened workload compared to the amount of use he saw on the Dallas Cowboys, which will lessen injury risk and hopefully keep him productive throughout the season. The good news for Rhamondre Stevenson–a 25 year old in the prime of his career–remains the fact that his numbers are unlikely to take a dip this season as he retains his starting position with Elliott as a security blanket to keep Stevenson healthy (avoiding injury at this point in his career is of utmost importance to longevity). Patriots fans should be excited to see what this duo can do in the upcoming season without the worry of Stevenson becoming disillusioned with the front office’s decisions.

Week 1 Projections

The New England Patriots are slated to start the new season on Sunday, September 10th against the Philadelphia Eagles: the team that is widely regarded to be one of, if not the best in the NFC. The matchup frames the Patriots as 4.5 point underdogs as the Eagles–coming off an impressive 14-3 season–are predicted to handle business in Foxboro. However, hope remains for the Patriots due to the home-field advantage and the return of post-retirement Tom Brady, who will be in attendance to give the team some extra motivation. The Eagles must attempt to shake off their Super Bowl loss from last season and get back on track (something easier said than done). Will the Patriots impress in their first outing next weekend or are we in for a similar showing as last season?

As a presumed newcomer to the New England Patriots fandom, here lies everything you need to know before tuning into the upcoming season staring on Sunday, September 10th!

Early History

Originally the “Boston Patriots” the team was founded in 1959 as part of the American Football League (AFL), and later joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1970 with the merger of the AFL and NFL. The Boston Patriots then underwent a name change to the “New England Patriots” one year later coinciding with the move to a new stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Early Patriots history defines itself as extremely forgettable. With success in the NFL often measured in playoff prowess and Super Bowl wins, the Patriots represented a below average franchise for much of their existence in the 21st century. Only brief moments in the spotlight during the 1985/86 and 1996/1997 Super Bowl campaigns that both ultimately fell short, presented fans with any hope of raising the Lombardi Trophy in New England.

The Start of a Dynasty

Highlighted by a surprise hiring of Bill Belichick after he had agreed to and then suddenly resigned from the position of head coach for the New York Jets in 1999, the turn of the century marked a new beginning for the Patriots. This new era began with the drafting of none other than Tom Brady at pick number 199 in the 2000 NFL draft. At the time a seemingly forgettable pick, this decision by Robert Kraft, the owner of the Patriots, set the team on a crash course with greatness. One year later in week 2 of the 2001/02 season, the Patriots’ starting quarterback, Drew Bledsoe, took a brutal hit from Mo Lewis of the New York Jets. This quick moment forever altered the careers of Drew Bledsoe, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick as it caused a collapsed lung which put Bledsoe out for the remainder of the season. Next in line for the keys to the Patriots’ offense was of course Tom Brady, who would go on a magical run as the starter for the rest of the season and bring a the Lombardi Trophy to New England for the first time ever.

No time was wasted during the next years seasons as Brady and Belichick won another two Super Bowls in 2004 and 2005, back to back. New England had officially cemented itself as a dynasty in the NFL. Brady proved over and over again why he deserves the title of “greatest football player of all time”, by leading his team to the playoffs 17 times, missing out only in 2002 and 2008 due to his season being ended prematurely as a result of injury. Some highlights of Brady’s career in New England include six Super Bowl wins, five Super Bowl MVP awards, three league MVP awards, records in passing yards and touchdowns in both the regular and post season, and the greatest comeback of all time against the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl in 2017.

All Good Things Must Come to and End

Unfortunately, after 20 seasons with the Patriots, Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of the 2020 season after his contract had run its course. Quickly a new debate arose. Who was more important to the Patriots’ success, Brady or Belichick? Since Brady’s departure, the Patriots relinquished some success fell and relatively weak seasons ensued compared to the standards of the previous dynasty. Brady’s replacement, Cam Newton, failed to lead the team to the playoffs in 2020 and since drafting quarterback Mac Jones in 2021, little success has been seen besides the short playoff birth in Jones’ rookie season that ended with a first round exit. As the 2023/24 season approaches rapidly, all New England fans can hope for is an elevated level of play from Mac Jones, supplemented by the new weapons brought on in the offseason with the likes of  WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and RB Ezekiel Elliot, as well as the signing of new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien among other new additions. Time will tell whether the Patriots will once again rise to the top or crash and burn if the Brady vs, Belichick debate falls further towards the advantage of Brady.